Koh Rong Island

Address: Koh Rong, Preah Sihanouk Province, Cambodia

Koh Rong is a large Cambodian island in the Gulf of Thailand off the coast of Preah Sihanouk province, noted for its sandy beaches, coral reefs, and relatively low-density development. It is one of Cambodia’s best-known beach islands for both day trips and longer stays.

The island offers long tropical beaches, snorkeling and diving sites on nearby reefs, and a range of accommodation from basic bungalows to more developed resorts. The main village area provides boat access, food services, and nightlife near the primary landing piers.

Historically sparsely populated, Koh Rong has seen growing tourism development in recent decades while retaining areas of natural forest and coastline. Infrastructure varies widely between the main settlement and more remote beaches.

Koh Rong lies off the southwestern coast of Cambodia in Preah Sihanouk province; it is reached by boat from coastal towns such as Sihanoukville.

• Access and infrastructure: Accessible by ferry and speedboat from Sihanoukville and other coastal ports; services vary by season and many parts of the island have limited infrastructure.

What to See#

• Koh Toch village: Koh Toch (Koh Touch) is the island’s main settlement and travel hub, with guesthouses, restaurants, and pier access for boats to and from the mainland.
• Beaches and snorkeling areas: Long, sandy beaches and reefed coves along the island’s western and northern coasts that are used for swimming, snorkeling, and beachside accommodation clusters.

Several of Koh Rong’s beaches stretch for kilometres with hardly another visitor in sight, the sand soft and white against a glistening blue sea. The island remains a nature reserve, though illegal logging sadly continues, and long-mooted plans for a marina, golf course, airport and luxury hotels would eventually transform it.

The fishing village on the southeast-facing beach is where the island’s pier sits. Just north, past a stretch where a band of monkeys lives in the trees behind the guesthouses, Monkey Island Resort and Paradise Bungalows share the shore with a handful of simple beachside restaurants and basic rooms. The stilted bungalows of the Treehouse Resort lie a short walk further along a path that opens onto a 3.5 km stretch of undeveloped powdery sand.

For those seeking to escape even the modest crowds, a challenging hour-long hike from the southwestern beach reaches the Broken Heart Guest House, an ultimate beach getaway. The village of Koh Toch, near the main pier, has become a lively stop on the party circuit, packed with backpacker bars and restaurants. Koh Rong lies just north of Koh Rong Saloem.

Koh Rong is an island off the coast of Sihanoukville (Preah Sihanouk). Ferries and speedboats depart regularly from Sihanoukville’s ferry piers (operators include passenger ferries and private speed services); crossing times vary by operator and pier but are commonly in the range of about 45 minutes to 2 hours. In Sihanoukville town a short tuk‑tuk or taxi ride brings you to the ferry terminal; once on Koh Rong most beaches and bungalows are reached on foot from the island piers or by short boat shuttles.

• If possible, stay overnight on Koh Rong rather than making a same‑day return from Sihanoukville-day‑trippers concentrate on Koh Touch and leave the island quieter in the evenings and mornings.
• Choose accommodation away from Koh Toch (the main party village) if you want quieter beaches and better snorkeling; Long Set (Long Beach) and Sok San areas tend to be significantly less crowded and offer easier access to scenic viewpoints.
• Book ferry seats in advance during high season and check departure points in Sihanoukville (pier locations change); crossings can be disrupted by weather, so keep a flexible schedule for onward travel.