Koh Rong Info – Sihanoukville, Cambodia
**Updated October 2012**
So you’ve been looking for paradise hey? You might just have found it!
Firstly I’ll have to explain that the Islands around Cambodia are nothing like those in neighbouring Thailand. For a start there are no big speed ferries
shuttling hundreds of backpackers from one to the next on a daily basis. Also there’s not much in the way of electricity… But what they lack in those areas they surely make up for in pure paradise charm, unspoilt beaches, clear turquoise waters and curios locals.
Koh Rong is situated just off the coast of Cambodia, a few hours boat ride from Sihanoukville. It’s a largely untouched tropical island with a thick jungle interior. Recently listed in the NY Times as one of the world’s MUST SEE places.
43 kilometers of white sand beaches stretch their way around Koh Rong, it also boasts an abundance of snorkelling and diving hot spots. With Dive centres already set up on the southern beach offering free tester dives and renting equipment, there’s no excuse not to dive right in.
Koh Rong – Island Info:
- Koh Rong Area – 78 square kilometers
- Beaches – 7 bays surround Koh Rong
- Distance to mainland – 3 hour boat ride (leave daily see below for times)
- ATM’s – NO (stock up on cash before you leave OR pay your bill on the mainland)
- Internet/WiFi – Yes (some accommodation has WiFi available in their bars/restaurants)
- Activities – Snorkelling, Diving, Trekking, Kayaking, Sunbathing, swimming, boat trips
What you wont be expecting to find on Koh Rong is such a simple sense of untouched beauty, beach huts and jungle huts here seem to have been made with a certain amount of sympathy for the surroundings. They seem somehow more honest and upfront.
As with most island village communities, off the beaten track – the hospitality and generosity is often the thing you’ll notice most. At first it’s easy to get caught up with a scabby looking dog or a pile of rubbish but what you have to remember is… This is how it is…. For these people – this is life. And on Koh Rong especially, it was up until 2011.
Once you bother to scratch the surface you’ll get a whole lot more back than an empty stare.
Koh Rong – Highlights:
- Swimming at night in the phosphorescent glow of the sea plankton
- Jungle trekking to a deserted beach
- Snorkelling day trips
In the last two years Koh Rong has seen it’s fair share of development, so far it’s been mostly confined to the south beach (where the boat arrives) but with grand plan afoot with some large Cambodian companies… It might not stay like that for long.
Most accommodation on Koh Rong is simple wooden/straw bungalows, there are beach front options available too (Monkey Island & Tree House) but most are situated just back in the tree line. Almost all will have some sort of sea view though.
Check out the Free Sihanoukville Guide – SHVguide.com
Accommodation on Koh Rong:
Development is happening fast on Koh Rong but there’s still plenty of options ranging from $3 dorm beds right up to $50 tree house bungalows. I would seriously recommend the beach front bungalows (Monkey Island), nothing quite beats falling asleep to the sound of lapping waves on a starlit beach.
With recent publicity and the regular boat services it is highly recommended that you book before you leave as good accommodation is usually booked a day or two ahead.
- Monkey Island – Book direct @ their website http://monkeyisland-kohrong.com
- Tree House – Book @ Koh Rong Travel (situated opposite Monkey Republic in Sihanoukville)
- Paradise Bungalows – Book @ Koh Rong Travel (situated opposite Monkey Republic in Sihanoukville)
- CoCo Bungalows – Book @ Koh Rong Travel (situated opposite Monkey Republic in Sihanoukville)
- Broken Heart Guest House (on Long Beach) – Call to book @ +855 (0) 977 649 424
Since late 2010 regular boat services have begun to make the 3 hour journey from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong, this has really opened up the island to tourism and so far the impact is a positive one.
There are a number of different boats running everyday and prices have come down a lot in the last 12 months ($9 – $15 return). All of these can be arranged prior to leaving in just about any guest house/travel agent in Sihanoukville.
Koh Rong Boat Times:
Sihanoukville TO Koh Rong:
- 7:00 with The Dive Shop – Pick up @ The Dive Shop
- 08:00 with Paradise Bungalows Pick up @ Koh Rong Travel
- 12:30 with Monkey Island Pick up @ Monkey Republic
Koh Rong TO Sihanoukville:
- 10:00 with Monkey Island Pick up @ Monkey Island
- 15:30 with The Dive Shop Pick up @ Koh Rong Pier
- 16:00 with Paradise Bungalows Pick up @ Koh Rong Pier
Check out the Free Sihanoukville Guide – SHVguide.com
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[...] just fill you in on what we actually did see.1. The crystal clear waters around the pier on Koh Rong are filled with fish. Cambodia’s Islands are relatively untouched by mass tourism and village [...]
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[...] on the 3 best experiences I had while backpacking around Asia on a budget and they were…5. Koh Rong Sihanoukville This is a recent post about the untouched and beautiful Island of Koh Rong, 2 hours off the coast [...]
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WOW – great stuff, that place really sounds awesome – we will be heading there in a month or so as well
Yeah man it’s well worth a visit…. I happen to know that in a month there will be some sweet sweet beach huts up and running!
awesome – we will be sure to check them out, how long are you guys staying in Asia?
We’re here for the long run Nathan mate. Just signed a year contract on a house so at least a year! Have to go for a beer!
Really awesome pics!
Koh Rong Island rivals anything in Thailand! With it’s 28 white sand beaches including one that is 8 kilometers long with the whitest sand I had ever seen in my life! Go down deep in the jungle and you will find aqua marine waterfall! There’s soooo much more we didn’t even get to see!
Wow sounds like you really explored the place… I’m going back soon and will try and get around everything. But yeah, it really does rival anything you might find in Thailand… It’s paradise!
Oh yeah.. forgot to mention there’s this one beach I went to on the island and there are thousands of Palm trees everywhere!
Nice! I’m going back soon and I’d love to know where that waterfall is…. Don’t suppose you can remember roughly?
^^ We go lost there and tracked everywhere and happened to stumble upon it! It’s really deep in the jungles! That’s if you don’t mine having a little adventure! It seems like this one Island has all the things that tourist wants to see! This for me was the best experience I had during my trip to SEA! You don’t know what to expect but when you finally get there it’s like a different world! While many Tourist are having a hard time finding a peaceful moment in the Thai beaches am here all by myself enjoying paradise forever HAHAAH!!!
Looks like a good place to spend a summer vacation, the beaches look serene.
Forget summer I would me over the moon if I was washed up there and had to call it home!
Can I ask you a question? How can you Koh Rong with 8 kilometers of the finest white sand lolz!
Comedy GOLD!!!!
I simply CAN NOT wait to get to South East Asia at the beginning of the year! It looks like an absolutely place!
This might be a little bold but… It’s the best place in the world !!!
Hi, I’m travelling to Cambodia in a few weeks. Thanks for the heads up about Koh Rong, it sounds idyllic! I’m looking forward to going island hopping. I’m traveling independently so anybody interested in hooking up with me, please let me know.
Hi Leander,
I will start travelling Cambodia in a couple of days. Am now in Thailand.
I hope to spend the days of Christmas at this island. It looks perfect. This year no snow or cold.. just a white beach, an amazing sea and lots of sunshine…
Hi Tijs! Cool!!! Good to know that there will be a like-minded soul traveling the Cambodian islands around the same sort of time that I will be there. I’m usually snowboarding at this time of year but this year will be an exception. As you say, warmth and white sand, squeaky, beaches and a hell of a nice tan is what I am after!
I should be in Cambodia and out to the islands either shortly before or after New Year depending on if there are any decent parties in Sihanoukville for New Year. I have heard that the old Khmer Rouge HQ on the top of a mountain nearby Sihanoukville used to have good New Year’s parties but I don’t know if they are going on anymore. I hope they are though as it makes me laugh to think of how angry it would make the Khmer Rouge to know that loads of people were having such a good time in their old HQ.
Anyway, I hope to bump into you Tijs. It would be good to meet you. If you know of anything going on for New Years, let me know and maybe we could meet up for a party. If not, I’ll bump into you on one of the islands.
Oh, BTW, I’m 36, male and a very experienced global independent traveller. I’m very laid back, smoke ganja and enjoy life and love a real adventure to some remote corner of the world, the more remote the better. Hope I sound like the sort of person you’d like to bump into and say hello to. Oh, and I am from England and I like the ladies, if you know what I mean! LOL!
See you in wonderful Cambodia amigo!
Absolutely amazing, will def. have to visit when I touchdown in a few months!!
This defo looks like a place to check out
Gorgeous pics too.
I’m surprised you haven’t yet been to/written about Ko Rong Saloem aka Lazy Beach which is the smaller island closer to the Snooky mainland. We went there for Christmas 2009 and had a ball! Would’ve gone again this year if we’d got the time off. Only a handful of bungalows on the entire island, so it felt very much your own island. It’s worth a look
Photos look great. Thanks for the report. Been traveling and working for 9 months in SE Asia and need a place to chill before I go home. You mentioned there will be bungalows up and running soon. Do you have any info you can send me?
Thanks a mill.
Christine
Hey Christine…. Sounds like your living the life! Yeah everything there is up and running now, have a look at their site- http://monkeyisland-kohrong.com it’s a beautiful island and a great set up! Let me know if your heading this way!