Koh Rong Island
Guide for Families
After exploring the ancient Angkor temples in Siem Reap and Khmer history in Phnom Penh, Koh Rong Island is where you go to experience a less hectic Cambodia.
Koh Rong Island is a white sand, aqua water escape that providing you don’t mind the isolation from the mainland, is perfect for families.
A visit to Koh Rong Island is usually all about the beaches, but you don’t need to spend your whole time in the water to enjoy yourself there.
Koh Rong Island Guide for Families
Beaches and Other Things to Do
Let’s Start With the Beaches on Koh Rong Island …
Sok San Beach and Long Beach are the same stretch of sand and are located on the west side of the island. Many consider this to be the nicest beach on Koh Rong Island.
Sok San Village is at the northern end of the beach right next door to the Sok San Beach Resort. New resorts are being built on the southern end of this stretch of sand as I write this.
You can walk to Sok San Beach (aka Long Beach) from a trail on the west side of the island at Koh Toch Beach but it’s a bit of a rough 90 minutes jungle trail so younger kids will find the going tiring. It’s easy enough to stay a few days at the Sok San Beach Resort or catch a boat here for a day trip.
Koh Toch Beach is where the public ferries drop visitors to the island so although pretty, it’s the most crowded beach. This beach has the most accommodation and is also the home of the Koh Rong Dive Centre.
Long Set Beach (aka 4K Beach) is north of Koh Toch Beach. It’s a 4km stretch of pretty white sand with a few different accommodation and restaurant options. It’s easy enough to find some seclusion on this beach!
But Wait … There’s More Beaches …
Coconut Beach can be found further north from Long Set Beach on the far east of the island. It’s nice but it’s not as pretty as some of the other beaches. It takes around 2 hours to walk here from Koh Toch Beach so if the kids are young, a boat will probably be your best option.
Police Beach is just south of Koh Toch Beach and is where the island’s only police station is located. Funnily enough, it’s also where the parties happen. It’s not so fun for families as there is not much sand and there are prettier beaches on the island.
Thansour Beach is further north-west of Sok San (aka Long Beach) and Lonely Beach is in the north however we didn’t get a chance to ask a boat to take us there.
Check Out Sok San Beach (Long Beach) on our YouTube Clip of Koh Rong Island!
What Else Can We Do on Koh Rong Island?
Hire a Motorbike and Explore on Your Own
If you’re comfortable doubling the kids on a motorbike, scooters can be hired in Koh Toch Village or Sok San Village. The roads are dirt so you need to drive carefully and slow but this is exactly what makes it so fun! A nice ride will see you visiting Koh Toch Beach, 4K Beach, Coconut Beach, Sok San Village, Sok San Beach and Sok San Waterfall.
Enjoy a Day Trip on a Boat
A boat day trip on Koh Rong Island usually includes a trip to a nice beach (Sok San Beach), snorkelling, swimming and possibly fishing or watching the sunset.
Watch the Sunset at Long Beach
Long Beach on Koh Rong Island faces west which means its the best place for watching sunsets. Have a relax while the kids play in the white sand as the sun goes down, turning the sky orange.
See the Bioluminescent Plankton
This is an amazing sight to see and kids will love seeing the ”glittery stars” in the water.
Many tour operators will offer you the chance to swim with the glowing plankton, but I don’t recommend this with your family. Visit Koh Rong points out that swimming at night time is not that safe due to jellyfish, octopus and other sea creatures that come out to hunt when it’s dark.
They recommend Long Set Resort on Long Set Beach which is well situated to see the plankton glow at night while providing a bit of luxury.
Zipline Through the Jungle
High Point Rope Park is a series of ziplines, walking cables and swing bridges not far from the southern end of Koh Toch beach. There are 25 platforms and 3 ziplines over a 400 metre circuit. Although this is more suited to older kids, safety is taken seriously.
The instructor will take you around the course the first time, explain all the safety rules and will be on hand if you get into any difficulties. Gym shoes or sneakers are best for footwear here.
Swing on the Giant Swings in Front of Sok San Beach Resort
I’m sure these swings were probably designed for good looking people to take great Instagram shots. They’re not really in the slightest bit practical in that you have to be part ape (oversized arms) to reach the rope on either side to hang on safely. However, your kids will love it!
Hire a Kayak or Paddleboard
Many of the hotels and resorts hire paddleboards or kayak. Head out with the family to see the island from a different view or just enjoy the exercise and sunshine.
Go Snorkelling or Diving with the PADI Koh Rong Dive Centre
If you have never dived before but always wanted to, you’re in luck. The Koh Rong Dive Centre (PADI) offers the Discover Scuba Dive Course for beginners. In general, children need to be at least 10 years to participate in this.
If diving is a little too much or the kids are too young, head out on a snorkelling tour!
Visit Koh Rong Samloem
Take a day trip to Koh Rong’s sister island, Koh Rong Samloem. If I’m being honest, some of the beaches here are more stunning. It has the same beautiful white sand and aqua water but it’s a little more ”untouched.”
Photo Credit: Flickr/Nick Ribaudo
Do Nothing … It’s Bliss!
Make no plans for the whole day and just do what you feel like. Sleep in, eat, swim, enjoy the warmth of the sun from a beach lounger. This is really what holidays are all about!
Wander Around Sok San Village
Sok San Village is away from the tourist trail of Koh Toch beach, however, i suspect this will change as more resorts take up residence on Sok San Beach (Long Beach).
This is the Cambodia that I love, a rustic village with free-range chicken and friendly locals. It’s also the only place on this side of the island to get some snacks or fruit for your bag. Like the rest of Cambodia, plastic is becoming a problem here but I hope this changes before it gets too bad.
Getting to Koh Rong Island
The only way to get to this Cambodian paradise is via ferry from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Island.
Book your ticket here:
If you stay at Sok San Beach Resort, their private ferry will take you directly there to the most beautiful beach on the island!
Getting From Phnom Penh or Siem Reap to Sihanoukville
Getting to Sihanoukville from either Siem Reap or Phnom Penh is pretty straight forward and can be reached via plane, bus, mini-van or private shuttle.
- BUS – Book your bus from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville here or from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville here.
- FLIGHTS – Get a great deal on flights from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville here or from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville here.
- PRIVATE CAR – Book your private car from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville here or from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville here.
Useful Things to Know Before You Go to Koh Rong Island
Getting Around Koh Rong Island
Although Koh Rong Island is larger than its sister island of Koh Rong Samloem, it’s not really a massive island. The main ways to get around the island are by foot, motorbike or boat.
If getting around by foot, distances will probably be too long for younger kids. If getting around by motorbike, you will need to be comfortable driving on dirt roads with potholes.
Your accommodation can help you out with getting around the island.
Koh Rong Island’s Weather and Best Time to Visit
Koh Rong Island has a wet season from June to September and a dry season from December to March. April and May are humid as it builds towards we season and October and November see it taper off.
The temperature sits around 27˚C – 30˚C during the day and nighttime cools off but certainly does not get cold.
Many say the best time to visit Koh Rong Island is during the dry season from December to March. We visited in April and although hot in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, it was much easier to keep cool on Koh Rong.
Currency
Like the rest of Cambodia, although the official currency is the Cambodian Riel, nearly everywhere quotes visitors USD and you can pay and receive change in a mix of both. You will need cash for Koh Rong island as there was no working ATM when we visited but we were able to pay by card in some places.
The best times to visit Koh Rong is during the dry season, from December to March. A little before and after dry season the weather is usually still fine (mid-November until the beginning of May).
Where to Stay on Koh Rong Island
We stayed in a family chalet at Sok San Beach Resort on Sok San Beach (Long Beach) and loved how spacious the rooms were. Long Set Resort on Long Set Beach is a good choice on the eastern side of Koh Rong Island.
Looking for More Awesome Family Holiday Destinations?
For more information on visiting Cambodia, head on over to our Cambodia page. For other destinations both in Australia and worldwide, head on back to the home page.
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Resources for Booking a Family Holiday to Cambodia
Flights
Most international flights will land in Phnom Penh although you may get one to Siem Reap. Try searching on Trip.com for a great deal on flights.
Activities and Tours
Viator is a trusted source when it comes to booking activities and tours. Alternatively, your hotel will be able to help you out.
Accommodation
- VMansion Boutique Hotel – Phnom Penh
- Raffles Hotel Le Royal – Phnom Penh
- Ibis Styles Hotel – Siem Reap
- Raffles Hotel d’Angkore – Siem Ream
- Sok San Beach Resort – Koh Rong Island
