Pure bliss. This is how it felt as we arrived on Koh Rong Sanloem, the most gorgeous beach in Cambodia. We made the journey here from Sihanoukville to end our ten day Cambodia vacation. It was the perfect finale to a rather busy trip. If you’re planning to go to Southeast Asia, you must squeeze in at least a few days on this island paradise. From dreamy turquoise water, to white sandy beaches, it’s the epitome of relaxation.
After a rough speed boat ride from the mainland, we were transformed to a remote disconnection from reality. Unlike it’s touristy neighbor Koh Rong, this island still feels rather untouched. Although we only spent a few days here, there was so much to see and do. Explore this guide to the most beautiful beach in Cambodia and let it inspire your next getaway!
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In This Article
Best Time to Go
How to Get To Koh Rong Sanloem
Where to Stay on Koh Rong Sanloem
Things to Do on Koh Rong Sanloem
Terra enjoying time in the water during sunset
Usually the best time to visit Cambodia overall is during the dry season, which is from November through May. If you’re looking to experience sunny skies with practically no rain, this is your best bet. However this also means there will be more tourists. So in the end it’s all about what your preferences are.
During the wet season, which runs from May to November it will be more rainy. It might offer a different experience here on the island, and definitely more secluded. But you might not have those bright sunny beach shots. The great thing is there will be less tourists and overall cheaper prices.
Speed Ferry Cambodia boat in Sihanoukville
Before heading to Koh Rong Sanloem, we spent one day in Kampot. After reading some not so great things about Sihanoukville, we decided to stay overnight here instead. It was such a beautifully relaxing place to stay and also put us much closer to our journey to the island. It’s just a few hour drive from Sihanoukville, and also a place worth seeing.
From Sihanoukville there are several options to bring you to the two islands, Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem. We recommend asking your resort or bungalow which ferry is the best to take, as it depends on which pier you need to go to. Our resort was on Saracen Bay, and we chose Speed Ferry Cambodia, which dropped us off just a few minute walk from there.
Some other options are Island Speed Boat Cambodia, Buva Sea, and GTVC Speedboat. These are the most popular ones and get you there between 45 minutes to 1 hour (if all goes well.) You can book these on BookMeBus, the most useful source for booking any transportation in Cambodia. The boats all leave from Serendipity Pier in Sihanoukville.
There are also slow boat options, but these are not recommended. If you’re staying on Saracen Bay, then it’ll be an easy trip. However if you’re staying on Lazy Beach, then you will either have to arrange for a private boat service, or take one of the speed boats to Saracen Bay and walk 30-40 minutes through the jungle to the other side.
Tips: The boat ride can get a big rough, so if you tend to get sea sick keep this in mind. The timing might also not work out perfectly, our boat was late and it also had issues on the way. Always plan ahead for these little travel hiccups.
There are plenty of resorts and small bungalows to choose from on the island. Most of these are located in Saracen Bay. These all range in price from what type of experience you want to have. Of course the more rustic will be the cheapest.
After reading many reviews on various resorts, I decided to go with Sky Beach Resort. It was actually fairly new, opening about 6 months prior to when we arrived. All the reviews were quite positive and it had a lot of things we were looking for.
Bungalows at Sky Beach Resort
It happens to be located on one of the most beautiful and quiet parts of Saracen Bay. It’s very easy to get to, with a few minute walk from Paradise Pier. There are just five bungalows right on the beach, with steps from the water. Since we were traveling with family, we chose not to go the rustic route and this one was perfect. There was reliable wifi if needed, hot showers, and also a mini store and restaurant here. Our bungalow also had air conditioning and fit 4 adults and one child pretty comfortably. We loved waking up and having the convenience of breakfast right on the premises. They also kindly brought food right to our bungalow to enjoy if requested. Everything was cooked fresh and had a very homemade feel to it. The fruit shakes were just beyond delicious!
Another thing we loved was the boat tours they organized. You can do a glowing plankton tour at night, and also snorkeling and a tour to M’Pai Bay Village, on the other end of the island. They offer many options to choose from. They also have stand-up paddle boards for you to use free of charge. The only thing it was missing were some hammocks to relax in.
Sunset view over bungalows in Saracen Bay
In addition to Sky Beach Resort, there are so many to choose from depending on availability. We recommend to book in advance as much as possible in order to have a better pick. Some of the more popular ones sell out fast!
Sol Beach Resort: A beautiful resort with all the amenities you would need. Wifi, hot showers, private transfers, and an open air restaurant. The bungalows are nicely equipped with a bath and hot showers. Hammocks and beach chairs for relaxation. Located on a gorgeous part of the bay with plenty of activities to choose from.
The One Resort: Another popular pick, this one has an outdoor pool right on the beach. It’s not far from Sky Beach Resort and we actually had dinner here one night. The restaurant was great with an area for kids to play. They also have seafood BBQs here on certain nights. Another solid choice with nice amenities.
Moonlight Resort: This one is a great choice for those who are looking for a more unique accommodation. It’s an eco resort with dome shaped bungalows that appear to be made of moon rock. They have a restaurant, pool and hot tubs, and plenty of beach lounging options. Some bungalows come with nice open air bathrooms, and all of them have hot showers and free wifi. Definitely a beautiful and photo-worthy place.
Bamboo Jam: A bit more rustic than the others, Bamboo Jam is a great value option. All the bungalows have a sea view, but no A/C. There are hammocks and beach swings to enjoy, as well as stunning views.
We did not make it to Sunset Beach during our stay, but here’s a gorgeous sunset from the island
For a more secluded experience you can stay on Sunset Beach. One of the best options here is Robinson Bungalows, a quite rustic choice but does have it’s own restaurant and bar. The bungalows have a straw thatched roof with mosquito nets. Amenities are quite basic, but it’s definitely more about the experience here. It’s also not as convenient to get to, you’ll have to walk here through the jungle from Saracen Bay. They do however offer slow boat service in the morning to Sihanoukville if needed. Overall it’s a great eco-friendly choice, with the bungalows being made from all local materials.
Lazy Beach is the most secluded part of the island to stay. They offer a private boat trip to the resort. You can also take one of the speed boats and walk through the jungle to get here. Lazy Beach Resort is one of the first resorts in this area of the island. The beach is much more calm and the sunsets are supposed to be beautiful here. The bungalows are very rustic with basic amenities. They also have a high-rated restaurant with front row views of the beach and sea. Definitely a very relaxed and unplugged experience!
Located on the northern part of the island, M’Pai Bay Village is perfect for solo or couple travelers. It definitely attracts more backpackers and budget travelers rather than families or those going for a more lux experience. It’s quite a quirky place with plenty of bars, places to eat, and activities. Keep in mind that most accommodations here are very basic, with unreliable wifi and electricity. There are mostly hostels and guesthouses with shared rooms and bathrooms, versus more private luxury. A lot of them lack air conditioning as well, so be prepped for mosquitos!
The Wildflower: A great budget option, with a mixed dormitory style, or a double room. The bathrooms are shared and all rooms come with mosquito nets. They also have a cafe and bar, and guests say the location is great.
The Sleeping Buffalo: Another budget option with a great value. They offer private rooms with a private bathroom and at a cheap price! Guests say the views are gorgeous, and love the bar here. Like many of the guesthouses here, they also have options for water activities for an additional cost. If you’ve got your furry friend traveling with you, they also accept pets here!
Beach House Cambodia: Another popular option with a variety of room options. You can either do a shared or private bathroom. They also have rooms with hot showers and air conditioning. They have plenty of water activities, lounging and a bar here. Definitely a great option with better reviews than most in this area.
Looking for more options? See more hotels in Koh Rong Sanloem.
Drone shot of boats by a pier
Although it’s quite a remote island, there is still plenty to do. Simply unwind and enjoy the stunning views, go on an adventure by foot, or head out into the water. Here are just a few ideas to inspire you.
Hammocks on the beach…pure relaxation!
Hammocks are everywhere around Southeast Asia, and there’s definitely no shortage on the beaches in Cambodia. Most of the resorts and bungalows have them, but if not there are plenty right out in the water. Meditate, relax, or simply take a nap. How often do you get to be on a remote island? Take advantage of these moments.
No visit to an island is complete without drinking fresh from a coconut. There are vendors selling them in various spots along the beach. It’s healthy, refreshing and delicious! And for the budget travelers, easier on the wallet.
Stand-up paddleboards free to use at our resort
One of my favorite parts about going to the beach are the fun water activities. Since our resort had free stand-up paddleboards to use, we couldn’t resist. Although I’m no expert at it, we still enjoyed getting out onto the water. Some resorts also have kayaks to use as well. It’s also a great way to get a nice workout in while traveling.
A lot of the resorts offer snorkeling at an additional cost. We decided to go on a boat trip, which also included some snorkeling time. With the water being so clear, it’s perfect for admiring underwater life. But definitely be careful in the water, we noticed a lot of black sea urchins around. You can also book a snorkeling tour here ahead of time.
Seeing glowing plankton was one of my bucket list dreams. So I was quite excited when I found out you can see some around Koh Rong Sanloem island. Conveniently our resort offered tours, so we booked it for the first night. The boat will drive out to a dark spot, and provide you with snorkels if needed. To see the plankton you have to swim and move your hands around quickly, the movement activates the glow. Occasionally as the boat moved you can see the slight sparkle on the water. It was beautiful! Unfortunately it’s difficult to capture with a camera, so don’t have high hopes for a perfect photo.
If you’re staying on Saracen Bay or Lazy Beach then you must check out M’Pai Village. Our boat tour included a brief stop here for a few hours for sunset. It has such a different feel from other parts and is a backpacker’s haven. There are several bars and restaurants along the water to hang out. The vibes here were very chill, and definitely felt younger overall. We loved spending some time walking around seeing a new part of the island.
The island is still relatively untouched and there’s plenty of jungle to explore. There are various hikes you can take, either to Sunset Beach, or Lazy Beach, or somewhere more off the beaten path. Be aware of wild animals here, and only do it during the day. Our resort warned us of venomous snakes out in the jungle, and with minimal light it may be hard to see them. Apparently Lazy Beach has some stunning sunsets, although we never made the trek there this trip.
It’s a no brainer to watch the sunrise and sunset while spending time in paradise. They are simply unreal here, and with the beautiful blue water, it makes it even more dreamy. We are usually not early risers, but loved waking up early to see the colors of sunrise over the beach. It sure is amazing to see nature’s beauty at work!
Beach swings are always a good idea!
Swinging takes on another level when it’s on a beach. Saracen Bay is filled with plenty to use. There are some in front of the resort bungalows, and also some directly out in the water. They make great photo opportunities, and also a chance to feel like a kid again. Being on a swing always makes me feel young and carefree.
Magical sunset during our first night on the island
These are just a few ideas on what to do and where to stay on Koh Rong Sanloem island. It’s the most beautiful beach in Cambodia and you won’t regret making the trip here. You’ll feel refreshed and slightly out of reality during your time here. For a moment I imagined not leaving here. It’ll leave you with a feeling of wanting to return again and again.
Have you been to Koh Rong Sanloem? If so, we’d love to hear more!
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I already feel so relaxed with your post! The bungalows, hammocks, and of course the glowing plankton, I don't need more reasons.
So glad you enjoyed it! Can't wait for you to visit someday, you'd love the beaches of course too :)
It looks so beautiful there. We only made it to Sokha Beach but would love to return to visit this stunning island. I get seasick so great to know it can be a bit rough, I can prepare for it. Those hammocks look like heaven right now.
It was truly paradise! Could have stayed here forever haha. Definitely prepare for it, I felt a bit sick at times and usually I don't get seasick. Totally worth the ride though!