Survivor in Koh Rong, Cambodia

Koh Rong Island, Cambodia

Journey further from Trat province which is the eastern part of Thailand. One of Cambodia's islands is as beautiful as Thailand. It is an interesting island that is among backpacker destinations around the world, Koh Rong Island, Sihanoukville. Sihanoukville Province is Cambodia's only seaside town. It is the second largest tourism economy and is the point where we can take a boat to cross to Koh Rong Island

Traveling from Thailand to Sihanoukville

By Airplane 

AirAsia direct flights from Don Mueang to Sihanoukville 2 flights per week on Tuesday and Saturday. Another option for connecting flights from Don Mueang to Siem Reap, Danang, Hanoi, Malila for flight transit to Sihanoukville International Airport

(There may be a change after the covid pandemic)

By Public Transportation                     

Public bus no.999 from Bangkok to Trat or Minibus Koh Chang Bangkok Transport at Bangkok Passenger Terminal (Ekkamai), Bangkok Mini Passenger Terminal (Mo Chit) takes about 5 hours.

Trat bus terminal at number 13 has a van from Trat - Khlong Yai - Hat Lek border during 05.00 am -18.00 pm hrs. It takes about 1.30 hrs. to travel to Hat Lek border checkpoint to cross to Cambodia

 Hat lek border crossing Cambodia

From Hat Lek border crossing to Koh Kong town center. It takes about 15 minutes. There are cars available at the Cambodia border checkpoint, including motorcycles, tricycles and private cars.

Rith Mony 

  Virak Buntham

Buses from Koh Kong town to Sihanoukville take 4-5 hours. Public transport is available such as Rith Mony buses and Virak-Buntham. Most cars only operate in the early morning and early afternoon so please make sure you arrive in Koh Kong town center before evening time if not you have to wait for the next day service available. 

(There may be a change after the covid pandemic)

By private care service

To travel from Hat Lek to Sihanoukville some car company can provide the service directly from Thailand, the price is according to the agreement. It takes about 5-6 hours.

Kiwitaxi pick up from Hat Lek to Sihanoukville or rent a car from Thailand to pick up from Koh Chang or Koh Kong town center

Glass flower pick up from Koh Chang to Sihanoukville

Island Speed ferry (transfer) picks up from Koh Kong town center to Sihanoukville.

(There may be a change after the covid pandemic)

The port of Sihanoukville has 2 large port zones

Sihanoukville Port Autonomous (Some cargo ships and speedboat companies)

Serendipity Beach Pier (The Speed boat’s company crossing to Koh Rong)

Ferry across the island from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong. It takes about 30-45 minutes by speedboat (depending on weather).

There are about 1-5 companies as follows:

-Island speed Ferry  

- Speed ferry Cambodia  

- Buva Sea  

- GTVC boat 

- Angkor speed ferry 

       The Company has provided a different schedule. Please recheck the timetable and port of each company to depart correctly 

The Example schedule of Island Speed Ferry

150 seats, approximately 45 minutes from Serendipity Beach Pier

 Island Speed Ferry 

Island Speed Ferry - Check in at Serendipity Beach Pier

Island Speed Ferry - Inside the ferry area

Other options for traveling across to Koh Rong Island such as a cargo ship departs from Sihanoukville port once a day at 15:00 p.m. to import goods to Koh Rong but the journey takes about 2.5 hours or more as depends on the weather on that day

Private chartered boat across to Koh Rong. You can contact with local fishing boat at Serendipity Beach Pier or travel agencies such as Best Beach Travel and Ana Travel

or travel to Koh Rong by helicopter for VIP customers of Song Saa Private Island, it takes 90 minutes from Phnom Penh Airport to Koh Rong. Two companies service available Helistar Cambodia for $4,500++ and Helicopters Cambodia for $5,772.2++

Koh Rong Island

Koh Rong is the second largest island of Cambodia. The word Rong might refer to an old term for "cave" or "tunnel" There are also 4 villages of the community living in different area around the Island named Koh Touch, Prek Svay, Daem Thkov and Sok San Village

The community pier on Koh Rong Island

Prek Svay Village

Daem Thkov Village

There are also nearby islands not far from Koh Rong such as Koh Pring, Koh Tang, Koh Taj, Koh Songsa, Koh Ngu (Pos), Koh Bamboo, Koh Ta Kyiv and Koh Rong Sanloem. Koh Rong Sanloem is the most popular island close to Koh Rong. It is an island off the Sihanoukville coast 4 km south of Koh Rong, with a length of about 9 km. can be reached by public boat from Koh Rong to Koh Rong Samloem. It takes approximately 15-20 minutes.

The beaches on Koh Rong Island are as follows :

Koh Touch Beach, The community pier for speed boat from Sihanoukville

Sok San beach  on the west side of Koh Rong It is a fishing villages and resorts.

Long set (4K) beach Long beach, peaceful, white sand beach

Pagoda beach  

Lonely beach in the north of the island. There are palm trees around the quiet atmosphere worthy of the name Lonely Beach. It is near the village of Prek Svay and not far from the waterfall in the park

White beach not far from Koh touch beach pier, just 10 minutes walk.

Palm Beach is not far from Songsa Island and Lonely Beach.

Coconut beach is a quiet beach in the northeast of Koh Rong bay. Small bay with beautiful private area

The beach is in a public area and the private beach of the resort area. The most popular beach among tourists is Koh Touch beach as it has small hotels, guesthouses, bars and the community pier across from Sihanoukville. If you want a peaceful and quiet place, Lonely beach and Long set beach are also the best options.

Travel around the Island

Rent a motorbike or bicycle (only some routes because most of the area within the island is still in the development stage)

Boat Rentals although the island is small to walk around. You can walk up the hill and cross to another beach but the road is not very convenient so rented boats are an alternative way to travel at Koh Touch area

You can contact the resort about Boat and Car rental or contact directly in front of the beach (Koh touch area) and can also book a motorbike rental online as well.

Koh rong.com can book online for both boat rentals and Motorbike rental on the island

Speed ferry Cambodia can book motorbike rental through the website

Koh rong Island Activities 

Tour around the island by charter boat tour for snorkeling and fishing

Night boat tour to see Plankton at night

Water Sports such as Jet Ski, Windsurfing, Kayaking, Paddle Boarding and Blob Jump

The most beautiful highlight Sunset view point on the Island at Sok san beach resort, The royal sands and Lonely beach 

Khoh Roung waterfall and Varisan Nureach Waterfall

The boardwalk through mangrove at Prek Tasok or Kayaking at Ta Sok river

Restaurant recommend

Restaurant on Koh Rong Island. There is a wide variety of menus to choose from Local cuisine, Seafood, European food, Indian food, Thai food, Chinese food and prices from in-house restaurants, guesthouses, club bars and street food outlets.

The Secret Garden Bar & Restaurant at Pagoda beach, good atmosphere and variety of food

Enocafe, the good restaurant for Italian food near Koh Touch Pier

Koh Lanta Restaurant, Koh Touch

Anaya Restaurant

La Terrasse Restaurant  , long beach

Aussie Le Thai Restaurant and Sports Bar, Thai and European food at long set beach

Accommodation, Hotel, Resort and Guesthouse 

There are various accommodation prices. From private islands like Song Saa Private Island resort or private beach resorts like Lonely beach resort and Lone set resort to cheaper hostels that backpackers can stay 

Song Saa Private Island Resort 31,000-40,000 Baht per night

The Royal Sands Koh Rong Resort  10,000-15,000 Baht per night

Sunrise Resort & Restaurant  3,000 Baht per night

Long Set Resort    2,500-3,000 Baht per night

Luna Resort Koh Rong   2,000-2,400 Baht per night

White Beach Bungalow 1200-1500 Baht per night

Nest Beach Club   300-500 Baht per night

Firefly Guest House   300-400 Baht per night

Koh Rong’s Climate

High season for the best time to travel to Koh Rong

from mid-November to early May

Rainy season

May - mid August / October - early November

Monsoon season. It may rain for several days

Mid-August – Late September

(Please recheck the weather before traveling because if there is a storm It may rain for several days and the ship cannot leave from the pier)

Important things to know before traveling

-No ATM machine on the Island

-Currency US$ dollar but finer money or coins. The shop will return to KHR real currency (Cambodia currency)

-Some resorts use solar cells for green energy and eco living

-Motorbike rental shop driving directions are still not easy to travel around the island.

-They have only local shops for food, fruit and a few snacks only.

Cambodia Public Holidays 2023

1-2 Jan​ ​New Year's Day

7 Jan​ ​Victory Day

8 Mar​ ​International Women's Day

14-17 Apr​ Khmer New Year

1 May​ ​Labour Day

4 May​ ​Visak Bochea Day

8 May​ ​Royal Ploughing Ceremony

14-15 May​ ​King Norodom Sihamoni's Birthday

18 Jun​ ​Queen Mother's B

24-25 Sep​ ​Constitution Day

13-16 Oct​ ​Pchum Ben

15-16 Oct​ ​Commemoration of Late King Father

29-30 Oct​ King Norodom Sihamoni's Coronation Day

9 Nov​ Independence Day

26 -29 Nov​ ​Bon Om Touk