Koh Rong island guide: beaches, villages and jungle
Koh Rong combines white-sand beaches, jungle trails, diving and a lively village. Here's how to choose a beach, get around and plan your stay.
Koh Rong is Cambodia's best-known island. Its long white-sand beaches, clear water and forested interior have drawn travellers for years, and while the main village has grown busier, much of the island remains quiet.
Getting your bearings
Most ferries arrive at Koh Touch, the main village on the island's southeast coast. From there, beaches and resorts spread around the coastline, and a road crosses the island to the west coast.
Beaches
- Koh Touch Beach: the village beach, busy with restaurants, bars and boats.
- Long Set Beach: a long, quieter stretch within walking distance of the village.
- Police Beach: close to the village, known for parties and events.
- Sok San Beach: a long beach on the west coast with a fishing village and resorts, good for sunsets.
- Quieter coves around the island, reached by boat, trail or private resort transfer.
Things to do
- Snorkelling and diving: dive shops in Koh Touch run trips to nearby reefs and islands.
- Jungle walks: trails cross the island between beaches. Some are steep and slippery; go with a guide if you're unsure.
- Bioluminescent plankton: on dark nights, the water can sparkle with plankton. Boat trips go out after sunset, and some beaches are good for seeing it from the shore.
- Kayaking and paddleboarding: many resorts rent equipment.
- Fishing trips and sunset cruises.
Where to stay
- Koh Touch: the busiest area, with hostels, guesthouses and nightlife. Convenient but noisy.
- Long Set and nearby beaches: quieter bungalows within reach of the village.
- Sok San and the west coast: resorts and guesthouses with sunsets, further from the action.
- Secluded resorts: some places are reachable only by boat and offer peace and privacy.
Getting around
Motorbike taxis and tuk-tuks use the island's road; boats connect beaches along the coast. Walking trails link some beaches but can be tough in the heat.
When to visit
The dry season, roughly November to April, has calmer seas and better visibility. The rainy season brings fewer visitors, lower prices and rougher conditions.
Tips
- Bring cash; ATMs may be unreliable.
- Pack a head torch for unlit paths.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen.
- Check ferry times before booking your return.