Koh Rung Sanloem

Koh Rung Sanloem, or Koh Rong Sanloem, is an island off the coast of Cambodia. The closest port is Sihanoukville.

Understand

Koh Rong Sanloem is Koh Rong's stunning sister island.

It is a peaceful relaxing destination with breathtaking scenery – clean white beaches, clear turquoise ocean waters, and a tropical jungle wilderness. It is often called an ‘island paradise’ by tourists.

If you want to lie back, unwind, and admire the magnificent views the island of Sanloem is a fine holiday destination.

Get in

Koh Rong Sanloem can be reached easily by boat from Sihanoukville. There are multiple ferry services to Saracen Bay, M'pai Bai and Sandy Beach: Cambodia Island Speedferry, GTVC, Buva Sea, with GTVC deserving the most beaches on the islands. All of them depart from the GTVC pier close to Sihanoukville Autonomous sea port. The time to reach the island will vary from 30 minutes to 1 hour and is dependent on the route of the ferry. Ferries service two islands on the same go. Ticket prices are fixed by government at US$25 roundtrip and $14 for one way. There is a supply boat departing from pier 52 (aka Bora pier) at 14:30 (January 2024) which can also accept passengers, price is US$5 one way. You can buy tickets on the spot. Stops in Saracen beach, M'Pai bay, and Koh Rong. Travel time with the slow boat is between 2 hr 30 min and 4 hr 30 min depending on your destination on the islands.

Get around

Some beaches on this island can be reached by foot, but others can only be reached by taxi boat. From Saracen beach you can follow the signs and walk to: Sunset beach, Lazy Beach and Military Beach. Also the stone carved place. You can not walk to M'Pai bay. It is a relatively small island, but still big enough to get lost on if you were to embark on a jungle trek.

See

The island is famous for its beautiful beaches. On the western side there are 3 beaches: Military Beach (aka Twilight Beach), Lazy Beach and Sunset Beach. On the south side is Sandy Beach and on the east side facing the mainland is Saracen Bay. On the North Side there is a beach in front of M'Pai Bay village, and another longer one on the side of the village, as well as Clearwater Bay beach. From the French era there is a lighthouse situated on the high flat mountain top with breathtaking views to all directions.

Do

Koh Rong Sanloem is the cradle of Cambodian diving. It's where all the dive companies based on the islands generally head when they take divers out.

The best dive and snorkeling sites for the islands are around M'Pai Bay village. It is the best location on the islands to snorkel from shore, and most snorkeling trips sold around the islands will bring you there.

• Snorkel M'Pai Bai coral reefs & night Swim with the bioluminescent plankton in M'Pai Bay.
• Dive from M'Pai Bay village. In 2024 most dive companies operate from M'Pai Bay as the best dive sites are right in front of the village.
• Jungle trek on various routes across the island to Sunset beach, Lazy beach, the lighthouse and M'Pai Bai village, etc. Bring plenty of water, mosquito repellent and sturdy shoes if in wet season. There is chance to see lizards, monkeys, hornbills white belly sea eagles.
• Sunset Rock is a wonderful place to watch the sun set over the ocean, if you are willing to trek over some boulders to get there.
• Rent kayaks or SUP board and go explore!
• Book a boat tour to explore the island, go snorkeling, fishing, see the sunset, enjoy bbq on the boat and see the bioluminescent plankton.

• 1 Bubbles Up Divecenter, M'pai Bay (on the road in front of the arrival pier), ☏ +855 096 399 8886. 09:00-18:00. A small, friendly dive center run by professional experienced instructors, offering fun diving and SSI dive courses. (updated Nov 2024)
• 2 Adventure travel co, ☏ +855 964275133, adventuretravelco.rep@gmail.com. Travel agency in M'Pai Bay offering guided treks, boat tours, snorkeling tours, kayak rentals and guided kayak tours. (updated Nov 2024)

Buy

There are minimarts located in Saracen Bay and M'pai Bai selling basic conveniences such as soap, cigarettes, mosquito repellent, noodles, beer, and soft drinks.

There is no ATM on the island, however, many businesses accept credit cards and also permit cash withdrawals.

Eat

M'Pai Bai village has a lot of local restaurant options as well as western cafés and restaurants. Because it is a local village, prices tends to be a bit cheaper compared to beaches with only hotels marketed towards western tourists on them. Favorites includes Seapony café, Bong's, French restaurant Flambée and many more.

Saracen Bay has various restaurants serving all kinds of cuisine.

Drink

Many locations available in Saracen Bay area.

There are many bars in M'Pai Bai such as Bong's, 2 Ducks, and The Hornbill.

Sleep

• 1 Koalama (Chill Inn), 1 Beach St, M'Pai Bay (M'Pai Bay Main beach), ☏ +855 86 86 05 22, chillinncambo@gmail.com. In the traditional fishing village of M'Pai Bay on north coast of Koh Rong Samloem. Beach bar and guesthouse, dorm rooms available. The soundtrack in the bar features funky tunes. (updated Nov 2024)
• 2 Beach House, Main beach, M'Pai Bay (on M'Pai Bay beach), ☏ +855 69 330 286. A nice beach front hotel with AC and hot water rooms, offering food and drinks options. (updated Nov 2024)
• 3 Thmor Da Resort, M'Pai Bay village, Koh Rong Sanloem (Top of the hill in M'Pai Bay village), ☏ +855 88 613 5555, info@thmorda-resort.com. A nice resort in M'Pai Bay village featuring great views! Their restaurant is a great place to watch sunset. (updated Nov 2024)
• 4 Samloem Laguna Resort, Koh Rong Sanloem Village (5 minutes walk from Preah Sihanouk pier), ☏ +855 10 820 795, booking@samloemlaguna.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Eco-friendly hotel with private beach, horse riding and tennis. 5 minutes walk from Preah Sihanouk pier. Strong WiFi, 24-hr electricity, tasty food and various drinks. from US$30. (updated Aug 2022)

Connect

Accommodation and bars in Saracen Bay and M'Pai Bay have reasonably good WiFi.