Cambodia's pristine coastline stretches for 450 kilometers along the Gulf of Thailand, harboring some of Southeast Asia's most spectacular yet undiscovered islands. While visitors flock to Thailand's well-known beaches or Vietnam's coastal resorts, Cambodia's tropical archipelago remains refreshingly authentic, offering crystal-clear waters, powdery white beaches, and untouched natural beauty without the crowds.
The Magic of Cambodia's Hidden Island Paradise
Cambodia's southern islands are slowly finding their way onto the tourist map thanks to a growing number of high-quality, boutique hotels and resorts. Located just around 25 kilometers off the coast of southern Cambodia lie the islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem. These tropical gems represent what Thailand looked like decades ago, before mass tourism transformed its beaches.
Exposed to the weather and open sea, the south side of Koh Rong Island is particularly beautiful, while the east side is characterized by smooth hills that gently slope towards the crescent-shaped beaches, inlets, and bays. For adventure seekers and nature lovers staying near Kampot, these islands offer the perfect complement to river-based activities like jet skiing and water sports that our region is famous for.
Your Gateway to Island Adventure: Starting from Kampot
Modern Transportation Links Cambodia's Coastal Paradise
Cambodia on Monday inaugurated a 10-million-U.S.-dollar tourism port in the seaside southwestern province of Kampot here, aiming to promote the kingdom's maritime transportation sector. Located in Teuk Chhou district, the 4.2-hectare Kampot International Tourism Port has a water depth of three meters and can accommodate vessels carrying up to 300 passengers or tourists.
This new infrastructure revolutionizes access to Cambodia's islands. Daily Trips between Kampot and Koh Rong, Koh Rong Samloem and Koh Sdach cost $25 to $28 to get to the Islands. The Kampot International Tourist Port will have Ferry & Yachting Info, Cargo Service, Money Exchange, ATM Machines, Pharmacy and Clinic, Restaurants, Conference Center, Electric vehicle charging station, Transport into town and around Cambodia, Travel and Tour info, Travel Agent, Retail Shops, and Helipad.
Strategic Island Hopping Routes
For guests staying in Kampot, multiple island-hopping strategies offer distinct experiences. The most efficient route combines land transport to Sihanoukville with modern ferry services to reach the outer islands. To get from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong, or to get from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Samloem, you can take one of the 5 modern ferry companies – Speed Ferry Cambodia, Island Speed Boat Cambodia, Buva Sea, Angkor Speed Ferry, and GTVC.
Koh Rong: Cambodia's Party Island with Pristine Beauty
Adventure Meets Relaxation on Cambodia's Largest Island
Koh Rong is the go-to island for thrill-seekers. Just a ferry ride from Sihanoukville, this island is buzzing with energy and adventure. The island perfectly balances high-energy activities with serene natural beauty, making it ideal for guests who enjoy the adrenaline rush of jet skiing in Kampot's rivers.
Koh Rong is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Cambodia, with Lonely Beach living up to its name in isolation and peace, while the postcard-perfect Long Set Beach stretches for nearly four miles in front of some of the bluest sea you'll ever see.
Water Sports and Island Activities
Koh Rong JetSki rental - Enjoy the JetSki adventure in Koh Rong. Available in both Koh Touch and Long Set beach. Koh Rong Watersports - Koh Rong Snorkeling, Diving and Watersports Operator. The island offers comprehensive water sports facilities that complement the jet skiing experiences available in Kampot, creating a complete aquatic adventure.
A: Koh Rong Cambodia has hosted the popular reality programme 'Survivor' several times. In 2012, a special edition of the French Survivor ('Koh Lanta') was filmed near Sok San Village with an All-Star cast. This international recognition speaks to the island's pristine natural environment and visual appeal.
Koh Rong Samloem: Your Tranquil Island Retreat
Discovering Cambodia's Answer to the Maldives
Koh Rong Samloem island in Cambodia is a rather quiet and hidden gem. It's a place where one could easily spend a week engaging in adventurous tours or simply relaxing, enjoying the quiet waters and delicious food. This smaller sister island provides the perfect counterbalance to more energetic activities.
After a two-hour boat ride (stopping off for a snorkel en route, as you do) we saw an island in the distance with a crescent of brilliant white sand, as we got closer the sea became bluer, the sand whiter, the trees greener and by the time we were at the jetty the scene in front of me was one I had been searching for since my travelling days in Thailand ( 20 years ago!): Saracen Bay, complete with shallow clear water, local fishing boats, cabins dotted along the bay and the whitest sand I have ever seen.
Luxury Eco-Tourism and Sustainable Island Living
Koh Rong Sanloem is a tiny tropical island and chances are that most of us escape to tiny tropical islands to do absolutely nothing. But if you start craving a little more activity, then you can do quite a few things here: Take a snorkel boat tour. The water around Koh Rong Samloem is exquisitely clear.
The island represents sustainable tourism at its finest. Here, amidst the island's serenity, cash reigns supreme, diverging from the convenience of card transactions you might be accustomed to. Additionally, anticipate higher prices compared to the mainland or other parts of Cambodia. Regarding connectivity, if you had visions of updating your social media with idyllic snapshots via a local SIM card, you might want to adjust your expectations. Koh Rong Samloem is virtually off the grid, with sparse internet coverage.
Bioluminescent Plankton: Swimming with Nature's Light Show
Cambodia's Magical Underwater Fireworks
Sparkling like a starry sky all around you, Koh Rong's bioluminescent plankton are a wonderful sight to behold at night times. Although this phenomenon is abundant on the islands, the glowing plankton can only be seen in places with very little light pollution.
Swimming with luminous plankton was one of the highlights of my visit to Koh Rong Samloem. This is highly recommended if you are staying on Koh Rong Samloem. Bioluminescent plankton, or luminescent plankton, is only visible during movement.
Planning Your Bioluminescent Adventure
We did the trip with Karmakazi and it was just breathtaking. You start around 4:30pm an head to a nearby private island. After an hour snorkeling in the setting sun you watch the sunset from the boat. Alcohol free drinks are included and you can purchase a beer for just 1$. You jump back into the water when it is really dark (we had a night with out moon) and see the plankton light up when you touch it. It is like swimming with thousands of fireflies.
A trip to see the plankton will cost about $5 (leaving at 7pm). These affordable tours represent incredible value for one of nature's most spectacular displays.
Hidden Gems: Cambodia's Secret Islands
Koh Sdach: The Fisherman's Paradise
Koh Sdach (also known as King Island) is a small island located off the coast of Koh Kong Province in southwestern Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand and forms part of an archipelago of 12 islands. Located only a 10-minute boat ride from the Koh Kong mainland, the island is approximately halfway between Koh Kong and Sihanoukville.
Koh Sdach offers a blissful and laid-back island experience, but there is plenty to keep residents and tourists busy as it's a marine paradise. Visit the local Koh Sdach Fishing Village: The vibrant local Fishing Village offers a variety of fresh seafood, and you can learn traditional fishing techniques. Snorkel & Dive the Koh Sdach Archipelago: The waters around the island offer a variety of coral reefs, marine life, and tropical fish in a rich biodiverse area.
Koh Ta Kiev: Back-to-Basics Island Living
Put Koh Ta Kiev on your radar; it may just be the chance to grab that experience yourself. Only a handful of budget resorts straddle the west and southwest shorelines, with opportunities to doss in hammocks or under canvas, as well as dorm and basic hut options.
The island of Koh Ta Kiev is one of the few Cambodia beaches that's relatively undisturbed. Spend your days lazing on the shore or swimming in the unspoiled azure water. Have a go at snorkeling to see the marine life that lives below the surface.
Koh Totang: Eco-Adventure in Paradise
The off-the-beaten-track island offers views into Botum Sakor National Park, Cambodia's largest national park, to the east and uninterrupted seascapes to the west. As one of the more remote and rustic Cambodian islands, it's another nature lover's paradise. Jungle hikes and hammock time are the order of the day, and the island's sole resort is the aptly named Nomads Land.
Rabbit Island: Your Perfect Day Trip from Kampot
Kep's Charming Offshore Escape
In a word, a 2 km2 Cambodian haven of peace located 4 km from Kep. If we had to choose, we might have been better off sleeping on Rabbit Island for the same price as in Kep! To get there, you'll need to take a private or local boat. The private boat trip takes around 30 min and costs $25, whether 2 or 6 of you board.
When you've done all planned activities and spent enough time on the beach, take a boat trip to Koh Tonsay (Rabbit island). Only 25 minutes by longtail boat from Kep, and you will be in a completely different world. This small island (it takes only about 3 hours to walk around it) has clean beaches, clear waters and rows of palm trees.
Combining Land and Sea Adventures
There's a 6 km path around Koh Tonsay, so you can enjoy all the island's beaches at your own pace and… do nothing, just enjoy! This accessibility makes Rabbit Island perfect for guests staying in Kampot who want to combine river jet skiing with ocean island experiences.
Practical Island Hopping: Transportation and Timing
Ferry Services and Schedules
Several daily boats, both speed ferries and slow boat 'backpacker ferries,' run between Sihanoukville and the two big islands of Koh Rong (KR) and Koh Rong Sanloem (KRS.) All of the speed ferries depart Sihanoukville at the Serendipity Beach Pier. The ferries take 30-50 minutes from the mainland to the island and 15 minutes between islands.
Sihanoukville to Koh Rong (Longset Beach) ferries sails approximately 11 times daily and up to 71 times weekly, with a sailing time of 45 minutes. Sihanoukville Koh Rong (Longset Beach) ferries cost around $67 on average.
Optimal Visiting Seasons
We would say that the best time to visit the islands is between the middle of November and the start of May. During these months you'll have wonderful hot days (25°C – 40°C) with little cloud and low humidity. This timing perfectly aligns with Cambodia's dry season, when river activities in Kampot are also at their peak.
November to March is high season, with the peak period in December and January when places fill up fast and prices are at their highest. From June the rains descend, but if you don't mind contemplating storm clouds brewing on the horizon from your porch, you get the bonus of snagging a bungalow bargain.
Island Hopping Itineraries: Maximizing Your Adventure
The Three-Day Island Explorer
Day 1: Travel from Kampot to Sihanoukville via modern highway (2.5 hours), then take afternoon ferry to Koh Rong. Experience sunset at Long Set Beach and join evening bioluminescent plankton tour.
Day 2: Morning jet skiing on Koh Rong, afternoon ferry to Koh Rong Samloem for peaceful beach time and snorkeling. Overnight on the quieter island.
Day 3: Morning boat tour around smaller islands, afternoon return to Sihanoukville, evening drive back to Kampot.
The Week-Long Island Paradise
Personally, I'd say three nights per island is a good minimum. But I also travel pretty fast. If you're looking for a truly relaxing, do-nothing escape, you could easily spend two weeks here without getting bored.
Extended stays allow for deeper exploration of multiple islands, including off-the-beaten-path destinations like Koh Sdach and Koh Ta Kiev.
Marine Life and Underwater Adventures
Snorkeling and Diving Opportunities
Clear waters and diverse marine life make Koh Tang a diver's paradise. Notable Dive Sites and Marine Biodiversity: Clear waters and diverse marine life make Koh Tang a diver's paradise.
Surrounded by a vibrant coral reef, Koh Sdach is great for snorkelers and divers to discover crystal-clear waters full of eels, rays, crabs, lionfish, and scorpion fish.
Conservation and Sustainable Tourism
Cambodia has finally launched it's very first large-scale marine protection project – Several areas (totalling about 405km²) around Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem are now 'Marine Fisheries Management Areas'. This commitment to conservation ensures these underwater paradises remain pristine for future generations.
Essential Island Hopping Tips
What to Pack and Expect
Don't forget your island essentials: enough cash to last (none of the islands have banks or ATMs), sunscreen, insect repellent for the fiendishly fierce sandflies and a flashlight.
We recommend that you bring plenty of cash, mosquito spray, sun tan lotion, and any other necessities. Both islands have small shops where you can buy most of what you might need, but prices can be inflated so it's a good idea to stock up on the essentials before you go.
Safety and Health Considerations
we generally do not recommend that you swim with the glowing plankton – this is because you are in tropical waters late at nights so creatures like e.g. octopuses come out to hunt. Professional tour operators provide safety equipment and experienced guides for all water activities.
Budget Planning for Island Adventures
Accommodation Options Across Price Ranges
Room standards are very basic here, Koh Rong is definitely not a high-end, luxury resort type of island! Power shortages are still occurring frequently and air-condition is something that you won't find here. Budget backpackers are happy with the value options along the main beach and favor the rustic accommodations around the restaurants and bars. BUT, things have changed in the recent years and the variety of upscale accommodations is now increasing.
From budget beach huts starting at $10 per night to luxury eco-resorts commanding $200+ per night, Cambodia's islands offer options for every budget.
Activity Costs and Value
Budget travelers should go for the local longtail boat trips on Koh Rong, which include dinner. If you're looking for an authentic local experience on a budget, the local boat trips cost only $10.
Price: $20 Schedule: Daily, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Activities: Snorkeling around Koh Toch and Koh Koun nature conservation island, two-course lunch at M'Pai Bay restaurant, exploring local village at M'Pai Bay on Koh Rong Samloem, optional beach games at Suns of Beaches or Coconut Beach, bonfire and sunset at Nature Beach, nighttime plankton swim.
Connecting Water Sports: From Kampot Rivers to Ocean Islands
Jet Skiing Adventures Continue at Sea
For guests who've enjoyed jet skiing on Kampot's scenic rivers, the islands offer expanded water sports opportunities. Koh Rong Jet Ski is one of the most fun and adventurous Koh Rong watersports activities. A perfect combinations the thrill of going fast and as you glide across the water. You can have this experience in both Koh Touch beach and Long Set beach.
The transition from river-based jet skiing in Kampot to ocean adventures creates a comprehensive aquatic experience. While Kampot's rivers offer intimate, scenic rides through mangroves and past traditional fishing villages, the islands provide wide-open ocean spaces perfect for high-speed adventure and wave jumping.
Cultural Encounters and Local Communities
Authentic Island Life
Seeking the essence of Koh Rong Samloem? Catch a taxi boat or join a boat excursion to reach M'pai, the sole village on the island. This charming fishing village radiates authenticity with its traditional fishing huts and vibrant boats dotting the shoreline.
Local Fishing Village Tours: Experience daily life in the island's fishing community. It's a great way to understand local traditions and lifestyles. Cultural Experiences with the Local Community: Engage with locals and learn about their customs and traditions. It's a rich cultural experience you won't forget.
Seasonal Island Experiences
Monsoon Magic and Dry Season Delights
The rainy season on Koh Rong Island is from the middle of May to early November. During these months there will be short bursts of heavy rain during the day. One thing to note is that, although it is wonderfully hot throughout the peak season, there are several advantages of visiting the islands during the rainy season. For example, those that visit during the rainy season get to enjoy half-priced accommodation and beautiful rainy scenes.
Each season offers distinct advantages. Dry season (November-May) provides perfect conditions for water sports and beach activities, while rainy season brings dramatic skies, fewer crowds, and significant cost savings.
Photography and Social Media Opportunities
Capturing Paradise
Sadly, our attempt at taking pictures of the phenomenon failed miserably, but regardless, I have serious doubt that I will forget that moment and that feeling anytime soon. While bioluminescent plankton can't be photographed easily, the islands offer countless other stunning photo opportunities.
The contrast between Kampot's river landscapes and the islands' ocean vistas creates diverse photography opportunities. Early morning mist over Long Set Beach, traditional fishing boats against turquoise waters, and dramatic sunset silhouettes provide endless inspiration.
Planning Your Perfect Island Hopping Adventure
Creating Unforgettable Memories
Cambodia's islands represent Southeast Asia's last frontier of undiscovered tropical paradise. Quick Overview: Cambodia's islands are a hidden gem for travelers seeking stunning beaches, affordable stays, and fewer crowds than Thailand's hotspots. Koh Rong offers lively vibes, while Koh Rong Samloem is a serene paradise. Budget-friendly and accessible from Sihanoukville, these islands are best visited between November and April.
The combination of Kampot's river adventures with island hopping creates a complete Cambodian coastal experience. From jet skiing through mangrove channels to swimming with bioluminescent plankton under starlit skies, this region offers adventures that remain etched in memory long after departure.
Ready to Embark on Your Island Adventure?
Cambodia's pristine islands await discovery by travelers seeking authentic tropical experiences without the crowds. From the adrenaline rush of jet skiing to the tranquil beauty of untouched beaches, these hidden paradises offer something extraordinary for every type of adventurer.
Start planning your island hopping adventure today - contact our local experts who can arrange transportation, accommodation, and activities across Cambodia's stunning archipelago. Your perfect tropical escape is just a boat ride away from the scenic rivers of Kampot.
