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Koh Rong is the most popular island in the south of Cambodia and also the second largest in the country. It is only a short boat ride from Sihanoukville and impresses with beautiful beaches and its very own charm. Everything on Koh Rong is relatively simple, so the island currently mainly attracts backpackers.
Koh Rong – Things to Do, Beaches, and Activities
The island of Koh Rong is just 15 kilometers long and 9 kilometers wide. But exploring the entire island on your own is difficult, as there are no roads or vehicles except boats. But that’s exactly what makes up the charm of Koh Rong. In this article, you’ll find out what you can do when traveling to Koh Rong.
Accommodation in Koh Rong – Our Hotel Tip
Even though Koh Rong is relatively small, there are many accommodations to choose from. Right on the beach of Koh Touch Village is the Paradise Bungalows, which we can recommend. Just a few minutes’ walk from the promenade, where you’ll find many dining options, the bungalows offer garden or sea views. Open-air bathrooms, mosquito nets, Wi-Fi, and balconies are provided. A great base for your time on Koh Rong.
Other accommodation options are also available on other beaches, such as Long Set Beach or Sok San Beach. A selection of all accommodations for Koh Rong can be found here.
1. Koh Touch Village
Koh Touch Village is the main area of Koh Rong, and this is where you’ll find most of the visitors. The majority of bars and restaurants are also located here. The pier for ferries to the mainland is in Koh Touch as well.
Although Koh Touch is often referred to as a party spot, that’s only partially true. Yes, there are bars, but the entertainment program is quite limited, and some parties actually take place outside the village, such as the Police Beach Party.
The area with bars and restaurants is mostly limited to the southern and central parts of the village. The further north you go, toward Long Set Beach, the quieter it gets. You’ll only find a few beachfront accommodations, but otherwise, it’s very peaceful and idyllic.
2. Skybar Koh Rong
Even though the name Skybar may be a bit misleading compared to the big cities of Southeast Asia, it’s still worth a visit. Whether during the day or in the evening, the view of the ocean is beautiful, and it’s also the highest bar on the island.
The Skybar on Koh Rong welcomes you with a relaxed atmosphere after about a 10-minute climb up the stairs. Drink prices are also not exorbitant. You can spend some time here and let your gaze wander into the distance.
3. Long Set Beach
Long Set Beach is only about a 15-minute walk along the coast north of Koh Touch Village. It stretches for about 4 kilometers, which is why it’s sometimes also called 4K Beach.
You can easily take a trip to Long Set Beach on foot or simply by boat. On-site you’ll find a few accommodations and dining options, but above all, a stunning beach. White sand, turquoise clear water, and a few palm trees create the perfect atmosphere.
Together with Sok San Beach (see next point), Long Set Beach was definitely our beach highlight on Koh Rong. Calling it a paradise may be a bit of a stretch, but in our opinion, the beach comes very close to it.
4. Sok San Beach (Long Beach)
On the west side of Koh Rong lies the long Sok San Beach, which is why it’s also known as Long Beach among many visitors. You can reach the beach either by boat directly from Sihanoukville or Koh Touch Village or by taking a jungle hike from the village in about an hour on foot.
Sok San Beach itself is a dream! Crystal-clear turquoise water, white sand, and very few people. Personally, we missed a few palm trees and more shaded areas, but the beach is definitely worth a visit.
In the north of Long Beach, you’ll also find the Sok San Beach Resort with many villas and restaurants. If you like peace and solitude, you can even stay overnight here.
At the northern end of Sok San Beach, there’s also Sok San Village. It’s a small village where you can find something to eat or drink. But don’t underestimate the beach, it’s longer than it looks.
5. More Beaches on Koh Rong
We unfortunately didn’t visit them during this stay on Koh Rong, but there are several other beaches around the island. Some are very secluded, while others offer accommodations on-site. Most of them can only be reached by boat.
Northeast of Long Set Beach, you’ll find Sun of Beaches, Nature Beach, and Coconut Beach. From Long Set Beach, you could technically reach all three on foot, but it would be quite a long walk. Renting a boat from Long Set Beach would be easier.
Further east, you’ll find Nippon Lagoon Beach, located in the next larger bay above Coconut Beach. At the very northeastern tip lies Palm Beach, home to the Palm Beach Bungalow Resort. You can reach it with the resort’s shuttle boat and spend a few nights in complete seclusion and tranquility.
In the northwest, in the next bay after Sok San Long Beach, you’ll find Haven Beach, where you can also stay overnight.
The Lonely Beach is the last beach on Koh Rong, located at the far north of the island. The name says it all. Apart from one accommodation, the Lonely Beach Bungalows, there’s nothing else here. So if you’re looking for absolute peace and quiet, this is the right beach for you.
6. Activities on Koh Rong
A few days on Koh Rong will definitely not get boring, because in addition to the beautiful beaches, several activities are also offered. For example, you can join tours to go snorkeling or diving to discover the underwater world, or rent a kayak and paddle from one bay to the next.
There’s even the High Point Adventure Park for adventure lovers. Here you can zipline across the jungle of Koh Rong on lines up to 160 meters high and enjoy some breathtaking views. The price is 25 USD in the low season and 35 USD in the high season.
Not to be forgotten is the popular Koh Rong Pub Crawl. It takes place every Thursday and Sunday and costs 10 USD. You’ll go from bar to bar with many other travelers and turn night into day.
7. Day Trip to Koh Rong Samloem
Koh Rong Samloem is the smaller neighboring island of Koh Rong, which you can easily explore on a day trip. You can book the crossing right at the pier on Koh Rong, head there in the morning, and return in the afternoon. Depending on the boat you choose, the trip takes between 15 to 30 minutes.
If you’re looking for even more peace and quiet than on Koh Rong, then Koh Rong Samloem is the place to be. In addition to gorgeous beaches like Saracen Bay or Lazy Beach, there are a few restaurants on the island to cover your basic needs.
You can find more information about the island in our Koh Rong Samloem article.
How to Get to Koh Rong
You can only reach Koh Rong by boat, and from Sihanoukville there are several connections to the small island. But first, to get to Sihanoukville, you can either fly there or take a bus, for example, from Phnom Penh. You can find the best flights on Skyscanner.
For bus and boat schedules, times, and prices, simply go to a local travel agency or directly to the bus or ferry terminal to purchase tickets. Another alternative is the website of 12go.asia, where you can also find schedules, connections, and buy tickets online.
Attention: There is Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem. So make sure you know which island you actually want to go to.
Have you ever been to the island? Do you have any tips for Koh Rong? We look forward to your comments.
