We spent a week on Koh Rong in February 2023, and enjoyed the deserted white sandy beaches, the exotic and wild atmosphere of the island, and the slow pace of its inhabitants. The island of Koh Rong (like its sister island Koh Rong Sanloem) still retains the authenticity and tranquility of a tropical island, but it is becoming increasingly popular, and more and more resorts or building projects are taking off. If you are planning a trip to Cambodia, now is the perfect time to go and enjoy the crystal-clear waters of this wonderful place!
How to get to Koh Rong
To reach Koh Rong, the most common way is to take a ferry from Sihanoukville, a coastal town in Cambodia.
You can reach Sihanoukville from any town in Cambodia by bus. We recommend arriving during the day and taking the ferry to Koh Rong immediately, as the town offers nothing to see, and there are still many buildings under construction or abandoned.
From Siem Riep
If you are touring Cambodia, it may be that you are arriving from the north, from the town of Siem Riep, or that like us, Siem Riep is your next destination, to see the beautiful Angkor Wat. If this is the case, you can rely on night buses, which will take you to your destination in 10 to 11 hours. Costs are around 15 or 25 euro, depending on the comfort of the bus. Buy tickets from Siem Riep to Sihanoukville here.
From Phnom Penh
Should you find yourself having to leave from the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, you can reach the port and embark for the beautiful island of Koh Rong in just three hours by bus. The cost of the ticket is about EUR 10. Buy tickets from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville here.
From Kampot
If you are in Phnom Penh, we highly recommend making a short stop in Kampot, a small town by the sea. Of all the places we visited in Cambodia, the countryside of Kampot is the one that impressed us most with its beauty and authenticity. Read our article on Kampot here if you want some ideas on what to see!
From Kampot you can take a bus that for 8 or 9 euro will take you directly to the port, in about 3 hours. (The distance as the crow flies is really short, but the road conditions in Cambodia are not great!). Buy tickets from Kampot to Sihanoukville here.
When booking train and bus tickets abroad, we always use 12go.asia. You can check timetables and prices online and it’s often cheaper than booking in person! Check our 12go.asia here.
When to go to Koh Rong
The ideal climate for visiting Koh Rong is during the dry season from November to April. During this time, the days are sunny and the waters are calm, offering perfect conditions for exploring the island.
Where to stay in Koh Rong
Koh Rong offers a variety of accommodation options, from simple beach huts to luxury resorts. We have noticed that accommodation costs on the island are generally higher than in the rest of Cambodia, and the same applies to restaurants, especially during the high season. Therefore, if possible, it is advisable to book in advance to not only secure a place, but also to get cheaper rates. This is especially important if, like us, you are travelling on a tight budget.
We decided to stay in the centre of Koh Rong, as the centre offers a wide choice of restaurants, bars, and supermarkets, and from the centre you can walk to the island’s most beautiful beaches. The centre and surrounding area is also where you will find more options if you want to have fun in the evenings.
Hotels in Koh Rong View all
We arrived without having booked and it was one of the only free places that offered really good value for money. For only 15 euros per night we were able to have a nice private room, with a private bathroom, and really comfortable beds! The location was great as it was slightly uphill from the centre and therefore really quiet at night.
To explore the island completley, hiring a scooter is a great option. Our accommodation directly rented us the moped for 10 euro per day and offered free fuel for the whole day. In any case, there are many rental shops in the centre that offered us similar deals.
Note: Always make sure you have travel insurance that protects you in case of accidents. We use SafetyWing and recommend it to anyone travelling the world.
Interactive Map
The Beaches
During the motorbike tour, you will have the opportunity to visit all of Koh Rong’s most spectacular beaches. Each beach has its own unique charm, ranging from quiet, secluded coves to lively, bustling beaches. Be sure to stop, take a swim and admire the scenery at each place you visit. Also consider stopping to sleep in some of the most secluded and incredible places on this island!
1. Kao Touch Beach
Kao Touch Beach is a beautiful beach with white sand and blue water that is located near the main jetty on Koh Rong Island, and a 5 / 10 minute drive from the centre. It is easily accessible on foot and is convenient for those looking for a cosy beach immediately upon arrival. Its strategic location has made it a convenient starting point for us to explore other parts of the island. There are plenty of places to eat and stay near the beach.
If you are backpackers, we recommend the hostel:
- Lost Boys. This hostel overlooks Kao Touch Beach, offers good prices and some weekend parties.
2. Long Set Beach
Long Set Beach is famous for its long stretch of white sand and crystal-clear waters. This beach can be reached by a 15-minute walk across the beach from Kao Touch, or by paid boat from the pier. If you rent a scooter, you can reach the northern part of the beach by parking near the boat jetty.
We had several lunches at White Pearl Beach, a lovely little restaurant on the beach that offers free deckchairs for sunbathing and enjoying the beautiful sea view.
Due to its length, this is a great spot for those looking for a less crowded beach, and was our favourite destination during our stay on Koh Rong.
However, in places this beach is also great for those looking for fun. If you are a backpacker, you cannot miss this hostel:
- Nest Beach Club. This hostel offers a crazy view of the sea, with dorms and a restaurant included, and frequent parties organised on site.
3. Sok San Beach and Royal Beach
Sok San Beach is connected to Royal Beach, creating one long tongue of white sand. The crystal-clear, clean waters provide an excellent opportunity for swimming, and the beach is famous for its beautiful sunsets. On the way back, we stopped here for a sunset swim. It was spectacular! We stopped for drinks and something to eat at Soksan Natura Beach. They also have beds available.
4. Lonely Beach
Lonely beach, as the name suggests, is the most isolated and northern beach on the island. This is the place to go if you want to go scuba diving! The Lonely Beach lodges, run by very nice French guys, offer diving courses of the highest quality, with the possibility of taking a diving licence. On site, they also offer yoga classes and have a beautiful common area where everyone can get together.
The place is really peaceful, and without telephone reception. The road to get there on mopeds was quite adventurous and a real hoot! You plunge into the forest and then arrive at the secluded beach, where it is just you and pure nature.
5. Praek Svay fishing village
It’s not a beach, but this place is worth a stop! Praek Svay is a charming fishing village, where life flows slowly by the river. We moped through it and had lunch at Seng Long Guesthouse, admiring the view of the river and the fishermen’s houses. If you want to spend a night there, we recommend Lily’s Riverhouse.
6. Coconut Beach
Of all the beaches on the island, Coconut beach is perhaps our least favourite. The beach was really nice, but the place was not maintained well. The sun loungers were all broken and the campsite seemed slightly abandoned. With the hope that they will take this beautiful beach back in hand, we decided to have an iced coffee and then continue our tour and not stay long.
Note: Unfortunately, in different parts of Koh Rong we noticed that some of the accommodations were abandoned and left with a lot of dirt, possibly due to COVID-19. We hope that this island can slowly recover fully, and that tourism can lead to an economic recovery and maintenance of the place.
Conclusions
Koh Rong is a wonderful island, which deserves to be explored in all its corners. The moped tour offers an authentic and adventurous experience, allowing you to explore the island independently and in total freedom. Koh Rong, with its natural beauty and breathtaking beaches, will remain in the hearts of anyone who decides to explore it, especially by moped.
Useful information
- The best time to visit the island of Koh Rong is between November and April.
- When booking any bus or train in South East Asia we always use 12.go Asia. It is often easier to book online than in person!
- Travel insurance is a must for any holiday abroad, especially in South-East Asia. Although problems rarely occur, it is better to be covered in case they do. We use SafetyWing and recommend it to anyone travelling the world.
- When spending money abroad we use the WISE international debit card. You can withdraw up to 200 euros in cash per month free of charge. After that, you only pay a very low withdrawal fee.
- Cambodia is a popular tourist destination, and hotels and hostels are booked in advance, especially in high season. Better to book before you arrive to avoid problems!
What to do next
If you have some time to spare and haven’t yet done so, explore the beautiful countryside of Kampot! We have suggestions for other wonderful moped tours you can take to enjoy the peace, authenticity, and tranquillity of the place!
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