Koh Rong Sanloem

Away from civilization

Few people think about a vacation at sea in Cambodia. And completely in vain! The small island of Koh Rong Sanloem offers all conditions for beach relaxation, diving, even tanning, jungle walks. Best of all, there are few people here and the sea views are especially beautiful. It is said that few places offer such magnificent sunsets and sunrises as this island. There are places for romantic getaways, and there is an opportunity to spend a vacation with the whole family.

Guide to Koh Rong Sanloem

Koh Rong Sanloem Virtual Tour

Usually, people visit Cambodia for its historical antiquities, tales of a spooky past, and picturesque nature. However, the island of Koh Rong Sanloem offers a different allure with its white beaches, thin palm trees, wonderful diving opportunities, and beautiful landscapes.

The island's nature is a standout feature, boasting not only emerald jungles but also sandy white beaches and an incredibly bright azure sea. The safe, gentle descent and sandy bottom of its beaches make it an ideal family vacation spot.

For those who enjoy romance or solitude, Lazy Beach is the perfect choice. Its small bungalows offer an authentic Robinson Crusoe experience. Boat tours around the island showcase the most interesting lagoons and hidden spots.

Koh Rong Sanloem is known for its festivals, fireworks, and fire shows. These events are infrequent and confined to the more tourist-centric areas, allowing visitors to enjoy the charms of a secluded vacation or indulge in restaurants and lively parties as they wish.

Experienced diving instructors are available to guide you through the island's interesting depths and most picturesque coral groves. They ensure a safe and enjoyable diving experience. This Cambodian island vacation offers a unique perspective on the country, revealing a side of Cambodia that is often overlooked.

Photos of Koh Rong Sanloem

Tips for tourists

Take quality repellents and fumigators with you, and with a reserve. In addition to palm trees, water and sunshine, there are plenty of mosquitoes and midges in these parts.

Sunscreen should always be with you, as should hats. You can get sunburned on the island even in the shade and on a cloudy day, as the sun is so active here.

Carefully study the beaches you are going to vacation on and the descents into the water. There are corals here, and they are quite sharp. So swim with caution. And watch out for currents, tides and currents.

Population

300

Time zone

Language

Khmer

Currency

Riel, US dollar

Interesting places in Koh Rong Sanloem

Excursions in Koh Rong Sanloem are mostly underwater. On the island itself, there is not much to see; it's a destination for complete relaxation and quiet rest on the beaches. However, the underwater world is magnificent and attracts the attention of tourists.

Hiking routes on Koh Rong Sanloem are not very popular as visitors prefer to travel by boat along the coast. The central part of the island is covered with impenetrable jungle, potentially unsafe for those unprepared for the wild southern life. There are a few marked hiking trails that should be followed. So, where can you go on this seemingly lost island?

Lazy Beach

The white sands of this beach are remarkable for their purity, and the azure sea attracts divers and those who love beautiful views.

The old lighthouse

At the southern tip of the island there is a lighthouse built during the French rule.

Saracen Cove

The 3km long enclosed bay is shaped like a crescent, it is a scenic spot that is a must visit for guests.

Ma Phay Bai, Pum Kang Krau, Pum Kang Knong Villages

You can visit fishermen's villages to see the life and traditions of the locals. They are not tourist attractions, but visitors are nevertheless welcome.

Beaches of Koh Rong Sanloem from the mainland side

Numerous beaches, sheltered from the monsoon by the coast, have a gentle slope and are protected by reefs. Even small children can swim here.

The Fishing Hook

For 5-7 USD you can have a delicious meal here. European, Asian, national Cambodian cuisine and seafood await guests. Located on M'pai Bay beach.

Sun Island Eco Village

Here you can eat both Asian and European cuisine. There are Cambodian dishes and seafood traditional for the island. The check starts from 5 USD.

Cita Resort

This hotel has a good restaurant where you can have a delicious meal with a check from 5-8 USD. Seafood and Asian cuisine await you.

Flight ticket prices

To get to Koh Rong Sanloem Island, you’ll need to fly into Sihanoukville or Phnom Penh. From Sihanoukville, the boat ride to the island takes about one to two hours. There are no direct flights here, so expect at least one or two stopovers. Between May and October, it's the rainy season, so tourism slows down — a good time to find cheaper tickets.

Flights to Cambodia from European cities like Amsterdam, Warsaw, Prague or Toulouse start at around €480–€720 round trip. Airlines flying this route include Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates and others. Keep in mind that the closer it gets to summer, the higher the demand — and ticket prices.

The best hotels in Koh Rong Sanloem

There you will find a lot of small bungalows of different levels of service. If you want, you can find accommodation for 10-15 USD per day. The average price ranges from 25-35 USD. Rooms in hotels like Secret Paradise Resort cost around 50 USD. Most of the quality hotels are located on the beaches on the mainland side, on the opposite side of the island, on Lazy Beach, there are more small hotels that rent out entire bungalows near the beach. Many people choose Paradise bungalows, a hotel that also consists of small lightweight houses. It can be found near the central pier where passengers from Sihanoukville disembark.

Travel budget

Considering that in Koh Rong Sanloem you can find inexpensive bungalows for 10-15 USD or nice rooms for 25 USD, staying on this island can be inexpensive. Flights will cost a penny - expect to pay 800 USD round trip. You can also find economical options around 700-750 USD, but they happen less often.

Meals in these parts are quite expensive, because you will have to dine in restaurants, the check usually starts at 3-5 USD, there are more expensive options. Of course, you can go shopping on the mainland, in Sihanoukville. But most people prefer to stay local, rest a few days on the paradise beaches of the island.

On average, four or five days of vacation here cost 1000-1200 USD, if you take into account the cost of diving and walking tours around Koh Rong Sanloem.

The budget for a trip to Koh Rong Sanloem
Visa	60–74 USD	Flight	1500–1700 USD
Accomodation	20–40 USD	Average check in a restaurant	5–8 USD
Transportation fare	2–10 USD	Excursion	20–50 USD
Total: about 2100 EUR for a week for two people

Koh Rong Sanloem: tips for tourists

On the tripmydream website, you can find out many of the intricacies of vacationing in Koh Rong Sanloem. You need to find the section you are interested in and ask your questions.

Visa to Koh Rong Sanloem

Cambodia visa can be done on arrival or online. The electronic version of the visa costs about 37 USD, and if you do it on the spot, it will cost only 30 USD. We recommend that you apply for the visa already on the spot, the electronic visa is valid once and with it you can not pass through all checkpoints. These are Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Poipet Cham Yeam, Bavet.

Airports near Koh Rong Sanloem

The nearest airport to the island is in Sihanoukville, but it is a domestic airport, where planes from Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap fly. Therefore, many tourists prefer to fly to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, from there get to the coast and then go to the islands.

Airport Transfer to Koh Rong Sanloem

Two times a day, morning and afternoon, there are boats leaving from Sihanoukville towards Sanloem. Unfortunately, their schedule is rather "loose". If you fly into Phnom Penh, a cab to Sihanoukville costs about 50 USD. Flight buses cost less than 10 USD, but it is more convenient to take a cab. A boat will cost you 2-5 USD, if you rent private water transportation, the ticket can cost from 10-15 USD and more, but it will take you to the right point on the coast of the island.

Public transportation on Koh Rong Sanloem

So far, this island doesn't even have the abundance of tuk-tuks typical of Cambodia. Locals get around on bikes, bicycles, and carts. The easiest way to move by sea is to sail along the shore to the desired beaches. Renting such a boat or walking with the owner of the watercraft costs 2-10 USD. The fee depends on the rental time and distances.

Car rental in Koh Rong Sanloem

There are virtually no roads to drive on. The locals can be led across the island on buffalo-drawn carts. There is an option of renting bikes and you need to bargain, then the bike will cost 2-5 USD per day. But even with it you will not travel much. So it is easier to rent a boat for 5-10 USD per day.

Safety on Koh Rong Sanloem

This area is quite safe, locals can not be feared, as for visitors, precautions are common. Do not carry valuables, preferably do not take really valuable things to Cambodia. Large sums of money are better to have with you and keep track of them, do not leave in bungalows and rooms. Be wary of the hot sun and tropical fauna of the island and coastal waters, there are jellyfish, sea snakes and even moray eels.