| Koh Rong Sanloem Koh Rong Sanloem | |
.jpg/250px-Pier_on_Koh_Rong_Sanloem_(Speed_Ferry_Cambodia).jpg) | |
| State | Cambodia |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 210 m a.s.l. |
| Surface | 24.5 km² |
| Inhabitants | 300 |
| Time zone | UTC 7 |
Koh Rong Sanloem (កោះរុងសន្លឹម) is an island of the Cambodia.
To know
Located off the coast of Sihanoukville, Koh Rung Sanloem is the beautiful sister island of Koh Rong.
It is a peaceful destination with a relaxed atmosphere with spectacular scenery, pristine white beaches, turquoise waters and a wild tropical jungle. A true paradise.
If you want to relax to think of nothing and observe the spectacular views or if you want to learn the Khmer culture, this island is the perfect destination.
How to orient yourself
Koh Rong Sanloem: full screen map.How to get
Koh Rong Sanloem can easily be reached by boat from Sihanoukville. There are two ferry services that connect these two locations, for a journey of about 45-75 minutes or 40 minutes by fast ferry. All depart from the pier of Ochheuteal beach (or 'Serendipity'). There are also a couple of slower services taking 1.5 and 2.5 hours that depart from Sihanoukville Port, Serendipity Beach Pier and Victory. For updated information and timetables see the timetable of Ferries to Koh Rong Sanloem. The return ticket price is $ 22.
How to get around
Everything on this island can be done on foot but you can also hire a taxi or a boat. It is a rather small island but large enough to get lost in if you venture into a jungle walk. Another way to get around is to swim or dive. To move between the bays, there are water taxis. Walks inside the forest are long and difficult paths, not for everyone even if they are very beautiful and adventurous.
What see
The island is famous for its beautiful beaches including the longest beach in Saracen Bay.
- 1 M'Pai Bay. An old fishing village that has now become a tourist reception center. Nice beach, many guest houses and restaurants and activities. There is a very welcoming dog community who will make sure there are no leftovers left at the end of each meal. To the east, across the bridge, there is a beautiful, unfrequented beach.
- 2 Clearwater bay. A semi-isolated beach, accessible only by taxi or a challenging walk from M'Pai Bay. Great destination for a day trip and you must go there with enough water and food.
- 3 Saracen Bay. Long beach, the most popular on the island. Today it has become noisy due to the bars with loud music and the jet skis whizzing by not far from the sand.
- 4 Sunset beach. Small secluded beach, accessible only by taxi or a forest walk from serendipity beach. There are bars, restaurants and guesthouses for a stay of over a day.
- 5 Lazy beach.
- 6 Sandy beach.
- 7 Lighthouse.
Events and parties
What to do
- Staying in one of the tourist bungalows immersing yourself completely in the atmosphere of the small fishing village, the welcome of the inhabitants, fresh fruit and cheap meals. Walking at night on Long Beach and bathing with bioluminescent bacteria that glow green: an incredible phenomenon.
- Volunteers also live on this island: they conduct surveys and research on fish, coral and seahorses.
- Sunset Rock is a spectacular place to watch the sunset over the ocean, if you are inclined to climb rocks to get there.
- Snorkel among the corals in M'Pai Bay and swim at night in the midst of the flora-plankton. After sunset, when it is dark, it is recommended to go to the beach, especially those in the north and dive up to the waist and then move your hands in the water the spectacle of the plankton that lights up is one of the reasons why you come up this island. The water temperature is always around 29 ° C and the outside never less than 25 ° C; therefore the chances of catching a cold are few.
- If you are lucky you can attend a Khmer wedding in the village. Pay attention to the amount of Klang beer, the people dancing on the tables and the plants blasting Cambodian music.
If you head to the Saracen bay, you can do various activities: snorkeling, kayaking, mountain biking and walking in the jungle.
Scuba diving
Koh Rong Sanloem is the birthplace of diving in Cambodia. It is where all the Sihanoukville scuba diving companies head when they go out with clients. It also serves as a mid-way stop towards the Condor reef.Visibility varies according to the currents and the weather, but the seabed is very beautiful and there are coral reefs all over the island.
- 1 Cambodian Diving Group, M'pai Bay, Samloem, Krung, Preah Sihanouk (in the north of the island, in the bay of M'Pai Bay), ☎ 855 96 224 5474, @[email protected].
$ 35 single dive. Dive center run by a former Irish soldier. Great atmosphere and the masters are very nice and knowledgeable. All dives take place offshore from their boat - 2 The dive shop.
$ 65 single dive. Prices improve a lot if you buy multi-dive packages.
$ 35 single dive. Dive center run by a former Irish soldier. Great atmosphere and the masters are very nice and knowledgeable. All dives take place offshore from their boat
$ 65 single dive. Prices improve a lot if you buy multi-dive packages.Shopping
Hugely developed in recent years, the desert island it was today offers a wide range of accommodation, restaurants and bars. Each bay has transformed the small fishing village into tourist centers with every comfort with everything one could need. There are no ATMs on the whole island so it is advisable to bring enough cash, and something more. necessary for the stay.
The newly developed Saracen Bay has small shops but there are no ATMs. Some shops or resorts may make you withdraw money with the card but outrageous prices, they know there is no other way to withdraw money. It is therefore recommended that you bring a good amount of dollars or riel and you should expect to want to extend your stay, as this is a truly unspoiled tropical paradise.
How to have fun
Life on the island is very relaxed, there are few places that will stay open late.
M'Pai Bay
- 1 Bong's. The bar most frequented by immigrants on the island. Good music, great selection of alcoholic drinks, good cocktails (we recommend trying the Plankton) and very pleasant environment. It is also a guesthouse directly overlooking the beach.
- 2 The Cliff. Very pleasant guest house and bar where you can spend a few hours in complete relaxation. Perfect place to see the sunset and great selection of drinks. We recommend trying the Passion fruit Mojito.
Saracen bay
Hua's bar has a pool table and is the place to go if you are looking for booze and good time. There are also other bars in Saracen Bay. Expect to pay USD 3 per drink or USD 1 for a can of beer outside of happy hours which vary from bar to bar.
Sunset beach
- 3 Robinson. This green resort has a restaurant and bar with good food and good drinks.
Where to eat
If you are looking for appetizers, delicious fruit can be found outside people's homes at very cheap prices. They will even peel mangoes, pineapples and other exotic fruits ready to be savored.
Saracen Bay has various restaurants serving varied cuisine.
Moderate prices
- One's (in the M'Pei Bei village just to the left of the pier). a meal costs less than US $ 1.50. The family that runs it is very nice and they have various options: from "tai-kuch-ma" (hot tea with ice and honey) to Klang beer as well as various cold drinks.
- 1 The mermaid. Family run beach restaurant. Rich Cambodian menu, very good dishes and very cheap prices. They take a long time to prepare and it's not the place to go if you're in a hurry. Great breakfast even though they take about 45 minutes to prepare.
- 2 Nice food. Beach restaurant run by a group of local guys. Specializing in barbecues and grilled fish, they have the fresh catch of the day. It is advisable to go there in time to make sure the fish is finished, otherwise you have to order from the menu, very good.
Where stay
Moderate prices
- 1 Chill Inn, 1 Beach Street, M'Pai Bay (it can be reached by boat from Sihanoukville or Koh Rong), ☎ 855 8686 0522, @[email protected]. In the fishing village of M'Pai Bay on the north coast of Koh Rong Samloem. Beach, bar and guesthouse, with dorm beds available. Good music in the bar.
- 2 Mad Monkey Hostel, Koh Rong Samloem Lighthouse, ☎ 855 69 901 076, @[email protected]. prices start at 10 USD each. Check in: 12 pm, check-out: 11 am. A little far from the dock but all the boats will stop at no additional cost. It is the only hostel nearby and separate from the other hostels on the island. Beers cost $ 1 per can. They have hammocks and swings by the sea. At night if you swim 30-40 meters from the shore you can see the luminous plankton.
High prices
- 3 Secret Paradise Resort, Saracen Bay, ☎ 855 71 262 9183. Offers beach bungalows.
Safety
It is always recommended to wear mosquito repellent sprays.
How to keep in touch
Internet
Hotels and guesthouses may have internet, which is generally not that great.
