Lazy Beach, Koh Rong Samloem: Worth Visiting Or Skip It In 2026?
My Guide To Lazy Beach Koh Rong Samloem
Lazy Beach on Koh Rong Samloem is the one place in Cambodia I regret not booking a room at.
Here’s the honest answer if you’re short on time. Yes, it’s worth the hassle. No wifi, no proper roads, a boat that only runs a few times a day. Book it anyway.
I spent twelve days on Koh Rong Samloem and only made it to Lazy Beach on day nine. I’ll be honest, that still annoys me. The rest of the island is fine. Saracen Bay has the restaurants, the phone signal and the easy bungalows. But Lazy Beach is the one that stuck with me.
Most people see that and pick somewhere easier. I get why. But it’s the same logic as a mountain view you had to hike for. The effort is what keeps it quiet.
I walked that beach alone one evening, just me and the waves coming in over my feet, and I didn’t see another person for twenty minutes. That doesn’t happen on Saracen Bay. It barely happens anywhere in Southeast Asia anymore.
So this is for the solo travellers and the couples asking the same two questions I had. Where should I actually stay on this island, and is Lazy Beach genuinely better, or just more Instagrammed?
I’ll answer both properly, bungalow by bungalow, so you don’t waste the nine days I did figuring it out.
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Map Of Koh Rong Samloem
How To Get To Koh Rong Samloem
You can get to Koh Rong Samloem from Sihanoukville via ferry, but there are other options.
Sihanoukville has the main ferry terminal, and you’ll meet many travellers here going to the Koh Rong Islands.
Before that, though, we booked a minivan and ferry ticket together, so we simply had to leave from the hotel in Siem Reap. We stopped our journey at the pier on Saracen Beach, where an engine boat picked us up with our luggage and took us through the shallow water to Sara Resort.
The moment we hopped off the boat, this island felt like paradise. You can book your bus and ferry ticket well in advance to ensure you get the right timing you need. The cost is ៛181,127 ($45.00/€39.40/£33.45). I have learned that doing this as soon as you can will save stress.
If you’re coming from Phnom Penh, the cost is ៛128,801 ($32.00/€28.02/£23.79); you can book your bus and ferry ticket before you leave, and the same applies if you’re coming from Battambang to Koh Rong Samloem. I came from Phnom Penh, and it was a comfy way to travel.
Tickets from Battambang to Koh Rong Samloem can be booked for ៛165,027 ($41.00/€35.90/£30.48) per person. The most affordable tickets are from Kampot to Koh Rong Samloem, starting from ៛100,626 ($25.00/€21.89/£18.58). I missed Battambang, so it will have to wait until the next trip.
If you prefer to take a private taxi to the pier, you can book one here, but you’ll need to buy your ferry ticket when you arrive. Don’t worry, you can get your regular ferry or speedboat to Koh Rong Samloem right there from ៛56,351 ($14.00/€12.26/£10.41), and it takes under an hour to get there. I saw loads of people arriving in taxis, and if the budget is there, it’s more comfortable.
If you’re coming from Koh Rong to Koh Rong Samloem, book your ferry tickets here for ៛40,250 ($10.00/€8.76/£7.43); the journey takes just 15 minutes.
Getting to Koh Rong Samloem is relatively easy; getting to Lazy Beach is a little harder.
How To Get To Lazy Beach On Koh Rong Samloem
Lazy Beach is about a 1.6 km walk from Saracen Beach, where most tourists stay on the island.
A wonderful part of the island and worth staying at and exploring, too.
When I was visiting, there was a lot of construction work going on (cutting down forestry to make roads), and we could easily walk along these to Lazy Beach.
There were some parts of the walk where we had to go through plenty of overgrowth, so be careful. Watch out for snakes and other animals which could potentially be dangerous.
If you are staying on the northern part of the island at M-Pai, another popular part of Koh Rong Samloem, then I would recommend getting a boat from the village pier to Saracen Beach.
Otherwise, you will have to rent a boat to take you directly to Lazy Beach, which will be expensive, and you won’t enjoy the adventurous walk through the forest. Once you’re actually on the sand, here’s what you’re walking into.
Lazy Beach is about 700 metres long and is a cove beach.
The sand is soft, white and clean, and there is a little pier at the end of the beach, which made me think I had found my beach. It is used heavily during the high season, but when I was there, it looked almost abandoned. I was thinking, where is everybody?
On either side of the cove, you can see the trees and hear noises, reminding you that the forest is alive all around you.
Walk the beach slowly and listen to the waves.
There are some wooden huts where you can stay; although we didn’t stay here (we stayed at Sara Resort), it looks perfect for a romantic break with your loved one or a family vacation.
I spoke with a nice couple from Australia who mentioned the wifi was very poor on that side of the island.
So if you are working remotely and need a good connection, maybe Saracen Beach is better for you.
If I were going to stay at Lazy Beach, it wouldn’t be to work; it would be to relax and leave the laptop in my bag.
So it depends on what you want to do.
How To Walk From Saracen Bay To Lazy Beach
The roads have been made and it’s easier to reach Lazy Beach.
You can walk all the way from Saracen Beach or take a small tractor with your luggage if you’re booked to stay at Lazy Beach. In less than half an hour, you can make the hilly trip to Lazy Beach from Saracen Bay, where I stayed.
Just remember that when coming back at sunset, you need to watch out for monkeys and snakes. When we went to Lazy Beach some aggressive monkeys in the trees did not welcome us. Staff members at our hotel warned us about this and to be careful at night.
Bring a long-sleeved top to protect from mosquitoes, and also some cash to get a drink once you get to the beach.
Insect repellent for sure.
Where To Stay On Lazy Beach
What are some of the best resorts on Lazy Beach, Koh Rong Samloem?
A 3-star option is fittingly called Lazy Beach located at Lazy Beach.
It is facing the ocean and has an 8.8-star rating from 257 guest reviews. If you don’t mind walking the distance to Lazy Beach, then I would recommend our accommodation Sara Resort.
Excellent staff, food and right on the water, it was ideal. It has an 8.7 rating from 1,738 reviews. Another option close to Lazy Beach is Robinson Bungalows. It is closest to the Sea View Restaurant on the south end of the beach.
They have an 8.8 rating from 438 reviews on Booking.com, so they are well worth checking out.
Close to the beach and very peaceful too.
How To Get From Sihanoukville To Koh Rong Samloem
You can take the ferry from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Samloem.
We used Speed Ferry Cambodia, and I can recommend them.
We got the ferry from Sihanoukville Autonomous Port to Paradise Pier on Koh Rong Samloem. While others had to walk to their destination, we had a small motorboat collect us.
From the pier, it took us a short trip to the Sara Resort, which made me feel special even though they did this for all the clients I think. Your feet will get wet as you need to get out into the water. Also, when entering these boats, make sure you keep your luggage dry too.
In less than an hour, you can be on the island and ready to relax. The cost can be between ៛56,351 and ៛108,676 ($14.00–$27.00/€12.26–€23.64/£10.41–£20.07) per person.
You can clarify before you purchase your tickets at the pier in Sihanoukville.
What Is Special About Koh Rong Samloem?
Koh Rong Samloem is special because of its clear waters, remote setting and intriguing history.
It had a role in the Vietnam war, started as a quiet fishing settlement and the lighthouse was set up under the French to guide ships through the gulf.
What I later learned was in 1975, the island became involved in the war. Here the last official combat action of the Vietnam War happened when the Khmer Rouge took control of the American container ship SS Mayaguez off an island close by. They then brought the crew to Koh Rong Samloem, where a small Khmer Rouge base was holding them.
Swimming on any of the island’s beaches is great, and you can rent kayaks or jet skis or take a tour to see the glowing plankton, which I did, and it was a fantastic experience.
You will feel so far away from the rest of the world, especially at Lazy Beach, and that is what makes it so special.
We went in May, and there were barely any other people around. It was us on the beach and maybe a couple of other people for a few hours.
What is not special about that?
You can explore the old lighthouse where the Cambodian Army have a base close by and check out the views from above.
Make sure you get to the viewpoint just beside the stone carvings. Here you will appreciate the island in all its glory.
You can see the entirety of Lazy Beach and the cove.
Lazy Beach on the west coast of Koh Rong Samloem alone undoubtedly makes the island worth a visit.
Are There Monkeys On Koh Rong Samloem?
Yes, there are monkeys on the island.
When I was walking to Lazy Beach, we heard a noise above our heads. Hoping it wasn’t a snake, it was several monkeys. We had to pass them to get to the beach, and so we made our way.
Then I was chased by what looked like the alpha male of the group, and he went for me. I later realised he was protecting the small baby monkeys and females of the group. Luckily, nothing happened after that, but I wouldn’t have been surprised if he had attacked us.
Be careful and watch and listen when moving through the vegetation.
Are There Roads On Koh Rong Samloem?
Yes, there are roads on the island.
There is a lot of work being put into the island to make it more accessible.
While it will make getting around much easier for travellers, it comes at a cost. This includes many hotels being built which is destroying a lot of the natural environment which I did not like seeing.
This was visible during my time on the island in 2023, and no doubt it has developed more since then.
Is Lazy Beach On Koh Rong Samloem Worth Visiting?
After twelve days on Koh Rong Samloem, I made one mistake: not staying at Lazy Beach overnight.
That walk through the jungle to get there, the complete solitude when I arrived, the calming rhythm of the waves. It all created something I hadn’t found anywhere else on the island.
I stayed at Sara Resort, which was excellent for nightlife and meeting people. The late-night pool bar, the constant buzz of travellers, it’s what many people want from an island trip. But Lazy Beach offers the complete opposite.
The Australian couple I met there had terrible WiFi and didn’t mind at all. It forced them to properly disconnect, and they seemed more relaxed than anyone at Sara.
Stay at Lazy Beach for peace and disconnection. Stay at Sara for activity and social energy. Better yet, split your time between both.
Would I return? Absolutely. But next time I’m staying overnight at Lazy Beach. That experience deserves more than just a day trip.
Any questions, just ask.
Thanks for reading,
James
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I feel like “watch out for snakes” would be where you might lose some people but that actually kind of made me turn around my thinking as I’m not a big beach person and the name Lazy Beach described everything I’m not on vacation. I don’t do well sitting still. but I have to admit it is pretty, and I liked what you said about feeling like the only person on the island, which sounds like a great feeling to have. Sitting up high watching out over the water, with a bit of a sunset, looks like the perfect way to relax here.
It’s called Lazy Beach for a reason so of course there is no wifi here, right?! What a perfect invite to just sit back, relax and enjoy this piece of nature. I like the random “yeah watch out for snakes” warning. Too funny! I have not read or heard about Koh Rong Samloem before so I am happy that you introduced me to this corner of the world.
Carolin | Solo Travel Story
I was all up for visiting Lazy Beach until I read ‘watch out for snakes and other animals that could cause you harm’! In all seriousness this looks stunning, perfect for a relaxing few days. Staying where you did and doing the 1.6km walk would be my choice, that’s just a short stroll.
Lazy Beach seems perfectly named. I am not one for beach days as I am unable to handle the sun or fairly idle days but this looks like a great place to explore. The monkeys do give me pause as I have seen some aggressive ones that can be quite frightening.
Funnily enough, I never think about Cambodia as a “beachy” destination, even though clearly there are lots of beautiful options. I think it’s because I mostly hear about the cities, so this was refreshing! Lazy Beach seems like my kinda getaway…I’ll keep an eye on those monkeys tho!
What a great name for a beach!! It looks stunning and, like you, I hope that it doesn’t change too much and end up another generic beach overrun by tourists.
I’m used to monkey encounters from my frequent visits to Gibraltar but, luckily, I’ve never been chased by an alpha male monkey. I think I’d take snakes over that!!
Heading there tomorrow!
I’m actually keen to see some snakes (Australian), and any alpha male monkey may need to consider the chances of getting thong-slapped.