Koh Rong is an Island off the coast of Sihanoukville.
Until few years ago, Koh Rong used to be an undiscovered Island with only a few local families living from what the sea provided. There are about four small villages. Tourism slowly started around 2008, but the island remains deserted for the largest part. In 2012 new bungalow resorts and guesthouses pop up at Koh Tuich which is the main touristy destination. The Island has been sold to an investor planning to create an ecological resort, but the huge development probably won't start until 2020.
As the local villages and tourism sites mainly use the wood provided on the island, the local jungle is subject to severe deforestation due to the illegal logging, which will hopefully be stopped by the investors that plan to preserve about half of the jungle as a nature reserve. The development of the small villages continued even heavier in 2013 with more and more guesthouses, restaurants and bungalow resorts popping up. Unfortunately almost all places seem solely interested in short-term profits: garbage and unfiltered wasterwater are routed to the sea and one can watch the island getting dirtier every month.
If you are planning on visiting during Chinese New Year, you may want to book accommodations ahead of time as it is a popular vacation destination for Chinese families and guesthouses will fill up.
With 23 white sand beaches to choose from Koh Rong has plenty to see and do. For the adventurous there's plenty of trekking to be done through the relatively untouched jungle. Diving and snorkelling is excellent both off the beach and at sites nearby. But above all the best attraction is the phosphorescent water which sparkles when disturbed like twinkling stars. Best seen in around 4 feet of water and on a dark part of the beach. Because Koh Rong has minimal development and light pollution the conditions are perfect for the phosphorescent plankton and it can be seen every single night.
- Hiking. The walking man of Koh Rong (an Israeli guy called Gil, found at Paradise bungalows) has marked trails that lead from the beach closest to Monkey Island and Paradise Bungalows to other beaches but most of the island is still thick jungle. Gil knows the hidden trails of the island very well and offers trekking tours from 1 to 4 days (cost ca. 10 USD per day per person and is worth every dollar). There is also a well-marked trail to Long Beach starting behind Sky Bar (~45mins one way). $10 per person.
- Dance, Police Beach (Just west of Koh Tuich, past Adventure Adam. 10pm-sunrise. EDM parties every Wed/Sat night usually get started around midnight or 1. In the morning, a boat picks up survivors to go to the afterparty on another beach. Tix can be bought in advance from various businesses in Koh Tuich for $10 or $12.50 at the event.
Hiking. The walking man of Koh Rong (an Israeli guy called Gil, found at Paradise bungalows) has marked trails that lead from the beach closest to Monkey Island and Paradise Bungalows to other beaches but most of the island is still thick jungle. Gil knows the hidden trails of the island very well and offers trekking tours from 1 to 4 days (cost ca. 10 USD per day per person and is worth every dollar). There is also a well-marked trail to Long Beach starting behind Sky Bar (~45mins one way). $10 per person.
Dance, Police Beach (Just west of Koh Tuich, past Adventure Adam. 10pm-sunrise. EDM parties every Wed/Sat night usually get started around midnight or 1. In the morning, a boat picks up survivors to go to the afterparty on another beach. Tix can be bought in advance from various businesses in Koh Tuich for $10 or $12.50 at the event.
As of 2018, there is no ATM on the island. Several businesses in Koh Tuich can withdraw money for you but they will gouge you for it (~10%) because they know you have no other choice. Plan accordingly.
There are many restaurants available. In Koh Tuich, the cheapest ones are the Khmer restaurants in the village (mains $2-3) that offer surprisingly good food. Each bungalow resort also has its own restaurant. While more expensive, these offer a nicer atmosphere. Various Restaurants offer the standard beach BBQ fare for $4-$6 at night.
Most restaurants also serve alcohol and cocktails. A can of Klang is typically about $1. Monkey’s also has buckets and is often putting on a fire-show at night, so this is likely the place party activity will start. Most restaurants and bars will close by midnight. One or two bars will remain open and with electricity on until late depending on the crowd.
In Koh Tuich, Wi-Fi is available at several restaurants.
- Sihanoukville
- Koh Rung Sanloem