Koh Rong

Koh Rong Samlon is an island off the coast of Sihanoukville, Cambodia. It includes a large heart-shaped bay with shellfish cultivation and beaches on the north coast towards Koh Rong.



The Kampong Som Islands are another small group lying off Sihanoukville on the Cambodian coast, and Koh Rong, 44 km (27.5 mi) out to sea, is not only the largest of these, but also the second largest of Cambodia's islands.

It does see a handful of visitors, mainly day-trippers from the mainland, but occasionally somebody stays and camps on one of the pristine beaches. This happy state of affairs is going to change over the next few years, as plans are afoot to turn both Koh Rong and its neighbouring island into major resorts.

In the meantime, this is pure Robinson Crusoe territory. Shaped like a dumbbell, the narrow 'waist' is flat, but both ends are mountainous and covered in thick, impenetrable jungle. On the southwest of the island is one of the world's most staggeringly beautiful beaches. Some 8 km (5 mi) of almost painfully bright white sand curves gently into the distance, sand so fine that it lies in drifts and crunches underfoot , and fresh water streams down from the steeply forested hills.

At one end is a fishing village, where basic supplies can be bought and a small, wooden temple stands on the southwestern point. The first set of beach bungalows for visitors are going up near here.

The abundance of fresh water feeds several mangrove forests around the coastline, but take a boat and you will find other empty coves and beaches to explore. Apart from the fantastic swimming and snorkelling, there are a couple of dive sites nearby - trips to these can be arranged on the mainland.

If you are camping, come with friends if you like being sociable. Alternatively you can lie on the sand, looking up at the spectacular night sky, and muse on our wonderful world.