The Up Koh Rong

Koh Rong is a tropical destination with a secret-island feel – yet it's just a 40-minute speedboat trip from south-western city Sihanoukville in Cambodia. Come for snorkelling around rugged outcrops, ice-cold beers at bohemian beach bars and nights swimming with glowing neon plankton. As soon as you dock at Koh Toch’s main pier, stepping off the boat and onto the bright white sand, you're more than likely to feel a sense of relaxation from the island's intoxicatingly laid-back vibes.

You can stay in beach bungalows on Koh Rong with views of the water or choose dorms hidden in the jungle. If you're after a taste of the island's nightlife, party hostels host DJ nights and arrange bar crawls. Many Koh Rong hostels have restaurants serving Cambodian food so you can eat amok curry to your heart's content. For the best of both worlds, choose a Koh Rong hostel spot with a lively bar as well as plenty of comfortable outdoor space where you can unwind.

The island's main neighbourhood, Koh Toch, is dotted with backpacker-friendly bars and has something of a party vibe. The streets leading off the beach are much more chilled. If you're looking to spend a day away from the buzz, 4K beach (also known as Long Set beach) is about 15 minutes on foot from Koh Toch and is less developed. For sparkling white sands minutes away from a traditional Khmer fishing village, there's Sok San beach.

During your stay on Koh Rong you'll have the chance to climb through the treetops at High Point Rope Park (which also offers ziplining) or sail to virtually untouched stretches of shoreline like Lonely Beach. To get out onto the water, book a snorkelling and fishing tour to Haven Beach, where your boat’s captain will cook your catch on the barbecue as you watch the sunset. The bright green plankton that lives off the shore of Koh Rong is only visible when it's dark, so sign up for a nighttime trip to see the phenomenon. 

From Sihanoukville, travellers arrive on Koh Toch via boats from the Ochheuteal pier, also known as Serendipity pier. The journey takes around 45 minutes. You can fly internationally to Sihanoukville from Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City and Macau, or nationally from Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. There are boats from Koh Toch to many of the beaches nearby. Koh Rong has a simple road network so you can rent a bike and cycle from Koh Toch to Long Beach.