bigtravelbuzzIf you think you’ve seen it all, there’s Koh Rong. After a 2-hour high-speed ferry ride, dock at the pier at Koh Thach Village. As soon as you step off this pier, the first thing you’ll notice is the sand between your toes. In a few minutes you will find yourself in hippie heaven. Koh Rong is a popular destination for expats and backpackers. Once you visit Koh Rong or San Lom, you will know that this is a true island paradise.
Koh Rong’s main area, called Koh Touch, is a 2km stretch of white sand beach lined with accommodation, private accommodation, restaurants, shops and bars. There are no concrete roads and no electricity 24/7. The first police officers have been deployed since January. It’s the only place in Asia where smoking cannabis is believed to be legal.
8 amazing things to do on Koh Rong
Koh Rong is a bit underdeveloped and should be visited primarily for relaxation, but there are still some activities you can do!
1. Perfect day trip by boat
There are several companies that offer boat tours. A full day boat ride is available for a few bucks. They take you to a small island for snorkeling, relax on the long beach, catch your own fish and then BBQ on the boat.
2. Glowing plankton
Koh Rong is famous for its bioluminescent plankton that glow in the dark. Plankton cannot be seen near Ko Toch village due to the amount of light. Merge it with a boat tour.
3. Enjoy the view at the skybar
Koh Rong’s first and only sky bar is the perfect place to relax and enjoy an afternoon. You can find it by following the narrow alleyway between The Minimart and The Rising Sun Guesthouse.
4. Camping in Long Beach
Rent a hammock for $2 a night or a tent for $5 a night and sleep on Long Beach for a day or two.
5. Get your PADI at Dive Center
The Koh Rong Dive Center on the main pier is currently the only dive center on the island. They offer diving courses every day.
6. Keep the beaches of Koh Rong clean
Friends of Koh Rong is an organization that supports island education and island development. They have many projects in the works and if you want to do something good, stop by and ask if they can help. We have a beach cleaning activity once or twice a week.
7. Jungle Zipline
At the Russian-owned High Point His Adventure Park, he built his Rope His Adventure Park with his 160-meter zipline. Perched high in the jungles of Koh Rong, the park features two zip lines, rock climbing and zip lines.
8. Join the Tuesday Pub Crawl
Pub crawls are held every Tuesday at his five bars around the island. $5 gets you a free drink at any bar. It’s a good deal.
Things to know before visiting Koh Rong
- No properly functioning WiFi.
- No ATMs. Bring enough cash. However, you can borrow cash at some bars on Koh Rong.
- Many people got sick after visiting Koh Rong. I heard/read that you shouldn’t swim near the pier where the sewers end.
- Koh Rong is plagued by sandflies. Stocking up on coconut oil can help prevent sandfly bites.It doesn’t repel, but the layer of oil holds them in place and prevents them from biting.
The sad part of the paradise story is that the island has been bought by some rich people who plan to turn it into the next Hong Kong. But that’s why you go now!
How to reach Koh Rong Island?
Flights to Phnom Penh are the closest to Koh Rong. But tickets to this airport are usually much more expensive than flights to Siem Reap.
One or more ferries go from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong. You can go to the pier and book an open return ticket to hop on the next ferry. This costs about $21 and takes 45-90 minutes.
Go to the ferry company the day before your departure, tell them you want to leave the next day, and take the boat back to Sihanoukville or Koh Rong Salem.
Koh Rong Express Ferry Timetable
Departure time: 9 am, 11:30 am, 3 pm
Return time: 10 am, 12:30 pm, 4 pm
GTVC
The newest company, GTVC, offers round-trip tickets for $12. Book your ticket online and search for ferries on this website.
Buva Sea Ferry
Disembark at Koh Touch or another pier not operated by other ferry companies. A return ticket is $20. Buy your ticket here. Be sure to select the ferry in the search form.
Where to stay on Koh Rong Island
Many people on Koh Rong have converted their homes into dormitories that cannot be found on Booking.com or Agoda.com. Exit the pier opposite Coco’s and turn left for a quieter stay or right for a late night party.
Travel information
- Best Travel Time Cambodia: November to March
- Visa: at the border
- Currency: Riel
- Malaria: spray and medicine
- Budget per day: $40