What Makes Koh Rong Cambodia a Must-Visit Island? Explore Top Attractions!

Situated off the coast of Sihanoukville, Koh Rong is a paradise island renowned for its stunning landscapes and preserved nature. It is considered the most popular tourist destination in Cambodia. If you're looking for a peaceful and relaxing vacation in nature, Koh Rong is the ideal place for you. For a perfect trip to Cambodia, take note of the latest information below and set off to discover Koh Rong. So, don't hesitate any longer and embark on an unforgettable adventure on this magnificent island!

Written by Tieu Bao (Local Expert) Updated on 23-11-2024

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1. Where Are the Koh Rong Islands Located?

Located in the Gulf of Thailand, about 25 km from the shores of Sihanoukville in southeastern Cambodia, Koh Rong is often called a "paradise island." This destination is famous for its natural beauty, featuring pristine white sand beaches, warm crystal-clear waters, and a pleasant tropical climate.

Koh Rong, with a population of over 1,000 inhabitants, primarily sustains itself through fishing, livestock, commerce, and tourism. Visitors can immerse themselves in local life by exploring fishing villages, savoring culinary specialties, and biking or hiking along the beach.

While visiting this island paradise, Koh Rong offers travelers the opportunity to relax on its white sandy beaches, snorkel in crystal clear waters, explore the local culture, and participate in island activities like hiking, cycling and swimming. It is truly the ideal place to recharge your batteries and enjoy the tropical paradise.

2. What to Do and See on Koh Rong?

2.1. Relax on Koh Rong's Most Beautiful Beaches

The beaches are the main attraction of Koh Rong, offering a unique experience immersed in nature, with fine white sand, turquoise waters, and coconut groves as far as the eye can see.

Kaoh Touch is the most famous and developed beach on Koh Rong, with many restaurants, pubs, and accommodation options. However, if you're looking for a bit more privacy, this beach can be quite crowded.

Just 3 km from Kaoh Touch, Long Set Beach is a perfect alternative, with its immaculate white sand and peaceful ambiance. Often called "4K Beach" due to its 4 km stretch of white sand and few scattered accommodations, Long Set Beach impresses visitors with its preserved beauty.

Koh Rong is known for its beautiful beaches, each offering a unique experience for visitors. Sok San Beach, located on the west side of the island, is home to a small peaceful Khmer fishing village and a large beach resort. The fisherman's village hostels are economical and provide a unique opportunity to explore local life.

Long Beach, also on the west side, is known for its turquoise crystal-clear waters, soft white sand, and lush green foliage. It's the perfect spot for sunbathing, swimming, and water activities like snorkeling.

Lonely Beach, located in the north of the island, was voted the most beautiful beach on Koh Rong in 2021. Despite its remote location, it is well worth the visit with its small cliffs, fine white sand, verdant palm trees, and clear waters reflecting the sky. This beach is recommended for travelers looking to completely disconnect from the outside world and immerse themselves in the wild nature.

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2.2. Snorkeling on Koh Rong

Koh Rong is a fantastic place to explore the underwater world. With snorkeling or scuba diving, you can observe a variety of marine creatures such as miniature ecosystems, corals, seahorses, and sea cucumbers.

The best spots for snorkeling are Koh Touch and Lonely Beach, which offer spectacular views of coral reefs and colorful fish. The prices for scuba diving excursions are also reasonable, and you can enjoy fishing, snorkeling, and a sunset barbecue for about $10 from 1 pm to 7 pm.

For a more immersive experience, you can rent a boat for around $70 to explore Pineapple Island and discover traditional Khmer fishing techniques. This excursion offers a panoramic view of the island's natural landscapes and a unique opportunity to meet local inhabitants and learn about their culture.

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2.3. Explore Koh Rong by Longtail Boat

To fully discover the untouched beauty and grandeur of Koh Rong, we recommend taking a longtail boat trip around the island. With a capacity of up to 10 people, these typical boats allow you to explore every nook and cranny of the island.

The cost to rent a longtail boat is about $100 per day. It is advisable to leave early in the morning to enjoy the entire day and visit the different sites on the island. Discover pristine beaches, charming resorts, private renowned islands, and picturesque fishing villages on Koh Rong during an unforgettable longtail boat excursion.

2.4. Visit Koh Rong Samloem

It's important to note that Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem are two distinct islands, although many people confuse them. Koh Rong Samloem is often considered the "twin sister" of the larger Koh Rong island.

Although Koh Rong Samloem is smaller than Koh Rong, it is no less beautiful. Nature is preserved in all its splendor, with only a few resorts built for tourism. For those seeking tranquility and peace, this is undoubtedly a true paradise!

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This paradisiacal island is known for its white sand beaches, warm crystal-clear waters, and exquisite marine life, including the glowing bioluminescent plankton. Koh Rong Samloem is breathtakingly beautiful, and since there is no transportation on the island other than boat taxis, it is the perfect place to escape reality.

During your visit to Koh Rong Samloem, don't miss Saracen Bay, M'Pai Bay, or Lazy Beach, where you can sunbathe or snorkel at Sunset Beach. The peaceful villages of M'Pai Bay (north) and Koh Rong Samloem Phumi Kang Knong (south) are also worth discovering. These are small fishing villages where the inhabitants mainly live from fishing, agriculture, and small-scale livestock farming.

2.5. Swim at Night with Bioluminescent Plankton

Plankton abounds in the seas, but it's rare to see it glow at night. Only places with very little light pollution allow this interesting phenomenon to be observed. Koh Rong Island is one of those ideal places!

The best spots to observe bioluminescent plankton are Koh Touch and Saracen Bay. Guided tours of glowing plankton are offered for about $5 and usually depart at 7 pm from Police Beach, Tree House Bungalows, and Long Set Beach. You might also encounter them by chance during boat excursions that include snorkeling, fishing, a barbecue, and sunsets.

2.6. Fish with Unique Local Techniques

Koh Rong is famous for being the birthplace of the giant Mekong catfish, one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, weighing up to 650 pounds. If you are a fishing enthusiast, don't miss the opportunity to go on a private fishing excursion at Koh Touch, the main tourist site on Koh Rong Island.

You will discover the traditional fishing method used by local Khmer fishermen, a technique not used everywhere. With just a plastic bottle and a fishing line, they can catch a fish in just one minute.

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Even if you are a beginner in fishing, don't worry, this unique experience is suitable for everyone. Besides fishing, you will also be able to discover the wonders of the island. Fishing excursions generally cost between $20 and $30 per person, depending on the duration, fishing location, and number of participants.

2.7. Enjoy a Drink by the Sea

Fancy sipping a drink while admiring a beautiful seaside view? It’s possible on Koh Rong, an island famous for its lively nightlife parties that attract young people looking for entertainment. SkyBar is one of the most well-known bars on the island, located on a hill overlooking the bays of Koh Rong, offering a breathtaking view of the sea.

On Tuesdays and Fridays, the Pub Crawl is organized for only $8 to $10, allowing you to enjoy a drink in each participating bar and take part in social activities. On Wednesday and Saturday nights, parties are held, as well as Full Moon Parties on Police Beach.

2.8. Taste the Culinary Specialties

Koh Rong Island offers few standalone restaurants, but almost all bungalows and guesthouses have their own restaurants or cafes, where you can enjoy delicious meals even if you're not staying there. If you stay in Koh Toch Village or on Koh Toch Beach, you will have a wide choice of restaurants. However, if you're elsewhere on the island, your only option will likely be the restaurant at your guesthouse, as you'll be too far from other establishments.

Don't miss tasting the island's culinary specialties, whether it's Italian, French, or local dishes such as Kdam Chaa (fried crab with Kampot pepper), Lap Khmer (Cambodian beef salad), or Amok (fish curry). You can also discover dishes made from insects, such as beef stir-fried with ants.

3. How to Get to Koh Rong Island?

To get to Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem from the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, several options are available. In any case, you must first get to Sihanoukville, a city located on the southern coast of Cambodia.

If you prefer to fly, you can easily buy direct tickets from Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Bangkok (Thailand), or Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) to Sihanoukville International Airport, saving you a lot of time.

In addition to flying, from Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, you can take a sleeper bus for about $30 per person, depending on the distance.

Once you arrive in Sihanoukville, you can take a tuk-tuk to the ferry or speedboat terminal and then buy a ticket to your exact destination. The ferry takes about 2 hours and costs $10, while the speedboat takes about 45 minutes to cross the river and costs $20.

You can also opt for one of the five modern and comfortable high-speed ferries with life jackets, comfortable seats, and buffet-style dining stands, such as Speed Ferry Cambodia (SFC), Island Speed Boat Cambodia (ISBC), Buva Sea (BS), Angkor Speed Ferry (ASF), and GTVC. They offer round-trip tickets starting from $25 per person.

4. What Are the Best Times to Visit Koh Rong Island?

Koh Rong Island has a humid tropical climate, which falls under the category of tropical climates. More specifically, according to the Köppen-Geiger classification, the climate is of the tropical monsoon type (Am).

The best time to visit Koh Rong is from early May to mid-November. During this period, the average temperature ranges from 25 to 40 degrees Celsius, with few clouds and low humidity, making it ideal for sea activities. We recommend checking the weather forecast before you go.

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5. The Best Hotels on Koh Rong

In Koh Rong, you have a wide range of accommodation options, from budget choices to luxury stays. It is crucial to choose carefully to ensure a pleasant experience during your visit. To do this, consult reputable hotel booking sites such as Booking or Agoda.

Don't forget to consider reviews from other travelers regarding the establishment you're interested in, and feel free to contact the hotel directly to confirm all details. Among all the available options, we recommend:

5.1. Song Saa Private Island

Song Saa Private Island is the top name on the list of resorts in Koh Rong and even Koh Rong Samloem. With luxurious service and a stunning beach view, this resort offers a higher price range than other hotels. It features numerous amenities such as a bar, free Wi-Fi access, a beach, a gym, a pool, and a spa.

5.2. Sok San Beach Resort

Sok San Beach Resort is a familiar name to many travelers, as it was chosen for the filming of the French series Survivor. This resort offers breathtaking landscapes, magnificent white sand beaches, and sparkling seawater in a peaceful and relaxing environment.

The resort is quite large, with about 600 large and small villas located away from the main tourist attractions, in a quiet and isolated area of Sok San, near a local Khmer fishing village. Even during the high season, there is enough space to stroll and relax.

5.3. Sol Beach Resort and The One Resort (Koh Rong Samloem)

Located on the island of Koh Rong Samloem, Sol Beach Resort and The One Resort are appreciated by tourists. Both resorts offer comfortable accommodations on one of the most beautiful beaches in Saracen Bay. The white sand beaches are in perfect condition, and the seawater is truly mesmerizing, regularly changing from green to blue to turquoise, which will surprise you upon arrival.

5.4. Lonely Beach Resort

Lonely Beach Resort is located in the north of Koh Rong, which is not very well known. It is ideal for those looking for a Robinson Crusoe-style destination. Although the room system is quite simple, the resort offers beautiful views of the clear sea, lovely sandy beaches, and a tropical island habitat. It is suitable for those on a modest budget. However, it is important to note that the service is not comprehensive, there are few shops around, and there is no Wi-Fi access.

6. FAQs

Q: Is there WiFi on Koh Rong?

A: Yes, free WiFi is available in most areas, but it can be slow and unreliable.

Q: When is the rainy season on Koh Rong?

A: From mid-May to early November. Expect short bursts of heavy rain, especially closer to September. For more details, see our Weather Guide.

Q: How long is the ferry from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong?

A: About 40 minutes if it's the first stop, up to 1 hour with additional stops.

Q: Is there a private ferry service from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong?

A: No, private ferry services are not available.

Q: Is it possible to take a ferry to Koh Rong after dark?

A: No, ferries do not operate after dark for safety reasons.

Q: Can I get around Koh Rong after dark?

A: It is not recommended for safety reasons. Stay at your chosen location. For the best places to stay, see our Hotel Guide and Beach Guide.

Q: Can I hire a private long-tail boat after dark?

A: For safety reasons, this is not advised. Book a plankton tour or speak to an experienced guide instead.

Q: How badly are ferry boats affected by rainy weather conditions?

A: Service depends on the weather, but some ferries operate during rain if conditions permit.

Q: Where can I see the glowing plankton on Koh Rong?

A: Book a boat tour or visit specific spots like Police Beach, Tree House Bungalows, or Long Set Beach. For more details, see: Glowing Plankton on Koh Rong.

Q: Where are the best beaches on Koh Rong?

A: The top beaches are Lonely Beach, Lazy Beach, 4K Beach, Saracen Bay, White Beach, Sok San Beach, and Palm Beach. For more information, see our Beach Guide.

Q: What should I bring with me to Koh Rong?

A: Bring cash, mosquito spray, sunscreen, and other essentials. Shops are available but prices are higher.

Q: Are there ATMs on Koh Rong?

A: No, but you can get cash at Eftpos terminals in Koh Touch.

Q: Is there a medical facility on Koh Rong?

A: Yes, in Koh Touch. Ask for directions upon arrival.

Q: Is Koh Rong family-friendly?

A: Yes, there are many quiet, family-friendly places. See our Hotel Guide and Beach Guide for more details.

Q: Is it easy to get a Cambodian Visa?

A: Yes, Tourist Visas are straightforward and can be obtained at the airport or border. Business Visas have stricter requirements.

Q: Is it safe to travel to Cambodia alone?

A: Yes, as long as you are sensible. Cambodian people are generally respectful and friendly.

Q: Is Cambodia safe?

A: Generally, yes. Cambodia ranks as the 59th safest country in the world, with violent crime being rare.

Q: What is the best currency to use in Cambodia?

A: US Dollars and Khmer Riel are both accepted.

Q: What should you not wear in Cambodia?

A: Men should avoid shorts and vests, and women should avoid mini-skirts and revealing clothing in non-tourist areas.

For any other questions, feel free to contact us.

Our Final Words

Koh Rong Island in Cambodia is a dream destination for your trip to this country of pagodas. Don't miss the paradise beaches, varied activities, culinary specialties, and much more. Share your experiences and discoveries with us here!

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