Where to find a tropical paradise in Cambodia and how to get there – the most beautiful islands
Cambodia is mainly known for the historical temples and the wide landscapes. But did you also know that Cambodia is home to some paradise islands? Have you been dreaming of a quiet island in Asia where you can spend some time? An island where you will not find as many tourists as you´ve seen in Thailand or similar destinations?
Are you looking for paradise and the most beautiful islands in Cambodia?
If so, this guide is exactly what you are looking for. While most visitors do only know about Siem Reap and Angkor Wat, you need to travel to the South Coast to find the unique paradise. As this is kind of a little “off the beaten path” many tourists skip the Southern part of the country on their trip. Which obviously is a huge mistake as you should never skip the chance to spend some time on in the Cambodian island paradise.
The easiest way to reach the South of Cambodia
Your destination on the search for the tropical paradise in Cambodia are the Islands of Koh Rong, Koh Rong Sanloem and Kaoh Tang. They are located on the coast of the city Sihanoukville, which is your first and primary destination.
Sihanoukville can be reached by bus from Siem Reap, Phnom Penh or Kampot. It is a common route as the tourism on the island has been growing immensely in the past five years. Depending on from where you are coming, you might either take a night bus or leave quite early in the morning.
Another possibility is to reach Sihanoukville by plane. This is not a big international airport, but it is totally possible to get on a flight from Thailand, Vietnam or other parts in South East Asia. This might avoid some hassle and you can reach the city in the South easily.
Please note, that Sihanoukville is all but a pretty place. The streets are incredibly dirty and the last thing to come to your mind will be vacation.
But do not worry, you will not be staying in the city. As soon as you arrive, you need to make your way to the harbor to catch the boat. This means, you will not have to spend much time in Sihanoukville and will leave to a much prettier part of the country. Try to see Sihanoukville as the entry to the most beautiful islands of Cambodia.
How to get on the Islands
After you have reached Sihanoukville, you need to find a driver who brings you to a ferry checkpoint. Good to know, that the tuk-tuks are basically at every corner just waiting for tourists to arrive.
In order to get on the islands, you need to book a boat for transport. The main harbor in Sihanoukville sells the tickets to tourists. The cost for a return ticket is normally between 30 and 50 Euros.
Notes-from-a-Traveller´s tip: do not buy a return ticket, only buy a single-way. From some beaches on the islands, you can only leave with a certain boat, which might not be the same company as you book for your arrival. To avoid paying double or having trouble catching one specific boat, keep your options open and only book one way. You can easily get a ticket on the islands!
To reach the harbor and the offices for the tickets from the bus station or the airport, you need to find a tuk-tuk driver. By simply telling them you want to go to Koh Rong, they will know where to take you!
Buy yourself the ticket and wait until your boat is ready to leave. Depending on which island you are going, the length of the ride is going to vary. Mostly Koh Rong Sanloem has the shortest drive, followed by Koh Rong and some smaller islands.
A secret tip: Koh Rong is a really good choice and highly recommended
Where to stay on the islands in Cambodia
Of course, most of the accommodation on the different island is located directly at the beach. Spending your full day on the beach, watching the sunset over the ocean before going to dinner in a local restaurant – this is pretty much what the days will look like. But where do you find the best accommodations for the islands?
On Koh Rong you will have different beaches which can only be accessed by ferry or by a very bad gravel road through the center of the island. It is recommended to choose your beach wisely as you will not be able to leave it without paying for transport.
If you want to be on the safe side, you should stay on Koh Rong at the main beach, the Kaoh Touch area. Here are not only the main shops and supermarkets (where you can get some cash) but as well most of the restaurants and things to do, such as diving.
Another great beach to stay on is the Coconut Beach. With a very basic but beautiful campsite you can find something fitting for your budget.
Make sure to check the location of your accommodation before booking and make sure how to reach it. Taxis are quite expensive as they can only move with motorbikes. As soon as you see the condition of the roads you will be driving on, the price is absolutely worth it!
What you should know before taking the ferry
Until now, the islands of Cambodia are still quite remote. Of course, the tourism is growing and evolving fast. But still, you need to be prepared before leaving from the main land.
There are no ATMs on the islands
This goes for all the islands in the South. There is no ATM where you can get some cash. Keep this in mind before taking the boat as you might want to find an ATM in Sihanoukville to be on the safe side. If you are running out of cash, you can visit the main supermarket to get some cash. But be aware that you will need to pay about 20 Dollars for the transaction.
You need to figure out the transportation in advance
The transportation on the islands can be quite complicated. Most of the ferries from the mainland go straight to the main harbor on the islands. But this might not be in close distance to your accommodation.
When arriving, you can either book a private boat to enter the beaches from the water or book yourself a motor taxi. As already said, due to the bad road conditions this can be quite expensive and is only possible with a light luggage.
There are only a few supermarkets
Some of the beaches have a very small supermarket, where you can get the basics. But do not rely on it! It is best to bring some snacks before leaving on your dreamy vacation. As well, it can be wise to bring enough toiletries, sunscreen and other cosmetics as it will be hard to get compensation once you have arrived.
Happy Pizza is on the menu
If you have been travelling Cambodia for a while, you might know the Happy Pizza. This is a secret Cambodian specialty and a highlight for travellers from all over the world.
But what is Happy Pizza? Happy Pizza will make you happy – Let´s just leave it that way.
Of course, the pizza can be found on some menus on the islands as well. Maybe you want to try it out and get your own experience with it. Have fun!
The Top 4 of the most beautiful islands in Cambodia to stay on
- Koh Rong: Koh Rong is the biggest and most popular island. It is located about 40 minutes from the coast of Sihanoukville. Some might even say, the island is good for partying, but you can as well just relax on the beach.
- Koh Rong Sanloem: Meet the neighbor of Koh Rong, Koh Rong Sanloem. The island is smaller and more remote with some beautiful beaches and a peaceful nature.
- Koh Tang: the tiny island is known for the great diving spots. It is located further South and you need to book a different ferry to reach the island.
- Koh Thmei: Koh Thmei is the best island to experience the extraordinary tropical nature. With jungle walks and deep forests, Koh Thmei calls for an adventure.
How long should you stay in the tropical paradise?
How long do you stay on the islands? This totally depends on your plans. It is absolutely possible to spend two weeks on Koh Rong and not be bored at all. If you are more of an adventurous person and do not prefer to chill at the beach all day, you should maybe plan about a week in the South.
Many travellers choose to visit one island only. If you simply cannot get enough of the beautiful beaches and the tranquility on the islands, you can always continue your journey and check out the next one.
And maybe after travelling all around Cambodia and the rest of South East Asia for a while, you simply ache for quiet time at the beach. You see, there is no right or wrong answer on how long to stay on the islands. Be spontaneous and see when your journey continues!
Of course, when travelling Cambodia, a visit to Angkor Wat is essential. Check out this Ultimate Guide to Angkor Wat.
