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Situated off Cambodia’s southern coastline in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Rong and its quieter sister island, Koh Rong Sanloem are two of Southeast Asia’s best-kept secrets. With powdery white sand, turquoise blue waters, lush jungle, and charming seaside villages, these islands combine relaxation and adventure in perfect harmony.
There’s plenty to do while spending three days split between these islands, whether that’s adventure, socialising or just finding a quiet spot for some relaxation.
Koh Rong vs Koh Rong Sanloem: which is best?
Cambodia’s tranquil islands offer a different vibe to that of its busy mainland. Koh Rong is definitely the more lively of the two, still offering a buzz of nightlife, restaurants and plenty of water sports.
Koh Rong Sanloem is slower-paced and way more chilled, offering some peace and serenity where you can escape the crowds, unwind on pristine beaches, snorkel, and experience a slice of tropical heaven.
Both islands are budding with natural beauty and marine life. There are some amazing coral reefs which are great for snorkelling, as well as jungle treks, if you’d prefer to stay on dry land.
There are also some great spots to watch the beautiful bioluminescent plankton at night.
How to get to Cambodia’s islands
Although an airport is currently being built on Koh Rong, boat is the only way to get to the islands at the moment. There are quite a few ferry operators to Koh Rong from Serendipity Pier (Ochheuteal Beach Pier) in Sihanoukville, with different options throughout the day.
It takes about 30-45 minutes to get to Koh Rong and 45 minutes from Koh Rong to Koh Rong Sanloem. An open return gives you the option to visit either and costs around $25.
It’s also worth mentioning that there are various different vendors and a 7-Eleven on the pier. I don’t think that Sihanoukville is a great place to stop as it is pretty much an abandoned city, with tens, perhaps hundreds of uncompleted buildings and empty streets.
I always make a point of mentioning this as past reviews online (now dated), can make Sihanoukville sound like a fantastic place to stop and I have been told by many travellers that it once was. However, it has since seen massive decline due to investors pulling out of many hotel builds.
I stayed in a fifteen story hotel and was the only guest, with no lights on and it was creepy to say the least.
Sihonukville does however have a very small international airport, and I flew with Cambodia Airlines to Siem Reap from there. One thing to note is this airline is usually very empty so don’t be surprised if you have to check your bag in for being a gram overweight.
There are also bus connections and I booked a Giant Ibis bus from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville through 12Go Asia for less than £15. Road links to other parts of the country are quite limited but I wouldn’t let this put you off as the country is stunning and I’d definitely recommend having these islands as part of your Cambodia itinerary.
Travelling locally on Cambodia’s islands
On Koh Rong, there are more options for getting around, with tuk tuks available to take you around the island, along with scooters and boats. That said, plenty of places are walkable and I chose to walk many times as it gave me the opportunity to really take in the full beauty of these islands.
Top tip: Pack light but smart with reef‑safe sunscreen, swimwear, good walking shoes, mosquito repellent, cash and a torch.
Budget accommodation on Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem
When it comes to the accommodation on the both of these islands there are plenty of options that are more than affordable. I chose to stay in the Tree House Bungalows on Koh Rong, as I wanted something a little bit different.
The accommodation consisted of treehouses with a basic feel and balconies overlooking the tranquil blue waters, and it was a great experience. It wasn’t the cheapest, but for $30 a night it’s still incredibly good value in comparison to UK prices, especially taking the fantastic location into account.
A cheaper alternative is Sweet Jungle Bungalows & Restaurant for about $4 a night or Mad Monkey Koh Rong (a hostel), is very popular amongst backpackers, costing around $11 a night.
In Koh Rong Sanloem, I stayed at Paradise Villas which cost me $30 a night and your villa is right on Saracen Bay Beach. Each villa has a hammock which is great for chilling.
The restaurant also serves amazing milkshakes, smoothies and fruit bowls. For a cheaper alternative on this island, Onederz Koh Rong Sanloem is very popular and costs $8 per night.
Itinerary for 3 days on Cambodia’s tranquil islands
Summary: 3-day itinerary for Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem
- Long Set and White Beach
- Dinner at White Pearl Beach Restaurant
- See the bioluminescent plankton
- Saracen Bay
- Take the jungle path to Lazy Beach or Sunset Beach
- Snorkelling on Lazy Beach
- Dinner at The Big Easy
- Watch the sunset
- Stargaze on the beach
Day 1: Enjoying the beaches on Koh Rong
After your arrival: Head over to a quieter beach (Long Set and White Beach are both fantastic) to chill out or swim. The white powdery sand is lovely to walk on and snorkelling in the crystal clear water is also a great option.
You can also head to a beach viewpoint or to the pier for sunset.
Where to eat dinner on Koh Rong: Dinner at a beachside restaurant, followed by experiencing bioluminescent plankton is a fantastic way to spend your first evening on Koh Rong. White Pearl Beach Restaurant is great and has vegetarian food that can be made vegan if you request it.
Where to see bioluminescent plankton
You can see bioluminescent plankton from the shore (free/self-guided). The best spots to see them are on Lonely Beach (north Koh Rong), Long Set Beach (4K Beach) and Sok San Beach. You can also book on a boat tour for $5-$10.
Tips on how to see bioluminescent plankton: The plankton is easier to see on a moonless or very dark night. Wait until the sky is fully dark, then wade knee-deep into the sea and stir the water gently, then you’ll see blue sparkles swirl around your hands and feet.
Day 2: Head over to Koh Rong Sanloem for waterfalls and more beautiful beaches
Morning: Take an early boat transfer to Saracen Bay on Koh Rong Sanloem. Here you’ll find plenty of more relaxed resorts and bungalows, along with pristine white beaches.
Koh Rong Sanloem also offers plenty of opportunities to connect with nature, including a beautiful waterfall near Saracen Bay.
Afternoon: You can take a jungle path to Lazy Beach or Sunset Beach, or alternatively catch a boat. Lazy Beach, like many of the other beaches, is perfect for snorkelling.
Evening: There are plenty of places to enjoy dinner on the sea front and The Big Easy (Koh Rong Sanloem) is one of the more vegan and vegetarian friendly beach restaurants. It has a fantastic variety of Asian food, including curry, fried rice and fried noodles.
It’s right on the beach, so you can dine with sea views and watch the sunset. After dark, you can watch the skies light up for a beautiful stargazing session.
Bioluminescent plankton in Sanloem: M’Pai Bay is a great spot and a few local dive and snorkel shops offer night plankton swims, sometimes combined with sunset BBQs.
Day 3: Enjoying island life your way
As life on the islands is so chilled, I’d advise keeping this day flexible. While I was out there, I only tended to book accommodation on the day. The hotels are fairly quiet so there is a lot of flexibility.
Option A: Stay one more night in Sanloem, soaking up the calm, finding a hammock in a quiet spot, enjoying an easy walk along the beach, or even doing some more snorkelling.
Option B: Head back to Koh Rong to explore Lonely Beach or, if you want some more intense activity, go zip-lining.
On the final night: Enjoy the sunset at a beach restaurant, perhaps even getting another glimpse at some more bioluminescent plankton, and some calm moments under the stars.
When to visit Koh Rong islands
November to March has the best weather for visiting the Koh Rong islands. You’ll find it drier at this time, with less humidity.
The off‑season is between May and October. There are less people visiting the island but is a lot riskier, due to rough seas and unpredictable weather.
Currency in Cambodia
The official currency in Cambodia is Riel, which is a closed currency and can only be exchanged inside Cambodia. However, US Dollars are what are mainly used and quoted. Cash points can be hard to find and also limited when it comes to small denominations. Many times I found myself having to take out $100 and attempt to break it in a 7-eleven, sometimes unsuccessfully. I’d also recommend when visiting the islands to bring plenty of cash as paying by card is very limited here and there are no cash machines. You do have the option to withdraw cash from some shops, but many don’t have the cash to withdraw or charge a hefty 8% fee for doing so.
With three nights split between Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem, you’ll get a taste of everything: adventure, serene beaches, jungle walks, marine life and memorable sunsets. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, nature, or a bit of both, this island paradise is definitely not worth missing when visiting Cambodia.
This is a guest post from Tim Jones from Wildness and Wellbeing, a podcast and blog with a focus on how the outdoors can help your mental health. Tim travelled South East Asia last year.
