Top 5 Island Escapes In Cambodia

An island escape in Cambodia? It sounds strange to many travelers.

Because when talking about Cambodia, people will immediately think about its mighty Angkor temple complex and century-old Khmer culture, not about a beach (Especially when its neighbor Thailand has long been the famous hub for beach goers from all over the world). But Cambodia does have some laid-back islands with stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters and white, soft, sandy shore rounded by lush palm trees that are undoubtedly worth a visit. They are ideal places to put all the thoughts down and enjoy tranquil moments with your beloved ones. 

Scroll down to see the top 5 islands in Cambodia, all are lesser-traveled and ensure a blissful relaxation and intimate experiences for your summer vacation. 

1. Song Saa Private Island

Get ready to be embraced by ultimate luxury, tranquil atmosphere, pampering spa, and exquisite cuisine in the private island Song Saa. Located in Cambodia's Koh Rong Archipelago, Song Saa is truly a paradise of calmness. Proud to be a green resort which is always trying to develop a sustainable, low impact, eco-friendly environment, Song Saa’s entire property was built with local, recycled and responsible materials such as timber from the nearby discarded shipping boats or driftwood from local beaches. Moreover, Song Saa also supports local developments by using raw food ingredients like seafood from local fishermen with the best quality. 

In this spacious hotel, you can choose to wake up in the jungle villa nestled in native scrub along the shoreline or the overwater villa for a spectacular sunrise. And while you're enjoying uninterrupted views over the Gulf of Thailand and listening to the soothing waves crashing into white sandy beach, Song Saa welcomes you to a host of add-on experiences such as snorkeling, kayaking, island safari, … 

How to get there: 
From Sihanoukville port, it takes you 40 minutes to get to Song Saa island by a speedboat. There are only two complimentary boat transfers per day so arrange your flight or car to get your timing right. Alternatively, luxury travelers can book a private speedboat or helicopter transfer with the resort.

2. Koh Rong

If you are looking for relaxation but still want to party to have some fun, Koh Rong, also known as Monkey Island, is just perfect for you. Located just 15 miles off the coast of Sihanoukville, Koh Rong is famous among backpackers for its dance-to-dawn parties and Mekong whisky buckets. But this island also delivers a sense of calmness if you avoid the Koh Touch village area (it’s where all the hotels, bars, and nightclubs are located). The other parts of the island, such as the Long Set Beach, Lonely Beach, and Palm Beach, still remain untouched with serene landscapes and are perfect spots for swimming, sunbathing and relaxing. 

How to get there: 
From Sihanoukville, high-speed ferries will take you to Koh Rong in 45 minutes. 

3. Koh Rong Samloem

Widely known as the “smaller” sister island of Koh Rong, Koh Rong Samloem is about a third of the size of Koh Rong, offering a more chill-out and relaxed vibe. With pristine white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, tropical jungle dotted with wooden bungalows and high-end resorts, the island’s heart-shaped Saracen Bay is truly an escapist’s paradise. Located on the other side of the island, Sunset Beach, like its name says, is an ideal spot to admire the magnificent color palette of nature as the sun sinks below the horizon. 

How to get there: 
- From Sihanoukville: 30 minutes by speed boat.
- From Koh Rong: 20 minutes by ferry.

4. Koh Ta Kiev

25 km off the coast of Cambodia, with no internet service and limited electricity, Koh Ta Kiev is literally an isolated island. Come here if a digital detox retreat is what you are longing for. On this forested island, there are only a few rustic eco-resorts. But the lack of amenities turns out to add more special allure to Koh Ta Kiev. As soon as the sun goes down and leaves the island covered by darkness, the bioluminescent plankton will light up the whole beach with its magical glow. It’s also a perfect opportunity to fall asleep on a hammock, under the twinkling stars and then wake up to the peaceful sound of birds chirping and waves crashing on the beach. Don’t worry about getting bored. There are various exciting activities such as crab fishing, snorkeling or trekking. 

How to get there:
The easiest way to get to Koh Ta Kiev is to take a one hour long-tailed boat from Sihanoukville.

5. Bamboo Island

About 4.5 km off the coast of Sihanoukville, Koh Russei, Koh Russey or Bamboo Island is a tranquil haven to escape the hustle and bustle. The well-preserved jungle, crystal clear water and the long coastline contribute to the island’s pristine beauty. It’s where you can freely roam on the beach, lay your blanket on the soft white sand, marvel at the endless ocean views with a drink in hand. Similar to Koh Ta Kiev, Bamboo Island has limited electricity but it adds more charm to this island as you can live close to nature, experience a back-to-basic lifestyle and learn to be happy with simple things in life.

How to get there: 
There are various options to get to Bamboo Island from Sihanoukville. But taking a boat is the most enjoyable trip. The journey takes around 45 minutes.