Koh Rong is Cambodia\’s most popular island — bigger, wilder, and less manicured than most Thai islands. White sand beaches stretch for kilometres without development, bioluminescent plankton lights up the sea at night, and the jungle interior is genuine rainforest. Getting there requires passing through Sihanoukville, which has undergone dramatic changes in recent years. This guide covers the ferry, the two islands (Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem), and what to expect.
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ℹ️ Sihanoukville itself has changed dramatically since large-scale Chinese development transformed it post-2017. The beach areas are heavily under construction and the town is significantly less pleasant than it was. Most travelers pass through quickly — overnight at most — before boarding the ferry to the islands.
Koh Rong vs Koh Rong Sanloem: Which Island?
| Koh Rong | Koh Rong Sanloem | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Larger (78 km²) | Smaller (9 km²) |
| Vibe | Party + backpacker + beaches | Quiet, relaxed, fewer tourists |
| Main beach | Koh Touch (busy), Long Set, Sok San | Saracen Bay (stunning), M\’Pai Bay |
| Nightlife | Yes — Koh Touch has beach bars | Minimal |
| Best for | Backpackers, social travelers, long stays | Couples, anyone wanting peace |
| Ferry time from Sihanoukville | ~45 min to Koh Touch | ~35 min to Saracen Bay |
Getting to Sihanoukville
From Phnom Penh
Bus from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville — approximately 3–4 hours, $6–12 USD. Several operators run this route including Vireak Buntham Express, with around 7 minibus departures daily. The road is mostly good. Book online at camboticket.com or 12Go Asia. Alternatively, fly Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville — approximately 45 minutes on Cambodia Angkor Air but expensive and usually not worth it.
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From Bangkok (via land border)
With Thailand-Cambodia land borders currently closed (as of June 2026), the only option from Bangkok is to fly to Phnom Penh and take the bus to Sihanoukville, or fly directly to Sihanoukville (limited options). See our Bangkok to Phnom Penh guide →
The Ferry: Sihanoukville to Koh Rong
Five main ferry companies operate the Sihanoukville–Koh Rong route: Speed Ferry Cambodia, Island Speed Ferry Cambodia, Buva Sea, GTVC, and Angkor Speed Ferry. Ferries are modern speedboats with comfortable seats, life jackets, and food/drink service. Journey time to Koh Touch (Koh Rong\’s main beach) is approximately 45 minutes.
Departure Times and Piers
In 2025, there are three main departure times — 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00 — for the high-speed ferries, with some operators adding an earlier 08:30 and occasionally 11:15/14:45. Ferries depart from either the Autonomous Port or Ochheuteal (Serendipity) pier in Sihanoukville — confirm which pier your operator uses when booking.
Which Beach?
Not all ferries stop at all beaches. For Long Set Beach: GTVC Speedboat, Buva Sea, and Island Speed Ferry Cambodia offer daily sailings, with return tickets around $25. For Sok San Beach (southwest): GTVC runs a limited once or twice daily service at 09:00 and/or 14:45. Confirm your destination beach when booking — Koh Rong has multiple landing points spread around the island.
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What to Do on Koh Rong
- Bioluminescent plankton (night swimming): Koh Rong is one of the best places in the world to see bioluminescence — the plankton lights up electric blue when disturbed in the water. Go swimming after dark on any beach away from the main village lights. Best on moonless nights.
- Long Set Beach: 4 km of pristine, mostly empty beach on the east coast — accessible by a 20-minute jungle walk or boat. One of Southeast Asia\’s most beautiful undeveloped beaches.
- 4K Trek: A jungle trail across the island connecting Koh Touch to Long Set Beach through rainforest. Takes 1.5–2 hours, can be muddy — wear proper shoes.
- Koh Touch (main village): The social hub — beach bars, restaurants, dive shops, and the party scene. The beach itself is average but the atmosphere is strong.
- Diving and snorkeling: Several dive operators on Koh Touch. Visibility is good in dry season; the reefs around the island are healthy.
Practical Tips
- Cash (USD): ATMs are limited on the island — bring enough USD from Sihanoukville or Phnom Penh
- Electricity: Some guesthouses have limited generator hours — check before booking if this matters
- Avoid slow boats: Slow boat services ($5–10 USD) are not professionally run and not recommended — stick to the five established speedboat operators
- Best season: November–May (dry season). June–October is rainy and rough seas can disrupt ferries
- Book accommodation ahead December–February and at Khmer New Year (April)
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