Koh Touch
PartyThe village by the pier.
Koh Rong island guide
Things To Do In Koh Rong
Cambodia's island escape: white-sand beaches, jungle, bioluminescent plankton at night and a party village, with the quieter Koh Rong Samloem next door.
~1 h
By ferry from Sihanoukville
Plankton
Glowing at night
0
ATMs on Koh Rong Samloem
White sand and glowing water
Koh Rong is a jungle-covered island in the Gulf of Thailand, about an hour by fast ferry from Sihanoukville. Its beaches are some of the finest in Southeast Asia: long, white and largely undeveloped.
Koh Touch, the village by the pier, is the party end, with bars and beach parties. The rest of the island is quieter, with Long Beach and remote bays reached by boat or jungle trails.
Next door, Koh Rong Samloem is the calmer sister island, with Saracen Bay and Lazy Beach, limited electricity and almost nothing to do. Three to five days covers both.
Where to stay
Koh Touch, the village by the main pier, has the hostels, bars and party scene. Long Beach, Sok San, on the west coast, is quiet and beautiful, reached by boat or a long jungle walk. Koh Rong Samloem, the smaller sister island, is quieter still, with bungalows on Saracen Bay and Lazy Beach.
Long Beach
QuietSok San, on the west coast.
Koh Rong Samloem
Very quietThe sister island.
Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Koh Rong
Koh Rong, off the coast near Sihanoukville, is Cambodia's best-known island, with white-sand beaches, jungle and turquoise water.
Long Beach, Sok San, is one of the most beautiful beaches in Cambodia: seven kilometres of white sand on the west coast, reached by boat taxi or a jungle trail. Police Beach, near Koh Touch, hosts parties.
At night, swim in the bioluminescent plankton that glows when the water moves; it is best on moonless nights away from the lights.
Snorkelling trips go to reefs around the islands, and jungle trails cross the interior to quiet beaches and viewpoints.
Koh Rong Samloem, the sister island, half an hour by ferry, is quieter: Saracen Bay is a long crescent of white sand, and Lazy Beach is on the far side.
Sihanoukville, the mainland port, has been transformed by casinos and construction; most travellers pass straight through to the ferry.
Free things
Free things to do in Koh Rong
The beaches are free, and so is swimming with the plankton at night.
The jungle trails across the island are free, though some beaches charge a small fee.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Koh Rong
Koh Rong's restaurants serve fresh seafood, barbecues on the beach, Khmer dishes and food for travellers. Prices are higher than on the mainland because everything is shipped in.
A meal is €3 to €8.
Nightlife
Going out in Koh Rong
Koh Touch, the village by the pier, has the party scene, with beach bars and parties most weekends, especially at Police Beach. Koh Rong Samloem is much quieter.
A beer is €1 to €3.
Getting around
Getting around Koh Rong
Fast ferries from Sihanoukville take about 45 minutes to an hour, and also connect to Koh Rong Samloem. On the island, walk the trails or take boat taxis between beaches.
Sihanoukville has buses to Phnom Penh and Kampot, and an airport. Ferries are affected by rough seas in the wet season, from about May to October.
Costs
What Koh Rong costs
Koh Rong is mid-priced for Cambodia. Dorms start around €7 and a careful day is €20 to €35.
The ferry from Sihanoukville is about €15 to €25 return, boat taxis a few euros, and snorkelling trips €10 to €20. Everything costs more than on the mainland.
Cambodia uses two currencies: US dollars for most prices, and the riel (about 4,000 to the dollar) for small change. Prices here are euro equivalents. Bring clean, untorn dollar notes; ATMs dispense dollars but charge fees. Cards work only in hotels and upmarket places. There are only a few ATMs on Koh Rong and none on Koh Rong Samloem; bring cash.
Safety
Staying safe in Koh Rong
Koh Rong is safe, with party-island care at night. Watch your drink, and avoid drugs, which carry serious penalties.
Sea conditions are rough in the wet season; swim where others do. Sandflies bite on some beaches. Electricity and water can be limited, and medical care is basic.
Emergency: 117 police, 119 ambulance.
Day trips from Koh Rong
The quieter sister island, an empty beach and reefs.
Koh Rong Samloem
Saracen Bay and Lazy Beach.
Long Beach
An empty white-sand beach.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The dry season is the season.
November to April
Dry season
Koh Rong
Calm seas and full bars.
Year-round
Beach parties
Koh Touch
Parties most weekends.
When to go
November to April is dry and calm. The wet season, May to October, brings rough seas.
Jan
Dry
Feb
Dry
Mar
Dry
Apr
Hot
May
Rains
Jun
Rough seas
Jul
Rough seas
Aug
Rough seas
Sep
Wet
Oct
Wet
Nov
Season opens
Dec
Peak
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in dollars and riel locally; these are euro equivalents. Carry cash.
—
- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Koh Rong travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem?
Koh Rong for parties and Long Beach; Samloem for quiet.
When can I see the plankton?
At night, best on moonless nights away from lights.
Are there ATMs?
A few on Koh Rong and none on Samloem; bring cash.
How do I get there?
By fast ferry from Sihanoukville, 45 minutes to an hour.
How many days do you need?
Three or four.
When is the best time to visit?
November to April, when the sea is calm.
Is it safe?
Yes, with care at night: watch your drink and avoid drugs.
Say yes to hostels, meet the world
Compare Koh Rong hostels — live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.
Get the App.