Koh Rong: Cambodia’s Island Paradise You’ve Maybe Never Heard Of
Cambodia might be most famous for Angkor Wat and ancient temples, but let’s be honest – sometimes you just want white sand, turquoise water, and no alarm clocks! This is where Koh Rong Island, Cambodia’s very own slice of tropical paradise, comes in.
Tucked away in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Rong and its sleepier sister island, Koh Rong Samloem, are the perfect escape for anyone craving beach time or that sweet disconnect from the modern world (but yes, there is WiFi – mostly). The islands are a great place to chill out and take in some of the beautiful scenery of Cambodia’s coastline.
Whether you’re planning a full blown island hopping adventure or just need a break after temple overload in Siem Reap or the busy city streets of Phnom Penh, this guide has everything you need to know about visiting these beautiful islands in the South of Cambodia. We’re not perfect though, so if we’ve missed anything, feel free to get in touch with us via email or social media and we’re happy to answer your questions!
Fun Fact: Popular TV series “Survivor” has been filmed on Koh Rong several times!
Where Is Koh Rong Island?
Koh Rong is located off the coast of Sihanoukville, about a 45-minute ferry ride away. It’s the second largest island in Cambodia (beaten by Koh Kong!), and is known for its powdery white beaches, palm trees, and crystal-clear water. It’s got a similar vibe to some of the smaller Thai islands – but without the crowds or inflated prices!
Right next door is Koh Rong Samloem (sometimes spelled Sanloem or Samlem), a smaller and quieter island with a focus on chill resorts, hammock time, and bioluminescent plankton (yes, really).
What’s the Difference Between Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem?
Let’s break it down:
🏝️ Koh Rong:
– The bigger, livelier island
– More budget accommodation and beach parties
– Popular with backpackers and people wanting plenty of activities
– Beaches like Koh Touch and Long Set Beach are buzzing and have plenty of bars
– More restaurant options and things to do
And of course – checking out all the great beaches or just sitting with a cocktail watching an incredible sunset!
🌴 Koh Rong Samloem:
– Smaller and quieter, which is perfect for couples and having a relaxing getaway
– Best for disconnecting (limited WiFi and electricity in some areas, and even if you have good WiFi, you can just tell your friends and family you don’t!)
– Saracen Bay is the main beach, with views you’d expect to see on a postcard
– Great snorkeling and night swimming spots with the bioluminescent plankton
– Fewer crowds, fewer boats, more tranquility
There is of course still places to get a drink but this island doesn’t have the same nightlife scene as the bigger island. There are jungle parties, though they’re away from the beach and not every night!
If you’ve got time, do both. They’re only a short boat ride apart and offer completely different experiences.
Best Beaches on Koh Rong Island
You’re spoiled for choice here, but these are the standouts (In our opinion):
Long Set Beach (4K Beach) – Gorgeous, less developed, and ideal for a quiet afternoon with a coconut. There are now resorts here but it’s still a beautiful beach and also only a short walk away from the main Koh Touch area. The views here are gorgeous and you’ll be able to make all your friends jealous with the sunset photos you’ll get.
Koh Touch – Not the most beautiful beach on the islands but it’s certainly the most lively! Koh Touch is the party hub with bars, music, and hostels. Probably not the best place to stay if you’re a light sleeper.
Sok San Beach – Sok San is a beautiful stretch made famous by the TV show Survivor and the resort there was originally built for the production. It’s worth the journey and you can get some super budget accomodation here (or stay at the resort!). The beach here is beautiful and clean and there is also a cool little Khmer fishing village.
What to Do on Koh Rong
While “doing nothing” is totally acceptable (and encouraged), here are some popular things to keep you entertained:
Snorkeling & Diving – There are plenty of coral reefs and marine life to explore on both islands.
Kayaking – Paddle your way around the coast or to nearby coves with a guide.
Hiking – There are trails through the jungle if you’re feeling adventurous. We recommend getting some guidance from the island locals before doing this.
Bioluminescent Plankton Tours – This is a must do for both islands. Swim at night and see glowing bioluminescent plankton lighting up around you.
There are also other watersports activities available on both islands, and Koh Rong now has the awesome High Point Zip Line and Rope Park which you should check out!
And of course – sitting on the beach with a cocktail and watching the sunset is a perfectly acceptable plan for your day.
Don’t be surprised if you spot more than just fellow beach bums on Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem – these islands are also home to a surprising amount of other wildlife! Keep your eyes peeled for monkeys swinging through the trees, butterflies flitting around the jungle trails or the occasional giant monitor lizard sunbathing near your bungalow.
The surrounding waters of the islands are full of tropical fish, and if you’re lucky, you might even snorkel alongside a sea turtle as the islands are home to several species of them! Let’s also not forget the bioluminescent (glowing) plankton, not exactly wildlife in the cuddly sense, but swimming through sparkly water at night feels like something out of a sci-fi movie.
How to Get to Koh Rong Island
You’ll need to get to Sihanoukville first, which is easily reached by bus, minivan, or flight from Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville takes less than 3 hours by bus and while the journey from Siem Reap will take closer to 8 or 9 hours, there are plenty of night buses available which also saves you a night of accommodation costs!
From Sihanoukville, hop on a speedboat ferry service to either Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem. Boats typically take around 45 minutes for the fast boat and cost around $25 return. Be aware: schedules can be a bit flexible, especially during the rainy season. If the weather is too bad, ferries can be delayed – or even cancelled entirely! It may be annoying at the time, but it’s better than risking a dangerous crossing.
📝 Tip: Buy your boat ticket in advance during high season (November to April). Boats can sometimes fill up quickly, and it’s not fun being stuck around the ferry docks longer than necessary in the heat when you’re carrying all your luggage!
Be smart and CLICK HERE to book your ferry or bus with 12.go – our preferred website for transport bookings. If you book through our link, we receive a small commission, which helps keep the site running!
Where to Stay on Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem
Accommodation on the islands ranges from $5 a night hostel dorm beds to $300 a night boutique resorts. There are so many great options availabel, but here’s a quick cheat sheet:
On Koh Rong:
Budget Friendly: Nest Beach Club, Mad Monkey Hostel
Mid-range: Tree House Bungalows, White Beach Bungalows
Luxury: The Royal Sands Koh Rong (hello, private beach and infinity pool)
On Koh Rong Samloem:
Budget Friendly: Onederz Hostel, The Big Easy
Mid-range: Sara Resort, Sol Beach Resort
Luxury: Pearl Beach Resort and Spa, La Passion by Achariyak
Best Time to Visit Koh Rong
The dry season from November to April is your best bet. During these months you’ll usually get blue skies, calm seas, and ideal swimming weather. The rainy season (May to October) can still be nice – fewer tourists, lush greenery – but boat trips can be delayed, and beaches a little less Instagram-perfect. During these months the rains could also put a dampener on your lazy beach days!
Don’t forget to check out our full guide to Cambodia’s seasons here 👇
“When is the best time to visit Cambodia?”
Top Tips
Cash is king – Bring plenty. ATMs are nonexistent on the islands. Some of the hotels can take card payments and some will even offer cashback for you at a (usually quite high) fee. However, it’s easier to bring cash in advance!
Electricity may be iffy – Some places experience power cuts and you can’t rely on always having power or internet. Worth noting if you’re a digital nomad or planning to work online during your stay!
WiFi is spotty – Use it as an excuse to unplug and ignore your tiktok notifications.
Bring bug spray! – Mosquitos and sandflies are prevalent on the islands and the last thing you want is to spend your evenings scratching your bits instead of enjoying the island vibes.
Pack light – You’ll likely be hopping on and off boats barefoot on the beach and the last thing you want to do is carry around a 30kg suitcase! If you are travelling with a lot of luggage, it might be worth looking into luggage storage in Sihanoukville and leaving the bulk of your stuff on the mainland and just bringing what you need.
Respect nature – This should go without saying, but don’t leave trash around or cause any damage to the nature around the islands. Avoid stepping on coral too – not just for the coral’s sake but because it’ll hurt!
So if you’re fancying a trip to some incredible tropical beaches but don’t want to deal with the chaos of Phuket or the prices of Bali, Koh Rong Island is the perfect southeast Asian alternative. Whether you decide to go for the fun party vibes of Koh Rong or the chilled out Koh Rong Samloem, you’re guaranteed to leave with a tan, a grin, and maybe a few bug bites (don’t forget the bug spray).
So go on, add Koh Rong Cambodia to your travel wishlist. You’ll thank us later.
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