There are some absolutely epic slices of paradise to be found when exploring the islands on the Cambodian coastline. Come check out the crystal clear waters and idyllic sandy spots with the best beaches On Koh Rong. This includes how to get there, what to expect, where to stay, and more, with this guide, you’ll be sorted!
One of my favorite spots to chill beachside with clear waters and squeaky sand in the entire world has got to be Koh Rong, and its sister island Koh Rong Samloem in Cambodia. Though for the purpose of this article we will solely be speaking about the larger of the two, Koh Rong. No matter where you go you will no doubt discover some of the best beaches on Koh Rong. Though if you are wanting a slice of paradise on your holiday you will want to situate yourself on one of the island’s best beaches. Honestly, they aren’t hard to find, though they may be harder to get to.
Sure there is certainly a mix of beaches on the island, such as where all the speedboats arrive, where the locals hang out near their villages, where the waters are calmer and more sheltered, as well as some awesome spots for snorkeling. There are all these and more other options when it comes to beaches in Koh Rong.
I have always traveled Koh Rong around March/April which meant the days were always great, but you may find a storm or two rolling through in the evenings. Luckily we were given more than enough time to explore this incredible spot and discover a few of its incredible beaches.
Get ready for blue seas, white sand, and gorgeous views as I list the best beaches on Koh Rong that you need to see on your visit!
The 9 Best Beaches On Koh Rong: Discover True Paradise
- 1. Long Set Beach
- 2. Sok San Beach
- 3. Coconut Beach
- 4. Lonely Beach
- 5. Nature Beach
- 6. Vietnamese Beach
- 7. Koh Touch
- 8. Palm Beach
- 9. White Beach
- What To Pack When Visiting The Best Beaches On Koh Rong
1. Long Set Beach
No doubt one of the best beaches on Koh Rong is Long Set Beach. This spot is also known as 4k beach thanks to its spoilt sprawling shoreline which just stretches on. It is an easy 30-minute walk from the main village of Koh Toch where the ferry boats arrive so if you choose to stay here you will be relatively close to the action and have plenty of restaurant options. Though just be aware that once night sets on the beach this is quite a popular party spot for backpackers, and the thumping music may affect how well you will sleep. In saying that, there are quite a few decent more luxury stays in this area for those who aren’t on such a budget either.
If you want to stay near Long Set Beach I recommend staying halfway between there and Koh Toch, that way you are far enough away from the music, but can still venture over to that incredible beach.
Here the waters are generally calm and the sea is crystal clear. It is also relatively shallow so if you are wanting something deeper you will need to swim out a distance. As it is relatively sandy near the shore so if you are keen on snorkeling you do need to swim out quite a distance to a more rocky area.
The sun may set on the other side of the island, but there are a few piers you can walk out on and watch it disappear behind you and the island hills. Though once night sets in this is an excellent spot to experience the famous bioluminescence.
2. Sok San Beach
Here at Sok San the Beach is basically split into two different areas, the village, and the beach. In the village is where you can find some of the more affordable accommodation options such as guesthouses. Staying here will also give you the chance to learn more about the Khmer culture. The Beach area has numerous beautiful resorts and hotels.
The Sok San Beach Resort was actually built to house the cast and crew of the popular Tv series Survivor. This resort has more than 600 villas, as well as restaurants, bars, and shops. They also have a private ferry service running directly from Sihanoukville, meaning it is a straightforward way to get to Sok San Beach and arrive at one of Koh Rong’s best beaches.
Though if you don’t have the money to fork out for a luxury resort or a private ferry transfer from the mainland, then don’t worry. You can still get a public boat to the main village of Koh Touch and then get another boat to Sok San. If you are planning to stay there then just reach out to your accommodation and they will able to assist in organizing your transport.
Trust me it is well worth the journey as this is no doubt one of the best beaches on Koh Rong. It is kept in excellent condition with soft white sand and clear waters. There is more than enough space to spread out, so even with a resort with other 600 villas, as well as all the other hotels, it ever seems overcrowded.
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3. Coconut Beach
Another choice for one of our excellent beaches on Koh Rong is called Coconut Beach. It is a quiet and beautiful bay located on the South Western side of the island, and is just a 10-minute walk away from nearby Daem Thkov Village.
There are a few places you can book to stay in this location and enjoy a more peaceful side of the island. These include Sunrise Resort and Restaurant, as well as Coconut Beach Bungalows. Coconut Beach Bungalows is an excellent budget option with everything from tents to villas available. There may not be air conditioning but you will have an incredible sea breeze and strong fans provided.
You will need to take some sort of transportation to get here from the main village of Koh Toch. The best way is by organizing a boat transfer through your accommodation.
4. Lonely Beach
For a true deserted island experience and to get away from the party and busy sides of Koh Rong’s best beaches you can’t look further than Lonely Beach. The name says it all, this place may be quiet but it is also paradise. Located on the northern side of the island it has commonly said to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Though be aware, that getting there may not be the quickest journey, it will be totally worth it.
This small bay is everything you could want when imagining the best beaches on Koh Rong. Think clear ocean waters, a white sandy shoreline, and swaying palm trees. You are able to completely unwind here and forget about the problems of the world, especially as there is no Wifi connection. At night watch the ocean light up with bioluminescence thanks to the lack of development and light pollution.
There is actually only one accommodation option here called Lonely Beach Resort. This is a bit back to basics, but that is the beauty of this place, it’s like stepping back in time before tourism really took over the island. There are a few different types of bungalows available and the prices are pretty affordable. Even though it may be a more rustic experience this is one of the most highly rated accommodations on the island thanks to its incredible location, amazing owners, and eco-friendliness.
To get to this slice of paradise you either have two different options. The first is taking the slow boat from the main pier in Sihanoukville, though be aware this can take anywhere from two to three hours, so best to bring some snacks. Alternatively, you can take a speed boat to the main village of Koh Touch on Koh Rong and then organize transport with a local taxi boat to Lonely beach.
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5. Nature Beach
Located on the Eastern side of the island is another excellent beach on Koh Rong called Nature Beach. It is also known as Romduol and is another secluded spot for that deserted island experience.
There are two different accommodation options here Nature Beach Resort and Romdoul Koh Rong. I actually stayed at a hostel around the corner from here are ventured over to this beach as it was much nicer. There are actually some swings in the water and a huge wooden frame for those Instagram pics. I know I said this is a quiet spot, so what’s up with the giant photo frame? Well, this is actually a popular spot for day trippers to visit on tour boats from Sihanoukville. Unfortunately during the day, quite a few people can descend on Nature Beach. Though luckily this generally only lasts a few hours.
You can get here by either a taxi boat at the main pier of Koh Touch. Alternatively, you can also hike along the coastline of the island. I actually did the latter option, and even though it is a hot sweaty journey, especially as you will be carrying your luggage, it is a great way to see some of the other best beaches on Koh Rong such as Long Set Beach.
6. Vietnamese Beach
This is actually the beach I was talking about above where I stayed once while on Koh Rong. This stretch of beach was owned by a hostel called Sons of Beaches, though it has now closed down and I am not surprised why. The toilet situation was not nice, the volunteers just drank beer all day, and the guests took refuge with each other to survive our stays.
No other accommodation has popped up here as of writing this article, though you can still venture out here by taking a taxi boat or doing the walk along the coastline. All you need to do is head to the far side of Long Set Beach and then it is about a 20-minute walk through the jungle.
What makes this stretch of beach famous is the numerous starfish that can be found in the shallows.
7. Koh Touch Beach
Another option for one of the best beaches on Koh Rong is Koh Touch Beach. This is in the main village of Koh Touch, though be aware if you are wanting to swim you will need to walk a short distance away from the main town to get away from water runoff and boat fumes. I know this doesn’t sound overly appealing, though seriously like a 5-minute walk from it all you will be in paradise with the town just a few hundred meters away.
Think sand so fine it squeaks underneath your feet, crystal clear waves slowly lapping onto the shore. The one downside of this area is because of its accessibility it can get quite busy with travelers staying in the main village of Koh Touch or perhaps just doing a day trip to the island.
You will find numerous accommodation options in the area from cheap guesthouses with rooms separated with sheets (yes, I experienced this), to affordable hostels, and more pricey beachside bungalows. What’s great about this location if you choose to stay here is you are an easy walk to some of the best beaches on Koh Rong, as well as numerous shops, restaurants, and cafes.
8. Palm Beach
If you haven’t got thousands of dollars a night to splash out on the famous Song Saa Private Island Resort, then you can save your money by booking a slice of paradise at Palm Beach. This overlooks that famous resort, but you can sleep easy knowing you still have money left in your wallet.
As the name suggests, Palm Beach is an absolute paradise covered in swaying Palm Trees. It is located around the corner from Lonely Beach and is far enough away from the busy beaches of Koh Touch. There used to be a resort here called Palm Beach Resort, though during Covid this has unfortunately closed down. The only accommodation in the area is in the village of Prek Svay called Firefly Guesthouse. This is best accessed by a scooter or taxi boat from Koh Touch or a slow boat from Sihanoukville.
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9. White Beach
Located nearby to the main village of Koh Touch it is hard to tell where Koh Touch Beach end and White Beach starts, but either way, they are both equally incredible locations. This is located at the far end of the bay before you venture into the jungle past Tree House Bungalows. Sure there are more peaceful best beaches on Koh Rong, though what is great about White Beach is its accessibility to the main town and the higher quality of resorts that won’t set you back thousands of dollars a night.
What is also great is that this is not a party location, the main town of Koh Touch may be, and the nearby Long Set beach. Though White Beach is a relatively peaceful and idyllic location where the beach is well taken care of. You can also find some decent snorkeling here around the rocky areas. Though don’t worry there are plenty of soft sandy spots to go for a casual swim as well.
What To Pack When Visiting The Best Beaches On Koh Rong
There are some things its best to take along with you while checking out the best beaches in Koh Rong to make the most out of your experience:
Sunblock: Let’s avoid looking like a lobster and bring a reef-safe sunblock along with you!
Camera: Of course, you can’t forget the camera. You will want this when you are visiting these picturesque spots.
Go Pro: For sure bring along your Go Pro if you have one. The underwater world here is pretty damn good.
Money: You will no doubt either need a little bit of money for the taxi journey to the beach or to hire a beach chair while you are there.
Towel: Bring along your towel! Even bring two! You’ll be in and out of the water all day and it’s likely your towel won’t completely dry properly between swims.
Sunglasses: It’ll definitely be worth bringing sunglasses along with you. The sun shining off the sea can be super bright so protect your eyes by bringing along a pair of sunglasses.
Where To Stay On Koh Rong
Welcome to Koh Rong. This is certainly the most built-up island where you can find an assortment of restaurants, cafes, and types of accommodations. Whether you are wanting an all-inclusive 5-star resort or a cheap dorm room, you can easily find it here.
I don’t recommend staying in the main town where you arrive straight off the ferry, but instead, somewhere a 10 or 15-minute walk away. This will still allow you to access all the amenities, but also have some privacy and a quiet beach to relax on. For something, more lux check out Long Set Resort, for mid-range prices you have Tree House Bungalows, and for dorms, Nest Beach Club (though it is a party hostel).
Enjoy beachfront living in luxury. Rooms here start from $70.00 per night. BOOK NOW |
One of the best party places on the island. Dorm rooms here start from $5.00 per night. BOOK NOW |
Located on a quieter part of the island. You can find a seaview tent here for $11.00 per night. BOOK NOW |
A short walk from an incredible beach and the main town. Rooms here start at $50.00 per night. BOOK NOW |
Other Things To Do While On Koh Rong
Honestly, there is not a whole heap of things to do on Koh Rong. Though apart from just relaxing on some of the best beaches on Koh Rong here are a few other things you can do while on the island:
Scuba Diving: Of course when you are on Koh Rong you got to experience life in the ocean. Even though scuba diving can be more of a pricey activity, it is 100% worth it, and still a lot cheaper here than in many other places in the world.
Zip Lining & High Ropes: If you are needing a break from the water why not check out the Zip Lining and High Ropes Park on Koh Rong. This is an excellent way to spend a few hours are something different to do during your stay.
Paddle Boarding: If you want to mix things up from just swimming and snorkeling, why not give paddle boarding a go? You will find a few places that rent them out around Koh Touch village and some of the larger beaches on Koh Rong.
Jet Ski: Now the Jet Ski option I say hesitantly. Yes, it can be a lot of fun, though throughout Southeast Asia there are numerous Jet Ski scams that occur, including here on Koh Rong. Sometimes it is just not worth the hassle.
Biolumance Tour: Now one of the more popular things to do here, except exploring the best beaches on Koh Rong, is partaking in a Biolumance Tour. You are able to see the bioluminescence on either Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem. The tours are surprisingly affordable starting around $6.00 per person. You will take a boat to a dark area of the island with no lights from nearby villages and plunge into the dark waters. It’s a scary thought, but doing it and watching the world light up around you is incredible.
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Photo credit: “Coconut Beach, Koh Rong” (CC BY 2.0) by Faye Bullock.
