Koh Rong Island, dubbed the most beautiful island paradise in Cambodia, stands out with its fine white sand beaches, crystal-clear blue waters, and rare unspoiled beauty. Located off the coast of Sihanoukville, Koh Rong is an ideal destination for travelers who love relaxation, swimming, and exploring pristine nature. Not overly noisy or commercialized, this island offers a sense of peace, completely separate from the hustle and bustle of city life. In this article, let’s explore this gem of Sihanoukville with Ha Tien Vegas, sharing travel experiences, exciting activities, and essential tips for a perfect trip.
Introduction to Koh Rong Island
Koh Rong Island, also known as Koh Rong Samloem, is an island belonging to Sihanoukville Province. Koh Rong is the second largest island in southern Cambodia, covering an area of approximately 78 square kilometers. Its coastline stretches over 43 kilometers, boasting around 23 beaches, promising visitors relaxing moments on the clear blue sea and golden sand, along with many exciting water activities.
How to get to Koh Rong Island
Going to Cambodia
To get to Koh Rong Island, you first need to go to Cambodia. There are two common ways: by bus or by buying a plane ticket to Cambodia.
- Coach bus: This option is convenient and economical for tourists in Ho Chi Minh City and the Southern provinces. You can take a sleeper bus to Sihanoukville. The journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Sihanoukville usually takes about 10-12 hours, and the ticket price ranges from 800,000 to 1,500,000 VND per person. Alternatively, traveling by bus to the Ha Tien border gate and then continuing by bus to Sihanoukville is also a good option for tourists.
- By plane: From Vietnam, travelers can book flights to major Cambodian cities such as Siem Reap or Phnom Penh. This is especially the most time-saving option for travelers departing from Hanoi or surrounding areas. Traveling by plane is convenient and makes the Koh Rong island trip even more complete.
How to get to Koh Rong Island
After arriving in Sihanoukville, you continue your journey to Koh Rong Island. From Sihanoukville, you buy a speedboat ticket to Koh Rong Island. Boats depart daily from Occhuteal ferry terminal, stopping at the main pier in Koh Rong – Koh Touch Village. The journey takes approximately one hour.
Train time:
- The following departure times are from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong: 9:00 AM, 11:30 AM, and 3:00 PM.
- The following return departure times are from Koh Rong to Sihanoukville: 10:00 AM, 12:30 PM, and 4:00 PM.
Round-trip ticket price: approximately US$20 – US$27 (approximately VND 500,000 – VND 700,000).
When booking, you can choose your departure and return times at the ferry terminal. To avoid disrupting your schedule, you can check the ferry schedule and book your tickets in advance on travel apps. Additionally, you should confirm your high-speed ferry reservation (time) to avoid missing your trip.
Detailed Review of Koh Rong Island
Boasting a coastline of over 43km and numerous small islands along with more than 23 pristine beaches, Koh Rong Island in Cambodia offers visitors a complete travel experience. Below are some extremely fun activities you can experience on Koh Rong Island:
Visit and swim at famous beaches
Koh Rong is known as a “paradise” for relaxation. Traveling here, you can enjoy the cool air and admire the pristine and breathtakingly beautiful beaches. You can swim, sunbathe, play water sports, or simply relax on the shore.
Some famous beaches with stunning scenery include:
- Long Set Beach: Also known as Long Beach, Long Set Beach is the longest beach on Koh Rong Island, boasting a 7km stretch of fine white sand. The picturesque scenery, with its clear blue waters and swaying coconut trees, is sure to provide a wonderful relaxing experience for visitors.
- Lonely Beach: Located in the north of Koh Rong Island, Lonely Beach is a pristine beach with a peaceful setting. To reach Lonely Beach, visitors can only travel by boat or hike through the forest.
- Coconut Beach: Located on the west side of Koh Rong Island, Coconut Beach is a beautiful beach with many coconut trees. It’s famous for its clear blue water, fine white sand, and colorful coral reefs. Visitors can enjoy activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking.
- Sok San Beach: Located on the south side of Koh Rong Island, Sok San Beach is a beautiful beach with many resorts and attractive tourist experiences.
- M’Pai Bay Beach: Located on the eastern side of Koh Rong Island, M’Pai Bay is a beautiful beach with pristine scenery. Besides swimming, visitors can explore caves or simply enjoy the fresh air.
Scuba Diving and Coral Reef Viewing
Scuba diving and coral reef viewing is an activity that tourists cannot miss when visiting Koh Rong Island. You can choose to snorkel or scuba dive. You have many options such as:
- Koh Touch Snorkeling Tour: Departing from Koh Touch, this tour takes you through some of the most beautiful coral reefs. The tour runs from approximately 1 PM to 7 PM. Enjoy exciting activities such as snorkeling, fishing, a seafood BBQ, watching the sunset, and admiring the surreal scenery of bioluminescent plankton at night. Prices start from around $10 USD (approximately 250,000 VND), depending on the time of year.
- Private boat rental: Those who value privacy can choose to rent a private boat to experience snorkeling and coral viewing. With this option, visitors can freely choose destinations with pristine islands or go fishing in the traditional Khmer style. The rental price is approximately 70 USD (equivalent to 1,782,025 VND).
To book a tour or rent a private boat, you can contact the Koh Rong Diving Centre or the Diving Resort at Long Set Beach.
Watching the sunrise and sunset on the island
Koh Rong Island is not only an attractive destination for tourists who want to enjoy the cool feeling of swimming in the sea, but also a paradise for those who love “hunting” for sunsets. Lying on the soft sand, feeling the gentle breeze, and admiring the magically beautiful sunset will surely be a memorable experience, making your vacation more complete.
Jet Skiing
Jet skiing is a high-speed sport that offers an exhilarating experience for anyone who loves outdoor activities. You can rent this service at KM Watersports (part of Monkey Island Resort) or Golden Bungalows. The rental price is approximately $150 (3,818,625 VND) for one hour of jet skiing. However, prices may vary depending on the time of year.
Zipline Ride
Besides its pristine beaches, Koh Rong Island in Cambodia also boasts vast forests. You can experience the feeling of “flying” suspended in the air and admiring the forests from above. This is the zipline experience at High Rope Park, with two ziplines measuring 100m and 70m in length.
Notably, the cost for a zipline ride here is quite affordable, only 25-35 USD per person (approximately 630,000 – 890,000 VND), and there is no limit to the number of rides.
Things to note when traveling to Koh Rong Island
- Cambodia’s weather is divided into two main seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. A good time to visit Koh Rong Island is between November and May. During this period, the weather is pleasantly sunny, and the sea is clear, making it ideal for outdoor activities and enjoying the most beautiful scenery.
- Accommodation options: Koh Rong offers a wide range of lodgings, from budget guesthouses to luxury resorts. Room rates range from US$10 per night to US$200 per night (approximately VND 254,575 – VND 5,091,500), depending on the room type and location. It’s especially recommended to book in advance, particularly during peak tourist season.
- Currency: In Cambodia, you can use both the local currency (Riel) and the US dollar. Therefore, when traveling to Koh Rong, you can exchange both currencies. Many people prefer exchanging US dollars as it is easier. To avoid risks and for greater convenience, you should exchange money while you are still in Vietnam.
- About two weeks before your trip, you should carefully plan and book your hotel, transportation, and check the weather forecast. Especially for those traveling by plane, booking your flight early will give you more control and save you money, avoiding the risk of price increases due to high demand.
Hopefully, this detailed review of Koh Rong Island in Cambodia will help you have the most memorable experiences. Don’t hesitate any longer, start planning your exciting trip to Koh Rong Island today!
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If you have the chance to visit Koh Rong Island, consider staying at Ha Tien Vegas, located right next to the Ha Tien – Kampong Trach border crossing, and continue your exploration of Ha Tien or Kampot the following day.
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