Island · Cambodia · Southeast Asia
Gulf of Thailand island beaches reached by boat from Sihanoukville
Photo: allPhoto Bangkok / Pexels
Koh Rong is an island off Cambodia's south-west coast, reached by boat from Sihanoukville. Backpackers usually stay in the Koh Touch main village area or along beaches such as Long Set and Sok San.
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Best for: Arrivals, dining and a social base
The main settlement on Koh Rong is where many ferries arrive. It has beach restaurants, bars, dive and boat operators and shops. Several hostels sit on or near the pier area, which makes arrival easy. It is the busiest part of the island, so expect music in the evenings, and it is a good choice for first visits.
Best for: Longer beach walks and quieter nights
A long stretch of sand a short boat or walk from the main village, with beachfront accommodation and a calmer feel. Hostels and bungalows are spread along the shore, and evenings are usually quiet. It suits travellers who want to wake up on the beach and take part in snorkel trips without being in the middle of the village.
Best for: A remote, low-key base
On the island's west coast, Sok San is less developed than Koh Touch and typically has fewer facilities. Accommodation is mostly simple, and a boat or a walk is the usual way to arrive. It suits travellers who want a quiet stay and are comfortable with limited options for food, cash and connectivity.
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Koh Rong lies in the Gulf of Thailand off Sihanoukville, and the boat from the mainland is part of the experience. The island has sandy beaches, jungle in the interior and a small number of villages, and much of it remains undeveloped. Cambodia's official guide to the Sihanoukville area notes that boat trips are available to many of the nearby islands, and that the mainland beach season runs mainly from November to January.
Most visitors stay near the main village of Koh Touch or on a beach such as Long Set or Sok San, depending on whether they want a busier or quieter base. Days tend to revolve around swimming, snorkelling, boat trips and walking between bays; the Sihanoukville guide also says that diving is generally best from December to June, when the water is clearer. Evenings are low-key, with beach bars and dinners.
Island life comes with practical limits. Electricity, Wi-Fi and cash access can be patchier than on the mainland, and some beaches are reached only on foot or by boat. Hostels here are often wooden dorms or bungalows close to the sand. Plan your boat times around the weather, because the FCDO warns that tourist boats between Sihanoukville and the islands sometimes run despite weather warnings.
Beach days, jungle walks and low-key evenings without big-city traffic give the island a slow pace.
Beach bars around Koh Touch and Long Set host regular social nights during the high season.
Snorkelling, diving and boat trips around the island are the main activities, with Cambodia's tourism guide noting that diving conditions are generally best from December to June.
The usual route is a boat from Sihanoukville, the mainland port town, which is 232 km from Phnom Penh by National Highway 4 according to Cambodia's tourism ministry. Ferries and speedboats typically take around 45 minutes to two hours, depending on the vessel and the sea state. Sihanoukville has an airport (KOS) with some domestic and regional flights, and coaches link it with Phnom Penh and Kampot. There are no roads between island beaches, so people walk or use local boats. Check departures with the operator, as services vary by season.
Cambodia's tourism ministry says the best beach weather on this coast is from November to January, when it is dry and breezy, with diving generally best from December to June. The cool season runs from November to March, the hot season from March to May, peaking around April. The rainy season runs from about May to October, with humidity up to 90 per cent and rougher seas, so some boat services and island businesses reduce operations.
Most travellers take a ferry or speedboat from Sihanoukville, which lies 232 km from Phnom Penh along National Highway 4. Crossing times typically range from around 45 minutes to two hours depending on the vessel and sea conditions. Check departures with the operator or your hostel, since schedules vary by season, and note that the FCDO warns some tourist boats run despite weather warnings.
Cambodia's tourism ministry says the best beach weather on this coast is from November through January, when conditions are dry and breezy. Diving is generally best from December to June. The rainy season runs from about May to October, with high humidity and rougher seas, so some boats and businesses reduce services. Always check the forecast before travelling.
Koh Touch, the main village, is the busiest and easiest base, with restaurants, bars and ferry arrivals close by. Long Set Beach is quieter and good for long beach walks. Sok San Beach on the west coast is more remote and has fewer facilities. Pick based on how much nightlife and convenience you want versus peace and quiet.
Facilities on the island are more limited than on the mainland. Wi-Fi, mobile signal, cash machines and electricity can be patchy depending on the beach, so bring enough cash and a power bank, and ask your hostel what is available. Remote beaches typically have fewer services than the main village of Koh Touch.
No. They are separate islands off Sihanoukville. Koh Rong is the larger island with the main village of Koh Touch, while Koh Rong Sanloem lies to its south and has a quieter reputation. Boats serve both from Sihanoukville, so confirm the destination on your ticket. This page covers Koh Rong; nearby listings on booking sites may include both.
Reviewed by the HostelConnect editorial team on 8 November 2026. Check entry rules, transport and conditions with official sources before you travel.
