Koh Rong is the bigger of the two sister islands, with long beaches and everything from hostels to beachfront resorts. The island changes fast, so our sources and listings are reviewed regularly.
Before you book
Koh Rong has lively beaches, quieter bays and places to get away from it all. Start with the beach that suits your plans.
Sébastien Lacan / The Map Cambodia.
Long Set is handy for a first visit. Sok San has a long beach and sunsets. Pagoda works well for a few days together. Lonely Beach is more isolated, with simpler accommodation.
We stayed at Pagoda during our motorbike loop. Read our trip →
Cartography by The Map. Landmarks checked in September 2026.
A long beach with restaurants and plenty of places to stay. A handy base for a first visit, with livelier stretches in the evening.
Getting there: Choose Long Set Pier, then ask your hotel about the final stretch with your bags.
Long Set Resort →Source and practical information ↗A long beach on the west coast, for walks on the sand and sunset.
Getting there: The village pier and a resort pier may be far apart. Give the boat company your hotel’s name.
The Royal Sands Koh Rong →Source and practical information ↗This is where we stopped during our motorbike trip. A bay for beach time and a few days together.
Getting there: A boat serves Pagoda directly. Tamu also explains the alternative via Long Set, with a road transfer afterwards.
Tamu Hotel Koh Rong →Source and practical information ↗A smaller eastern bay with places to stay close to the sand. An option for a simple beach break.
Getting there: Ask your accommodation which pier to book before buying the ticket.
Coconut Beach Bungalows →Source and practical information ↗The village is handy for restaurants, small shops and evening activity. For a long beach to spend the day on, also look at Long Set.
Getting there: Several companies use the Koh Touch piers. Check the beach named on your ticket.
Source and practical information ↗A remote northern bay with simple bungalows and solar power. For a stay away from the busier beaches.
Getting there: Arrange the trip with your accommodation; its boat is separate from the usual Koh Touch ferry.
Source and practical information ↗Planning the crossing
Several companies sail from Sihanoukville. The arrival pier matters most: Koh Touch, Long Set and Sok San are on the same island, but nowhere near the same hotel.
Allow roughly 45 minutes to 1½ hours, depending on stops and sea conditions. Most speedboats leave from the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port area: use the boarding location sent with your ticket.
Published schedules checked on 28 September 2026, as planning references. Confirm your date and pier when booking; not every sailing serves every beach.
| Boat | From Sihanoukville | Where does it arrive? |
|---|---|---|
| Island Speed Ferry | 08:00 · 09:00 · 12:00 · 15:00 | Koh Touch / Sea House, Long Set and Koh Rong Samloem, depending on the ticket. |
| Buva Sea | 08:30 · 09:45 · 11:30 · 14:30 · 17:00 | Koh Touch, Long Set / 4K; Saracen Bay and M’Pai Bay on Samloem, depending on the service. |
| GTVC | Long Set references: 08:00 · 11:00 · 14:00 · 16:00 | Long Set, Koh Touch, Sok San; Saracen Bay and M’Pai Bay on Samloem, depending on the service. |
| Pagoda boat | 13:30 | Direct to Pagoda Beach / Tamu. Return at 10:30. Around 35 minutes. |
For Pagoda, Tamu lists USD 21 one-way or USD 42 return per person. Arriving at Long Set is another option, followed by a road transfer to Pagoda. For Sok San, give your hotel’s name: the village pier and a resort pier are not necessarily interchangeable.
Island Speed Ferry · Buva Sea · GTVC · Pagoda boat
Island Speed Ferry references from Sihanoukville Tourist Port; Buva Sea from redBus; GTVC to Long Set from 12Go. Your selected ticket confirms the time and stop.
You do not necessarily need to return to Sihanoukville. Koh Rong Speed Boat links Koh Touch (Buffalo Pier), Long Set, Saracen Bay and M’Pai Bay.
Arrive 15 minutes early and confirm both piers with the operator. These times are for travel between the islands, not sailings from the mainland. Check crossings
From bungalows to pool villas, here are places for different budgets and travel plans.
Air-conditioned rooms, a large pool and Long Set out front. Comfortable accommodation with a social atmosphere.
Villas on Sok San’s long beach, some with private pools. For a resort stay.
Air-conditioned tents and rooms on Pagoda Beach. One to consider for a couple’s stay.
A hostel for meeting people and going out on Long Set.
Simple bungalows in the north, away from the busiest beaches.
A luxury stay on private islands in the archipelago, separate from Koh Rong’s beaches.
When comparing prices, check whether breakfast and the transfer are included.
Both islands have quiet beaches and livelier areas. For two or three nights, we would stay on one island. Choose the beach and accommodation you like most.
The right pier. Give the boat company your hotel’s name. A ticket to Koh Rong does not always mean arrival at your beach.
Cash. Budget for your spending before leaving the mainland, especially small restaurants and activities. Our payment guide →
If you rent a scooter. Ask the rental shop where to fill up before heading to another beach.
From pier to room. Send your arrival time to the hotel. Some stays involve a final walk on the sand or a short transfer, easier to arrange before arriving with your bags.
The return trip. If you have an open return ticket, confirm your return sailing. Avoid a tight flight connection straight after the ferry: sea conditions can delay departure.
Getting around. On Koh Rong, roads connect several beaches, but check your route before renting a scooter. On Samloem, ask your accommodation how to reach another bay: walking or a boat may be the option.
What to pack. Small banknotes, sunscreen, insect repellent and a waterproof phone pouch for boat trips. A bag you can carry easily also makes beach arrivals simpler.
Hotel
The Royal Sands Koh Rong offers elegant beachfront bungalows and villas, some with private pools, alongside a spa and two restaurants. Reviewers consistently highlight the highly personalized staff attention and the quality and variety of the food throughout the stay.
Sok San Beach, Koh Rong Koh Rong Island Preah Sihanouk, Cambodia
Hotel
Coconut Beach Bungalows sits on a long, gently sloping stretch of white sand with few crowds, and reviewers value the quiet, unhurried setting. Rooms are simple but the beachfront location comes with loungers, kayaks, and snorkel gear, alongside a friendly, helpful host, though some note the accommodations could use upkeep.
កោះ រ៉ុង, Coconut, ក្រុងព្រះសីហនុ 180405, Cambodia
Hotel
Long Set Resort sits directly on its namesake beach, with reviewers consistently praising the attentive staff who go out of their way: including accommodating vegan breakfasts. The beachfront restaurant serves flavorful Cambodian dishes, best enjoyed at dinner as the sun sets over the water.
Deum Thkov village, Island, Kâmpóng Saôm 18000, Cambodia
Hotel
Sok San Beach Resort sits in a secluded spot with a long stretch of white sand backed by shade trees, and rooms built from dark wood for a rustic feel. Reviewers consistently praise the beach and view of the old pier's colorful boats, while noting the rooms themselves are basic.
Sok San Village Sok San Beach, Koh Rong, Preah Sihanouk 18205, Cambodia
Hotel
Nest Beach Club is known for its weekly Nestival party and a peaceful beach lined with bean bags by day. Reviewers praise the generously portioned, affordably priced food, though dorms skip hot water and wifi by design, meant to encourage socializing over screen time.
Chhak Kampong Som, Koh Rong, 4k Beach, Koh Rong, Cambodia
Hotel
The Secret Garden sits at the quiet end of Pagoda Beach, favored by couples seeking calm away from the island's party scene, with rooms featuring outdoor showers. Reviewers highlight the restaurant's quality and the weekly BBQ dinner with a fire show, plus consistently attentive staff.
Preah Sihanouk, Cambodia
Hotel · Pagoda Beach
A barefoot-chic hideaway on Pagoda Beach, Tamu pairs air-conditioned safari tents and jungle rooms with a beachfront pool, restaurant, and a quiet sweep of white sand. It is an easy base for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, or simply slowing down beneath the palms.
Pagoda Beach, Koh Rong Island, Preah Sihanouk, Cambodia
28°
Cloudy · feels like 33°
Driest around Nov–Apr; wettest in Sep (~520 mm, 28 rainy days). Daytime highs stay 27.7–29.7°C year-round.
The Map Cambodia Travel Planner
A tailor-made itinerary, planned with Hélène and Sébastien.
Hotel
The Royal Sands Koh Rong offers elegant beachfront bungalows and villas, some with private pools, alongside a spa and two restaurants. Reviewers consistently highlight the highly personalized staff attention and the quality and variety of the food throughout the stay.
Hotel
Coconut Beach Bungalows sits on a long, gently sloping stretch of white sand with few crowds, and reviewers value the quiet, unhurried setting. Rooms are simple but the beachfront location comes with loungers, kayaks, and snorkel gear, alongside a friendly, helpful host, though some note the accommodations could use upkeep.
Hotel
Long Set Resort sits directly on its namesake beach, with reviewers consistently praising the attentive staff who go out of their way: including accommodating vegan breakfasts. The beachfront restaurant serves flavorful Cambodian dishes, best enjoyed at dinner as the sun sets over the water.
Hotel
Sok San Beach Resort sits in a secluded spot with a long stretch of white sand backed by shade trees, and rooms built from dark wood for a rustic feel. Reviewers consistently praise the beach and view of the old pier's colorful boats, while noting the rooms themselves are basic.
Hotel
Nest Beach Club is known for its weekly Nestival party and a peaceful beach lined with bean bags by day. Reviewers praise the generously portioned, affordably priced food, though dorms skip hot water and wifi by design, meant to encourage socializing over screen time.
Hotel
The Secret Garden sits at the quiet end of Pagoda Beach, favored by couples seeking calm away from the island's party scene, with rooms featuring outdoor showers. Reviewers highlight the restaurant's quality and the weekly BBQ dinner with a fire show, plus consistently attentive staff.
Hotel · Pagoda Beach
A barefoot-chic hideaway on Pagoda Beach, Tamu pairs air-conditioned safari tents and jungle rooms with a beachfront pool, restaurant, and a quiet sweep of white sand. It is an easy base for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, or simply slowing down beneath the palms.