This hot spot sells out fast so make sure to book in advance! Great beach, but doesn't deserve it's rank as one of the top beaches in the world. We loved this beach and have always had a great time while visiting Cambodia. Over half a decade has passed since he left his career to travel the world as a digital nomad, and hes never looked back. If you prefer not to mix drinking with boats (which may be a wise idea the injury-prone folk out there), there are plenty of sober boat tours as well. (Check current prices here). Check out my recommended Koh Rong Samloem itinerary near the end of this post to get an idea of what that might look like. Onederz is the most popular budget option for solo travelers on Saracen Bay.
They arent the best restaurants on Koh Rong Samloem, but theyre the cheapest. In fact, at the time of writing this the only way to get from Saracen Bay to Lazy Beach is by hiking.
Instead, here are some other items youll be glad you packed for the island: Headlamp Nothing worse than walking through the jungle in the dark, praying you dont step on a scorpion.Bug spray Youll wanna carry this with you at all times. Its neat witnessing it for the first time. Is it blazing fast? Leave a comment belowIm happy to help! He also gives a lot back to the community and even built a small medical center for the village. Other than full moon parties, if youre looking for the best Koh Rong Samloem nightlife, MPay Bay (or the more secluded Mad Monkey Hostel) are where you wanna be. With an early start and a calm day, you can even go all the way to Clear Water Bay or Sandy Beach for a change of scenery. Its cheap as chips, delicious and served fresh at beach shack restaurants throughout the Koh Rong islands. Its an easy 20-minute walk, although it can be hot in the middle of the day guesthouses on the beach offer shade and cold drinks. Thats why we decided to put together this super ultimate Koh Rong Samloem guide. There are a couple dive shops on Koh Rong Samloemboth in Saracen and MPay Baywith reasonably priced PADI certification courses and fun dives. Thats why Id recommend a MINIMUM of two nights (and three full days) to make the journey worth it. This not only saves money, but its way more convenient. If you go during high season, youll have great weather and the beach looks nicer, but itll be busier and prices are known to DOUBLE or TRIPLE. My personal favorite is Sunset Beach. Koh Rong Samloem plankton isnt anything to write home about.
(Even if the guide is supposedly from this year). We stayed here for over a week. Ferries from Koh Rong and the mainland dock here, or you can catch a taxi boat from Saracen Bay.
This is especially true for long-term travelers on a tight budget. For the best, made by local fishermen, try dining spots such as. Am I right?#2.) That means you have easy access to the busier north end with lots of food options, as well as the quieter south end. In the future, they are planning to build a paved road that connects every part of the islandso get there before the crowds do! Well, we visited both islands, and they both have slightly different vibes. On Saracen Bay, expect to pay $5-$12 per meal with a drink. Koh Rong Samloem has always been known as Koh Rongs more rustic little sister. The protected Saracen Bay is normally very calm and perfect for paddleboard and kayak adventures. Also great for scaring away dangerous animals while hiking in the jungle. This means the water will go all the way in at high tide, but youll have to walk out a bit to reach it during the low period. They also have some budget bungalows available, but theyre more rustic than the rest of the options on this list. You can also take a boat to to Lazy Beach if and only if you are staying at the resort.
I seriously considered buying a Mavic Mini JUST for this island.Pacsafe portable safe (Pacsafe / Amazon) If you travel with a laptop or other expensive equipment, this will give you peace of mind when theres nowhere to lock up your stuff. Also, perfect walking distance to catch the Lazy Beach sunset. Before you visit, here are the top things to do on the island of Koh Rong Samloem. Which means food and accommodation options, accessibility, trash problems, and the wifi and electricity situation is constantly changing (as youll see in this post). We took a sleeper night bus from Siem Reap, and its an experience Ill never forget (in a bad way). Getting lost is one of the best things to do while traveling. Wondering what to do in Koh Rong Samloem?
In February, tides are the perfect level, and beaches are spectacular. high season) is roughly from December to March.Shoulder seasons are April and November.Wet season (i.e. Realistic advice on setting up life on the road (no hype). Safetywing is cheap and has saved me over $15,000 in medical bills. Compared to Southeast Asia standards? Honestly, we would call this more of a walk than a hike, but youll probably still want to wear shoes or decent sandals.
For a more detailed breakdown of each, check out my Koh Rong Samloem beaches ultimate guide (or click on any of the beach names in the table below).
After all, you wanna know what the beaches REALLY look like (not how fancy of a filter someone can use). Contact your accommodation beforehand to see if they can send a boat to pick you up from the pier. Theres basically no information online about them, so Id ask around when you get here. Depends on your definition of expensive. In most cases, this will be either MPay Bay or Saracen Bay. Flights: We always find deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. Since tourism has halted due to the pandemic, make sure to check current conditions before traveling to Koh Rong Samloem (or Cambodia). We used this every day on the island. Pro Tip: If youre worried about money, I suggest stocking up on noodles and snacks in Sihanoukville. While youre beach hopping, there are a few good Koh Rong Samloem snorkeling spots worth checking out. Head left, and NOT RIGHT HERE! By signing up, you'll be added to my legendary email list. Does it work 100% of the time? That means, be careful and dont do anything stupid! The whole island spreads at your feet, lush rainforest dropping to rocky capes and sandy coves fringed with turquoise reef. It saves you the hassle of getting ripped off by a tuk tuk driver to get from the bus station to Serendipity Pier. Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar! Lazy Beach, Sunset Beach, Saracen Bay, MPay Baythey ALL have stunning sunsets. Many of the hostels run raging party boat tours that take you snorkeling, fishing, and beach hopping. They are one of the only Koh Rong Samloem resorts with an infinity pool. Sand: Completely opposite from the white sands of Saracen Bay, Lazy Beach has soft golden brown sand. Interesting article, but not fully accurate. The Koh Rong Samloem lighthouse is about a 60-90 minute hike from the south end of Saracen Beach.
(Check current prices here), Sara is one of the most popular Koh Rong Samloem accommodation options. There are four accommodations on Sunset Beach, but we stayed at Robinson because its location is a bit more private. Check out the video below if youre feeling adventurous and want to do the hike yourself. There are NO hospitals the island (other than a basic med center staffed by a volunteer nurse in MPay Bay). Copyright 2022. Unlike most KRS info online, you wont find perfectly filtered photos or descriptions that misrepresent the destination here.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (This may have to do with an incident where a traveler accidently got locked inside about a week prior). If youre looking for tasty food and money is no issue, try the restaurants at The One and La Passion. The jungle is teeming with dangerous beasts you wont wanna cross paths with (poisonous snakes, scorpions, gigantic buffalo, bigfoot, etc.). We never leave home without it.Dry bag On the island, when it rains, it pours. Its pretty smallat least the parts that are safe to explore. Hostel Life Onederz Koh Rong Sanloem Right on the main strip, this is the perfect hostel to meet others, soak in the sun, and enjoy the island. Some resorts have free kayaks and paddleboards for guests. Heres a handy map of Koh Rong Samloem I stumbled on laying outside one of the resorts. ***Accommodation prices fluctuate DRAMATICALLY based on the seasonwith high season costing 2-3x as much as low seasonso your best bet is to choose your budget range below, then check the prices for your specific dates. Theyre easily organised through the PADI-certified Dive Shop on Saracen Bay beach.
Transportation:12Go is what we use to book ferries, trains, buses, and private transfers while traveling through Southeast Asia. Got any other questions? Part of these earnings are donated to GiveWell charities each month. For now, the only way around the island is by foot or boat. Every night, many resorts offer big BBQs on the beach for $6-$10.
Make sure to check out the FAQ section at the end that answers all the most common questions (internet, electricity, $$$, etc).4.) Also, Hostelworldshould be your go-to source if youre traveling on a budget. On MPay Bay, there are several options for $1/kg, the most popular being the 23 restaurant. Since weve literally done everything (multiple times), we can show you ALL the activities to do, places to visit (including some hidden spots and trails nobody else is talking about), and even some insider tips weve learned during our 3 months here. Koh Rong Samloem Beaches: The ULTIMATE Guide + Secret Spots (2022), 55 Explore Quotes All Wanderlusters Must Read.
Even with the different colored sand, the water is still crystal clear at Lazy Beach in Koh Rong Sanloem! I hear on dark nights with no moon, you can see the plankton right on the beach at Laguna Resort (at the far south end of Saracen Bay) or on Long Beach (near MPay Bay). High tide is beautiful. There was some ugly construction going on when we were there, but if you climb further up the rocks, you dont notice it as much. Koh Rong Samloem can be divided into three seasons: Dry season (i.e. But its a way to kill time if youre bored of beach bummin. He met a cute Colombian girl in dance class, fell in love, and got married. Beautiful white beach (during high tide). But youre still gonna fork out more than youre used to in Southeast Asia. There was some bigger trucks motoring around and it looked like they had just built the road, so it will be pretty apparent where to go. Most resorts on Saracen Bay charge $2.50/kg. The entire walk takes about 30 minutes, but leave yourself plenty of time to head back if you stay for sunset. The one instance I wouldnt recommend buying a combination ticket is if youre planning to go somewhere other than MPay Bay or Saracen Bay. Its like the Goldy Locks of Koh Rong Samloem bungalows. You need a beach break. Don't miss it. Plans to build a big resort here - see it while you can! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications about new posts as well as our monthly newsletters! There are two supermarkets near-ish to Serendipity Pier (~$2 tuk tuk ride)Samudera Market and Orange Market.
Whatever the case, youre sure to enjoy your time here at one of the best beaches on Koh Rong Sanloem. If you want more budget food and accommodation options (and crazier parties), go to Koh Rong. Has potential. Its rainy season. Ultra Luxury The One Resort Looking for absolute luxury in Koh Rong Sanloem?
Download this guide for offline use. Youll also save a buttload of money by stocking up on food and bringing it from the mainland. Once you see the entrance sign youve made it to Lazy Beach Cambodia! If youre a diver (or if you want to be), youre in luck. Now, pretty much every accommodation and restaurant on Saracen Beach has wifi. By signing up, you'll be added to my awesome travel lifestyle newsletter. Lets start with expensive and make our way down to cheaper options. Since this island is constantly changing, weve made some local contacts to help keep it updated. Explore on Kayak (or Stand Up Paddleboard), Quarantined in Paradise: What Lifes REALLY Like Trapped on a Cambodian Island. Please try again. Nope. Koh Rong has its own unique charm (and no shortage of stunning white sand beaches). The comfy chairs and hammocks right on the water is everything you need to enjoy an island vacation. The internet situation on the island has dramatically changed over the past couple years. 
But I hiked there twice, and nobody was ever there to let me in. Potential to be gorgeous, but nobody there to clean trash that washes up. Fun Vacation Bamboo Jam As if the setting on Saracen Bay wasnt enough, once you see the design and unique decor of Bamboo Jam it will be tough to leave! To find the next yoga sesh, ask your resort, look for signs on the beach, or post in the Koh Rong Samloem Facebook Group. The Cliff Hostel is one of the most popular spots in MPay Bay for budget backpackers. About 10 minutes in youll reach the end of the wider trail and find a fork in the road. Other Animals: During our short hike to Lazy Beach we saw monkeys, cows, lizards, and toucan-like birds that call the jungle home. The best spot is supposedly at the end of Lazy Beach near the rocks. Nowadays, hes the blogger behind Project Untetheredwhere he runs an awesome email newsletter and Youtube channel teaching adventure-craved wanderlusters how to escape the rat race, earn money from anywhere, and build an untethered life. Some will cost a couple dollars, while others might be included with your accommodation. Moonlight has an open layout with huge modern bungalows facing the beach. The more effort it takes to get places = Less people will go = More space for YOU. Tides: Lazy Beach has extreme high and low tides. Where in the world are we? If you prefer watching instead of reading, check out the video guide below (and for more detailed videos of each activity, check out our entire Cambodia playlist on Youtube), WARNING: Internet in Cambodia can be sketchy. Many people head to Sunset Beach, but you can actually get just as good of a view here! Go left towards the restaurant and it will bring you to west side of the beach. Ok its probably not a good idea to get LOST LOST.
The downside is its cut off to the rest of the island. Your email address will not be published. Keep your valuables dry.
MPay Bay offers a more backpacker/hippy vibe with cheaper food and accommodation options. 100% yes (assuming you have at least 3 days). Pro Tip: There are two main piers on Saracen Bay. (Note: They have SIMs for sale in MPay Bay). We cant find a country that matches your search. (Check current prices here), If you want to disconnect, Sunset Beach is the perfect place to do it. Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for activities all over Cambodia.
Youre about to read (or watch) the most EPIC Koh Rong Samloem Island guide in existence. First I went to the lighthouse, then Military Beach, then I got off the beaten path and rock jumped for an hour around the coast to finish at Lazy Beach. Weve been using SafetyWingfor the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them. The hike to Sunset beach is more of a true jungle hike, up and over the mountain, so there are less casual dayhikers. (You can also avoid tuk tuk scams by downloading PassAppCambodias version of Uber). (Check current prices here). Snorkeling: The clear blue water also makes Lazy Beach a great snorkeling spot. Koh Rong Samloems quietest beach is a sleepy place just a few simple shack restaurants and guesthouses on the sand in a bowl of forested hills.
Just follow the path that goes behind Pon Leu Kitchen restaurant.
If you feel like walking more, another trail climbs over the cape to the north towards Sunset Beach, a further 30 minutes away. Or at least, he was. After the left youll head up a steep incline which is the hardest section of hiking to Lazy Beach. This is where we would have stayed if we wanted to splurge. The cheapest place Ive seen is Laguna Resort, which (at the time of writing) offers cash back for 3.5%. You should be able to rent a snorkel from the restaurant for a couple bucks. One of my best memories on the island was inventing my own Koh Rong Samloem hike. Here the reef itself glistens in the darkness, and the prow of the boat glows lambent as it cuts through the sea. The Koh Rong Samloem boat will run you around $12 one-way or $22 round trip (this may vary depending on the season). Other places like Sara Resort and the mini-mart charge 10%.