Koh Rong, Cambodia is a hidden gem amongst the many beautiful beach destinations in southeast Asia. A relatively new tourist destination, the island offers a secluded feel to it as well as powdery soft sand and calm, turquoise waters making it a top contender for one of our favorite beach vacation spots.
When it comes to the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the cities, Koh Rong covers all bases. Whether you’re looking to lounge on the white sand beaches, snorkel through crystal clear water, or kayak through glowing bioluminescent plankton, Koh Rong offers a little piece of paradise for everyone.
This guide covers everything you need to know to plan your unforgettable beach vacation on the island of Koh Rong.
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Getting To Koh Rong
From Phnom Penh: There are no direct flights between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville airport so you’re best bet is to go by bus (about 4 hours) or private taxi (about 2.5 hours). From there you can get on a ferry from Sihanoukville port to Koh Rong.
From Siem Reap: You can fly (1.5 hours) or take an overnight bus (about 11 hours) to Sihanoukville. From here, you can get on a ferry to Koh Rong.
We booked our ferry tickets through 12go.asia. Their fastest ferry takes about 45 minutes. Check out their prices and availability here!
The Best Time To Visit Koh Rong
The best time to visit Koh Rong is during the dry season which runs from November to May. During these months, the island experiences calm seas and sunny days. The temperature stays the same throughout the year at about 25 degrees Celsius. However, the humidity does fluctuate with the highest humidity around April and May and the lowest around December and January.
The Best Place To Stay In Koh Rong
We stayed at two different types of accommodations during our stay in Koh Rong which spanned from a luxurious hotel to a budget friendly hostel. The first place was an incredible 4-star hotel named Beachwalk Koh Rong, which was located right on the beach and had incredible amenities.
Our next accommodation was the social and lively Mad Monkey Koh Rong Hostel which we booked for a steal of price. This hostel was also located on a prime location on the white sand Long Beach and provided and equally scenic views.
Beachwalk Koh Rong
Beachwalk Koh Rong is a true gem of a hotel and one of our favorites that we stayed at throughout our entire Southeast Asia trip. After arriving on the island, we were promptly greeted on the dock by a member of the hotel staff who took all of our bags onto his vehicle and brought them straight to our room for us. What service! This allowed for us to have a relaxing walk down the stunning beach until we reached the hotel.
We were checked in and shown to our room immediately which was a modern, detached room complete with an outdoor seating area. Situated within view of the ocean, the hotel provides the perfect tranquil and picturesque setting, which is just what we were looking for on a beach vacation.
Aside from the incredible location on the beach, this hotel provides plenty of other amenities such as a beautiful pool, free use of kayaks and paddle boards, onsite massage, and a gym. There is also plenty of seating and lounge chairs available on the hotel grounds which was a nice change from other hotels we stayed at in Southeast Asia where we had to get up early to claim a lounger.
The staff at Koh Rong go above and beyond to provide the best hospitality and answer any question or concern with a smile. They were particularly helpful in ensuring we had transportation set up and gave great recommendations for excursions.
Mad Monkey Koh Rong Hostel
The second half of our Koh Rong vacation, we stayed at Mad Monkey Koh Rong Hostel which was a contrasting, yet equally amazing stay. This is the perfect hostel for backpackers or anyone looking for a lively, social scene.
The hotel provided endless activities and excursions such as boat trips, jungle parties, trivia nights, volleyball games, and community volunteering which created plenty of opportunities to meet other people. The friendly and engaging staff just added to the social and energetic vibes of the hostel.
The hostel features plenty of dorm style rooms, but we stayed in one of the private rooms which had its own bathroom and patio area with a hammock. Room was extremely spacious and felt like a steal compared to neighboring hotel prices.
Top Things To Do In Koh Rong
Go on a boat tour:
Boat tours in Koh Rong give you a chance to snorkel the island’s coral reefs and explore other beaches on the island. These boat tours can be booked directly through the hotels or hostels.
Kayak Through Bioluminescent plankton:
Another unique aspect to Koh Rong is the bioluminescent plankton which glow with movement such as when a wave crashes or when you splash in the water. Many hotels and hostels offer kayaking tours, but you can often see the plankton right off the shore at night.
Paddle Boardings and kayaking:
The calm waters make for the perfect place for paddle boarding and kayaking. Most hotels offer use of paddle boards and kayaks for free or for a small fee.
Explore Koh Rong’s Beautiful Beaches:
Lonely beach: Like the name suggests, Lonely beach is a secluded white sand beach located on the northern side of the island. This is one of the nicest beaches on the island and is a must see for anyone looking for relaxing day at the beach
Helpful Information Before Your Trip To Koh Rong
Bring Cash: There are a limited number of ATMs on the island so bringing cash beforehand is a must. Almost all hotels and restaurants took US dollars but would give us back Cambodian Reils for anything under 1 dollar. In our experience, many hotels took credit card, but this may not be the case at every hotel/restaurant you visit.
Give Yourself Ample Leeway When Booking The Ferries: We never had any issues with late or delayed ferries when getting to or from Koh Rong, however we had read many reviews of those who experienced this causing people to miss their buses or flights. Also, keep in mind that from the Sihanoukville ferry port, it is a 45-minute drive from the Sihanoukville airport.
Pack Mosquito Repellent: As mentioned, Koh Rong’s infrastructure is underdeveloped, so it is tricky to get hold of most items once you have docked. One thing you definitely want to pack ahead of time is mosquito repellent as they can be a nuisance when trying to relax on the beach!
Give Yourself Enough Time: One of our favorite things about Koh Rong was it’s secluded and remote atmosphere, but between our flight and ferry, it was quite the trek to get there! We would recommend at least 3 nights on Koh Rong to get the most out of your time on this beautiful island.
