Useful Travel Guide to Koh Rong Samloem – The Paradise of Southern Cambodia

Koh Rong Samloem Island is the famous destination for your Vietnam and Cambodia itinerary. The island lies off the coast of Sihanoukville, blessed with the emerald sea water and a pristine landscape you can’t get enough of.

The island is well-known as ‘the second Hawaii’, as the best destination for Cambodia luxury travel . Koh Rong Samloem is where you can relax, discover nature and enjoy forget the busy world out there.

Unlike Koh Rong Island, Koh Rong Saloem is absolutely a hidden paradise in the southern Cambodia where unforgettable travel experiences await.

Best time to travel to Koh Rong Samloem


According to many tourists, the best time to visit Koh Rong Samloem is from Mid – November to early May which is also the best time to visit Cambodia. The weather is nice with least rainy days.

April is the hottest month. From March to May, the temperature can rise up to 400C. Sunshine will give you best condition to work on your tan and have the most Instagram-worthy pictures. It is the peak season in Koh Rong Samloem with more tourists. Booking accommodation in advance is recommended.

A nice day in December on Koh Rong Samloem
A nice day in December on Koh Rong Samloem

If you do not like tourist crowds, you can visit from middle of May to November. It is the rainy season. Traveling to Koh Rong Samloem Island at this time will give you chance to discover beautiful rainy scenes.

Hotels also offer great deals in the off season. In spite of the rain, the weather never gets too cold. Therefore, you still can go swimming and have a pleasurable experience on the beaches.

Attractions on Koh Rong Samloem island


Koh Rong Samloem island has many amazing attractions. Natural landscapes are diverse from impressive overwhelming mountains to deep blue sea.

Koh Rong Light House

The Koh Rong Light House has the best viewpoint towards the sea. It’s the first place you should visit on the island.

There are fronds brushing your legs on the way to the Light House. Plentiful mushrooms grow on naturally fallen logs. There is rocky and sandy ground. The view from the lighthouse is really incredible and magnificent in the sunset.  The surrounding bush and beaches are quiet, spectacular and fantastic.

Lighthouse on Koh Rong Samloem
Lighthouse on Koh Rong Samloem

When taking a visit to Koh Rong Sanloem, Koh Rong Light House is a must-see attraction. You should come there in dry season. Under the forest canopy, it is quite steamy. Therefore, remember to bring sunscreen and sweat-wicking clothes. You should wear sport shoes because you may have to walk a lot.

M’Pai Bay

There is a small village located on the 2km long beach of the emerald bay. Life in this village is amicable. Adults are busy with boats and fishing. Children run around and play ball games.

koh rong saloem island

Coming to M’Pai Bay, you will love peaceful atmosphere which almost can’t be found in anywhere else. You can try and enjoy many exciting activities including snorkeling, kayaking, diving, paddle boarding, etc. Especially, you can learn the local resident’s fishing techniques.

If you like adventure, jungle trekking is the best things to do for you.

M’Pai Bay is considered as a magic village. It is always included in travel guide to Koh Rong Samloem Island of tourists.

Robinson Bungalows

Robinson Bungalows are famous for its appealing wilderness. To get there you’ll have to walk through a forest. The waves and winds here are strong and swimming is not really ideal.

Bungalows are decorated cutely and attractively. Sitting in the terrace, you can see romantic view like in dramas.

A bungalow on Robinson Bungalows, Koh Rong Samloem
A bungalow on Robinson Bungalows, Koh Rong Samloem

Saracen Bay

Contrast to Robinson Bungalows, Saracen Bay has a serene beauty. There is a natural swimming pool on the Bay. Immersing in warm water will release your from the exhaustion then you will temporarily forget all pressure of life.

koh rong saloem island

Saracen Bay is the best place for you to see sunrise on Koh Rong Saloem Island. Moreover, you can refresh yourself by bathing under waterfall on Saracen Bay. This experience is exclusive and exciting.

Furthermore, resorts on Saracen Bay are famous for massage service.  A day on Saracen Bay will surely be marvelous and wonderful.

What to do on Koh Rong Samloem Island


Activities on Koh Rong Samloem are fascinating and satisfy all tourists even the most fastidious ones.

Caribbean Boat Tour

This boat tour will help you see the peaceful villages nested along the white sandy beaches. The boat will take you further away from the coast.

Caribbean boat tour on Koh Rong Samloem
Caribbean boat tour on Koh Rong Samloem

Clean water mirrors deep blue sky, even more surreal in sunny days. Especially, sunset view at the cliff will leave you an impression you would never forget.

Services for dinner at a restaurant are also included in this boat tour. Food is really tasty with many great options. Go to Koh Rong Samloem island, do not forget to try Caribbean Boat Tour.

Paddleboarding

Paddleboarding is an exciting thing to do at Koh Rong Saloem Island. You can hire stand-up paddle boards and explore the island’s waterway. You can hire boards at dive center by hour or half and full day.

Paddle boarding on Koh Rong Samloem
Paddleboarding on Koh Rong Samloem Island

Remember to bring sunscreen and clothing to cover your head and shoulder because the sunlight here is pretty harsh.

Biking

Upon your visit to Koh Rong Samloem island, biking will be the best way to discover the stunning jungle foliage and paths.

It will give you a better way to view the nature of Koh Rong Samloem Island. Biking also will help you explore areas near the main strip of beach huts on Saracen Bay. You can hire bike at the hotels, resort or at shops.

Biking on Koh Rong Samloem
Biking on Koh Rong Samloem

There are other awesome activities on Koh Rong Samloem that you should try. Snorkeling, scuba diving and trekking are fantastic and exciting.

How to get to Koh Rong Samloem Island


After getting to the capital Phnom Penh, you need to go to Sihanoukville. You can take bus or taxi. From Sihanoukville, you will go by ferry to Koh Rong Samloem. There are five services including Angkor Speed Ferry, GTVC, Buva Sea, Speed Ferry Cambodia and Island Speed Boat Cambodia. It will cost around USD 25 for return tickets.

A ferry to Koh Rong Samloem
A ferry to Koh Rong Samloem

Party boat is suitable for people who want a Cambodia Vietnam tour for more than 4 days. The ferry often starts at 9:30am and comes back at 3:30pm. In party boat, you can enjoy exciting services such as jumping from the highest cabin, snorkeling and lunch on the ferry.

Best Hotels on Koh Rong Samloem Island


Below are our recommendations for the best Koh Rong Samloem hotels and resorts.

Moonlight Resort

The resort lies on Saracen Bay, boasting a unique architecture. In 2012, The resort was ranked as one of the must-visit destinations in Cambodia.

Coming to this resort, you can try scuba diving and snorkeling to see colorful coral reefs. The best way to resort is by the scheduled ferry from Sihanoukville which takes about 45 minutes.

Moonlight resort is one of the best choices when taking a trip to Koh Rong Samloem in Cambodia. All rooms are equipped with modern facilities. Blue Moon restaurant in the resort area serves both Eastern and Western dishes.

The One Resort

The resort is 24km from Sihanoukville and 21km from the Private island Song Saa. It has many luxury bungalows. Some bungalows have living room for tourists to relax after a long traveling day.

There are outdoor swimming pool, private beach, play yard for children, restaurant and bar. It takes only 1-minute walk from the resort to the beach. Rooms of the resort are spacious and have a private bathroom. Free wifi is all over the area of the resort.

The Pipes Resort

The Pipes resort is a good choice for your trip to Koh Rong Saloem. It is 24km from Sihanoukville and 36km from Sihanoukville Airport. Rooms have air-conditioning, couch, sofa, private bathroom and kettle. Some rooms have balcony. It is very close to the beaches. There is a restaurant in the resort area.

Room of the Pipes resort on Koh Rong Samloem
Room of the Pipes resort on Koh Rong Samloem

The Pipes resort serves lunch with English/Ireland style. It also sells tickets for tours around the island. The Pipes Resort is a great option for a family vacation to Cambodia. The kids will love this place!

There are many other choices for your accommodation in Koh Rong Samloem. Sara resort, Beauty Boutique, Sky Beat resort are all famous names.

Travel tips to Koh Rong Samloem


  • There are no residents on the island.
  • English is the common language.
  • The common currencies are Riel Campuchia and USD. You can exchange at hotels or shops.
  • To save money, you can go to catch sea urchins or buy seafood at fishing village by yourself instead of going to restaurants.
  • You have to bring necessities. Remember to bring mosquito spray and suntan lotion.

Koh Rong Samloem is and stunning and unique island. It has many breathtaking attractions and many delicious seafood dishes. If you want to discover Cambodia, then come to Koh Rong Samloem Island!


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