Beautiful tropical islands can be found in Cambodia’s south west. Koh Rong is the name of one of them. This slice of paradise is great for anyone looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the mainland or simply want to spend some quality time on the island. There are at least a dozen beaches worth visiting just 45 minutes to an hour by ferry from the festering pit of Sihanoukville. The atmosphere is relaxed, the beaches are white, and the people are welcoming.
Transportation
How to get to Siem Reap
The only way to get to Koh Rong is to take a ferry from Sihanoukville. You may take a minibus from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville which takes roughly 6 hours. From Sihanoukville to Koh Rong, there are numerous ferry choices. We recommend taking the first available ferry because there is no reason to stay in Sihanoukville. All ferries arrive at White Beach (Koh Touch), the island’s major beach.
Ways to get around the city
Koh Rong is the main Island and larger than Koh Rong Samloem. You can travel by foot, boat, or rent a motorcycle. Because the island’s roads aren’t ideal, you’ll need to be comfortable riding a scooter around the island. You’ll have to drive down the shore in certain places, but if you take your time, driving around the southern section of the island is ideal.
Best times to visit
The dry season, which lasts from December to March, is the greatest time to visit Koh Rong. The weather is usually nice a little before and after the dry season (mid November until the beginning of May). The average daytime temperature on Koh Rong is 30°C all year. It cools down to around 22 degrees Celsius at night. There are two seasons on the island: the dry and the wet. December marks the beginning of the dry season, which lasts until March. Wet season occurs from June to September. The climate begins to warm up in April and May, with high humidity, as we approach the rainy season, and then cools off in October and November.
SOK SAN BEACH
Sok San Beach is the nicest beach on Koh Rong, and it’s located on the island’s western side. The sparkling white sand beach here really continues on and on, with turquoise seas lapping at its edge and beautiful landscape. If you’re staying somewhere else on the island, you should make an effort to visit here at least once while you’re here.
LONELY BEACH
The most stunning beach on Koh Rong is Lonely Beach. With crystal clear ocean waves, smooth white sand beaches, huge palm palms everywhere throughout, and very few people nearby, the small alcove on the island’s northern side feels like a true desert-island paradise. With only a few crickets chirping in the background, the environment is serene.
This secluded beach on Koh Rong’s north shore can only be reached by boat or scooter. Though Lonely Beach does provide a boat service to that area of the island, the trip from Sihanoukville can take up to 2-3 hours and requires small boats that aren’t always stable on the waters.
LAZY BEACH ( KOH RONG SALOEM)
Koh Rong Saloem – a sister island of Koh Rong Island where you could find Lazy Beach, a gorgeous small alcove gently nestled away on the western side, was named one of National Geographic’s “Top 21 Beaches in the World.”
The beach region around here is quite spectacular; the beaches are silky smooth, the turquoise waters shimmer in the sun, and the surrounding mountains provide breathtaking vistas. Apart from the scorching sand on the walk in, the serene tranquil environment that Lazy Beach produces is maybe the first thing that strikes you — With a few crickets chirping in the background, it’s quiet, laid-back, and incredibly soothing. In addition, like Lonely Beach, Lazy Beach is not the most accessible location on the islands; while they do offer a private taxi boat from Saracen Bay, many visitors opt to walk the 40-minute jungle route. The track itself isn’t unpleasant (wear trainers or comparable footwear), however it can be difficult to navigate with heavy loads.
SARACEN BAY (KOH RONG SALOEM)
Saracen Bay is the most popular tourist destination on Koh Rong Samloem. It’s ideal for a tranquil relaxed moment where you can lean back and take in the breathtaking scenery. Because all of the major ferry services stop here on a regular basis, it is one of the handiest sites. The area has changed dramatically in the last two years, with a slew of new resorts, stores, and excursions springing up along the coastline. Overall, these developments have made Saracen Bay a more accessible holiday destination, as many essentials (such as bug spray and sun tan lotion) can now be purchased on the bay.
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