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Koh Rong Samloem Island is one of those places that you want to run out and tell the world about, but at the same time keep your own little secret. With just a smattering of low key accommodation, the island is still very underdeveloped, and its pristine beauty is completely unspoiled by tourism. Besides the standard water activities of diving and snorkeling, the biggest draw on Samloem is the gorgeous beach and the opportunity to disconnect from โreal life.โ
After experiencing the damage that over tourism has left on the islands of Thailand, we were looking forward to somewhere off the grid. As our boat pulled up from the pier, we were pleasantly surprised at the sheer lack of people. It was almost eerily quiet. Coming from the mainland, it took us some time to transition from the busyness of city life to quiet island living. In a few hours though we were happy to float around in the calm water, read a book on the shore and just enjoy the serenity of doing nothing.
How to Get to Koh Rong Samloem Island (Koh Rong Sanloem)
Traveling to Koh Rong Samloem from mainland Cambodia isnโt difficult when going via Sihanoukville. There are now 5 ferry services that can take you by boat from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Samloem. They all charge around $25USD and take about 40 minutes to an hour depending on stops.
All ferries leave from Ochheuteal pier (also known as Serendipity) in Sihanoukville and will either drop you off at Koh Touch on Koh Rong or Saracen Bay on Koh Rong Samloem. There are two piers on Koh Rong Samloem, so check with the ferry service to make sure they are dropping you off at the pier closest to your hotel.
Koh Rong Samloem ferry timetables often change, so the easiest way to find out departure times to to check closer to your arrive in Sihanoukville, or even when you arrive in town.
Once you arrive at Koh Rong Samloem your hotel or hostel may have free transportation from the ferry pier, so be sure to check before you arrive. Otherwise you might be walking for a while in the sun like we did!
Getting to Sihanoukville
Depending on where youโre coming from, you may be able to find an inexpensive flight directly to Sihanoukville. You can fly internationally from Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City and Macau. You can fly domestically to Sihanoukville from Cambodia hot spots like Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.
There are also plenty of buses and tourist shuttles that can get you to Sihanoukville from all over Cambodia. We bussed it in from Phnom Penh, which is a 5-7 hour journey depending on traffic. Overall the bus to Sihanoukville was relatively easy and a comfortable and cheap way to travel. Since we took our bus from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville there is also a new service now running from Giant Ibis. Here is the schedule:
- Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville: 8 am and 12:30 p.m
- Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh: 8:30 am and 3:30 pm
What To Expect on Koh Rong Samloem
Unlike Koh Rong Island, its more touristy neighbor, Koh Rong Samloem Island has not been completely spoiled by the backpacker party culture. This means quiet days, even quieter nights and the chance to feel like you’re part of the natural landscape. Those that are looking for a break from the party in Koh Rong or Sihanoukville will enjoy the laid back atmosphere. Be ready for some rustic living, though.
Electricity runs on generators and only certain hotels will have electricity running 24/7. When we first visited, we didnโt even bother asking for wifi. Wifi on the island was like hearing an urban legend, weโd heard of a friend of a friend who has used it, but never never saw it ourselves. Now most accommodation will advertise that they have free wifi, but who knows how reliable it is. Our advice? Give in and enjoy the chance to completely unplug.
Where To Stay on Koh Rong Samloem
There are a few main areas on the island that you can stay at. Now, many new hotels and hostels have popped up all around the island. These are the main areas you can stay at:
Saracen Bay
The most populated area is Saracen Bay, where the ferry drops you off. When we first visited the island, all of the accommodation was located here. There are a variety of hostels, hotels and resorts along the beach, as well as adjoining restaurants and bars.
Mโpai Bay (also spelled as Mโpei Bay or Mโphey Bei)
With a more backpacker feel, M’Pai Bay has a good selection of hostels and budget accommodation. This is where youโll find a bit more of an active nightlife, that accompanies the backpacker crowd.
Sunset Beach
A much quieter area with just a few options for accommodation and food. This is a good option if youโre looking for the undeveloped, rustic vibes of Saracen Bay from a few years ago.
Koh Rong Samloem Budget Accommodation
Top Pick – Mad Monkey Koh Rong Samloem
If youโve been traveling around Southeast Asia you surely recognize this chain of hostels. The Mad Monkey Koh Rong Samloem has its own private bay (Monkey Bay) and is only reachable by boat. Like most Mad Monkey hostels, thereโs definitely a party vibe here.
Theyโve set up some cool swings and hammocks suspended above the water for that perfect Instagram shot. Each room has a balcony with a sea view. Thereโs no wifi, so you have no choice but to make friends and enjoy the relaxing island life. A single bed in a mixed dorm costs $9USD/night.
Coast 23 Hostel
One of the cheapest hostels on the island, Coast 23 is located in M’Pai Bay on Koh Rong Samloem. This hostel is pretty basic. Rooms come with mosquito nets, towels and a fan. Perfect for backpackers who donโt need anything fancy, but want a bit of a social vibe. A 12 bed dorm will cost you $7 USD/night.
Onederz Koh Rong Samloem
This highly rated beach side hostel is located on the main strip of Saracen Bay. Onederz has plenty of hang out space to chat with other travelers and a bar for some nighttime fun. Despite being on the beach, the staff here keep the hostel super clean. A bed in an 8 person dorm room will run you about $11 USD/night.
Two Ducks
Another highly rated hostel located in MโPai Bay. Guests have said that the rooms are clean and the beds are large and comfortable. Thereโs also a restaurant on site. Rooms come with a balcony overlooking the stunning bay below. A double room will cost you about $15 USD/night.
Koh Rong Samloem Mid-Range Accommodation
Top Pick – SunBoo Beach Bungalows
These set of bunglows on Sunset Bay, the more secluded side of Koh Rong Samloem. The bay is calm and perfect for swimming and snorkeling. A bungalow for two with garden view will cost about $55USD/night.
Sweet Dreams
When we first visited this accommodation, it was mostly a few tents scattered along the sand that you could rent for $5/person. There was no electricity or running water, but But when you woke up in the morning, one unzip of the tent revealed a stunning view of turquoise water. Doesn’t get much better than that. With more development, Sweet Dreams has now become a cluster of bungalows
If nothingโs changed, the business is run by a few Russian couples. Say hi to Alex for us, he’s the tan Russian in short shorts and a fanny pack happily chatting away with customers. A standard bungalow with a fan for 2 people will cost you $50USD/ night.
Koh Rong Samloem High-End Accommodation
Top Pick – Pearl Resort
Located on Saracen Bay, Pear Resort is definitely one of the swankier hotels on Koh Rong Samloem. Their modern bungalows each have air conditioning, a TV and some even include a private plunge pool. Like any good luxury resort, Pearl has an infinity pool overlooking the beach complete with swim up bar. A king room with balcony and private plunge pool costs $188 USD/night.
Bounty Boutique
For something a bit more upscale, Bounty Boutique on Saracen Bay has the standard amenities youโd find at a four star hotel. Air conditioned rooms come with a mini fridge and guests have access to the outdoor pool and private beach area. A beachfront bungalow for four guests will cost you $180USD/ night.
Where To Eat on Koh Rong Samloem Island
Food on the island is a little pricey compared to other parts of Cambodia, because it all needs to come in by boat. That being said, you can still eat at an affordable price if you’re on a budget. There are a couple of small stores on the island where you can buy snacks and supplies, but nowhere for a big grocery shop.
Hostel By The Sea Cafe & Restaurant
This veggie friendly cafe located on the sand in Saracen Bay, is a great option for yummy healthy food. From falafel wraps to Turkish pizza youโll get a taste of mediterranean and Western food that just may be better than back home. A bit pricey for Cambodia standards at about $5-7USD for a meal, but itโs well worth it.
Fishing Hook
A crowd favorite on the island, the Fishing Hook is located on M’Pai Bay. They have a seafood buffet every night for $6USD. And the seafood is always fresh!
The Big Easy
Delicious home cooked food with the usual selection of international dishes. Great place to grab a pint and watch the waves roll in or stop by for a 75 cent beer during happy hour!
Momโs Home Cooking
This local spot on Mโpai Bay is a favorite for budget travelers because most menu items are only $2! If you’re on a budget, this is the spot to go!
The One Resort
If youโre looking to splash out on a meal for special occasion, The One Resort is probably the fanciest place on the island. They have a selection of local and Western food and a good variety of cocktails which can you sip in the bar overlooking the pool.
Orchid Restaurant
If youโre hungry as soon as you step of the boat, grab a feed at Orchid Restaurant in Saracen Bay. We enjoyed their fish sandwich and their seemingly never ending supply of cold beers. They also have bungalows and rooms available.
What to Do on Koh Rong Samloem
Diving on Koh Rong Samloem Island
Koh Rong Samloem Island is a popular choice for divers. There are a few diving shops on the island and the experience is supposed to be really special. Unlike some areas of Southeast Asia, this spot has been well preserved, so there’s a better chance of seeing a greater variety of sea life. Whether youโre getting PADI certified or youโre an experienced diver, youโll definitely find a spot under the surface that peaks your interest. EcoSea Diver in Mโpai Bay has come recommended as a safe and eco-friendly dive shop.
Water Sports on Koh Rong Samloem
For non-divers, there are some good spots for snorkeling. Most hotels will rent snorkels for about $5. You can walk across the island for about 20 minutes, through the jungle to Lazy Beach or organize a boat trip to offshore along Saracen Bay or Koh Koun. The best snorkeling is found on the Western side of Samloem. The Dive Shop in Seracen Bay has daily snorkeling trips for $25, including lunch. Travelers that prefer to stay on top of the water can rent a kayak or stand up paddle board and explore the bay. Most hotels will have kayaks or SUP boards available for free or a small rental fee.
Explore the Interior
If you get sick of the beach (just kidding! Thatโs not possible), head into the interior of the island. You can take a few different trails and explore other parts of the Samloem. The middle of the island is a thick, lush jungle and is even more undeveloped than the coast. A popular trek is hiking from Saracen Bay to the Samloem lighthouse. It takes about 4 hours round trip but the reward is stunning views from the lighthouse. Make sure you time your trek to get back before dark. It can get confusing in there!
Koh Rong Samloem Full Moon Party
Koh Rong Samloem may still be a somewhat undiscovered island, but thereโs no shortage of backpackers. And where there are backpackers there is always a party! The Koh Rong Samloem full moon party takes place at Camp Good Vibz in the jungle, not far from the Beach Island Resort, in between Sunset Beach and Saracen Bay.
Itโs chill, and has a more low key, rustic vibe compared to the Koh Phangan half moon party and full moon party in Thailand. The organizers also throw a black moon party, so you can get your big party fix twice per month.
Lay on the Beach
The beach along Saracen Bay is a long strip of white sand dotted with swings, beach beds and chairs to spend your day relaxing in the sun. The ocean is so flat you can walk in the water for a hundred meters before actually getting your hips wet. Your accommodation may not have strawberry daiquiris or an infinity pool, but Koh Rong Samloem Island is as close you’ll get to a luxury beach resort for $9 per night.
Although itโs grown much more touristy since our first visit, Koh Rong Samloem island is still an undiscovered treasure in Southeast Asia. Compared to the overcrowded beaches of Thailand, Samloem is quiet and relatively untouched. The underdevelopment gives you a feel for the raw natural beauty of Cambodia. There’s no high-rise resorts to block your view of the ocean and at night when some of the hotels turn off their electricity, you’re left with a sky full of brilliant stars.
I really wanted to visit Koh Rong Samloem when I was in Cambodia earlier this year but I just didn’t have the time. Koh Rong was absolutely amazing but Samloem sounds much more pristine. Now that I’ll be living in Cambodia for the next year or two, I will definitely be visiting Samloem!!
You really should try and get there, it’s nothing like Koh Rong. The isolation and lack of everything isn’t for everyone, but if you need a serious digital detox and unwind this is the best place! Hope you get there sometime soon ๐
So neat! We’ve had a similar experience in Cambdoia on Rabbit Island, off the coast of Kep. It’s rustic, no wifi, and generators for 3 hours per day. But one thing that I think is a step up, is there are almost no western tourists who stay overnight — mostly Cambodians, and there is plenty of inexpensive accommodation in huts rather than tents, which means a bit more comfort ๐
Oh nice you got to Rabbit Island. We really wanted to check it out, but ran out of time with out visa. Sounds like a pretty nice place to go unwind and get away from the world. Inexpensive accommodation and no Western tourists, sounds sweet!
Beautiful pictures! My favourite place in the world! Great post guys!
Thanks Sally! It really is a special island ๐
This looks exactly like my king of place! I especially love that it’s big for diving ๐
Yeah great for diving! Unfortunately we didn’t get the opportunity to dive, but we hear it’s really fun.
I loved Koh Rong Samloem! I clicked on your tweet think I recognized Saracen Bay, seems I was correct! For those looking for a bit more luxury, we stayed at Saracen Bay Resort and absolutely loved it two years ago.
Btw, the only island / beaches that I’ve found that come close to Koh Rong Samloem ( quiet, secluded, beautiful) are on Con Dao in Vietnam.
Yes, Koh Rong was sooo nice! Must have been even more underdeveloped and untouched a couple of years ago. Hopefully it doesn’t get too crowded in the future. Will keep Con Dao in mind for the future ๐
Koh Rong Samloem really is paradise on earth. We felt so lucky to spend a week there earlier this year. If you get bored of soaking up the rays on the gorgeous beaches there’s always snorkels and paddleboards to hire. And at night don’t forget to go in search of the fluorescent plankton, you’ll have to get wet though!
We will be visiting Koh Rong Sanloem in a month. I read on Wikitravel that the island has a lot of sandflies and we should expext to be bitten. Was it your case๏ผDid you have any trouble with sandflies there๏ผ
Thank you!
From memories we didn’t have any issues with sandflies, but I’m sure that changes depending on the seasons. Please let us know if anything has changed so we can update our post with your suggestions and recommendations. Enjoy!