Free Koh Rong Travel Guide & Mobile App

Plan your Koh Rong trip with Evendo. Get free guides to top attractions, restaurants, hotels, and bars. Web access or download the mobile app.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play Download the Free PDF guide
Koh Rong
Koh Rong photo 2
Koh Rong photo 3
All photos

Koh Rong, Cambodia, pairs palm-fringed beaches and rainforest trails with bioluminescent waters, village life, snorkelling, diving and relaxed island evenings.

Beaches and Forest

Koh Rong lies in the Gulf of Thailand, off Cambodia’s south-western coast and a short boat journey from Sihanoukville. The island is known for long pale beaches, warm shallow water and a forested interior crossed by informal paths. Koh Touch, the principal settlement and ferry landing, is the island’s busiest corner, with simple guesthouses, restaurants, bars and dive centres clustered along the shore. Beyond it, Long Set Beach, Sok San Beach and quieter stretches of coastline offer a more spacious island atmosphere, although facilities become increasingly limited away from the main village.
Read more about Koh Rong

Island Communities

Koh Rong is not a conventional city but a large Cambodian island with several coastal communities, including Koh Touch, Prek Svay, Daem Thkov and Sok San. Fishing remains part of local life, while tourism has reshaped the shoreline with bungalows, small resorts and activity providers. Electricity, roads, internet access and rubbish collection can be less consistent than on the mainland, particularly in remote areas, so the island rewards travellers who arrive prepared for a slower and less predictable rhythm. The absence of extensive road infrastructure keeps much of the interior quiet and wooded.

Life on the Water

The sea defines a visit to Koh Rong. Swimming, kayaking, snorkelling, diving and boat trips reveal coral reefs and rocky shallows, while evening swims may coincide with bioluminescent plankton, especially away from bright waterfront lighting. Inland, trails lead through tropical vegetation and towards secluded coves, though conditions can be muddy and route-finding is not always straightforward. Koh Rong’s appeal lies in this contrast between a sociable, backpacker-oriented beach hub and broad sections of coastline where the dominant sounds are surf, birds and boat engines.

When is the best time to visit Koh Rong?

Best: January, September, November · 30–31°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January (best)310
February310
March310
April320
May310
June310
July310
August310
September (best)300
October310
November (best)300
December310

Getting to and around Koh Rong

How to get there

Most travellers reach Koh Rong by ferry from Sihanoukville, Cambodia’s principal coastal port. The usual mainland departure area is around the Serendipity or Ochheuteal beach and pier zone, although operators and departure points can change. Sihanoukville can be reached by road and rail from Phnom Penh, while Sihanoukville International Airport serves the wider coastal region with a changing range of connections. Ferry journeys are weather-dependent, and boats may call at different island beaches rather than Koh Touch, so check the destination shown on the ticket. There is no airport on Koh Rong, and onward transport normally involves a boat transfer followed by a short walk or local boat connection.

Transportation

Koh Rong is explored mainly on foot, by boat or, where available, by small local taxi services and motorbikes. Koh Touch is compact, while paths and beach tracks connect some neighbouring areas; these can be sandy, muddy, steep or poorly lit after rain. Long-tail and other local boats are useful for reaching beaches and villages along the coast, but fares and availability depend on weather and negotiation. There is no comprehensive island-wide public transport network. Travellers staying in remote areas should arrange transfers in advance, use a torch after dark and allow extra time for sea crossings. Swimming between beaches is unsafe because of currents and boat traffic.

Best attractions in Koh Rong

Koh Rong’s principal attractions are its beaches and the landscapes between them. Koh Touch provides the easiest introduction, with a broad sandy shoreline, bathing areas and immediate access to restaurants and boat trips. Long Set Beach, often known as 4K Beach, stretches along a quieter section of the south-eastern coast, while Sok San Beach offers a long western shoreline associated with a local village and resort development. Inland trails pass through dense tropical vegetation and lead towards less developed coves, though route conditions vary after rain. The surrounding waters support snorkelling and diving around reefs and rocky outcrops, and boat excursions can reach fishing villages or nearby islands. At night, some dark beaches offer the chance to see bioluminescent plankton glowing in disturbed seawater. The experience is less about formal monuments than about moving between forest, sand, village and sea at an unhurried pace.

Show more attractions

Best landmarks in Koh Rong

Koh Rong has few built heritage landmarks in the conventional architectural sense; its defining landmarks are coastal, communal and environmental. Koh Touch Pier marks the island’s principal arrival point and the threshold between ferry traffic and the settlement’s sandy main strip. The fishing villages of Prek Svay and Daem Thkov provide important cultural reference points, with homes, boats and shoreline activity reflecting the island’s maritime economy rather than monumental design. Sok San Beach is associated with a long western coastline and a local village, while the forested interior forms a natural landmark that distinguishes Koh Rong from more intensively developed mainland resorts. Offshore reefs, rocky shallows and bioluminescent waters are ecological features rather than constructed monuments, yet they are central to the island’s identity. Koh Rong Sanloem, although often visited from the same mainland port, is a separate island and should not be treated as a Koh Rong landmark.

Show more landmarks

Explore Koh Rong on the map

Plan your Koh Rong trip on one map. See where the top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, bars and hotels are, find what's near where you're staying, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Koh Rong

Koh Rong’s dining scene is concentrated around Koh Touch and the larger accommodation areas, where Cambodian dishes sit alongside simple Western, vegetarian and seafood menus created for international visitors. Fish and other seafood reflect the island’s coastal setting, while familiar Cambodian cooking may include rice dishes, noodle soups, stir-fries, amok and fresh herbs. Beachfront restaurants and cafés tend to be informal, with meals served close to the sand and supplies arriving by boat or from the mainland. Smaller village eateries offer a more local setting, although choice and opening patterns can be limited outside the tourist hub. Fresh fruit shakes, coffee and inexpensive grilled food are common around the ferry landing. Travellers with dietary or medical requirements should explain them clearly and carry suitable provisions when heading to remote beaches, where menus and refrigeration may be less dependable.

Show more restaurants

Best bars in Koh Rong

Koh Touch is the island’s main centre for evening activity, with beach bars, casual drinking spots, music and social gatherings that attract a predominantly young, international crowd. The atmosphere ranges from quiet sunset drinks to late-night events, but it is informal rather than comparable with the club scenes of Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville. Other beaches are generally much quieter, with evenings shaped by the sound of surf, small resort bars and dark skies rather than organised nightlife. Bioluminescent-plankton swims are a nature-based evening experience, not a substitute for conventional entertainment, and should be undertaken with local safety guidance. Outside Koh Touch, power cuts, limited transport and early-closing businesses are possible, so visitors should not assume that late-night services or taxis will be available across the island.

Show more bars

Best nightclubs in Koh Rong

Koh Touch is the island’s main centre for evening activity, with beach bars, casual drinking spots, music and social gatherings that attract a predominantly young, international crowd. The atmosphere ranges from quiet sunset drinks to late-night events, but it is informal rather than comparable with the club scenes of Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville. Other beaches are generally much quieter, with evenings shaped by the sound of surf, small resort bars and dark skies rather than organised nightlife. Bioluminescent-plankton swims are a nature-based evening experience, not a substitute for conventional entertainment, and should be undertaken with local safety guidance. Outside Koh Touch, power cuts, limited transport and early-closing businesses are possible, so visitors should not assume that late-night services or taxis will be available across the island.

Show more nightclubs

Best shops in Koh Rong

Shopping on Koh Rong is modest and centred mainly on practical supplies, beachwear, snacks, drinks, toiletries and small souvenirs rather than dedicated retail districts. Koh Touch has the greatest concentration of small shops and informal stalls, while businesses near more remote beaches offer a much narrower selection. Locally produced food, simple woven items, shell-inspired souvenirs and casual clothing may appear, but visitors should be cautious about buying coral, shells, wildlife products or anything removed from the marine environment. Cambodia’s wider craft traditions are better represented in mainland markets than on the island. Because stock arrives by boat and electricity and refrigeration can be variable, it is sensible to bring specialist medication, particular toiletries, chargers and other essentials from Sihanoukville. Reusable containers and reef-safe products are more useful island purchases than disposable beach goods.

Show more shops

Get your free copy of our complete guide to Koh Rong, delivered straight to you.

Everything on this page, from attractions and restaurants to essentials and local phrases, in one PDF you can read offline, print or share.

Already have an account? Sign in

By clicking Create account, you accept the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Koh Rong essentials

Currency and Payment
Cambodia’s official currency is the Cambodian riel (KHR), while US dollars are commonly used in tourism, particularly for accommodation, meals and boat services. Carry clean, smaller US dollar notes and riel for minor purchases, as damaged notes may be refused and change may be given in riel. Card and mobile-payment acceptance is concentrated in better-established accommodation and businesses, with connectivity interruptions possible. Cash machines and reliable cash access should not be assumed throughout the island, so obtain sufficient funds on the mainland or in Sihanoukville before departure. Keep money and electronics in waterproof pouches during ferry and long-tail boat journeys.
Safety
The main practical risks on Koh Rong concern the sea, uneven paths, insects, sun exposure and limited medical facilities rather than urban hazards. Swim cautiously, heed local advice and avoid entering the water alone at night, particularly after storms or when currents are strong. Wear suitable footwear on jungle and beach paths, use repellent and protect against intense sun. Keep valuables secure in basic accommodation and avoid walking unfamiliar forest routes after dark. Boat transfers can be wet and unstable, so use a dry bag and follow crew instructions. Travel insurance covering marine activities and possible medical evacuation is particularly important on a remote island.
Emergency Situations
Cambodia’s national emergency numbers are 117 for police, 118 for the fire service and 119 for ambulance assistance, although response capacity and English-language support may vary on Koh Rong. Ask accommodation staff or local boat operators for the quickest current route to medical help, as the island does not offer the same healthcare resources as Sihanoukville or Phnom Penh. For serious illness or injury, evacuation to the mainland may be necessary and can be affected by weather. Keep passport details, insurance information and emergency contacts offline, and inform someone of your plans before travelling to remote beaches or going offshore.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly when visiting villages and show respect around homes, religious sites and local boats; swimwear is best kept to the beach. Ask permission before photographing residents, especially children, and avoid entering private compounds or fishing areas. Do not touch coral, feed marine animals, collect shells or leave rubbish on the shore. Use marked paths where possible and avoid loud behaviour near villages at night. Tipping is not compulsory, but a modest amount may be appreciated for good service. Cambodia is generally relaxed about beachwear in resort areas, yet ordinary Khmer courtesy still matters away from the main tourist strip.
Local Tips
Koh Touch is convenient for ferries, food and nightlife, whereas Long Set Beach and Sok San generally offer a more spread-out stay and quieter evenings. Prek Svay and Daem Thkov provide a closer view of island communities but have fewer visitor services. Conditions change quickly after rain, so allow flexibility for boat transfers and jungle walks. Bring reusable water containers where practical, although drinking water should come from a reliable treated source. A waterproof torch is useful during power interruptions and on unlit paths. Koh Rong Sanloem is a separate island, not part of Koh Rong, and requires its own boat connection.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
Helloសួស្តី[suostei]
Goodbyeលាហើយ[leahaei]
Yesបាទ[baat]
Noទេ[te]
Please/You're welcomeសូម[soum]
Thank youអរគ[arkoun]
Excuse me/Sorryសូមជួយ[soum chuoy]
How are you?អ្នកសួស្តីប៉ុណ្ណា?[nak suostei bonnea?]
Fine. And you?ល្អមិនទេ និងអ្នក?[leam min te ning nak?]
Do you speak English?អ្នកនិយយាយអង់គ្លេសទេ?[nak niyeay angkles te?]
I don't understandខប់ខូស[kab kos]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseខុសតាមម៉ឺនុយបរិច្ចា[khos tam menou berk chea]
I don't eat meatខុសតាមទារក[khos tam trak]
Cheers!សន្តិភាព![santepheap]
I would like to pay, pleaseខំផ្តិត, សូម[kam pdit, soum]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!ជូស![chuos]
Go away!ទៅចេញ![tow cherng]
Call the Police!ហាងបំពេង![hang bompeang]
Call a doctor!ហាងវេជ្ជបញ្ជា![hang vejj bonjnea]
I'm lostខុសភ្នែក[khos phnaek]
I'm illខុសថ្ងៃបញ្ចិត[khos thngai bonchet]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...ខុសទិញ...[khos teun...]
I'm just lookingខុសកូម៉ារ[khos komra]
How much is it?តើវាតិប៉ុណ្ណា?[te wat te bonnea?]
That's too expensiveវាគឺមួយច្បាន[vek kumuy chban]
Can you lower the price?តើអ្នកអាចយកតម្លៃទេ?[te nak aek yuk tamley te?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?ម៉ោងណា?[maong nea?]
It's one o'clockវា​គឺ​មួយ​ម៉ោង[vek kumuy maong]
Half past (10)កន្លះចុល​ម៉ឺនុយ[knol chol menou]
Morningពេលព្រឹក[peal preuk]
Afternoonពេលល្ងាច[peal langchae]
Eveningពេលយប់[peal yab]
Yesterdayម្សិលមិញ[msul min]
Todayថ្ងៃនេះ[thngai nee]
Tomorrowថ្ងៃស្អែក[thngai saek]
1មួយ[muy]
2ពីរ[pii]
3បី[bei]
4បួន[buon]
5ប្រាំ[bram]
6បុរស[bus]
7បូម[bum]
8បិត[beit]
9កេរ[kaer]
10ដប់[dop]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?តេឡរ...?[te ler...?]
What's the address?អាសយដ្ឋ​ណា?[asiet nea?]
Can you show me (on the map)?តេឡរអ្នកបង្ហាញខ្ញុំ​(នៅលើផែនដី)​?[te ler nak bonghaeng khnyom (nowe ponday)?]
When's the next (bus)?នៅខេត្ត​ណា​ពីរ​(ខេត្ត​ណា​បួន)?[nowe khett nea pii (khett nea buon)?]
A ticket (to ....)សំបកសេវា (ទៅ ....)[sombok sewea (tow ....)]

History of Koh Rong

Coastal Communities and Island Life

Before tourism became significant, Koh Rong was shaped primarily by the sea and by small coastal communities whose livelihoods included fishing and the movement of goods between the Cambodian mainland and nearby islands. The island’s forest, beaches and sheltered coves supported a relatively dispersed pattern of settlement rather than a large urban centre. Local villages such as Prek Svay and Daem Thkov remain reminders that Koh Rong is a lived-in island as well as a holiday destination. Fishing practices, boat travel and knowledge of the seasonal sea continue to influence daily life, even as tourism has become increasingly important to household incomes.

A Remote Island in Modern Cambodia

For much of the twentieth century, Koh Rong remained remote from Cambodia’s principal towns and transport networks. Its distance from the mainland, limited infrastructure and heavily forested interior kept development modest compared with coastal Sihanoukville. The island forms part of the wider Koh Rong archipelago, whose waters and shorelines have long been connected by fishing, local travel and trade. The absence of a substantial historic town means that Koh Rong’s past is more visible through settlement patterns, maritime traditions and the natural landscape than through grand monuments or surviving civic buildings.

Tourism Reaches the Shoreline

Tourism began to alter Koh Rong markedly during the early twenty-first century, as improved boat connections from Sihanoukville brought backpackers and independent travellers to Koh Touch and other beaches. Simple accommodation, beach restaurants and informal activity businesses appeared first, followed by more varied resorts and organised marine excursions. Development has not been even: Koh Touch became the social and transport hub, while places such as Long Set Beach and Sok San developed more gradually and remote villages retained a quieter character. This rapid transition has also brought familiar island pressures, including waste management, energy supply, freshwater provision and the need to protect coastal ecosystems.

A Contemporary Island Destination

Today Koh Rong occupies an important place in Cambodia’s coastal tourism economy while retaining a stronger sense of remoteness than mainland resort areas. Visitors arrive for beaches, diving, snorkelling, jungle landscapes and the possibility of seeing bioluminescent plankton, but the island’s future depends on balancing construction and visitor numbers with the needs of local communities and marine habitats. Separate development plans and changing transport links have periodically influenced the coastline, yet Koh Rong remains recognisable for its combination of informal village life, forested terrain and tourism concentrated around a handful of accessible beaches.

Koh Rong in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

0 / 0

Cities near Koh Rong

The closest cities to Koh Rong, if you have time for more than one stop.

Explore more

Cambodia
More of the region

Explore more of Cambodia

Discover Cambodia: From the ancient wonders of Angkor Wat to the vibrant streets of Phnom Penh, immerse yourself in a land of history, culture, and natural beauty.

Explore Cambodia
The Evendo app on two phones

Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Koh Rong, Cambodia

Discover Koh Rong with Evendo: a 100% free app-based travel guide offering comprehensive insights on attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities.
  • Rich descriptions, images, local tips, maps, and contact details for easy planning and organization.
  • Book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly through the app.
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
More about the Evendo app

Unlock the secrets of Koh Rong, Cambodia with Evendo. Your all-in-one, free travel guide to explore attractions, book hotels, tours, and experiences effortlessly.

  • Explore the history of Koh Rong and travel essentials.
  • User-friendly navigation and 'Near Me' feature to discover nearby attractions.
  • Curated local tips to experience the city like a local.
  • Completely free with no in-app purchases or additional costs.

Welcome to Koh Rong, Cambodia! Imagine yourself stepping onto the pristine beaches of this tropical paradise, ready to explore its hidden gems. With Evendo, your adventure becomes effortless and unforgettable. This app-based travel guide is designed to help you make the most of your trip by offering detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities.

Whether you’re eager to visit the stunning Long Set Beach, explore the vibrant Koh Rong Village, or indulge in local cuisine at the renowned Treehouse Bungalows Restaurant, Evendo has you covered. The app provides rich descriptions, stunning images, local tips, maps, and contact details for each location, ensuring you have everything you need at your fingertips.

Planning your trip has never been easier. With Evendo, you can book hotels, tours, tickets, and more directly through the app. Say goodbye to the hassle of searching for what to see, do, and experience – Evendo consolidates all your travel needs into one convenient platform. Plus, the app is completely free to use, with no in-app purchases or hidden costs.

Explore famous attractions like Sok San Beach, Koh Rong Light House, and the vibrant nightlife at Police Beach Bar. For dining, don't miss out on the exquisite dishes at The Moon Restaurant or the fresh seafood at Sandbank Restaurant. With curated local tips, Evendo ensures you experience Koh Rong like a local, making every moment of your trip truly special.

Get the latest from Evendo

Hand-picked travel deals, new destination guides and trip ideas, straight to your inbox.