Koh Rong
Island is a Cambodian Island in the Gulf of
Thailand, at about 40km off the coast of
Sihanoukville. Actually, the island is deserted,
undeveloped and untouched. It's a secret island.
But it will be soon one of the famous touristic
destination of Cambodia. The island is certainly
the most beautiful island of the Kompong Som
Region. A snowdrift bay, covered by a crystal
clear and turquoise water, stretches on several
kilometres. At the centre, a jungle with
thousands of coconut palms and waterfalls invade
the island. Paradise found on Koh Rong !
Koh Rong Island is shaped like a dumbbell. The narrow
section in the middle is flat, but the ends are mountainous
and covered in thick, creeping jungle. There are a few
fishing villages on the island but no roads, so the amazing
beach is only accessible by boat.
The beach stretches in a gentle curve for about 4 miles. A
few shacks are set amidst coconut plantations in back of the
beach. One of these houses is abandoned and the Cambodian
farmers who own it somewhat bemusedly allowed me to camp
there. Rumour has it that a Taiwanese investment consortium
plans to develop the beach within the next few years.
The local Cambodians in the fishing village at the end of
the beach are hospitable but very poor. No one speaks
English, but a few locals can communicate in Thai, Chinese
and Vietnamese.
To get to Koh Rong, first make your way to Sihanoukville and
then ask around about a boat. Another option is to approach
the island from Koh Sdach, where the ferry from the Thai
border town of Koh Kong stops. In Sihanoukville there are a
variety of tour operators who can arrange a charter, but the
price will depend on your ability to bargain and willingness
to shop around. Off Beat Boats is one option, the hobby of a
knowledgeable and only slightly eccentric old British man. A
supply boat leaves Koh Rong twice a week or so and docks
just to the north of the Sihanoukville ferry terminal, but
the schedule is random. I paid only $5 for a ride from the
island to the mainland on the supply boat, but was quoted
prices that ranged from $50 to $100 for a charter from
Sihanoukville.
Koh Rong (info, map & coordinates)
is the biggest of a chain of islands off the coast of Cambodia in the
Gulf of Thailand. It stretches from east to west, is roughly elongate
shaped and it encompasses an area of 78 square km.The terrain is
predominantly hilly with a sizeable mountain at the island’s south west.
The hills provide water for countless creeks and estuaries. The
island’s interior is almost completely forested, concealing a number of
beautiful waterfalls. Koh Rong has 43 kilometres of beaches. There are
no less than 23 beaches of varying length and coloration – from
(predominantly) white to beige to rose-colored sands - along most of the
coastline. Strikingly beautiful bays, stuck out capes and impressive
sandstone rock formations contribute to the island’s illustrious
panorama. The southern coastline is particularly spectacular and
capricious, whereas the northern coast is characterized by a sequence of
smooth hills, gently sloping towards the numerous beaches, inlets and
bays. Several small islets and many reefs provide an abundance of
natural environments for a great variety of marine life – perfect for a
spontaneous snorkeling side trip. There are 4 distinguishable villages
on Koh Rong – 2 on the northern side and 2 in the south. People
predominantly live from fishing. Apart from a coconut grove of moderate
size in the center of the island, Koh Rong has no mentionable commercial
agriculture. The center of the island is a flat “belt” of sediments
that joins the two hilly massifs of the east and west. Here is a small
savannah, the feeding ground for the local water buffalo and cattle.
There aren’t any paved roads (so far) and subsequently no motor vehicles
on the island, boats being the means of transportation.
Shuttle ferries leave at Sihanoukville’s local port and arrive in Koh Rong after ca. 2 hours.
There are two daily ferry boats between Sihanoukville and Koh Rong Island.
Departure from Sihanoukville's local port is at 08:30 and 13:30
Departure from Koh Tui Village's pier on Koh Rong island is at 10:00 and 16:00.
NOTE!!! Time and schedules are subject to individual interpretation in Cambodia. Do not expect the boats to cast off at the set time.As a rule there is a delay - but don't count on it, either. Relax - you are on holiday and you are almost in PARADISE.
The boats have all relevant safety features (life jackets, First aid kit, fire extinguisher, SOS radio),respectable toilets and the lower deck provides shelter from sun and rain. Have a bootle of water on you!The Dive Shop's boat offers free coffee, tea, fruit and cookies in the morning.
There are two daily ferry boats between Sihanoukville and Koh Rong Island.
Departure from Sihanoukville's local port is at 08:30 and 13:30
Departure from Koh Tui Village's pier on Koh Rong island is at 10:00 and 16:00.
NOTE!!! Time and schedules are subject to individual interpretation in Cambodia. Do not expect the boats to cast off at the set time.As a rule there is a delay - but don't count on it, either. Relax - you are on holiday and you are almost in PARADISE.
The boats have all relevant safety features (life jackets, First aid kit, fire extinguisher, SOS radio),respectable toilets and the lower deck provides shelter from sun and rain. Have a bootle of water on you!The Dive Shop's boat offers free coffee, tea, fruit and cookies in the morning.
Paradise Bungalow’s office is in Sihanoukville's Serendipity road in the Sea Horse guesthouse. In case you are lost – virtually any Sihanoukville resident (Khmer or foreign) can arrange a ferry ticket for you – but – please stick to serious travel and booking agencies, hotels, guesthouses or dive shops for your bookings - the best choice is our office - of course - and - don’t forget – have your agent or your hotel get you a transport to the right pier at the right time. This is a routine procedure and is supposed to present no problem at all.
