Temple stonework in Cambodia
Two islands, very different beaches

Beachfront hotels on Koh Rong

Sand, swimming and doing very little for three days.

In short

Koh Rong and its quieter neighbour Koh Rong Sanloem are reached by fast boat from Sihanoukville. Accommodation runs from beach bungalows to a handful of proper resorts. The two things to check before booking are how your beach is reached and whether the property has mains power or a generator.

Checked

September 2026

At a glance

The short version

Getting there
Fast boat from Sihanoukville, roughly 45 minutes to Koh Rong, a little longer to Sanloem
Koh Rong
Busier, with the main village and a livelier stretch of beach
Koh Rong Sanloem
Quieter, smaller bays, less to do - which is usually the point
Power
Some properties run on generators with set hours. Ask before you book if air conditioning matters
Between beaches
Often by boat rather than on foot; there are few roads
Season
Seas are calmest roughly November to April; boats can be cancelled in bad weather

“Beachfront” covers a lot of ground in Cambodia, and on the islands it covers the most.

The two islands

Koh Rong is the larger and busier, with a village, a run of bars and the most developed stretch of sand. Koh Rong Sanloem is quieter, its bays smaller and more separate, and there is genuinely not much to do – which is what people who love it are there for.

The two questions

First, how is your beach reached. Many properties are accessed by boat rather than by road, and the walking tracks between bays are longer and rougher than they look. Second, where the power comes from. Some places run on generators with fixed hours, which is fine if you know and unwelcome if you do not.

Do not cut the return fine

Crossings are cancelled in bad weather. Leave a night on the mainland between the island and an international flight; the alternative is a very expensive lesson.

Questions travellers ask

Koh Rong or Koh Rong Sanloem?
Koh Rong if you want somewhere to eat and drink in the evening, Sanloem if you want quiet. Sanloem is the one people mean when they describe the islands as unspoilt.
Is there air conditioning on the islands?
On some properties, not all, and sometimes only while the generator runs. Check the hours if it matters to you.
How do I get between beaches?
Usually by boat. Walking tracks exist but are longer and rougher than the map suggests, and there are few roads.
Can boats be cancelled?
Yes, in rough weather. Do not schedule an international flight for the same day as your return crossing.