How to Get to Koh Rong (2019)
Over the past year or so there have been some major changes in how to get to Koh Rong and its sister island Koh Rong Samloem – From much faster ferry services from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong, to more convenient flights into Sihanoukville, to the first cross-country train, it has never been easier to get to the beautiful islands. Here’s all the latest information to help you plan and book your trip.
P.S. You can book your tickets online now and save up to 30%:
Before you set off…
Please make sure you know where you are going – Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem are big islands, and there are many hotels scattered around their 30+ beaches.
Most hotels are on the main tourist areas – Koh Touch on Koh Rong and Saracen Bay on Koh Rong Samloem.
Below is all the latest information on how to get to these popular beaches, as well as how to get to other areas of the islands, including how to get to Sok San Village, Long Set Beach, Nature Beach, Coconut Beach, Palm Beach, Prek Svay, M’Pai Bay, and more (to get a better idea of where everything is, take a look at our Video Map).
Sihanoukville to Koh Rong / Koh Rong Samloem
There are now 5 modern ferry services from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong and from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Samloem – Speed Ferry Cambodia (SFC), Island Speed Boat Cambodia (ISBC), Buva Sea (BS), Angkor Speed Ferry (ASF), and GTVC. (There are also a couple of $5-$10 ‘Slow Boat’ services that take 1.5 – 2.5 hours – These services are not professionally run and are not recommended).
It will take about 40 minutes to get to your destination if it’s the first stop. If the boat first stops elsewhere, it may take 1 hour or so. Watch this short video to learn more about the ferries:
The 5 services offer modern speed boats with comfortable chairs, life jackets, and the option to buy food and drink on board. Not all of the ferries have air-conditioning, but once the boats set off there is a strong cool breeze throughout the sitting areas which more than makes up for it.
All 5 services will charge roughly $25 return, though prices can vary depending on time of year, special offers, etc.
All services leave from the Ochheuteal (AKA ‘Serendipity’) pier in Sihanoukville and go to the main tourist beaches on the islands (Koh Touch on Koh Rong, and Saracen Bay on Koh Rong Samloem). If your hotel is not on the main beaches (Koh Touch / Saracen Bay), please read on below.
Speed Ferry Cambodia From Sihanoukville to Koh Rong
For Koh Rong the services stop at 2 piers that are very close to each other. However, for Koh Rong Samloem, SFC, ISBC, and BS stop on the left side of the bay, while ASF and GTVC on the right (it’s a 20 minute beach walk between the two, but your hotel should pick you up from either).
For the return journey the 5 services will leave from the same pier that they arrived on. All services will go back to the Ochheuteal (Serendipity) pier in Sihanoukville.
All ferry services can be very busy – We strongly recommend you book your tickets in advance and not miss out on the day. You can book your ferry tickets online now here:
A private long tail boat will cost considerably more but can be shared among a group. For example, the boat will cost in the region of $30 to go from Koh Touch to Saracen Bay, $20 to go from Koh Touch to M’Pai Bay, and $60 to go from Koh Touch to Lazy Beach. Please only choose this option if the weather is nice enough for the journey.
Ferry Boat Services to Koh Rong’s Alternative Beaches
If you’re staying on either Sok San Beach, Long Set Beach, Nature Beach, Palm Beach, or Coconut Beach on Koh Rong, or if you’re staying on M’Pai Bay on Koh Rong Samloem, you can now get there directly by ferry boat. If you’d like to see all the different areas on Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem, please watch this video:
How to Get to Sok San Village
As of 2019 both Island Speed Boat Cambodia (3 times per day) and Buva Sea (1 time per day) stop at Sok San Village. The journey will cost roughly $25 return and will take approximately 1 hour. (Sok San Beach Resort also runs a daily ferry service from Sihanoukville to Sok San, but their guests get priority and prices are inflated ($40) for non-guests).
Island Speed Boat Cambodia Timetable:
Sihanoukville to Sok San Village: 9am, 12pm, and 3pm.
Sok San Village to Sihanoukville: 9.30am, 12.30pm, 3.30pm.
Buva Sea Timetable:
Sihanoukville to Sok San Village: 1pm.
Sok San Village to Sihanoukville: 2pm.
How to Get to M’Pai Bay
GTVC Ferry From Sihanoukville to M’Pai Bay on Koh Rong Samloem
There are now 4 ferry companies stopping directly at M’Pai Bay – GTVC, Speed Ferry Cambodia, Island Speed Boat Cambodia, and Buva Sea.
The 4 ferry companies leave from the Ochheuteal (AKA ‘Serendipity’) pier in Sihanoukville. A ticket will cost around $25 return and the journey should take 40 minutes – 1 hour depending on whether M’Pai Bay is the first stop.
GTVC Timetable:
Sihanoukville to M’Pai Bay: 8am, 11am, 2pm, and 4pm.
Speed Ferry Cambodia Timetable:
Sihanoukville to M’Pai Bay: 9am, 11.30am, and 3pm.
Island Speed Boat Cambodia Timetable:
Sihanoukville to M’Pai Bay: 9am and 3pm.
