By air
Sihanouk International (KOS), then ~45 min by ferry from Sihanoukville
Southeast Asia · Cambodia
Koh Rong, Cambodia
Empty beaches and glowing plankton
Getting there
Best time to visit
November to April — dry season, calm seas
Don't miss
Long Beach (Sok San)
Koh Touch
Lonely Beach
Koh Rong Samloem's Saracen Bay
Things to do
Swimming with bioluminescent plankton
Jungle treks to Long Beach
Snorkelling
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: TomFitzhenry · CC BY-SA 4.0
What to pack
Cash, insect repellent, a torch
A quieter corner
Long Set Beach, quieter than Koh Touch
Questions travellers ask
How do I catch the ferry to Koh Rong?
Fly into Sihanouk International (KOS), then it's about 45 minutes by ferry from Sihanoukville.
Can you see glowing plankton on Koh Rong?
Yes, you can swim with bioluminescent plankton. Bring a torch, cash and insect repellent too.
Where can I find a quieter beach on Koh Rong?
Long Set Beach is quieter than Koh Touch, and jungle treks lead to Long Beach.
When are the seas calm around Koh Rong?
November to April, the dry season, when the seas are calm.
About Koh Rong
- Island
Where it is
Koh Rong is Cambodia's second-largest island, in the Gulf of Thailand off the coast of Preah Sihanouk province, with its smaller neighbour Koh Rong Samloem just to the south.
History
For generations Koh Rong was home only to small Khmer fishing villages such as Koh Touch, Prek Svay and Sok San. Tourism has since grown steadily and Long Beach has won international recognition, while the island's interior is still almost completely forested.
People
Koh Rong's villagers are Khmer fishing families, and many now also run guesthouses, boats and small restaurants for visitors. Khmer is the language of the villages, and English is widely used in the beach bungalows.
Known for
- Long Beach (Sok San)
- Swimming with bioluminescent plankton
- Saracen Bay on Koh Rong Samloem
- Jungle treks between the beaches
- Snorkelling around the islands
Did you know?
In 2018 the waters around Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem became Cambodia's first marine national park.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.