Koh Rong Samloem Island- A great place to disconnect from the world

Located off the coast of Sihanoukville in Cambodia, is the beautiful Koh Rong Samloem island. It is the perfect place to cut yourself away from the world and just enjoy your vacation in peace. While it offers the best backdrops for your vacation photos with its pristine beaches, it also keeps you away from the backpacking crowd that dominates most of the other islands. Which means, no loud music or parties happening until dawn. If you are looking to disconnect from your everyday life and probably WiFi too, this is where you need to be.

Here’s everything you need to know about Koh Rong Samloem Island-

How to get to Koh Rong Samloem Island?

You can reach Sihanoukville by choosing any one of the following ways:

1. Take an international flight from Macau, Kuala Lumpur or Ho Chi Minh City
2. Take a domestic flight from Siem Reap or Phnom Penh
3. You can take a bus to Sihanoukville from anywhere in Cambodia. A bus journey from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville would typically take about 6-7 hours. These buses are pretty convenient and inexpensive as well.

Once you reach Sihanoukville, you will have to hop on to a ferry that leaves Serendipity or Ochheuteal Pier. There are about 5 companies that offer this service and you will reach Koh Rong Samloem in about 40 mins. Keep in mind that there are 2 piers on the island so it’s always better to check with your ferry operator and ensure that you are getting dropped off at the one that’s closest to your hotel.

Ideal time to Visit Koh Rong Samloem Island

The best time to visit the island would be anytime between December to March. The summers can get very humid and the monsoon that follows can be quite extreme as well so it’s always better to travel during the dry months as the visibility underwater while diving increases significantly during this time. Given, the island is known for its great dive spots, it is a great opportunity to indulge in water sports while you’re here.

What is the accommodation scene like?

The island has plenty of options for all kinds of travelers. If you are on a budget, there are a ton of really cool hostels by the beach. The best part about this place is that it is quite inexpensive when compared to any other island destination. Even the most high-end resorts only cost about INR 13000/night on average so you can go all out and book a fancy hotel as well. The resorts here offer great food and the best views. You can also indulge in a spa treatment while you are here.

Things to do in Koh Rong Samloem Island

The whole vibe of this island is very quiet and peaceful. It’s not very happening most times but the energy here is really uplifting. You can literally lay on the beach one whole day and then go scuba diving the next for that dose of adrenaline and feel pumped like never before. It is a great place to balance relaxation and fun without involving your phone.

Here’s a list of thing you could do while you’re on the island:

1. Scuba Diving

Koh Rong Samloem island has some of the best diving spots in all of Cambodia. If you are a beginner, you can have a diver to accompany you and if you are comfortable, you can explore the marine life in all its glory. The visibility is great and the number of aquatic species you get to discover is endless.

2. Other water activities

You can choose to go snorkeling on the beaches. You can either book a tour with a guide or you can hire equipment in any one of the shops or your hotel and head out to do your thing as well.

If a boat trip or Kayaking is more of your thing, there are plenty of operators who provide these services too. You can hire these at the shops or pre-book them.

3. Go trekking

Given most parts of the island are untouched, you can head out to the interior part which is basically a lush green jungle. There are natural hiking trails that you can take and just spend your day in nature. The most popular hiking trail is from Saracen Bay to the lighthouse. The views from top are stunning and its a very rewarding experience.

4. Attend the full moon party

The locals are not too much into partying but when they do, they party the right way. On every full moon night, Camp Good Vibz hosts a super chill party that is all about mellow music and rustic vibes. You might want to schedule your trip around a full moon day because it is really worth it.

5. Chill on the beach and do nothing

Well, this will probably be something you will enjoy a lot because honestly, there’s no better place to social detox and not feel anxious. The atmosphere of this place is so inviting and calm that you will not even miss looking at Instagram or checking your emails. You can enjoy a couple of sundowners while you lay on the beach. It’s a really nice way to unwind and relax.

This island offers everything and more that you need for a super chill vacation away from everything. You might not be able to find the bars on your phone but you will definitely find peace and quiet and that’s probably what most of us need.

So, what are you waiting for? Head over to Pickyoutrail.com and check out Cambodia travel packages that are designed for various budget ranges. You can also speak to their in-house destination experts and get a personalized itinerary made. Just let them know what you’re looking for and they will make it happen. Cambodia is waiting for you, Happy planning!