While exploring the islands off the coast of Cambodia, you can find some absolutely epic pieces of paradise. Come and see the crystal clear waters and idyllic sandy beaches with the best beaches in Koh Rong. This includes how to get there, what to expect, where to stay and more. With this guide you are in the right place!
One of my favorite beach resorts with clear water and squeaky sand anywhere in the world is Koh Rong and its sister island Koh Rong Samloem inCambodia. Although for the purposes of this article we will only talk about the largest of them, Koh Rong. Wherever you go, you're sure to discover some of Koh Rong's best beaches. But if you want a piece of paradise on vacation, you want to be on one of the best beaches on the island. Honestly, they're not hard to find, although they can be harder to get to.
Of course, there's definitely a mix of beaches on the island that all the speedboats reach, where the locals hang out close to their villages, where the water is calmer and more sheltered, and some great snorkeling spots. There are all these and many more options when it comes to beaches on Koh Rong.
I always went to Koh Rong around March/April which meant the days were always great but you could get a thunderstorm or two in the evening. Fortunately, we got enough time to explore this amazing place and discover some of its amazing beaches.
Get ready for blue seas, white sands and beautiful views as I list the best beaches in Koh Rong that you must see during your visit!
9 of the best beaches in Koh Rong: experience a true paradise
- 1. Long Beach
- 2. Many beaches on the San River
- 3. Coconut thread
- 4. A lonely beach
- 5. Natural beach
- 6. Vietnamese beach
- 7. Koh touch
- 8. Palm beach
- 9. A streak of wit
- What to take with you when you visit the best beaches in Koh Rong
1. Long Beach
Probably one of the best beaches on Koh Rong is Long Set Beach. This place is also known as the 4k beach thanks to the pampered coastline that just stretches out. It's an easy 30 minute walk from the main Koh Toch village where the ferries come in, so if you choose to stay here you'll be relatively close to the action and have plenty of restaurants. However, remember that when night falls on the beach, it's quite a popular backpacker party spot and the pounding music can affect how well you sleep. That said, there are quite a few decent, more upscale properties in this area for those on a budget.
If you want to stay near Long Set Beach, I recommend staying halfway between here and Koh Toch, this way you will be far enough away from the music but still able to get to this amazing beach.
Here, the water is generally calm and the sea crystal clear. It's also relatively shallow, so if you want something deeper, you'll have to swim out a bit. Since it is relatively sandy near the shore, if you like snorkeling, you have to swim quite far to a more rocky area.
The sun may set on the other side of the island, but there are several piers you can walk off and watch it disappear behind you and the hills of the island. But when night falls, it's a great place to experience the famous bioluminescence.
2. Many beaches on the San River
Here in Sok San, the beach is actually divided into two different areas, the village and the beach. The village is where you'll find some of the more affordable accommodation options, such as guesthouses. Staying here also gives you a chance to get to know the Khmer culture. There are many beautiful resorts and hotels on the beach.
Juice San Beach Resort was actually built to house the cast and crew of the popular TV series Survivor. This resort has over 600 villas as well as restaurants, bars and shops. They also have a private ferry that departs directly from Sihanoukville, meaning it's an easy way to get to Sok San Beach and get to one of Koh Rong's best beaches.
But if you don't have the money to buy a luxury resort or a private ferry from the mainland, don't worry. You can still take a public boat to the main village of Koh Touch and then take another boat to Sok San. If you plan to stay there, please contact your accommodation and they will help you arrange transport.
Trust me, it's worth a trip as this is undoubtedly one of the best beaches in Koh Rong. It is kept in excellent condition with soft white sand and clear water. There is more than enough room to spread out, so even in a resort with 600 other villas as well as all the other hotels, it always feels crowded.
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3. Coconut thread
Another choice for one of our excellent beaches on Koh Rong is Coconut Beach. It is a quiet and beautiful bay in the south-western part of the island, just a 10-minute walk from the nearby village of Daem Thkov.
There are several places where you can book a stay at this location and enjoy a quieter part of the island. These also include the Sunrise Resort and RestaurantBungalowagtig Coconut Beach. Coconut Beach Bungalows is a great budget option with everything from tents to villas available. There may not be air conditioning, but you will have a great sea breeze and strong fans.
To get here from the main village of Koh Toch, you will need some form of transport. The best way is to arrange a boat transfer through your accommodation.
4. A lonely beach
For a true deserted island experience and an escape from the partying and busy sides of Koh Rong's best beaches, look no further than Lonely Beach. The name says it all, this place can be calm, it is also a paradise. Located in the northern part of the island, it is widely considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. However, keep in mind that it might not be the fastest trip to get there, but it's worth it.
This small bay is everything you could wish for when you imagine the best beaches on Koh Rong. Think clear sea water, a white sandy beach and swaying palm trees. Here you can completely relax and forget about all the world's problems, especially since there is no WiFi connection. At night you can see the sea light up with bioluminescence thanks to the lack of buildings and light pollution.
There is really only one accommodation option mentioned hereA lonely coastal town. It's a bit back to basics, but that's the beauty of the place, it's like stepping back in time before tourism really took over the island. There are several different types of bungalows, and the prices are quite affordable. Although perhaps more of a rustic experience, this is one of the island's most prized properties thanks to its fantastic location, fantastic owners and eco-friendliness.
To get to this piece of paradise, you have two different options. The first is to take a slow boat ride from Sihanoukville's main pier, but keep in mind that this can take two to three hours, so it's best to bring snacks. You can also take a speedboat to the main village of Koh Touch on Koh Rong and then arrange a local water taxi to Lonely Beach.
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5. Natural beach
On the eastern side of the island, there is another excellent beach on Koh Rong called Nature Beach. Also known as Romduol, this is another secluded spot for a desert island.
There are two different accommodation options here, Nature Beach Resort and Romdoul Koh Rong. I was actually staying at a hostel around the corner from here and went to this beach because it was so much nicer. There are actually swings in the water and a giant wooden frame for these Instagram photos. I know I said it was a quiet place, so how about a giant picture frame? Well, it's actually a popular place for day-trippers to visit on cruise boats from Sihanoukville. Unfortunately, quite a lot of people can come down to Nature Beach during the day. Fortunately, it usually only takes a few hours.
You can get here by water taxi from Koh Touch main pier. Alternatively, you can also hike along the island's coast. I actually chose the latter option, and while it's a hot, sweaty ride, especially since you have to bring luggage, it's a great way to see Koh Rong's other top beaches, such as Long Set Beach.
6. Vietnamese beach
This is actually the beach I talked about above where I stayed once when I was in Koh Rong. This stretch of beach used to be owned by a hostel called Sons of Beaches, although it's now closed and I'm not surprised why. The situation in the toilet was not nice,volunteersjust drank beer all day and the guests took refuge in themselves to live out our stay.
No other accommodation has come up here at the time of writing, but you can still get out by taking a water taxi or walking along the coastline. Just walk to the other side of Long Set Beach and it's about a 20 minute walk through the jungle.
What makes this stretch of beach famous is the many starfish that can be found in the shallows.
7. Koh touch tape
Another option for one of the best beaches on Koh Rong is Koh Touch Beach. This is in the main town of Koh Touch, but be aware that if you want to swim you have to walk a short distance from the main town to get away from the runoff and boat steam. I know it doesn't sound like much, but seriously, a 5 minute walk to everything puts you in paradise with the city only a few hundred meters away.
Think of the sand so fine that it crunches under your feet, the crystal clear waves lapping slowly against the shore. The only downside to the area is that due to its accessibility, it can get quite busy with travelers staying in the main village of Koh Touch or just taking a day trip to the island.
There are plenty of accommodation options in the area, from cheap guesthouses with rooms separated by sheets (yes, I've experienced that), to budget hostels and more expensive beach bungalows. What's great about this location, if you choose to stay here, is that you are within walking distance of some of Koh Rong's best beaches, as well as countless shops, restaurants and cafes.
8. Palm beach
Unless you have thousands of dollars a night to splash around in the famousSong Saa private island resortthen you can save money by booking a piece of paradise in Palm Beach. It overlooks this famous resort, but you can rest easy knowing you'll still have money in your wallet.
As the name suggests, Palm Beach is an absolute paradise covered in swaying palm trees. It is just around the corner from Lonely Beach and far enough away from the busy beaches of Koh Touch. There used to be a resort here called Palm Beach Resort but unfortunately closed during Covid. The only place to stay in the area is in the village of Prek SvayFirefly retirement. It is best reached by scooter or taxi from Koh Touch or by slow boat from Sihanoukville.
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9. A streak of wit
Located near the main village of Koh Touch, it's hard to tell where Koh Touch Beach ends and White Beach begins, but both ways are equally amazing places. It is located at the far end of the bay before heading past the jungleWooden bungalows. Of course, Koh Rong has the quieter best beaches, but what's great about White Beach is its accessibility to the main town and better resorts that won't cost thousands of dollars a night.
It's also nice that it's not a party spot, perhaps the main town of Koh Touch and the nearby Long Set beach. Although White Beach is a relatively quiet and idyllic location, the beach is well maintained. You can also snorkel in rocky areas. But don't worry, there are also plenty of soft sandy spots where you can just swim.
What to take with you when you visit the best beaches in Koh Rong
There are a few things you should take with you when you visit Koh Rong's best beaches to make the most of your experience:
Sunscreen cream:Let's not look like lobsters and bring reef-proof sunscreen!
Camera: Of course you can't forget the camera. This is what you want when you visit these picturesque corners.
Ga Pro:Be sure to bring your Go Pro with you if you have one. The underwater world here is damn good.
Money:You will definitely need to spend some money to take a taxi to the beach or rent a sun lounger while you are at the beach.
Towel:Bring your towel! Even bring two! You're in and out of the water all day, so it's likely that your towel won't dry completely between baths.
Sunglasses: It's definitely worth bringing your sunglasses. The sun reflecting off the sea can be very sharp, so protect your eyes by taking sunglasses with you.
Where to stay on Koh Rong
Welcome to Koh Rong. It is definitely the most populated island where you can find a variety of restaurants, cafes and types of accommodation. Whether you're looking for a 5-star all-inclusive resort or a cheap dorm room, you'll find it easily here.
I would not recommend staying in the main town where you arrive directly from the ferry, but instead somewhere within a 10 or 15 minute walk. This allows you to still have access to all amenities but also have some privacy and a quiet beach to relax on. Check out something more luxuriousLong Set Resort, for the average prices you getWooden bungalowsand for academics,Nest Beach Club(although it is part hostel).
 Many seaside resorts on the San River Enjoy the luxury life on the beach. Rates here start at $70.00 per night. BOOK NO |  One of the best party spots on the island. The dorms here start at $5.00 per room. night. BOOK NO |
 Located in a quieter part of the island. You can find an ocean view tent here for $11 per person. night. BOOK NO |  Just a short walk from the fantastic beach and main town. Room rates here start at $50.00 per night. BOOK NO |
Other things to do while on Koh Rong
To be honest, there is not much to do on Koh Rong. But apart from relaxing on some of Koh Rong's best beaches, here are some other things you can do on the island:
Dyk:When you are on Koh Rong, you must of course experience the marine life. Although diving may be a more expensive activity, it is 100% worth it and still much cheaper here than many other places in the world.
Zip lining and high ropes:If you need a break from the water, head to Zip Lining and High Ropes Park on Koh Rong. It's a great way to spend a few hours and do something different during your stay.
Paddling on board: If you want to combine swimming with snorkeling, why not try paddle boarding? In the village of Koh Touch and on some of the larger beaches in Koh Rong you will find several places that rent them out.
Jetski:Now the jet ski option, I say hesitantly. Yes, it can be fun, although there are many jet ski scams all over Southeast Asia, including Koh Rong. Sometimes it's just not worth it.
Biolumance Tour:One of the most popular things to do here, apart from exploring Koh Rong's best beaches, is to join a Biolumance tour. You can see bioluminescence on Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem. Tours are surprisingly affordable, starting at around $6.00 per person. You take a boat to a dark part of the island with no light from nearby villages and dive into the dark water. It's a scary thought, but it's amazing to do it and see the world around you light up.
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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. So if you click on it and buy something, I get a small percentage at no extra cost. As always, all opinions are my own and your support is greatly appreciated.
Image credit: "Kokosstrand, Koh Rong"(CC DOOR 2.0) doorFaye Bullock.
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