Koh Paen | TravelDojo

Koh Paen at a Glance#

Address: Koh Paen (island in the Tonle Sap / near Kampong Cham), Cambodia

About Koh Paen#

Koh Paen is an islet in the Mekong River a few kilometres south of Kampong Cham’s centre. It is no headline attraction, but it makes a worthwhile diversion for anyone already in the area.

During the wet season, ferries connect the island to the mainland. When the water drops, you can walk across on a rickety bamboo bridge, rebuilt every year and sturdy enough to last the dry season. The receding river also exposes sand bars and smaller islets that locals treat as beaches, ideal for a picnic or a swim.

Koh Paen is large enough to have its own infrastructure even when the river swells. Budget guest houses are plentiful, and since there are no cars, most rent out bicycles. Between a day at Koh Paen Beach and a night on the island, there is enough to justify staying over.

How to Get to Koh Paen#

Koh Paen is the Mekong river island opposite Kampong Cham city and is reached from Kampong Cham’s riverfront. From Kampong Cham town center it’s a short ride to the river landing (tuk‑tuk or motorbike) and then a brief boat/ferry crossing of the Mekong (usually around 5-10 minutes) to the island; local boats run frequently and drivers/tuk‑tuk drivers can arrange crossings.

Tips for Visiting Koh Paen#

Check locally whether the seasonal bamboo bridge to Koh Paen is in place before you go - during the dry season the temporary bridge usually allows walking access from Kampong Cham, while in wetter months you'll need a short boat crossing.
Plan an early-morning visit to see local farmers and riverside life before the heat; ask at the Kampong Cham riverfront for recommended walking routes across the island to village viewpoints.
If the bridge is open, arrive outside peak midday hours to avoid crowds of local weekend visitors and to get unobstructed views of the Mekong from the island's higher points.

Best Time to Visit Koh Paen#

Go in the cool, dry season (November-February) for comfortable weather and the best access to the island.

Cool, dry season

Nov-Feb · 20-30°C

Pleasant temperatures and lower water levels along the Mekong make walking and cycling on the island easier.

Hot season

Mar-May · 25-35°C

Hotter, humid days - early morning or late afternoon visits are preferable.

Wet/monsoon season

Jun-Oct · 24-32°C

Frequent rains raise the river level and can limit access to some parts of the island.

Weather & Climate near Koh Paen#

Climate

Koh Paen's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 21°C to 34°C. Abundant rainfall (1694 mm/year), wettest in September with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 74 Moderate

Best Time to Visit

FebruaryJanuaryDecember

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

43°

Warmest Month

15°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

Month	Comfort	Temp	Feels	Rain	Sky	Humidity	Wind	UV	Daylight
January	Ideal	21° - 31°	26°	4 mm	partly cloudy	57%	1.7 m/s	1.9 very high	11.4h
February	Ideal	22° - 32°	27°	7 mm	some cloud	50%	1.6 m/s	2.1 extreme	11.7h
March	Excellent	25° - 33°	30°	34 mm	partly cloudy	51%	1.7 m/s	2.2 extreme	12.0h
April	Good	25° - 34°	32°	87 mm	partly cloudy	57%	1.5 m/s	2.2 extreme	12.3h
May	Acceptable	25° - 33°	33°	225 mm	overcast	72%	1.3 m/s	2.3 extreme	12.5h
June	Acceptable	24° - 32°	33°	231 mm	overcast	81%	1.4 m/s	2.2 extreme	12.7h
July	Acceptable	24° - 31°	32°	228 mm	overcast	83%	1.8 m/s	2.2 extreme	12.6h
August	Acceptable	24° - 31°	32°	247 mm	overcast	84%	1.7 m/s	2.3 extreme	12.4h
September	Acceptable	24° - 31°	31°	277 mm	overcast	86%	1.5 m/s	2.1 extreme	12.1h
October	Good	24° - 31°	31°	241 mm	overcast	85%	1.6 m/s	2.0 extreme	11.8h
November	Very Good	23° - 30°	27°	94 mm	partly cloudy	79%	1.6 m/s	1.9 very high	11.5h
December	Excellent	21° - 30°	26°	19 mm	partly cloudy	67%	1.7 m/s	1.8 very high	11.3h