Koh Rong Samloem, also spelt Sanloem and Saloem, is situated eighteen kilometres due west of Sihanoukville, the main beach resort of Cambodia, in the Gulf of Thailand and is reachable in about forty-five minutes by fast ferry or about two hours using one of the slower converted fishing boats depending on the conditions.
The island is a peaceful 'getaway' destination which is more tranquil and also much less developed than the larger island known as Koh Rong situated about a ten-minute boat ride to the north.
The clean beaches of the smaller island suffer substantially less of the noise and light pollution that has become a problem on the sister island due to the extensive construction work as well as the all-night bars and party music that blasts out to attract the budget travelers dancing through the night
Samloem is being actively protected by the Wonderful Wildlife of Samloem project to maintain the unspoiled natural beauty of the island, keep the pristine beaches clean and minimize the noise and light pollution that impacts the indigenous animal population
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 (info@karmakazi.guru), 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.
