Heading to the island paradise of Koh Rong Samloem? Our guide for travellers has got you covered!
Our Cambodia trip planning fell during the most depressing month of the European winter - January.
The excitement of Christmas long gone, and nothing but weeks and weeks of bleak grey skies and rain ahead of us, it should be of little surprise that it was the stunning little islands off the south coast of Cambodia which sparked the greatest amount of excitement in our hearts. We would of course have been excited to travel to Cambodia at any time of year, but throw in the fact that it would allow us to smugly escape the dreary British winter for a literal castaway island made us positively giddy to get away.
However, islands in south east Asia (and the travellers which flock towards them in their thousands) come with a bit of a reputation. And though we are by no means averse to the odd midnight bonfire dance on the beach with a strong cocktail in hand, places which sell themselves solely on their full-moon parties, get-pissed-for-next-to-nothing deals, or hook-up potential don’t really appeal to us. Instead, we wanted a laid-back island where we could have a holiday within our Cambodia adventure. A place where both backpackers and older travellers come together to chill out, and savour the privilege of sharing a perfect palm-tree, traffic-free paradise.
Based on our travel style, we felt that the larger and more popular island of Koh Rong wouldn’t be our cup of tea (and we were to visit it later in the trip anyway), but the lesser known, lesser visited Koh Rong Samloem looked to be flawless; after spending nearly a week there discovering its best beaches, swimming in its wonderfully clear waters, and sipping cheap cocktails under the stars, we have zero regrets about that choice. Its infrastructure, facilities, and popularity may have developed quite a bit in the last few years* (and will probably only continue to go in that direction), but it offered up exactly what we were hoping for from our Cambodian island experience.
So, if you’re wondering whether a few days or longer on little Koh Rong Samloem is worth including in your own Cambodia itinerary (spoiler alert - it definitely is!), this the post for you.
In our traveller’s guide to Koh Rong Samloem, we’ve shared our personal advice on where to stay + eat, tips on the best beaches and things to do on the island, a few essential things to know before you visit, typical prices, plus a clear overview on how to get to Koh Rong Samloem from mainland Cambodia.
Note // You might find the island spelled as Koh Rong Samloem, Koh Rong Sanloem, or Koh Rong Samlon in various articles - even booking.com calls it Sanloem! As far as we’re concerned though, it’s Samloem, and that’s what we’ll refer to it as throughout this post!
Important Update for 2024
Unfortunately it seems that the island paradise we visited not that long ago has undergone quite significant, forced development in the last 12 months. Many of the small independent businesses having been forcibly shut down by a new owner determined to develop the entire place into a resort island, and this particularly apparent within Saracen Bay.
Indeed, readers have written to advise us that this once beautiful bay is now dirty, in quite significant disrepair, and not necessarily somewhere everybody would like to stay.
Some businesses and accommodations remain open (we have removed from this guide those that no longer exist), but the future looks a little bleak for those still in business.
You can read more about these developments in these two articles:
For now it appears that other areas of the island have not been quite so badly affected, but we would really love to hear from any readers who have recently visited so we can update the post accordingly.
Thanks so much.
Where is Koh Rong Samloem & How Many Days Do You Need?
Right, let’s get the dull but necessary stuff out of the way first!
Koh Rong Samloem is part of the small cluster of islands situated 23 kms off the south west coast of Cambodia. It’s about a third of the size of Koh Rong, its sister island situation just 4 kms across the water.
There are no airports or roads to the island, and the only way to get there is via a 1-2 hour boat from Sihanoukville. At the bottom of this post, we’ve shared specific instructions on Koh Rong Samloem transport options, times, and costs (or you can find it all in this post).
How long to spend on Koh Rong Samloem - or the Koh Rong islands in general - depends on how long you’ve got in Cambodia. If you’re in the country for two weeks, you’ll be able to get 2-3 days on one island (don’t go to both), whilst if you’ve got three weeks you can luxuriate for 4-5 days (though it may be tempting to stretch it out further…) with base on KRS and a day trip or two to the other beaches around the island.
Personally, as we prefer to travel slow, we wouldn’t island hop between Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem unless we had 7-10 days on our Cambodia itinerary.
Where to Stay in Koh Rong Samloem
If you’ve used our guides before, you may have noticed that our accommodation picks normally go towards the end of our posts. However, the overall experience you have on Koh Rong Samloem really depends on which beach you pick for your base and even which spot you pick on that beach, with different bays offering up very different accommodations to a very different clientele. There are small-scale but modern resorts and expensive minimalist air-con rooms, to rustic beach bungalows and a smattering of basic hostels. All the Koh Rong Samloem beaches are beautiful, but the chances are that about 75% of your time on the island is going to be spent in the sea or on the sand of just one, so choosing the right beach to have right on your doorstep is important - especially as the islands’s half-dozen bays are only accessible via a 30 minute walk or a boat trip between each other.
That’s why it’s necessary to talk about where to stay on Koh Rong Samloem at the beginning rather than the end of this guide!
We should also note that the island’s infrastructure has undergone quite a bit of development over last few years. That isn’t something to be concerned about vis-a-vis ruining the experience (yet!), but does mean that pretty most accommodation now offers pretty decent free wi-fi and electricity 24/7 off of generators (the exception to this is Sunset Beach where a number of places don’t have wifi, and only offer power in the evening hours). It also means Koh Rong Samloem is now an attractive option for couples looking to stay somewhere for $50+ a night, as well as budget backpackers looking for a $5 dorm bed.
Saracen Bay
If you skipped over our update above regarding the developers actions over the last 12 months on Koh Ring Samloem, definitely scroll back up and give it a read now
A long yawning crescent of perfect white sand, Saracen Bay is the picture postcard ideal as far as tropical getaways go - which is exactly why we decided to stay here. Sure, it’s a a bit busier than other parts of the island, but it’s absolutely perfect for those looking for slightly fancier accommodation with plenty of beachside restaurants and laid-back bars. However, as it’s so long, Saracen Bay manages to cater well and give space to all budgets and travel styles.
That doesn’t mean it’s overdeveloped - not in the slightest - but it’s the best base on Koh Rong Samloem for those who want to have a short walk to a variety of amenities, restaurants, boat trips, the two main ferry piers, as well as the whitest sand in Cambodia. There are a dozen or so bars and restaurants are clustered in the central part of the beach, which means you can easily stay at one of the resorts at the eastern end of Saracen Bay for an even quieter experience (though we stayed in the central part and there were zero issues with noise or anything like that).
Normally, we’d be make a beeline to the hostel or cheapest beachside bungalow, but as this was just a standalone three-week Cambodia trip for us rather than a multi-month budget backpacking trek through Asia, we were able loosen the purse strings a little. And, as a true Scot, whenever Andrew loosens the purse strings, that means we have to do A LOT of research in advance to make sure we’re getting a good deal. Based on that research, and backed up by what we saw, heard, and experienced on the island, these are the places we’d recommend to stay on Saracen Bay for all travel styles (all of them are right on the beach and a 2-10 minute walk from the main pier!)
Sara Resort | Best for couples. We knew that for this portion of the trip, we wanted to push the boat out a little - and the Sara Resort didn’t disappoint. Hotel standard facilities, they have luxury, standard and budget rooms (we went for budget and were perfectly happy), all with AC, and a really great restaurant with breakfast included. It’s in the centre of the beach which means it’s a little busier but we appreciated being close to everything we needed. We can highly recommend it. To check prices and availability, click here.
Onederz Hostel | In a great location, Onederz is a popular spot for solo, social travellers looking for decent value digs on Saracen Bay. Its got clean and relatively new 4, 6, and 8 bed mixed dorms for $5-7 per person (with AC), plus a restaurant and various hangout areas. Check prices and availability on Hostelworld here or on booking.com here.
Moonlight Resort* | At the quiet side of the beach, a lot of thought has gone into creating the crisp minimalist eco-design of the rooms and bungalows (we also think there must be some trulli inspiration from Alberobello in Italy going on)! This is at the quieter section of Saracen Bay, so a little more of a beach walk to central beach restaurants and bars at night, but absolutely perfect if you’re a couple looking for something a little more luxury, a little more private, and a little more romantic.
*This is one of the hotels slated to be closed down, and staff have sort of given up. We’ll keep this listing in in case it changes, but for now it’s not necessarily one we’d recommend.
The One Resort | Not for us, but if you’re a family or couple who prefer something a little more resort or hotel-like, then The One Resort’s deluxe rooms and excellent beach bungalows are your best bet. Check availability here.
M’Pai Bay
This is THE backpacker hub on Koh Rong Samloem.
Set within, on top of, and alongside the local fishing village, it’s got the cheapest accommodation, the largest number of hostels, a decent nightlife and plenty of cheap - and often trendy - places to eat and drink. We went for a day trip to explore the village and hang out at one of its two excellent beaches nearby beaches, and initially weren’t a huge fans of the vibe which verged a little too far on the grungy begpacker / faux hippy / spent all my money and I’m stranded here spectrum at times - however, we were converts by the time our (delayed) boat took us back before dusk.
An island-hopping couple we shared the boat back with told us that, despite a noise curfew of 11 pm, not every traveller or bar observed that. It wasn’t a wild all-out party island by any stretch, but we wouldn’t recommend it for older couples or families. If you’re a couple who want more a of ‘white sand, nice hotel room’ holiday island experience, you’re definitely best to stay on Saracen Bay.
The Wildflower | Tucked around a quiet corner in the centre of M'Pai village, this beautiful hostel is where we very nearly stayed. Guests have fantastic things to say about the hosts, the food and vibe. Find out more and check availability here.
The Cliff Hostel | Located up a hill - atop a cliff as the name would suggest - this chilled hostel offers an alternative to some of the more party-heavy options in the village. As you would imagine, the sunsets are incredible, there's ample outdoor space (with hammocks and swings) and an on-site bar and restaurant. Find out more and check availability on booking.com and hostelworld.
My Way Hostel | Literally beach side, this rustic hostel has cool vibes, a cute blue and white design and (according to other guests) and owner that will go out of their way to help. If basic isn't your thing, we'd say pick somewhere else but it seems many people love it! Find out more and check availability here.
The backpacker hostel chain Mad Monkey has its own very popular backpacker resort on a private bay on Koh Rong Samloem, which will offer a similar vibe to the above but with better facilities in a more secluded setting - find out more here.
Sunset Beach
Hidden away on the western side of the island, Sunset Beach is a spot for backpackers who want a rustic, slower pace of life, those looking for a more alternative experience - and perhaps a little stick twirling! This is where you’ll find the hippies, the divers, the long-term travellers and the (as the name may give away) best sunsets on Koh Rong Samloem.
If we weren’t looking for a bit of a more romantic, holiday vibe during our time on Koh Rong Samloem, this is probably where we would have stayed.
Huba Huba | A beach front rustic resort with raised huts set amongst the canopy, on-site restaurant and bar and plenty of seating for sunbathing. A favourite on Sunset Beach. They also provide water to fill up your bottles which is a rarity on the island. Find out more and check availability here.
Sleeping Trees | If you’ve ever fancied glamping at the beach, now’s your chance! If not, they have some of the better rooms this side of the island, a restaurant and ocean front location. Find out more and check availability here.
Robinson Bungalows also offer pretty nice glamping tents.
SUNBOO Beach Bungalows | With daily yoga classes, free use of snorkelling equipment and paddle boards, plus cute little beach bungalows just 50 metres from the water, Sunboo is a popular choice on Sunset Beach. It also has some of the best sun loungers etc. Find out more and check availability here.
Do note that as all these accommodations require a 40 minute walk across the island (at times along a somewhat challenging trail), it is not recommended to stay at Sunset Beach if you are travelling with a suitcase.
Mad Monkey, accommodation on Lazy Beach, plus any resort on Sandy Beach (such as Bodega Beach Club), also require either a private boat transfer onward from the main pier in Saracen Bay, their own direct boat from Sihanoukville, or a long walk with your luggage from the main pier on Koh Rong Samloem. Not knowing about this before they arrive is a big problem for travellers! We’ve discussed more about it in the Koh Rong Samoloem Transport post.
Best Things to Do in Koh Rong Samloem
Ok, so this should be pretty simple right? It’s tiny tropical island after all and chances are that most of us escape to tiny tropical islands to do absolutely nothing.
However, if your bum does get numb from lying on the sand outside your hostel or bungalow and you start craving a little more activity - even if it’s just seeking out a new beach to get numb bum again on - there are a few fun things to do in Koh Rong Samloem besides topping up your tan.
Note that some of these activities can only be done if you’re staying at Saracen Bay or Sunset Beach due to their location giving access to several trails - we’ve indicated where this applies : )
Take a Snorkel Boat Tour
The water around Koh Rong Samloem is exquisitely clear, and to make the most of that visibility you absolutely need to head out on a boat for a few hours
The good news is that wherever you are on the island, you can’t go more than a few metres without spotting a sign for a snorkel tour, with pretty much every restaurant, hotel, tourist office (confusingly, there are many of these) and shop advertising the best deals. The prices do vary quite considerably however, and you should speak to a few places to get the best deal - don’t worry about booking far in advance, just turn up the day before.
If you’re based in Saracen Bay, expect to pay around $18-$25 for a three to four hour boat tour, including a couple of free drinks, some fruit, and time at one or two snorkel spots. Tours from M’Pai are often a little cheaper with advertised rates around $15. Whichever bay you leave from, you’ll almost certainly head to the same section of reef and snorkel spots so if you think you’ll be spending time in both parts of the island, we’d recommend you wait until you reach M’Pai. Mr. Nice seems to have the cheapest snorkel and boat tours on Saracen Bay, but we can’t personally vouch for his niceness or the quality of the tours (do let us know if you go with him though!)
Another very popular water-based activity on the Koh Rong islands is swimming with bioluminescent plankton - tiny organisms in the ocean that, due to a chemical reaction, glow bright when disturbed. We’ve been fortunate enough to do this in a few different countries, but the shimmering plankton we swam in just off Koh Rong was the best we’ve seen. However, swimming with the plankton is pointless unless done in the first part of a new moon, when there is very little light in the night sky and so their shining effect is most prominent, so do double check conditions before you sign up. Standalone plankton tours from Saracen Bay were priced at $10-12 - but it’s also possible to fold this into your snorkel boat tour and just pay one overall price (which depends on how many people are on the tours overall, but we did see signs advertising this from $18 per person).
We’re not divers, so can’t give any personal recommendations on the quality or operators out here (sorry), but there was at least one dive shop on Saracen Bay and we met people who did diving off of Koh Rong. Dive prices we saw were $50 for a single afternoon dive, $80 for 2 dives including lunch, and $280 for a 2-day PADI Scuba Diver course. If you go and have a good experience of diving in Koh Rong Samloem, let us know in the comments!
Hike up to the Old Lighthouse
If a couple of days of lying prone, one too many sunset cocktails and indulging in big plates of food leaves you with an overwhelming desire to stretch your legs and up your heartbeat, we’d recommend strapping on a proper pair of shoes and heading inland, towards the old lighthouse.
How to get to Koh Rong Samloem Lighthouse
From a starting point at Saracen Bay, you need to walk to the far end of the beach (in the opposite direction of the main ferry pier) until you reach Dolphin Bay Resort where you will find the beginnings of a trail which looks much like a gravel road - we’ve pinpointed it here for you on Google Maps. From this point, the trail to the lighthouse is about 5 kilometres long, and should take someone of relative fitness about an hour (one way) to complete.
Following it is very simple - just keep heading straight, ignoring any turnings off the path.
This is a hike best attempted at the beginning of the day when it is cooler. Additionally, you will need to ensure you have enough water for the return journey as there is nowhere to purchase refreshments along the way.
The Details
The price to head to the top of the lighthouse is $1, paid to the man that lives here who you’ll quite possibly find swinging in a hammock. Evidently some people choose not to climb to the viewing platform, but we’d highly recommend it - the views really are quite wonderful for just a $1. And keep an eye out for the variety of artillery which is (not so well) camouflaged.
Spend Sunset at, well, Sunset Beach
We haven’t for a moment regretted our decision to choose Saracen Bay as our base given what we were looking for. However, Sunset Beach is where we’d base ourselves 7 out of 10 times if visiting Koh Rong Samloem.
Located on the west side of the island, this self-contained little paradise is found at the end of an increasingly challenging trail. It’s very popular with French travellers but with only a handful of accommodation options is protected from ever becoming too busy. If you base yourself at Saracen Bay, then walking over here for the afternoon and the sunset is not a bad idea at all.
In fact, it’s unmissable - and some entrepreneurial chap also rents kayaks, including 2 cold beers, from 5-6 pm for sunset!
How to Get to Sunset Beach
First of all, ignore the trail that you can see on Google Maps. They have started building a road across the island, and although it stretches less than half the distance to Sunset Beach - beginning just behind Tree Bar in Saracen Bay - it’s from here that you should start (Google Maps). Simply follow it and when you come to a fork in the road, head right - don’t worry, it’s very well sign-posted along the way.
It should take around 45 minutes to reach Sunset Beach from Saracen Bay, but do note that the trail becomes increasingly tricky towards the end with steep uphills, downhills and large boulders to negotiate. We honestly wouldn’t attempt this trail with flip-flops, nor would we walk it at night (so don’t linger too long after sunset and make sure your phone has enough charge for a torch just in case).
Whilst we didn’t see any, we were warned by our accommodation to watch out for snakes and aggressive dogs on this route.
Get Your Backpacker on at M’Pai Bay
As alluded to, we didn’t really like M’Pai Bay when we first arrived.
An actual village rather than a tourist beach set-up, it would usually be right up our street. But it felt like somewhere that had been harmed for those that called it home, rather than improved, by the influx of budget travel dollars. Perhaps it was different a few years ago, perhaps we had just slipped out of full-on backpacker mode for a while, or perhaps we were seeing it through eyes which become a little more jaded over the years.
However, after a day spent relaxing on its beach, grabbing snacks from a handful of the actually rather good restaurants ( we highly recommend the cheese toasties at Lost + Found) and a couple of ice-cold beers, we came to understand its draw and appreciated its vibe a little more.
Do we regret not basing ourselves there though? Not at all.
If you’re looking for a resort experience or more comfortable, modern accommodation stylings, M’Pai will not be for you - but it’s a good day trip for a change of scene and vibe from Saracen. Should you be on a long term backpacker trip however, you may well absolutely love it. For a start, it’s significantly cheaper than elsewhere on the island, for, well, everything. Tours, accommodation, beers, food and even the same boats that ferry people between the two islands. It also has a younger, bigger social scene than Saracen Bay, though it remains a chilled out place during the day.
Do note that whilst there is supposed to be a curfew of 11 or 12 am (this is very much a village where locals live, learn, and work as well as a backpacker enclave), we heard from other travellers that this is not always adhered to.
M’Pai Bay Beaches
There are two popular beaches to visit whilst in M’Pai Bay - on our day trip, we only made it to the Local Beach:
The Local Beach | This perfectly pleasant long stretch of sand is accessed by a five minute walk across the bridge and along a tree-lined sandy path. Quite a wild beach, it is completely edged by foliage with no businesses or dwellings. This does mean however that you will need to take anything you would like to eat/drink with you.
Clearwater Bay | It’s a 30-minute walk from the end of the local beach via a small trail - this blog post has more information on the route from M’Pai Bay to Clearwater Bay.
How to get to M’Pai Bay from Saracen Bay
There is a small boat company (the ticket office can be found near Orchid Beach Resort) that operates a twice-daily service between Koh Rong Samloem and Koh Rong, which also stops at M’Pai Bay. The first boat leaves at 10.45 am with a later departure at 4.30 pm. Single tickets cost $6 each way and whilst returns can be purchased, we’d highly recommend NOT buying one as we were left stranded at M’Pai Bay’s pier before the boat finally turned up at dusk two hours late (as we mention in 23 Things To Know Before You Visit Cambodia, loose schedules and late transport is a common theme in the country).
A much safer bet is to simply buy your return boat trip ticket from one of the many different ticket offices in M’Pai Bay. Some may be little pricier but at least you’ll get back and not waste time waiting around.
It is not possible to walk from M’Pai Bay to Saracen Bay, or vice-versa, you have to take a boat.
Hike Across The Island to Lazy Beach
Located on the west of the island, not far from Sunset Beach, Lazy Beach offers up a very peaceful, castaway beach vibe. Privately owned, it’s open to the general public (for free) and is the main beach option for the accommodation option of the same name - and same ownership.
With private beach side bungalows and a nice little restaurant / bar, it’s more of an option for groups, families or couples in search of a real taste of island life and a sense of isolation. The only downside is that you’d likely find yourself eating at the on-site restaurant each night.
Alternatively, you could simply walk over here for the day - as we did - for some sun + sea and have lunch or drinks in the restaurant.
How to get to Lazy Beach
Assuming you are beginning your walk from Saracen Bay, you will follow the same path as that for Sunset Beach, but instead of heading right at the fork in the road, you will head left. Don’t worry, it’s again incredibly well-signposted! We walked it in 25 minutes at a very gentle pace.
On your way be sure to keep your eyes peeled for monkeys which are often seen when passing through the forest section of the walk. As always, keep your distance and do not feed them.
Tip | You can get a 60 minute massage on Saracen Bay for $13-20, perfect for the day after a walk (as though you need an excuse…)
Branch Out At Tree Bar
So, when we said that Saracen Bay was a place where backpackers and those looking for more of a holiday island experience could happily co-exist, we genuinely meant it. This is not a party island, but that doesn’t mean it’s a dull set-up where people go to be at 9.30 pm. Most of the bars and restaurants put on a decent happy hour from 5 pm till 7 or 8 pm, but our favourite place to hang out with a young traveller crowd and get happily drunk until the wee small hours on the beach was at Tree Bar (Google Maps).
As Koh Rong Samloem sees fewer travellers by volume in comparison to Koh Rong, and because it doesn’t appeal directly to those who just want to party, the result is much more enjoyable. So, although we’d dread for it to spread out and become something which is commonplace all over Saracen Bay, thereby transforming the island’s atmosphere, having one or two places where the party organically goes on until midnight or later without making things shit for everyone else is perfect.
They’ve also got some cute dogs in residence and the soundtrack was pretty awesome whenever we had a happy hour drink here too. It’s also one of the most popular hostels on Koh Rong Samloem (view on Hostelworld here)
Where To Eat on Koh Rong Samloem
If you like seafood, you’ve come to the right place. Each night Saracen Bay, most of the restaurants put out their barbecues and oil drum grills, with that day’s catch laid out on ice for you to choose (and charged by weight), and fishing remains the lifeblood of the local economy beyond tourism.
Given that everything aside from the seafood on Koh Rong Samloem restaurants menus gets shipped in daily from the mainland, we were surprised that the quality and range of the food across available, with most places having a good range of veggie and vegan food too.
If you are staying on Sunset Beach, Lazy Beach, or Mad Monkey, you will be limited to the in-house restaurants offerings in the evenings.
Saracen Bay
As mentioned, the majority of the restaurants (save for the in-house restaurants of a few of the resorts on the quieter side of the bay) are clustered in the central section between the two piers. Most offer up cheap, cheerful and interchangeable backpacker-friendly western and Asian fare (bowls of pasta, decent enough pizzas, curries, noodles and stir-fries, burgers) for $4-6 a dish, whilst there are a few places that do things a little more fancy.
Sara Resort | Incredibly popular with those seeking a more up-market dining experience, Sara Resort is particularly popular for its seafood - selected from a stand in front, and cooked fresh.
Titanic | So good we ate there twice, the Asian food served up here is understated and great value. Andrew found the sweet and sour shrimp to be especially tasty!
If looking for something different, Cita Italian Restaurants & Pizzeria at the quiet far end of the beach is worth a shout, whilst the little hippy cafe nestled there serves up decent, proper coffee (something that is hard to come by on KRS).
The Big Easy Hostel & Restaurant | Offering up a reliably good veggie menu (including tofu replacements for every dish!) as well as decent happy hour drinks deals, this is a backpacker favourite.
We actually found that veggies (and even vegans) were pretty well catered for across the Bay, with every restaurant having a few options for us.
In terms of booze, you’ll be able to get a $2 - $3 cocktail in the evening, and beers everywhere are about $1 during the day and at night (cheaper still if there’s a Happy Hour deal).
For snacks, soft drinks, toiletries, or other supplies in Saracen Bay, your best bet is the minimart (with its blissful aircon) which has everything you’ll need. You can find it here. There are also a couple of smaller less well-stocked shops towards the quieter end of the beach.
M’Pai Bay
We were only there for the day, but its definitely seemed to have bunch of cooler or more original places than Saracen Bay, including lots and lots of veggie-and-vegan options
Lost + Found | Given their popularity, they really need to invest in another machine to cut down the wait time, but we did a little happy dance that we could get a takeaway toastie to bring to the beach next to M’Pai. It’s a great shout if you’re a little hungover and want to get a great brunch and coffee.
Seapony Bungalow Cafe | We weren’t able to eat here but popped in to take a look at the menu and yes, spy on other people’s food. Particularly well-suited to brunch, it offers up fashionably healthy plant-based options as well as meat-eating breakfast food.
23 Pier Restaurant | Turkish place on the pier, laid back environment and its menu offered up something fresh and different to the pasta, pizza, burgers elsewhere.
Three or four blocks back from the pier, you can find the local street food market which offers up dishes for $2-3 - if staying on M’Pai, it’s a good idea to put some of your money here. There are a handful of small shops in M’Pai Bay in the village selling drinks, snacks etc.
There is currently no ATM on Koh Rong Samloem - find out more, plus other essential travel tips in 9 Things To Know Before Visiting the Koh Rong Islands.
How to Get to Koh Rong Samloem
As we mentioned earlier, in order to reach Koh Ring Samloem, you have take a boat from the coastal city of Sihanoukville (don’t spend any time in Sihanoukville though - we explain why in 23 Things To Know Before You Visit Cambodia).
Depending where you come from prior to this, this journey can take some strategic fandangling - and making sure you don’t get a boat which doesn’t go to your final destination. To help out, we’ve covered all your options on to how to get to Koh Rong Samloem from Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap in this post.
If you are travelling through Cambodia for a while, then you may be arriving from Koh Rong (or travelling onward to Koh Rong from Koh Rong Samloem). Thankfully, it’s pretty easy to hop between the two with various boat taxis departing in the morning and afternoon from both M’Pai and Saracen ($5-6 per person, one way), whilst some of the public ferries also run the route. Just make sure you work out times and tickets the day beforehand.
