Though lacking the white sand of its popular neighbour Ta Barang beach, Yeay Mao (meaning grandmother in Khmer) beach has its own unique character.

There is the concrete bridge leading to the sea providing visitors with a view of Kampong Som bay.

But as the beach is covered by natural rocks and unsuitable for swimming for children, there is Poy Yeay Mao Resort situated in nearby Keo Pos commune with swimming pools on the shore that are an attraction in themselves.

The most interesting aspect of the two-month-old resort is the underground water source providing unlimited fresh water for bathing and drinking next to the sea.

“We recently opened a swimming pool next to the sea for those who want to swim with Kampong Som bay as their background. As this beach is not ideal for swimming since there are rocks, we decided to build pools to offer the sea bathing experience,” said Song Srey Roth, the manager of the resort, spread over 20ha.

Srey Roth, who moved from Kampong Cham province to work at her grandfather’s business Poy Yeay Mao Resort, told The Post: “I am not sure where this underground water source is from. I just know that there is a mountain nearby that it may be from.

“More importantly, the fresh water is good quality that we can use for cooking, swimming in our pool and watering our plants. It is never dry, even in summer the water still rises up consistently.”

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The fresh water pool, measuring 10m in length and 5m wide, on the seashore is open to the public, with adults paying 5,000 riel ($1.25) per person and children 2,000 riel. There is also an additional 10m by 2m pool for children.

“We plan to build three more pools along the sea, but we will do it step-by-step,” said Srey Roth. “We are going to build a slide for children’s activities since they can’t play on the rocky beach,” said Sou Meng, Srey Roth’s husband.

He added that adults can swim in the sea even though the beach is not smooth sand, but it is not appropriate for children.

The resort has 20 huts built overlooking the bay, with each hut costing 30,000 riel. Food is also available, from grilled chicken and roasted duck to seafood, priced from 20,000 riel to 50,000 riel per dish.

Poy Yeay Mao Resort is located close to the popular Ta Barang beach in Rithy II village, Keo Pos commune, Steung Hav district, Preah Sihanouk province.

For more information about reaching the resort, you can contact them by telephone (086 716 744).