Koh Rong Sanloem is one of two major islands located in the southern coast of Cambodia. It is called the smaller sister of Koh Rong, and this because this island is three times smaller and definitely quieter (less party vibe) than the bigger one.
Koh Rong Sanloem is described as the most beautiful island in Cambodia, but…
Is it really that beautiful?
After reviewing several travel blogs, we were really setting our hopes high! With the eyes of our imagination we saw ourselves lying on the incredibly white sand beach, and bathing in clear, blue water.
Unfortunately, during our stay on the island we experienced both: white sand beach and…
countless amounts of garbage!
This post is not meant to discourage you from visiting this island (or its sister, as they both have the same problem), but to be honest with you, and show you what you may encounter once you arrive on Koh Rong Sanloem.
And don’t get us wrong! The island also has amazing beaches, white sand, palm trees, clear water. Such places we have also seen, visited and delighted in their beauty.
But we want to be honest with you and outline the problem of garbage! Which in some places of the island is thrown by the sea and cleaned by hotel employees, and in other places accumulate for a long time and no one is interested in it.
It can also be that we were incredibly unlucky during our stay on the island and it is not always like this, but it is better to be pleasantly surprised than unpleasantly disappointed.
Watch our Koh Rong Sanloem vlog to get a better undestanding what we exactly mean with “garbage problem”
This is where you’ll find the larger, more luxurious (but not limited to) resorts and bungalows. As well as many restaurants and a few small stores where you can buy the most necessary articles.
Saracen Bay is a beach with white sand, swings and palm trees. Beach areas where the luxurious hotels are, are clean and white.
Unfortunately, on this beach is also where the garbage problem is the biggest. In places where the bungalows or restaurants have been closed, no one cares about the garbage and it just lies there. This is quite disappointing experience.
The best time to go for a walk is in the afternoon, when the tide has subsided a bit, and it is easy to walk and enjoy the beaches.
Unfortunately, in the morning during the high tide the walk is not the most pleasant as the whole beach is under the water.
At the evening there is low tide, the beaches then become incredibly wide and easy to walk.
Lazy Beach is an ideal place for a swim not only in the sea, but also in the sun. Although with the high tide the beach is from time to time time covered by waves. But don‘t worry, everyone will find a place here to be a little… lazy.
The water is clean and inviting, and there is not an ounce of garbage here, so tourists visiting Koh Rong Sanloem eagerly enjoy the beauty of this beach.
To get to Lazy Beach from Saracen Bay, just follow the signs. The first sign is right next to the Moonlight Hotel.
If you are not sure where to find it, ask at your hotel staff. They will be happy to help for sure.
Flip-flops, mosquito spray and sunscreen are sufficient for the trip to this beach, as you will be walking through the jungle for a while. Don’t forget water and snacks. There are no stores at Lazy Beach.
In the evening at Lazy Beach you can watch amazing sunsets, which is a must do on the island of Koh Rong Sanloem.
Sunset Beach is known on Koh Rong Sanloem as the beach with the perfect sunset. However, also during the day the place is well-liked by visitors.
Getting to Sunset Beach from Saracen Bay is unfortunately a bit more difficult and requires better fitness from visitors.
The route leads through the jungle, and at times you have to climb a bit and pull yourself up on ropes.
Better, covered footwear is necessary here.
Immediately after sunset make your way back, as the sun sets quickly on Koh Rong Sanloem, and you definitely don’t want to be stuck in the jungle in the dark.
Yes, Koh Rong Sanloem also has its own waterfall.
And although it’s not one of the largest, once you’ve relaxed on the beaches and are in the mood for a slightly different ambience, this waterfall will be a nice change.
Entry to the waterfall is $1 per person.
Remember that snakes love such wet places, so watch where you put your feet.
To get to this waterfall, just walk along the Saracen Bay, at the end of it you will find the waterfall.
Once you’ve visited all the places in this article, relax. Swing on a swing or hammock, read a book, go for late dinner at one of the many restaurants, or have a drink at the local bars. Remember, you are on the island, so relax and forget the world.
As Koh Rong Sanloem is an island, the only means of transportation to get to the island is by ferry. There are several different companies sailing from Sihanoukville. Ferry company from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Sanloem we used.
To get from island to the main land you can use the same ferry company.
There is the other ferry company which you can use, but we do not recommend this one as the ride was crazy, and not safe.
If you are not staying overnight in Sihanoukville the easiest, cheapest and fastest way to get to the city is by bus. Check your options how to get to Sihanoukville.
As mentioned above on Koh Rong Sanloem there are no roads, which means in practice so much that you have to get everywhere on foot.
The upside of this situation is that if you stay at Saracen Bay you don’t even have to put on shoes. Everywhere there, you will get there barefoot! Doesn’t that sound great?
Shops and restaurants are very forgiving in this regard, so you can safely put your shoes away in your suitcase for a while.
If you are going to Lazy Beach wear at least flip-flops, as the road leads through the jungle. Similar footwear is also recommended at Freedom Waterfall.
If you are going to Sunset Beach be sure to wear covered shoes!
For the more lazy travellers, in Saracen Bay there is a tractor that takes tourists who do not want to walk (only in Saracen Bay) or those who have just arrived or are leaving the island with their luggage.
The tractor ride is a fun which will cost you $2. However, from the ferry station and to the ferry station, rides are organized and usually paid for by the hotels.
Also many of the resorts have their own boats, which (when the weather is good and the sea is not too rough), they are happy to help their guests get to and from the ferry station.
The best place to stay on the island is Saracen Bay, where you’ll find the most hotels, resorts and bungalows.
The choice is large and it all depends only on how much you want to pay for accommodation.
Sarasea resort is one of the cheapest options on Saracen Bay, you can choose between bungalows with a sea view and those that unfortunately do not provide such a view, but nevertheless they are a good option for accommodation.
Moonlight Resort is a beautiful bungalows and cottages on a beautiful, clean beach on Saracen Bay. Unfortunately, prices depending on the season are not the lowest.
The One Resort in addition to a private pool, this resort provides cozy bungalows, with small living rooms and bedrooms on the first floor. This is also an option on Saracen Bay which is not among the budget ones.
Saracenbay Resort is one of the most beautiful options on Saracen Bay, besides the amazing bungalows guests also have a beautiful private beach at their disposal.
Here you can find more hotel options on Koh Rong Sanloem .
For those whose funds are limited, and for vegetarians, the best option is the Big Easy restaurant, which serves delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner.
You can also enjoy a drink or a beer in the evening without breaking the piggy bank.
December through February is the peak season on Koh Rong Sanloem, so expect higher accommodation prices.
If you want a cheaper hotel, but also the perfect weather, the best time to visit the island is from mid-November to early May.
To enter Cambodia, you will need a visa in most cases. You can apply for a Cambodia eVisa ($36) in advance or apply for a visa on arrival ($38) on the day of arrival. Check the visa requirements for Cambodia for your passport in advance.
There are no roads, markets, pharmacies or hospitals on Koh Rong Sanloem. And there are no ATMs, so remember to bring more cash, it’s better to have too much than too little!
Items such as shampoo, shower gel and sunscreen are available on the island, but unfortunately prices are much higher than on the main land. So purchase them before you will head to the ferry station.
Since there is no hospital on site, be careful, especially when walking through the jungle!
Most of the time you will be moving on foot. You can get to the ferry station with the help of a boat or tractor. The ride is in most cases organised by the hotel where you will stay.
The prices are per person, except for the accommodation, which we rent for 2 people.
Accommodation: $35 / night
Restaurant: $5 – $7 / meal
Pleasure: $1 – $2 / event
Ferry: $15 / ride
