Koh Rong
Travel Guide
Koh Rong is a true island paradise with pristine white beaches and turquoise water. For years the island was almost completely undeveloped save for a diving outfit and a few bungalows on either side of the island.
Then, in late 2010 and early 2011, a number of new operations opened up, as well as regular boats to the island. But with only seven sets of bungalows on the 78 square kilometre island, it still has an almost-deserted feel to it with just enough going on to make it comfortable.
The island is truly gorgeous, and well worth the two-and-a-half hour boat trip from Sihanoukville. There are seven bays on the island, all with fish and marine-life crowded waters, making for great snorkelling and diving.
The Cambodian government has sold Koh Rong to an investment group based in Cambodia, which has plans to build an airport and "ecological" resort. They began building a road last year but stopped, apparently due to financial problems, so it seems like the bungalows are safe, at least for a little while.
Koh Rong has 43 kilometres of beaches, but the majority of the new accommodation is on the southeast. One of the most beautiful beaches is known as Long Set beach, after the farmer who lives there growing cashews, coconuts and mangoes. No one has built any temporary accommodation on Long Set Beach because it's thought it will be the first one to be developed.
So far the development group has left bungalows built elsewhere — after months of clearing jungle — alone. The operations pay rent and have signed agreements saying they will leave whenever they are ordered to.
So if you want to take advantage of Koh Rong's perfect beaches, diving, snorkelling and phosphorescent night swimming, go now.
Text and/or map last updated on 18th February, 2012.
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Backchat from the Travelfish community
Ditto on the sand flies & play it safe
I had no idea what sand flies can do before my visit to this little pocket of paradise. Activity is strongest at dawn & dusk, so beware and rub yourself with one of the substances listed in the wikipedia article. If they ever develop the island, I am concerned they will spray the beach heavily as I doubt anyone paying top $$ to stay there will put up with this.
The island has no medical attention center whatsoever, so be careful in whatever you do. Also, the boat back does not go every day as you might be told in town. The captain has the final word, so leave some buffer days in your schedule.
Sounds of chainsaws could be heard while I was there, however the plans to transform this gem into a playground for the wealthy, including golf course & airport seem to have been put on hold.
All in all, the best beach I've ever been to, even if the vegetation behind it is lacking palm trees for that perfect white sand beach backdrop and ocean trash unfortunately gets washed up here as well.
By mrdome (dabbler)
Written on 15th January, 2012 after a visit to Koh Rong in April, 2009
Great place... but... errr... bug...
Need to share about an ongoing affliction we brought back from the Island of Koh Rong in Cambodia.
Koh Rong is an amazing, pristine and magical island.... just one thing proved to be a challenge.
Sand Flies.
We are both covered in hundreds of large, red bites, and the itching is still nearly unbearable a week after being there. The resort we visited (Treehouse Bungalows)suggested Tiger Balm to reduce the itching, it works mostly, but the itching always returns. Other remedies included Saje Peppermint Halo, which was partially effective. Upon returning to Bangkok we purchased some Calamine Lotion, again with partial relief.
We are still scratching. We hope it stops soon. I just wanted to share this as part of the healing process... now, I need to scratch my legs... again.
By Anandshivan (dabbler)
Written on 18th August, 2011 after a visit to Koh Rong in August, 2011