What’s In The Article
With crystal clear waters, lush jungles, and unbeatable beaches, you’d be a fool not to put them on your Cambodia travel itinerary! Koh Rong is well known for being Cambodia’s “party island”, where full moon parties and cheap hostels make it a budget backpacker’s dream. After all, when you’ve got the stunning natural jungle, pristine beaches, crystal clear waters, and those famous Southeast Asian sunsets, why not have a slice of party with your island paradise?
Koh Rong’s “little sister”, Koh Rong Samloem is just a short boat ride away, offering a much more relaxed island stay. As a smaller, more untouched island, this is the place to be if you want to spend your day in a hammock, enjoying life at a slower pace.
Spending a few days on each of Cambodia’s most famous islands needs to be on everyone’s Southeast Asian bucket travel list, so naturally, I had to hop on the ferry and get myself there!
How to Get to Koh Rong
To get to Koh Rong, you first need to head to Sihanoukville, a coastal city that is much more of a ‘passing through’ place than a ‘visiting’ place, if you catch my drift.
The best way to get to Sihanoukville from Phnom Penh is by bus, which can be booked in advance on sites such as Bookmebus or CamboTicket and generally costs about $15 per person depending on the company you choose to travel with. You can always look to hire a private taxi, which can usually be arranged through your accommodation in Phnom Penh or through a travel agent in the city, but these can be quite expensive.
Alternatively, Sihanoukville does have an airport, but there are very few international flights that land there, and the domestic flights can be pretty costly!
Once in Sihanoukville, make your way to the ferry port. It’s pretty easy to use a transportation app or hail a tuk-tuk to get you there. Generally, there are several providers that leave for either island on various schedules, which is where Bookmebus, CamboTicket, or other online booking platforms come in handy again! Get your ticket in advance, get to the dock, and get ready for your adventure!
The Boat Ride From Sihanoukville to Koh Rong
The boat to Koh Rong was a memorable moment in itself. I chose the slower ferry rather than the speed boat, and this not only saved me a few dollars but also gave me space on a bigger boat, where I could sit on the top deck and admire the vastness of the sparkling blue Pacific Ocean. After all, why rush life and miss out on the little things?
It took about an hour to get from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong island, and I simply sat, enjoying the strange serenity that comes with seeing nothing but water, but the moment I glimpsed Koh Rong and its jungle-covered hills I found myself bubbling with excitement.
Arriving on Koh Rong
Once we arrived, I could instantly pick up on the bohemian vibe of the place, with cool, ramshackle beach bars ready and waiting at Koh Touch Pier, the ferry port.
The beaches on Koh Rong are some of the most stunning in Cambodia, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty and tranquil vibes. The island boasts miles of pristine, white sandy shores bordered by crystal-clear turquoise waters, making it a paradise for beach lovers. The moment you step off the boardwalk, you’ll be on the iconic Koh Touch Beach, where the best sunbathing spots are waiting for you.
Koh Touch is the main tourist village on Koh Rong, known for its lively atmosphere, budget accommodations, and vibrant nightlife. Located along a stretch of white sand beach, it offers a mix of beach-front bungalows, hostels, and guesthouses, making it a popular spot for backpackers. The village is also bustling with trendy beach bars, restaurants, and nightclubs, where fire shows and full-moon parties keep the energy high after sunset.
While Koh Touch is perfect for those seeking a social and energetic island experience, travellers looking for peace and seclusion may prefer quieter beaches like Long Set Beach, about a 15 to 20-minute walk from the pier.
Where to Stay on Koh Rong
Since I splashed out a little during my time in Koh Rong, I aimed to face my island adventures on Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem with a slightly tighter budget. I booked a dorm bed at Vagabonds Hostel, an iconic backpacker haunt with a fantastic social atmosphere. Hammocks, a chill-out area, and near a bar with cheap drinks—it had everything I needed for just $7 per night (though note that prices change based on the season). The best part? It was right by the beach. Within minutes of checking in, I was barefoot in the sand, beer in hand, ready to embrace island life.
There’s an array of backpacker hostels on Koh Rong Island, ranging from shared dorms to cheap private rooms, beach huts, or even tents—just make sure that you book well in advance, as the popular places get snapped up quickly!
Another great option, if you’re looking to stay for cheap, is to search on sites such as Workaway, where many bars, hostels, and hotels offer free room and board in return for work. You can very easily spend a few months working in a beach-front bar and enjoying island life if you find the right fit. If you choose to do this, however, always read reviews of the establishment before travelling. The last thing you need to do is to find yourself in an unpleasant or dangerous setting for the sake of a cheap place to stay!
If budget isn’t an issue for you, there are some incredible luxury hotels and resorts on Koh Rong a little further down the beach, such as Tree House Bungalows, which offers stunningly designed accommodation in the tree tops, with unbeatable seafront views. An absolute must if you’re after an up-scale yet rustic experience. Just watch out for the monkeys!
Despite being known as Cambodia’s “party island”, there is quite a decent split of vibes on Koh Rong. There are plenty of luxury resorts and peaceful getaways away from the crowds as well as a fair pick of party hostels and backpacker havens.
My Top Things to Do on Koh Rong
Since I had a few days on Koh Rong before heading to the much more relaxed vibe of Koh Rong Sanloem, I decided to make the most of Koh Rong more adventurous offerings.
1) Scuba Diving at Condor Reef
I don’t need any persuasion to get into the sea, especially when it is the clear, warm waters of Southeast Asia. One of the best diving sites in Cambodia is Condor Reef, where you not only get up close and personal with some stunning marine life but can also head down to explore the remains of an old shipwreck. It was pretty eerie, but striking at the same time, seeing the rusted body of the ship with a school of tiny yellow fish appearing from within it.
2) ATV Driving Tour
On my second day on Koh Rong, I found a place called Koh Rong Adventure Club, where you can head out on an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) tour. It’s not the cheapest activity on the island, but getting out and about on an ATV is one of my favourite ways to explore.
I’d recommend a guided tour, as you will get to visit some of the best jungle spots and head to the areas of the beach where you won’t be disturbing anyone. There is the option for people to rent without a guide, but this often sees people going too far off the beaten track, causing damage to the local wildlife.
3. The Full Moon Beach Party
If your trip coincides with a full moon, you’re in for a wild night. I had planned my visit around the lunar cycle specifically to make sure I got to be at Koh Rong’s biggest rave. The Full Moon Party on Police Beach rivals its Thai counterpart in energy, with fire dancers, neon paint, and DJs keeping the beach alive until sunrise.
I headed down with a few girls from my dorm, grabbed some drinks from one of the local shops on the way, and got down to the beach to join the hundreds of other travellers ready to celebrate. If you’re looking for laser shows, dancing barefoot in the sand, and the most electric party imaginable, Koh Rong’s Full Moon Party is easily one of the most exciting experiences in Cambodia.
4) Diving with Glowing Plankton
After partying on the beach til the early hours, I had to spend the majority of the next day in recovery mode, lounging in a hammock on the beach, coconut in hand.
I had purposely given myself the whole day to rest because I had another evening activity planned. After splashing about on the beach in Koh Rong with the glowing bioluminescent plankton, I was inspired to take it to the next level and go snorkelling in it. I had to pre-book the experience when I first got to the island to make sure I had a spot on the boat, but there are plenty of vendors around the pier in Koh Touch, so it’s pretty easy to arrange. Some offer just a boat ride out to see the glowing waves, others offer the chance to snorkel among it, and a few will provide full-on scuba diving.
After sailing far out to sea, away from the lights of the island, our guide finally spotted the perfect patch for diving. It’s best to go out on a dark night, avoiding the full moon, so the timing wasn’t great, but luckily it was quite overcast by the time we were out on the water. We geared up and leaped into the pitch-black water, the splash instantly lighting up with a million tiny stars. Being able to get my head in the water and see the phenomenon surrounding me was a surreal, almost otherworldly experience, and one you absolutely cannot miss!
The Best Restaurants on Koh Rong
You have to fuel your adventure somehow, and I was on a backpacker budget, so I mostly stuck to street food stands and small, Khmer-owned family restaurants. That being said, some of my favourite more established places to eat were:
- Green Ocean Lodge: A beachfront café with an incredible vegan curry and smoothie bowls that kept me coming back for more.
- Enocafe: A relaxed spot offering vegan-friendly pizzas and Italian dishes.
- Coco’s: Situated right on Koh Touch Beach, Coco’s provides a cosy atmosphere with views of the beach. It’s known for its affordable and tasty Khmer food, like fried rice and spring rolls, enjoyed with the sound of the waves in the background.
The Best Beach Bars on Koh Rong
You have to fuel your adventure somehow, and I was on a backpacker budget, so I mostly stuck to street food stands and small, Khmer-owned family restaurants. That being said, some of my favourite more established places to eat were:
- Coconut Beach Bar: The ultimate chill spot, with bean bags on the sand and a great happy hour.
- Dragon Den: A lively place with live music and great cocktails, perfect for meeting fellow travellers.
- The Nest Beach Club: Located on Koh Touch Beach, The Nest is one of the most popular beach bars on the island. With its chilled vibe, cocktail menu, and beachfront seating, it’s a great spot for watching the sunset while enjoying a cold drink. It often hosts live music and fire shows in the evenings, making it a lively spot to hang out.
There’s so much more adventure on Koh Rong, but it felt like within a blink, my five days there were over. That being said, I was more than ready to head to Koh Rong’s little sister, Koh Rong Samloem, and soak up the quiet life.
How to get to Koh Rong Samloem
So, most people will opt for one of the many ferries or shuttle boats that leave Koh Touch Pier quite regularly and can be booked from the stands and travel agents that are dotted around the area.
I went for a slightly different experience though, and booked a traditional longtail boat from a local fisherman, asking to be taken to Sunset Beach, rather than the more popular arrival point in Saracen Bay. Sunset Beach is so much less developed than the tourist hub on the other side of the island that there isn’t even a pier. I had to hoick my backpack above my head and jump into the waist-deep water when the boat couldn’t get any closer, wading the rest of the way to shore!
Where I Stayed on Sunset Beach
Unlike the tourist hotspot on Saracen Bay, there are fewer places to stay on Sunset Beach, but I had booked myself into a dorm at a hostel called Paradise. The accommodation was pretty basic, but I wasn’t there for luxury, I was there to get sand in my hair and the sun on my skin.
A short walk up the beach was Robinson’s Bungalows, where quaint beach huts and cosy bell tents are available to stay in, but they were a little out of my budget. Instead, my reason for going was the utterly amazing food, offering unique twists on Asian classics and inventive Western favourites.
Total Bliss on Koh Rong Samloem
I had given myself two full days of beach bliss here, where the water is so calm you can simply float on your back and enjoy the sun above. I mostly spent my time in a hammock, fresh coconut in hand, listening to my latest audiobook (As much as I love reading, a decent Audible book is just as good and means I don’t need to lug a book around in my backpack!)
There’s Nothing Like Relaxing with a Good Book
After getting possibly the best tan of my life, it was time to leave Koh Rong Samloem, but there was one pretty big hurdle in my way—getting to the ferry. Since the main ferry departure point is in Saracen Bay, I’d have to get there and had three options: a boat taxi arranged by the accommodation, hiking through the jungle to the ferry ports on the other side of the island, or renting a kayak.
I opted to hike, and while the scenery was stunning, the hike was pretty challenging with some rather savage inclines. Definitely not easy on a hot day with a loaded backpack, so I was pretty relieved to see civilisation reappear when I reached the other side of the island! If you choose to hike, make sure you refill your water bottle first!!
Things to do on Koh Rong Samloem
While I chose to make my time on the island more relaxed, there are plenty of activities to do on Koh Rong Sanloem if you’re looking for something more active.
- Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
- Kayaking and Paddleboarding
- Hiking
- Boat Tours and Fishing
- Explore the local fishing village at M’Pai Bay, where you can experience the island’s traditional way of life and immerse yourself in Khmer island culture.
My Top Tip for Visiting Koh Rong & Samloem: Take cash! There are limited ATMs on Koh Rong and none on Samloem, and most businesses will not take international card payments. There are some Eftpos cash withdrawal points, but they charge about 10% to withdraw. Make sure that you think ahead take enough cash with you, and keep it stored safely!
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re seeking the wild, energetic vibe of Koh Rong or the laid-back serenity of Koh Rong Samloem, both islands offer something unforgettable for every backpacker. From action-packed ATV tours to relaxing days spent in hammocks, cocktail in hand, these Cambodian islands provide the perfect balance of excitement and tranquillity. With budget-friendly hostels, vibrant beach nightlife, and stunning natural beauty, they are essential stops for anyone travelling through Cambodia.
Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem offer an exciting taste of adventure that will stay with you forever, and in all honesty, I wish I could have stayed for twice as long. Trust me though, I’ll be back!
I got my trip, now get yours! Anna xx
gotmytrip pages contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I genuinely believe in. Your support helps keep this site running. Thanks, Anna!
