Koh Rong Sanloem, or Koh Rong Sanloem, is an island off the coast of Cambodia. The closest port is Sihanoukville. Unlike commercialized mainland spots, the island focuses on nature tourism, jungle trekking, marine conservation, and scuba diving.

Koh Rong Sanloem (also spelled Koh Rong Samloem) is an island located 25 kilometers off the coast of Sihanoukville in the Gulf of Thailand, Cambodia. It is the quieter, eco-focused sister island to the larger Koh Rong's island situated to its north.

The island features a diverse geography divided into separate micro-destinations: Saracen Bay (a 2.5-kilometer crescent-shaped white sand beach on the eastern coast featuring luxury and mid-range resorts), M'Pai Bay (a local fishing village and backpacker hub on the northern tip), Sunset Beach and Lazy Beach (secluded eco-resort beaches on the western sunset coast), and Sandy Beach (on the southwestern edge).

Main island infrastructure includes 24-hour solar and generator electricity grids across major hubs, though water supply and high-speed fiber internet availability vary by beach.

Koh Rong Sanloem is accessible only by sea from Sihanoukville. Multiple commercial ferry lines operate daily, primarily serving Saracen Bay and M'Pai Bay.

Modern speedboats and catamarans depart from the GTVC Pier, located near the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port. Major licensed operators include GTVC, Cambodia Island Speedferry, and Buva Sea. GTVC serves the most locations and beaches on the island, with regular daily departures leaving Sihanoukville at 08:00, 11:00, 14:00, and 16:00.

Ticket prices are US$30 for a roundtrip ticket, or US$17 for a one-way ticket (Aug 2026). Tickets can be purchased directly on the spot at the pier or booked online in advance through the operators' official websites or regional travel booking platforms like 12Go Asia. Travel time varies between 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your specific drop-off pier.

A traditional slow supply boat departs daily at 14:00 from Pier 52 (also known as Bora Pier) in Sihanoukville. The passenger fare is US$5 one way (Aug 2026). Travel time ranges from 2 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes depending on cargo volume and weather. The boat makes stops at Saracen Beach, M'Pai Bay, and Koh Rong.

There are no cars, public roads, or motorbike rental options for tourists on Koh Rong Sanloem. Transport is strictly pedestrian or water-based.

Some bays on the island are connected by walking tracks. From Saracen Bay, you can follow marked signs to walk across the interior jungle to Lazy Beach (about a 30-minute walk), Sunset Beach, and Military Beach, as well as the local stone-carving site.

While you can walk between Saracen Bay and M'Pai Bay, it is a minimum 3-hour strenuous trek. Construction has begun on a connecting path between the two points; however, it remains unfinished and consists of highly difficult terrain with rough, hazardous sections. Casual walkers should avoid this route and use water transport instead. The interior jungle is large enough to get lost in easily if you wander off the cleared paths.

For moving between disconnected areas of the island safely, water transport is required. Scheduled public taxi boats depart daily from M'Pai Bay at fixed times:

• To Saracen Bay: departs M'Pai Bay daily at 10:30.
• To Koh Rong: departs M'Pai Bay daily at 12:00.
• West Coast Sunset Loop: a specialized afternoon boat trip departs from Bong's Guesthouse daily at 13:00, traveling to both Lazy Beach and Sunset Beach, before returning to M'Pai Bay after sunset around 18:00.

Fares and on-demand services:

• Per-person fares: For the scheduled taxi boats, ticket prices are US$5 per person during the high season (Aug 2026). During the low season, prices can rise to US$7 to US$10 per person due to lower passenger numbers.
• Private charters: Outside of scheduled hours, private boat taxis can be hired on-demand. They are stationed directly on the beach areas next to the main arrival piers in M'Pai Bay. Look for local beachfront signs reading "Boat Taxi".
• Charter rates: A private boat taxi to Saracen Bay or Koh Rong costs an average base price of US$25 (Aug 2026), though the prices vary depending on the specific distance and live weather conditions.

Koh Rong Sanloem is geographically defined by its pristine, contrasting coastlines and rich biodiversity. The island's points of interest are primarily split between developed resort strips and a local, independent village ecosystem.

East Coast and Southern Hubs

• Saracen Bay: The most widely known beach on the island, featuring a 2.5-km crescent of powder-white sand with shallow, calm, and crystal-clear waters. This area is specifically aimed at travelers seeking resort stays and upscale beachfront accommodation.
• Sandy Beach: Located on the quieter southeastern tip of the island, this beach offers a very secluded alternative to Saracen Bay, flanked by large rock formations and offering views out toward smaller uninhabited islets.
• Freedom Waterfall: A seasonal jungle waterfall located at the northeastern end of Saracen Bay. Surrounded by lush rainforest, it features a natural freshwater rock pool where travelers can cool off. It is most impressive during the wet season (May to October) but tapers down to a trickle in the peak dry months.
• The historic French Lighthouse and Military Beach (Twilight Beach) are completely closed to the public and cannot be visited (as of Aug 2026).

Western Sunset Coast

• Lazy Beach: Featuring golden sand and a peaceful, rustic atmosphere, it faces directly west into the open sea, making it highly coveted for sunset viewing. It is accessible via a walking track from Saracen Bay or by boat from M'Pai Bay.
• Sunset Beach: A long stretch of sand on the western coast known for its vibrant pink and purple ocean sunsets. It is a favored spot for quiet beach-combing and snorkeling along the rocky headlands. It can be reached via a steep jungle trail from Saracen Bay or by boat from M'Pai Bay.

Northern Tip and Villages

• M'Pai Bay Village: The primary tourist hub for backpackers and authentic travelers. Unlike the commercial resort bays, the land here is owned directly by local villagers. It is the last remaining proper village between Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem, offering a bustling cultural interface where traditional wooden longtail boats dock alongside small guesthouses and a couple of local hotels.
• M'Pai Bay Long Beach: Extending out from the side of the village, this is a long, tranquil sandy strip. It is very famous for its night viewing conditions, where high concentrations of glowing bioluminescent plankton create vivid neon-blue sparkle effects in the water.
• Clearwater Bay: Located just east of M'Pai Bay on the northern coast. This bay features an exceptionally clear, shallow turquoise lagoon. While historically isolated, it now hosts a large resort development. It is accessible either by a dedicated jungle hike from M'Pai Bay or by private taxi boat.

Natural phenomena and wildlife

• Bioluminescent plankton: High concentrations of glowing marine plankton populate the island's dark, unlit coastal zones, most notably along M'Pai Bay Long Beach and the far unlit corners of Saracen Bay. At night, swimming or agitating the water creates a striking neon-blue sparkle effect.
• Island wildlife: The dense primary rainforest of the island's interior acts as a natural sanctuary for native Cambodian fauna. While trekking the trails, look out for hornbills, white-bellied sea eagles, macaques, and large monitor lizards.

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.

• 10.6214103.2931 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)
• 10.6213103.29312 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)

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.

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.

Many locations available in Saracen Bay area.

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

• 10.623103.29361 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)
• 10.622562103.2935982 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)
• 10.6204103.28943 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 the sunset.  (updated Nov 2024)
• 10.5752103.32774 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)

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