Koh Rung Sanloem

Koh Rung Sanloem is Koh Rong's quieter sister island—a peaceful retreat with breathtaking scenery, clean white beaches, and crystal-clear turquoise waters. The island offers a genuine escape from忙碌, with a tropical jungle wilderness perfect for trekking and some of Cambodia's best diving and snorkeling off M'Pai Bay village. Unlike busier destinations, it maintains a relaxed atmosphere ideal for unwinding and appreciating natural beauty.

Koh Rung Sanloem is reached by boat from Sihanoukville. Multiple ferry services operate to Saracen Bay, M'pai Bai, and Sandy Beach: Cambodia Island Speedferry, GTVC, and Buva Sea—with GTVC serving the most beaches. All depart from the GTVC pier near Sihanoukville Autonomous Sea Port. Standard tickets cost US$25 roundtrip or US$14 one-way, fixed by government. A slower supply boat departs from Pier 52 (Bora pier) at 14:30 (January 2024) for US$5 one-way and accepts passengers. Travel time ranges from 30 minutes to 1 hour by fast ferry, or 2.5-4.5 hours by slow boat.

Some beaches on Koh Rung Sanloem are reachable by foot from Saracen Bay: follow signs to Sunset Beach, Lazy Beach, Military Beach, and the stone-carved place. M'Pai Bay cannot be reached on foot from other areas. For more remote beaches, taxi boats are available. The island is small enough to explore but large enough to get lost on during jungle treks—bring water, mosquito repellent, and sturdy shoes during wet season.

The island is renowned for its beautiful beaches. The western side has three beaches: Military Beach (aka Twilight Beach), Lazy Beach, and Sunset Beach. Sandy Beach lies on the south side, while the east side faces the mainland at Saracen Bay. The north side features a beach in front of M'Pai Bay village plus another longer beach and Clearwater Bay. A French-era lighthouse sits atop the high flat mountain with panoramic views in all directions.

Koh Rung Sanloem is the cradle of Cambodian diving, with most island dive companies launching from M'Pai Bay village. Snorkel the coral reefs and swim with bioluminescent plankton at M'Pai Bay. Jungle treks lead to Sunset Beach, Lazy Beach, the lighthouse, and M'Pai Bai village, with chances to spot lizards, monkeys, hornbills, and white-bellied sea eagles. Sunset Rock offers stunning ocean sunset views for those willing to trek over boulders. Kayak and SUP rentals are available, as are boat tours that include snorkeling, fishing, sunset viewing, and BBQ.

There are minimarts in Saracen Bay and M'pai Bai selling basic supplies: soap, cigarettes, mosquito repellent, noodles, beer, and soft drinks. There is no ATM on the island, but many businesses accept credit cards and permit cash withdrawals.

M'Pai Bai village offers many local restaurants plus western cafés at generally cheaper prices than tourist-focused beach hotels. Popular options include Seapony café, Bong's, and French restaurant Flambée. Saracen Bay has various restaurants serving diverse cuisines. Bars in M'Pai Bai include Bong's, 2 Ducks, and The Hornbill, with many more options in Saracen Bay.

Accommodation and bars in Saracen Bay and M'Pai Bay offer reasonably good WiFi. Visitors should not expect high-speed connections but enough for basic messaging and social media.

From Koh Rung Sanloem, travelers can continue to Sihanoukville on the mainland for further exploration of Cambodia. The neighboring Koh Rong island is also accessible by ferry, offering additional beaches and nightlife options.