Koh Rong Island Travel Guide: How to Spend a Day on Koh Rong, Cambodia

ByKari Adams Cambodia

Koh Rong is a tropical island just off the southern coast of Cambodia, known for its turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and green jungle landscapes. Whether you’re looking for lively backpacker hostels or luxury eco resorts, snorkeling adventures or relaxing beach days, the island offers something for every type of traveler. In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about visiting Koh Rong, from how to get there and the best places to stay to the top activities for making the most of your time on this beautiful island.

The Best Time to Visit Koh Rong

November-April is the peak season on Koh Rong, with dry warm weather and minimal rain that is ideal for boat trips and enjoying the crystal blue waters and white sand beaches. During this time of year accommodations book up very quickly and prices are their highest on the island, and I would recommend booking your hotel and ferry tickets ahead of time. 

May-October is the low season on Koh Rong, which is Cambodia’s rainy season. Weather during this time of year is a bit unpredictable, with high humidity and frequent showers. I visited in September, and the weather was a mix of warm sunny days and rainy stormy days. You will definitely still be able to enjoy the beaches, but expect unpredictable weather. Accommodation prices are lower this time of year, some restaurants close, and hostels and ferries do not typically get sold out too far in advance.

How to Get to Koh Rong

Traveling to Koh Rong can be fairly easy depending on your budget, how much time you have, and your preferred mode of transportation. The fastest way to get there is by plane. The closest city to Koh Rong, is Sihanoukville, which has an airport that is just a 30 minute taxi ride to the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, followed by a 45 minute high speed ferry to the island. 

From Phnom Penh

If you are traveling from Phnom Penh, you can fly out of the Techo International Airport to the Sihanoukville International Airport, take a taxi to the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, and take the ferry from there. 

Alternatively, you can book a bus or van ride to the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, and catch the ferry from there. 

From Siem Reap

If you are coming from Siem Reap, you can fly to Sihanoukville from the Siem Reap International airport, take a taxi to the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, and take the ferry from there. 

Another option is to book a private van, overnight bus or day time bus to the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, and take the ferry from there. I chose the overnight bus because I was short on time and I saved money by not paying for a night on accommodation. I paid $30 for my overnight bus and shared a sleeper bed with a friend. Unlike the sleeper buses in Vietnam, you are not woken up throughout the night by constant honking, so I actually slept really well. I highly recommend this option if you are a backpacker on a budget or want to try out the local way of traveling.

From Kampot

If you are coming from Kampot, you can take the $10 two hour train ride to Sihanoukville and a $10 fifteen minute tuk tuk or taxi ride to the ferry port.

You can also book a private car to the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, which is a very bumpy three hour ride. It’s not very comfortable but you do get to see a part of the country you wouldn’t see otherwise. I took a shared van because the train was sold out, so be sure to book your tickets ahead of time.

From Battambang

If you are traveling from Battambang, you can book a private van or bus to the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, and take the ferry from there. 

Where to Stay

The main ferry stops are Kaoh Tuch Beach and Long Set Beach, and after exploring both I highly recommend staying in Long Set Beach for a more relaxed but also lively environment. Koah Tuch is much more developed and offers more accommodation and restaurant options, but I found the stunning beaches and chill vibes at Long Touch Beach to be much more enjoyable. 

Onederz Hostel

I stayed in a private room at Onederz Hostel and it was perfect. If you are a solo traveler or just someone who enjoys a social setting, this hostel is a great option. The private room was clean, comfy, and offered lots of privacy from the restaurant, bar and social area of the hostel. I spent lots of time socializing at the restaurant and bar meeting other travelers and enjoying affordably priced drinks. You can also enjoy your food and drinks on the white sand beach where you can watch the fire dancers perform in the evenings. The hostel organizes a variety of social events throughout the week including a poor tournament and a bar crawl, which is a great way to meet people if you are traveling solo or just want to socialize. What I really enjoyed the most about this hostel is that it felt more like a hotel or a hostel depending on if you stay in a private or dorm room, or choose to partake in social events. As a solo traveler in her late twenties, I appreciated how there was more of a social vibe than a party vibe, I would definitely recommend Onederz Hostel if you are a traveler looking for a more affordable option on the island, with a hotel feel that still has the social aspect of a hostel. 

How to Spend a Day on Koh Rong Island

Now that you know the best time to visit the island, how to get to Koh Rong, and where to stay, lets dive into how to spend a perfect day on Koh Rong Island!

Breakfast at Dobro

I ate breakfast here every day I was on Koh Rong and I still dream of their steak and eggs. Located on the main strip of Long Set Beach, this restaurant offers unique and tasty Western style breakfast and lunch.

Boat Tour

A boat tour is a wonderful way to enjoy the beautiful turquoise waters of Koh Rong and meet fellow travelers. I recommend booking a tour though Get Your Guide with Three Brothers Boat Tour. This half day boat tour includes snorkeling, swimming, and fishing at Koh Koun, followed by a sunset barbecue, and if conditions are good, you will even be able to swim with the bioluminescent plankton at sunset! I recommend this tour if you are looking for a way to experience the natural beauty the island has to offer. Remember, weather can be unpredictable during rainy season!

Dinner at Mr. YAO

Mr. YAO is located at the end of the main street of restaurants on Long Set Beach, and is about a 10 minute walk from the accommodations including where I stayed on the island, Onederz Hostel Kong Rong. Mr. YAO is a family run restaurant that serves up a mix of Cambodian and Thai cuisine. There aren’t a ton of great restaurants open on Long Set Beach during the low season, and I found Mr. YAO to be one of my favorites that I kept coming back to. The family who runs the restaurant is extremely kind and friendly. One of the nights we went for dinner we spent the whole time playing with the children, enjoying our meal, and drinking Cambodian beer. I definitely check them out for lunch or dinner if you are looking for an authentic and delicious Khmer cuisine experience.

Evening Drinks

If you are looking for a bar to grab evening drinks, I recommend checking out Phorn’s Rock & Reggae Bar and Onederz Hostel on Long Set Beach. They can both be found on Long Set Beach and are a great place to relax with friends or solo. 

Phorn’s Rock & Reggae Bar

This reggae bar is located on Long Seat beach with a chill atmosphere and great happy hour. You can enjoy live music while watching the sunset and sipping on a cocktail or try out some of their Asian and Italian fusion dishes. 

Onederz Hostel 

I spent most of my evenings relaxing at the beach bar at Onederz Hostel, enjoying drinks on the sand or the beach front patio. Their friendly waitstaff serve affordable cocktails and beer, and offer tons of social events for travelers including pool tournaments, karaoke, and bar crawls. I also really enjoyed watching the fire shows on the beach. I found the vibe to be social and chill, which is perfect for me. As a solo traveler in their late 20s, I prefer a social hostel to a party hostel. 

Late Night Swimming

One of the extra special things about Koh Rong is the bioluminescent plankton that are visible in the ocean at night time during proper conditions! Sometimes they can be seen from the shore, but I recommend taking a night time ocean dip and swimming with them. Luckily for us, they were visible on Long Set Beach right outside of our accommodation, Onederz Hostel Koh Rong. Long Set Beach, Coconut Beach, and Police Beach are some of the best beaches to see the bioluminescent plankton on Koh Rong.

Final Thoughts

I loved the beautiful scenery, laid back vibe, friendly locals, and balance between adventure and relaxation on Koh Rong. Whether you’re a backpacker looking to meet new people, a couple on a romantic beach vacation, or someone who loves an island adventure, Koh Rong has something for everyone. From relaxing on white sand beaches and snorkeling in turquoise waters, to enjoying sunset drinks and swimming with bioluminescent plankton, there is lots to enjoy and experience on Koh Rong. If you’re planning a trip, I hope this guide helps you make the most of your time on Koh Rong!

FAQs

Is Koh Rong worth visiting?

Koh Rong is a really beautiful island unique to the rest of Cambodia. If you love tropical adventure, relaxing beaches, and a laid back vibe, I would recommend adding Koh Rong to your travel itinerary.

Is Koh Rong Samloem worth visiting?

Koh Rong Samloem is the smaller island located right next to Koh Rong. It offers the same beauty as Koh Rong, with an even quieter laid back vibe. If you love relaxing and want to get away from the crowds, Koh Rong Samloem might be for you.

Check Out My Cambodia Guides

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The Best Cafes in Siem Reap: My Top 5 Favorite Coffee and Breakfast Spots

The Best Restaurants in Siem Reap: My Top 4 Favorite Places to Eat

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