It has only been a few years since the beautiful islands of Cambodia were discovered by travelers. There are about 60 small islands in the south of Cambodia, with approximately 30 of them being almost entirely uninhabited. Some of these islands have guesthouses run by locals where you can get a beachfront hut for just a few dollars. Here’s a selection of five stunning islands. All island names always start with ‘Koh,’ which means island.
Koh Rong
The largest island in Cambodia is Koh Rong. This island is as big as Hong Kong, and so far, there are only a few fishing villages on the beach and several guesthouses. This island is becoming more and more popular, and more development is taking place. The entire island is owned by The Royal Group, and they have big plans to build roads, casinos, and hotels here. They are already looking for investors for an airport. In 10 years, this is likely to be the new hotspot in Asia. Despite the increasing tourism, it’s still a very pleasant place with a laid-back atmosphere. It’s advisable to book in advance during the high season, and when booking through Booking.com, you can usually cancel for free if your travel plans change. A round-trip by boat from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong costs $20 and takes about 40 minutes. This speed ferry also goes to Koh Rong Samloem.
Read about the most beautiful beaches on Koh Rong here.
Koh Rong Samloem
Slightly smaller and quieter than Koh Rong, it is located about 4 km south of its popular sibling. There is a fishing village and many beautiful deserted beaches, both short and long. Everything is easily accessible on foot. As with most Cambodian islands, there is limited electricity and running water here. You can also stay in one of the beachfront bungalows. Every month, they also hold a full moon party on this island, and who knows, it might grow into the famous party on Koh Phangan.
Koh Totang
Disconnect from the busy world and unwind on this nearly uninhabited island. Enjoy a nap in your beachfront hammock, listen to the toucans, snorkel above colorful coral, and come face to face with a pufferfish. If you’re looking for adventure, you can take a harpoon workshop, take a boat trip around the archipelago, or kayak around the beautiful island. There is only one guesthouse, called Nomads Land. The restaurant offers local and international dishes, from fresh barracuda sashimi to carrot-pumpkin soup, Moroccan cuisine, and homemade garlic bread. Nomads Land is entirely back to basics, with limited electricity and running water. They use 100% solar panels for energy generation and collect rainwater for drinking. They have a small garden with chickens, cashew nuts, coconut, and mango trees.
Koh Tonsay
Often called Rabbit Island, it is a beautiful small island about 30 minutes by boat from Kep. The main beach where the boats anchor is lined with coconut palms, hammocks, and relaxed chairs. There are a few huts on the beach ($10 per night with shared shower and toilet or $15 for a private bathroom). There is no electricity, so it gets dark at night, or you can use a flashlight. Sometimes there is a beach bonfire, and there are usually about a million stars that illuminate the surroundings at night.
Koh Tang
The island is perfect for divers because there are two shipwrecks nearby, and the underwater world here is still untouched by tourism. The journey to the island takes about 5 hours, but divers are rewarded with an overwhelming variety of corals and rocky reefs where you can see barracudas, octopuses, and seahorses. It’s also incredibly beautiful for non-divers, but the journey may be a bit longer compared to other islands with the same beaches and green hills.
The Best Hostels in Cambodia
During our travels in Cambodia, we’ve found quite a few great places to stay. We’ve compiled these tips into a single list of the best hostel recommendations for Cambodia.
