Koh Rong Samloem, Cambodia. Is It Still Worth It In 2026?
A Definitive Guide To Koh Rong Samloem
Koh Rong Samloem was never meant to be a twelve-day stay.
Yes, but that is exactly how long I ended up staying, and apart from one thing, I loved every day of it. I’ll be honest, the construction spreading across parts of the island took some of the shine off a place that used to feel completely untouched.
This guide covers everything I worked out while I was there, where to eat, how to get there, what to do and where to stay, based on the questions I actually had to answer for myself on the ground.
I stayed on Saracen Beach, and it gave me the easiest base to explore from, close enough to everything without losing the quiet.
One evening stands out more than the rest, a whiskey overlooking Mpai Bay at the end of a day out on the water, watching the light drop over a bay that still had barely anyone on it.
If you’re heading to the island, whatever kind of trip you have planned, this is what I found.
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How To Get To Koh Rong Samloem?
Arriving From Sihanoukville
Getting the boat from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Samloem is the easiest way to get there.
We used the Cambodian Island speed ferry.
After a short trip, we arrived at Paradise Pier from Sihanoukville Autonomous Port. You can book your ferry ticket here. The ferry journey takes about 50 minutes, and the cost ranges from $17.17/€15.00/£12.86.
Just make sure you book the right pier to arrive at, whether it’s Soon Noeng Pier, Eden Pier or Rumi Pier (All on Saracen Beach), M-Pai Village Pier, Pearl Pier or Lazy Beach Pier.
You can typically arrange a minivan to transport you to the port, which is exactly what we did.
Most hotels and hostels provide this service, even those located as far away as Phnom Penh.
The ferry leaves multiple times during the day, and the first one is at 08.00 AM, but be sure to let the company know in advance of your return date if you buy a return ticket.
If you don’t, it will cause problems later. It is very important for your trip to know that there are no ATMs on the island. The counter for the ferry will charge fees.
Stock up on cash before you go, and always bring extra because you’ll need it.
Arriving From Koh Rong
Just north of Koh Rong Samloem is the bigger of the two Koh Rong islands, this one named simply “Koh Rong.”
You can get a boat taxi to leave Koh Rong from Koh Rong Community Pier.
You can book your boat taxi online and choose which pier to land at, depending on where your accommodation is booked. Cambodian Island Speed Ferries and G.T.V.C Boat are good companies.
The distance between the islands is only 5km, so compared to the journey from Sihanoukville, it’s a quicker trip at 35 minutes. The full trip, including minivan pickup and boat, normally costs $31.00/€27.00/£23.14.
The first boat taxi of the day leaves at 06.30 AM from Koh Toch Beach pier on Koh Rong, with the latest departure at 03.30 PM.
Where To Stay On Koh Rong Samloem?
Some of the best places to stay include Saracen Beach, M-Pai Village, Sunset Beach and Lazy Beach.
You can pay anything from around $5.00 for a shared hostel room up to $260.00 for a private villa with a smart TV, pool and by a perfect beach.
Saracen Beach
Many travellers who find themselves on Koh Rong Samloem are often found in Saracen Beach.
This picturesque Beach is about a 2.5km stretch of fine sand and shallow waters worthy of being on a postcard.
The big draw is that you can easily enjoy lunch or dinner on the beach with the sea less than a metre from your toes.
Sara Resort is a wonderful option. Some nice features include an outdoor pool and an outdoor bar. Your room is a small bungalow with a shower, double bed, and smart TV. The staff are amicable, and the food is some of the best on the island. We arrived at Paradise Pier, and staff from Sara Resort collected us in a boat, which was a nice touch to not have to carry our bags along the beach to the hotel. In the high season, you can pay over $150.00 per night.
Check out Sol Beach Resort for another 4-star luxurious stay. I passed by many times with my mouth open, thinking I should have considered it more. You can stay in a tree villa overlooking the sea. You can avail of the spa and wellness centre. You can expect to pay from $120.00 per night during peak season.
For the younger party people, Onederz and The Big Easy are very affordable options, but be prepared to have no air conditioning and far less comfort. In December peak time, you can pay around $10.00 travelling solo. A shared room would cost $42.00 split between two people.
M-Pai Village
M-Pai village is a small fishing village where many locals living on the island reside.
The Cliff Hostel is worth checking out. When we finished the tour, we finished the day off with a couple of whiskeys, watching the sunset right above the sea on the cliff. It was serene. You can pay up to $68.00 per night in high season. Thankfully, air con is included in most rooms.
Beach House Cambodia has superb ratings, and it is located right beside the pier, making for quick access once you exit the ferry. We passed this one on the way up the hill to see the sunset, and it looked impressive. Choose this place for peaceful relaxation in a fishing village vibe. Cost from $60.00 per night.
ThmorDa Resort is a nice option and about 100 metres from the beach. There is a swimming pool and lush gardens to walk around. An entire villa will cost around $260.00 per night in July when I checked.
Sunset Beach
If you need better sunsets in your life, then you may need to consider staying here.
After a fun adventure through the jungle, we arrived at this serene and peaceful beach with few people in sight.
The beach is a little over 500 metres in length, boasting soft sand and truly offering a place to unwind.
KAMAKU Bungalows have proven to be a great place to stay, with glowing reviews. A bungalow on the beach will set you back about $52.00 per night in the high season, but you can get some good deals here.
Sleeping Trees entices people with a private beach area, and almost 400 people give it an over 9/10 rating, so it is a great option. You can pay around $62.00 per night in high season.
Robinson Bungalows have their own restaurant and private beach, which is located at the very southern tip of the beach, offering a more private stay. Affordable at $30.00 per night even in high season.
SUNBOO Beach Bungalows is another option on the beach. It has really exceptional reviews with almost 400 people rating it 9.6 out of 10. Cost from $32.00 per night.
To be honest, all of these options look like good choices, and I would not hesitate to stay in any of them, going by the reviews.
Lazy Beach
Uniquely, the only hotel on the entire beach is called, wait for it, Lazy Beach.
One thing to know is that the beach has limited wifi and power that only runs in the evening. A family I met from Australia who were staying a few days on that side confirmed this. Lazy Beach was the first accommodation available when there were no hotels on Saracen Beach or Sunset Beach, and the pier you can see is still in use.
Though sometimes closed during the low season, the boats are moved around to Saracen Bay when the winds are stronger. It is around a 2.6 Km walk from Saracen Beach to Lazy Beach and takes about an hour to get there.
If you want a private, peaceful and exotic escape from reality, then Lazy Beach is the place to go on Koh Rong Samloem.
Where To Eat
In my experience, the food on Koh Rong Samloem is very good.
I often ate at the restaurant at Sara Resort, where I stayed for 12 days.
Most nights, the staff would set up a BBQ on the beach, and walking past usually lured me in. My personal favourite was lok lak, a traditional Cambodian dish with beef, sauce, and rice.
I want to say it was somewhere around $12.00 to $15.00, but honestly, twelve days of good food blur together.
Up north along the beach, I ate at Sweet Times a lot.
They had the most tasty red and yellow Cambodian curry with cashew nuts. It was the creamiest, tastiest dish I can remember from the whole country. It cost $5.00, and I could barely finish it each time.
You have lovely views of the sea too while enjoying some of the island’s best food.
How Many Days Should I Stay?
I recommend staying 4 to 6 days on Koh Rong Samloem.
That gives you time to relax on the beach, explore the island on foot, take a plankton tour, and visit the northern fishing village of M’Pai Bay.
You could do it in 3 days if you are short on time, but to fully enjoy the island, I recommend staying longer. Some people suggest visiting both Koh Rong islands.
I can not speak for the larger island to the north, but if it is anything like Samloem, it will be brilliant.
Best Time To Visit Koh Rong Samloem?
The best time to visit is between December and February.
Naturally, more people will be here during the high season.
It will be cooler, but more expensive. If you can, I suggest going in May, like we did, as we had hardly any rainy days. I admit, some days had heavy showers but didn’t last long, and overall it was pleasantly warm and cloudy.
If I could go back again, I would choose to go in December or January to see it with a busier atmosphere.
How To Get Around
You can get around the island on foot.
There are no cars. I loved Koh Rong Samloem even more because of this.
Being forced to walk meant we saw the island properly, discovered hidden ruins and viewpoints, and spotted monkeys in their natural setting.
However, when I visited, an odd motorbike passed on the road, which was made through the centre of the southern part of the island and into the other parts. This only added to the charm. You will need to take a taxi boat from Saracen Bay to M’Pai village in the north, which costs $6.00 one way.
Many parts of the island are inaccessible. For example, we had to climb through the jungle to reach Sunset Beach.
It was not easy, and you have to watch for wild animals and your footing, but it felt more adventurous.
Best Things To Do In Koh Rong Samloem
Visit Sunset Beach
One thing to do when visiting Koh Rong Samloem is to see Sunset Beach. And of course, you need to go there for the sunset.
If you’re staying on Saracen Beach, then it’s a really fun journey reaching the other side of the island. It takes about an hour at a leisurely pace, and you can listen to the animals, say hello to other people passing by and explore the locals’ homes in the centre of the island.
You can ask the staff at your hotel how to get there.
Some of the roads are not complete. Therefore, it can be tricky to move across the islands at times. As you can see from the image, the road simply ends, leaving you a bit unsure of what to do next.
However, there is a pathway through the jungle about 100 metres before the road ends on the right-hand side as you come to the end of the road, which is relatively steep but very manageable.
The beach is free to visit.
There is a rope that you can hold as you make your way down to the beach, and this lasts for less than 10 minutes.
Once you get to the beach, you can swim and relax, taking in the beautiful setting and reflecting on the nice little adventure you had to get there. When I visited, there were very few people there for sunset in May. High season will naturally bring more people. For the sunset time, see below:
- 1 January (high season) sunset at 05.57 PM
- 1 April (transition into wet season) sunset at 06.19 PM
- 1 July sunset at 06.33 PM
- 1 October (transition back toward dry season) sunset at 06.00 PM
If you visit Koh Rong Samloem, don’t skip Sunset Beach.
Explore The Fishing Village At M-Pai Bay
This is a small village in the north of the island where most of the locals live, but that doesn’t mean it is empty of tourists.
Quite the opposite.
There are several good hostels, bars and restaurants located here.
Many day tours end here at this point too. Here, people go uphill to the viewpoint found at Cliff Hostel.
For me, this was one of the best sunsets in Cambodia because of the vastness of the sea and the colour of the sky. The restaurants in M-Pai Bay are where you can eat for cheaper compared to the bigger hotels. You can pay a boat taxi to get there from the pier at Saracen Beach. It costs $6.00.
I got a whiskey for $6.00, and a beer will cost between $2.00 and $4.00.
For eating, check out Two Ducks, Bong’s and Family Restaurant for well rated food.
Another cool spot to see for sunset is M’Pai Bay Sunset View, found close to the pier. If you feel adventurous, leave the village and walk to the Little Waterfall, 15 minutes from the pier.
I noticed how locals here smiled at us when walking by, which was pleasant.
Do A Plankton Tour
Another worthy activity is to do a plankton tour.
A plankton tour, you might ask. What and why?
When it is dark, and you enter the sea along the coast of Koh Rong Samloem and splash the water, you will see the plankton illuminate in front of you as if it were magic. And it is magical to see this. Included in the tour was snorkelling (45 minutes), fishing (1 hour) and enjoying the sunset at Cliff Hostel with a whiskey in hand.
Our tour started at 02.00 PM, and we were back on Saracen Beach at about 08.00 PM. The group had a great atmosphere, and there was a BBQ included with drinks. This was a great way to get to know other travellers on the island.
The final part of the tour involved jumping into the sea. Interestingly, it was dark, and we had to splash around in the water to see the plankton and witness the change in colour in front of our eyes.
The cost for this was $12.00 per person, and it was worth every penny.
Book Your Plankton Tour Now: Snorkelling, Fishing And Sunset
Search For The Stone Carvings
Try to find the stone carvings for a real genuine adventure trek.
When I visited, I wore suitable footwear with good grip (when wet the leaves from the jungle can be slippery), covered my visible skin with insect repellent and I carried a stick because you are entering the jungle. This is the same route to the Lazy Beach Viewpoint meaning you can visit two places at once.
It can help with keeping balance as you trek and of course, beating away any wild animals.
When I visited there was no ticket office or person taking money.
From my research online on TripAdvisor, there seems to be a $2.50 entry fee since at least January 2026. I think the fee is totally fine for the views and the quality of the carvings.
Just south of Lazy Beach pier, you can make the ascent up through the jungle and discover the stone carvings of the island. In total it’s about 800 metres and is a continuous incline which makes it harder on your body.
The large boulders show carvings of Vishnu, Ganesha and people riding elephants which surprised me because Cambodia is mostly Buddhist. It is interesting because the origin of the carvings is not crystal clear.
They are also said to be connected to religious ceremonies.
Be prepared to come into contact with the overgrowth and lush green flora when you reach the carvings. You may have to push through vegetation and keep an eye on the path ahead, as there are plenty of snakes on the island.
Once you make it to the carvings, I recommend taking some quiet time to reflect, because you’ll be in the jungle with only insect noises all around. It’s beautiful in every way.
They can hide and camouflage very well, and stepping on one could be a problem.
Trek To Lazy Beach Viewpoint
Want the most amazing Instagrammable photo location in Koh Rong Samloem?
Make the journey along the road for about an hour, through the jungle and up the hill, past the stone carving, to eventually find this gem. Once you hit the jungle, it’s much harder than the road. This is the same route to reach the stone carvings.
For me, this view was the best on the island. There are other viewpoints to see like Sunrise and Sunset View Point however I never reached that one.
You need to be careful, as it can be dangerous because of the cliff edge. If you’re not concentrating, it can be risky.
Try to do this safely by watching your step.
Be prepared to share the large boulder at the top as a seating area with others, as it’s one of the more popular things to do. If you go in the off-season, you will have fewer people to contend with.
This is free to do. If you go for sunset, you must travel back through the jungle after dusk. When it’s dark, it can be more dangerous. Snakes, monkeys and other animals may not be friendly.
Don’t delay your departure here.
Explore The Forest And Roads
When I visited, construction was happening all over the island.
There were huge roads flattened throughout the southern part of the island. Thankfully, this created the perfect path for us to walk easily from one side of the island to the other without walking through thick jungle.
You can freely explore the island roads without paying.
From Saracen Beach To the lighthouse is around 5 kilometres walking, but there are many paths and ways to go. I recommend downloading Google Maps beforehand to ensure you can get back safely before dark in case you have no connection.
In truth, simply following these roads and listening to the wildlife in the jungle was a nice way to spend some of our time. But it is not always relaxing. You may stumble upon a troop of monkeys like we did. Just don’t upset them or stay too long in their presence.
They jumped from tree to tree above my head and they were aggressive so we quickly continued along the path.
You could spend a few hours roaming the road and seeing what you find.
If you need data, you can use Airalo ESIM which worked very well for me in Thailand and Vietnam
Find The Lighthouse
On the southerly tip of Koh Rong Samloem you can find an old French lighthouse.
This was made to communicate with the navy.
I made the trek south to the southern part of the island to see this fascinating point of interest. It took me 1 hour and 40 minutes and because it was so hot it took longer than it should have.
You can climb the lighthouse for $1.00, and there is one guy and several dogs who sit below the lighthouse, and they take the fee from you before you go up.
The ladder steps are thin, like finger-width thin, and it feels relatively sturdy, yet I did notice some cracks in the cement exactly where the steel connects to the cement; for that reason, use with caution.
After surviving the ladder, you can look for the artillery on the ground. There were 3 or 4 artillery pieces in different parts around the lighthouse, which will bring you back in time to Cambodia’s colonial past.
This part of the island felt uninhabited which I liked but it’s not totally empty. You can have a coffee at D.K. Cafe Koh Rong Samloem. Close by the coffee shop you will find Beach Beach (yes, that’s the name of the beach).
I loved this part of the island because it looks beautiful.
Get A Massage On The Beach
You can relax even further by taking a massage.
Thailand is more famous for its massage, but Cambodia offers something similar.
While I did not choose to take a massage, I know you can visit Ponleu Spa for an hour or two and de-stress.
You can choose from a Thai or coconut oil massage among many more. An Aloe Vera massage will cost $30.00 for an hour, according to the positive reviews online. A beachside massage could cost half of that.
Next time I visit, I will add this to my plan.
Snorkelling
Koh Rong Samloem has great water quality.
However, one time there was a spillage of fuel into Saracen beach as the boats came in in the morning which made it unpleasant but it wasn’t often.
You can snorkel off Saracen Beach, where the water is usually calm apart from the boats coming in and out. Just be careful and pay attention as they pass, and do not snorkel too close to the pier.
When I visited, snorkelling was so much fun because of the pureness of the water. I could see some small fish dashed around me.
Although my best session was further out on a tour, snorkelling by myself at Saracen Beach was still well worth it. Sunset Beach, M-Pai Bay and Lazy Beach are said to have some great spots too.
If you want to go snorkelling then you can join a trip for between $15.00 and $25.00.
Scuba Diving
Koh Rong Samloem has some of Cambodia’s most popular diving waters.
When we visited, we approached The Dive Shop on Saracen Beach and the guy there was not the warmest or most welcoming, so we skipped it. Other reviews rave about this place.
But you can choose from many options like Paradise Diving & Watersports, Khmer Dive Adventures or just ask your hotel about some good companies that are PADI certified.
You can pay anywhere from $60.00 to $300.00 depending on what kind of dive you choose.
Koh Rong And Koh Rong Samloem Compared
I can vouch that Koh Rong Samloem offers more peace and quiet compared to the much larger Koh Rong. Samloem is just 24 km² in size, while its bigger neighbour spans 78 km².
While activities may be similar, such as experiencing some of Cambodia’s best beaches and amazing diving experiences, Koh Rong Island is home to the bigger party life and fun.
Samloem, on the other hand, is better suited to couples and backpackers on a budget.
Construction started on an international airport in January 2024, confirming that bigger investments are being made in this part of Cambodia.
Undoubtedly, this will increase tourism levels on both islands.
Final Thoughts on Koh Rong Samloem
After 12 days on Koh Rong Samloem, I can safely say it was a great escape from the bigger cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
The insanely good beaches, terrific viewpoints and fun day tours made it special. Lazy Beach, Sunset Beach and Saracen Beach will be hard to forget.
It was sad to see a half dozen empty hotels covered in graffiti along the beautiful Saracen Beach, but there is no escaping from the implications that mass tourism can have on such a small island.
I hope it can be controlled and managed in a way so that smaller businesses can thrive and the island doesn’t become overrun. However, I have read that the southeast part of the island will be a massive resort very shortly.
Time will tell what will happen to Koh Rong Samloem.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you check out my detailed guide on Lazy Beach, one of the island’s best-kept beaches.
Thanks for reading,
James
FAQs
Is Koh Rong Samloem Expensive?
Koh Rong Samloem is expensive because its an island. The mainland is cheaper overall, but compared to North America and Europe its very affordable. You can eat for as little as $5.00 (think Cambodian curry). Rooms can cost from $74.00 a night in December, which is high season in a 4-star hotel.
Can You Walk Around Koh Rong Samloem?
You can walk around Koh Rong Samloem. There is a road going through mostly the south of the island. There are no cars, only the occasional motorbike, but walking is the popular way to move. To reach some beaches, you need to move through the forest where wild monkeys can be found, so be careful.
What Is Special About Koh Rong Samloem?
Koh Rong Samloem is special because of the white sandy beaches, amazing viewpoints and wild jungle vibe. You can visit a party with backpackers, find ruins in the jungle, or explore the water on boat tours with fishing, snorkelling, and relaxation. The island feels secluded and private without being totally dead.
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This is a quite comprehensive guide to the area and resort. I had never heard of it before so it was interesting to read about a place in Cambodia that I had nor been to.
Those roads look quite wide, maybe excessively so for such a small area. Hope they build them to better standards than most of the new roads I saw in Cambodia, which were full of design errors and dangerous practices.
I didn’t know anything about this area before reading this, so this was a really useful guide. Great to learn about the resorts and the things to do. It looks like a beautiful place to stay. Would absolutely love to do a plankton tour – the bioluminescence sounds amazing! I’d also enjoy channelling my inner Indiana Jones and exploring the jungle to see the stone carvings.
A fantastic day for the area, full of useful tips for those who want to explore the region.
Congratulations on the photos! They are an excellent teaser to captivate the eyes
Thanks for introducing me to Koh Rong Samloem. It looks like a great place to visit. That trek to see the statues is right up my alley. You’ve provided a very comprehensive guide that will be useful to anyone planning a visit.
Wow – Koh Rong Samloem looks beautiful! I love the detail in the statues – you can see how much hard work and dedication went into it. The bioluminescence tour looks breathtaking. I saw the glowworms in New Zealand and they were captivating. I can imagine the plankton would be the same.
Kinda fun that there’s a bit of a trek to get to Sunset Beach (it looks like a worthy spot) and to see the stone statues. I’d love to do a plankton tour one day! Looks beautiful 🙂
I was in Cambodia years ago in 2009. This is one of my first Asian trips. I can see that Koh Rong Samloem has changed a lot and developed as a tourist destination, which is good because the residents can earn better. It used to be empty there. Great tips on how to organize your trip. It’s great that you also give prices (still very affordable); it’s easier to plan a budget for the trip because I dream about returning to Cambodia.
Agnes
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from SE Asia trips, it’s not to cut costs when it comes to accommodation and air conditioning. This does look like a magical getaway. The plankton? I never would have thought of that. And I love those carvings. What a great guide to a fabulous place where it appears you had a beach all to yourself. My kind of place
A wonderful and comprehensive guide James, thanks for sharing. I’m intrigued now and loved following around the Koh Rong Samloem beach. It seems there’s a lot to do and you can easily explore the area and natural beauty by foot. The prices are very reasonable and I would enjoy the magical stone statues in the middle of the jungle the most.
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