Things to See and Do - Sihanouk ville, Cambodia

Koh Rong Sanloem (Seracen Bay) - Sihanouk ville

Koh Rong Sanloem is changing fast. Photos and descriptions from two years ago will be out of date. There are two main places to stay: Saracen's bay or Mpei bay. There are also private one hostel only beaches on lazy beach or Mad Monkey, these may require direct transfers or a lot of walking.

Saracen's bay is no longer the unspoilt paradise it is often described but it's definitely not the circus of Koh Phi Phi for example. The is no stretch of undeveloped beach along the long bay. The hostel are spaced apart and very few encroach on the beach. More of a resort with no Khmer families seeming to live there. There are hotels with infinity pools and $15+ mains. Still a few dorms and rooms below $20 but few cheap eats, it's backpacking days may be numbered.

Mbei Bay is much more rough and ready, a decent amount of construction and the main beach could do with a litter pick. Hotels all backpacker focused and cheap eats a plenty. Nice village feel and Khmer families living there.

Get in

Koh Rong Sanloem can be reached by boat from Sihanoukville in around an hour, don't always leave on time but generally punctual for island time. $10 each way, most will only want to sell you a $20 open return. Currently many tour operators offer daily trips to the island. There are also multiple fast ferry options available. EcoSea Dive  offers overnight trips to their bungalows on the northern part of the island and The Dive Shop [17] runs a daily ferry from Sihanoukville to the sunset beach located on the western side of the island.

You have two choices in your style of boat to the island. You can make it into a day trip and go on either of the cruise boats Party Boat or Sun Tours. These take a whole day to get there but its an enjoyable ride, including lunch, snorkeling trip and drinks at the bar onboard.

That is fun but if you don't care about that and just want to get to the island as quickly as possible then its best to go on the fast catamaran which takes only 45 minutes Speed Ferry Cambodia

What to see

There is an old lighthouse, some waterfalls and mangroves and some pretty good dive sites around the island.

What to do

Koh Rong Sanloem is the cradle of Cambodian diving. It's where all the dive companies based in Sihanoukville mostly head when they take divers out. It also serves as mid-way point for dive trips heading all the way out to condor reef.

• KarmaKazi, Saracen's bay, ☎ +855 9347 3636 ([email protected]), 08:00-21:00. KarmaKazi has been operating on the Saracen's bay. They allow you to experience the snorkelling, scuba diving trips in a smaller more intimate affair with a maximum of twenty (20) passengers on each trip. They also have an office in Otre 1 if you would like to book ferry tickets or tours to Ream National Park and Bokor Waterfalls.

Mbei Bay hike to Clear Water Bay

Clear Water Bay is a really beautiful beach with gorgeous water and almost no building or person in sight. It takes about 75mins from Mpei Bay. If you look out to the sea from MB head to your right towards the other pier. Walk 20 minutes to that pier when you get to Koh Rong Samloem Villas. The old lady will moan that you are on her private beach so wade into the water to the yellower water where the sand banks is. Wade through the water for about 15 minutes (thigh height) and aim for the headland or the rocks just before it. When you get to the rocks you should look behind them and there is a sign to clear water bay / driftwood. Follow it through the jungle (easy path to follow) for about 30/40 minutes. There is a turning to a tiny beach after 25mins but continue on the main path to clear water bay.

Where to eat and drink

M'pai Bay, although small and quiet, has a high standard of food with local specialities and flavours from around the world.

Saracen Bay offers many restaurants with various kind of cuisine .

• Easy Tiger Bungalows (Easy Tiger), M'pai Bay, Koh Rong Samloem, ☎ +855968644392 +855969153370, Exquisite Eastern and western dishes available from our multi-culinary kitchen. Opening hours 7:00am - 9:30pm 

Chill Inn, M'Pai Bay, ☎ +855 (0) 86 86 05 22, [3]. You can find this Breezy Beach Bar & Guesthouse in the up and coming Traditional Fishing Village of M'Pai Bay on north coast of Koh Rong Samloem, Dorm Rooms Available.

Where to sleep

The majority of places to stay are at Saracen Bay.

• Chill Inn, M'Pai Bay, ☎ +855 (0) 86 86 05 22. In the up and coming Traditional Fishing Village of M'Pai Bay on north coast of Koh Rong Samloem, find this Breegzy BeachBar & Guesthouse. Dorm' Rooms Available.
• Sunset Bungalows, M'pai Bay, ☎ 086 652456, 093 244365. In M'pai bay on north coast of Koh Rong Sanloem, 9 Bungalows, kayaks and scuba diving available. $50.
• Lazy Beach, ☎ 016 214211, 017 456536. On the Southwest coast of Koh Rong Sanloem, 16 Bungalows, books and games availabe. Extensive menu and good food. . $50.
• M'PayBay, ☎ 016 596111. An eco-friendly resort which lies on the north shore of Koh Rong Sanloem. Bungalow: $20; Tent: $7.
• Freedom Island Bungalows, ☎ 034 633 3830. The resort is located on the north end of Saracen Bay, 4 bungalows, nature pool fed from a waterfall. $35.
• Robinson Bungalows, ☎ 034933664. On the west coast of Koh Rong Sanloem where the sunsets can be seen best, 10 Bungalows, excellent snorkeling just off the beach. $15-$20.
• EcoSea Dive. offers overnight trips where you stay in their primitive bungalows on the northern part of the island and The Dive Shop works together with the Robinson Bungalows on the western (sunset) side of the island. In both outfits the overnight stay is severely discounted for divers. Snorklers and people just looking to get away pay more for their stay.
• Secret Paradise Resort, Saracen Bay, ☎ 069354800. On the unspoiled Saracen Bay beach. Offers 5 deluxe bungalows.
• Paradise Villas (Paradise Bungalows Villas), ☎ 092548883. checkin: 12.00 am; checkout: 12.00 am. Far eastern end of Saracen Bay beach - 400 meters private beach, waterfall, fresh water lake. $55-$70.
• Cita Resort, Saracen bay, ☎ 0962612418. Double floor bungalows few steps from the sea. Italian restaurant.
• Driftwood Bungalows & Hostel, Clear Water Bay, ☎ +855 969 753 023. Located on a beautiful, secluded 2km long private beach. Snorkelling and dive spots on each end of the bay, and sunrise over the ocean each morning. Dorms, Bungalows and Food Available. Dorm:$4.
• The Drift. Affordable and very well kept hostel with dorm beds and one private room located in the village on M'Pai Bay. Delicious and very cheap veggie dinners also available.

• Kon Rong Samloem Island, Kon Rong Samloem Island, ☎ +855 (0) 86 86 05 22. Recopilation of Resorts with opinions and videos 30$