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Getting to and around Koh Rong Samloem
Take a speed ferry from the port in Sihanoukville: about 40 to 50 minutes, from USD 17 one way, with Island Speed Ferry at 08:00, 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00 for October 2026 and other companies through the day. Boats call at different bays, so choose one that stops at yours: Saracen Bay on the east coast is the main one. From Kampot, a morning speed ferry takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Koh Rong Samloem at a glance
| Usual way in | Speed ferry from Sihanoukville port (40 to 50 min) or Kampot (about 1 h 30 min); no airport |
|---|---|
| Stations and terminals | Jetties at Saracen Bay and other bays, depending on the boat; resorts with their own jetty |
Ferries to Koh Rong Samloem and the bays
From Sihanoukville. All the speed ferries leave from the port, not the town centre, where each company has its own office and boat; allow time to find yours. Island Speed Ferry sails at 08:00, 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00, about 48 minutes, USD 17 one way or USD 30 return, for October 2026. GTVC (16:00) and Romny Tour Express (16:15) were sold online at about USD 18, and Buva Sea also sails from the port. Times and terms: Sihanoukville to Koh Rong, which covers both islands.
Which bay. Koh Rong Samloem has no single pier, and some boats call at several bays before yours. Check that your boat stops at the bay you are staying in:
- Saracen Bay, the long beach on the east coast facing the mainland, is the busiest, with most resorts, restaurants and shops, about 35 to 40 minutes from the port on a direct boat.
- M'Pai Bay, at the north end, is a small, quiet village bay.
- Sunset Beach and Lazy Beach, on the west coast, have no ferry of their own; walk across from Saracen Bay (40 to 60 minutes on dirt tracks with little shade) or arrange a transfer with your resort.
- Some resorts, such as those east of Saracen Bay, have their own jetty and transfer; ask them which boat to take.
From Kampot. Vireak Buntham's speed ferry leaves the Kampot International Tourism Port at 08:30 and takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to Koh Rong Samloem. See the Kampot guide.
From Koh Rong. A small inter-island boat leaves Long Set Pier at 10:15 and Koh Toch at 10:30, about 45 minutes to 1 hour, USD 10 sold online for October 2026. See the Koh Rong guide.
From Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Go to Sihanoukville first: about 3 hours by bus on the expressway or 6 hours 36 minutes by the 07:00 train from Phnom Penh, or Giant Ibis's night bus from Siem Reap, which arrives at about 08:00. See Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville and the Sihanoukville guide.
Getting around the island. There are no paved roads or cars, only dirt tracks. Scooters can be hired at Saracen Bay (about USD 10 a day, travellers report), and small tractors carry people and luggage. Many resorts meet the boat and take your bags; ask when you book.
Leaving Koh Rong Samloem
To Sihanoukville. Island Speed Ferry leaves Koh Rong Samloem at 09:00, 10:00, 13:00 and 16:00, about 1 hour 15 minutes, USD 17 one way, for October 2026; the other companies run their own times from their own jetties. A return is only valid with the company that sold it, so check which jetty and time your return uses before the day you leave.
To Koh Rong. By the inter-island boat, or on a company that serves both islands; ask at your jetty the day before.
To Kampot. Vireak Buntham's boat back to Kampot leaves the islands in the afternoon (15:30 from its first stop); confirm the time from Koh Rong Samloem when you book. See the Kampot guide.
Catching a flight. From the port, Sihanoukville airport (KOS) is about 20 km away, and Phnom Penh's Techo airport about 3 hours by the expressway. Take a morning boat, and leave a spare day before a long-haul flight: rough seas can cancel sailings, most often in the rainy season.
Getting to Koh Rong Samloem: what people ask
How do I get to Koh Rong Samloem?
By speed ferry from the port in Sihanoukville, about 40 to 50 minutes, from USD 17 one way for October 2026, or from Kampot, about 1 hour 30 minutes. The island has no airport.
Which ferry goes to Saracen Bay?
Several companies stop there, but some boats call at other bays first. Check on your ticket that your boat stops at Saracen Bay; a direct boat takes about 35 to 40 minutes from the port.
Is Koh Rong Samloem or Koh Rong better to reach?
Both are under an hour from Sihanoukville by speed ferry, at the same fares on Island Speed Ferry (USD 17 one way). Koh Rong has a road and more boats; Koh Rong Samloem is quieter, with dirt tracks and no cars.
How do I get from Koh Rong to Koh Rong Samloem?
On the small inter-island boat from Long Set Pier (10:15) or Koh Toch (10:30), about 45 minutes to 1 hour, USD 10 sold online for October 2026.
How do I get to Sunset Beach or Lazy Beach?
Walk across the island from Saracen Bay, 40 to 60 minutes on dirt tracks with little shade, or ask your resort for a transfer. Take water.
Can I go from Phnom Penh to Koh Rong Samloem in one day?
Yes. A morning bus reaches Sihanoukville in about 3 hours, in time for the 12:00 or 15:00 boat; the 15:00 one leaves more margin for traffic.
Are there cars on Koh Rong Samloem?
No. There are only dirt tracks, scooters and small tractors that carry people and luggage. Many resorts collect guests and bags from the jetty.