Koh Kong is an island located SW of the Cambodia, near the border with Thailand. You can come here from Sihanoukville by boat or from the main land by small boat after taking a moto from the Thai border.. Currently the bridge is under construction. Soon Koh Kong will be connected by the bridge.
There is not really a town center in Koh Kong. The town stretches along the water front which is running N to S. The land is E side. Most of the decent GHs are located on the main Rd running from the round about to E. From the pier for the small boat, go left as you land and turn right on the main road leading to the round about. From the pier for the express boat from Sihanoukville, go right and turn left to the main road.There are two piers.
Most people don’t think of a beach holiday when they think of Cambodia. Beautiful tropical islands are not the first association with the country. However, there is a nice stretch of coast which has been enticing curious travelers for the past two decades. One highlight of the Cambodian coast is isolated and undeveloped Koh Kong Island.
Thomas and I along with our German friends Michaela and Stephan took a full-day boat tour to the island which included a trip through the local Mangroves out into the open ocean to the wind-swept, jungle-covered island, which is theoretically occupied by the Cambodian army. Upon arrival, odd tidal conditions forced us to abandon the boat and swim to the shore, where we were rewarded with beautiful beaches and a barbecue. (Getting the food to the beach required the boat captain to swim back and forth between the boat and the island transporting the supplies in a not-so-water-proof box.)
There is not really a town center in Koh Kong. The town stretches along the water front which is running N to S. The land is E side. Most of the decent GHs are located on the main Rd running from the round about to E. From the pier for the small boat, go left as you land and turn right on the main road leading to the round about. From the pier for the express boat from Sihanoukville, go right and turn left to the main road.There are two piers.
Koh Kong, on the Cambodia coast near the border with Thailand, was at one time, only a way stop on the road between Thailand and Cambodia. Its tourist development began with casinos catering to Thais who would cross the border to gamble, since gambling is illegal in Thailand. It is still a popular gambling destination, with a new casino/hotel and more on the way. Recently, the beaches of Koh Kong and nearby islands, and the pristine Cardamom mountains nearby, have become popular with beachgoers, divers, and eco-tourists.
Koh Kong has beaches on the river estuary where the Koh Kong river meets the ocean, and it has ocean beaches. The closest beach to the center of town is on the river. It has the un-Cambodian name of Resort 2000. The quality of this beach varies from muddy in the rainy season to clean with good swimming in the dry season. There are some small, but nice beaches past the muslim fishing village on the edge of town, where the Koh Kong river, and a smaller river come together at the ocean.
Along the Koh Kong ocean front, some distance from the town center there is Bak Khlang (Koh Yor) beach on the ocean side where the rivers meet the sea, and further north (toward Thailand) there is Cham Yeam beach, probably the best ocean beach. Cham Yeam beach is a narrow beach that practically disappears at high tide, but is nice and sandy at low tide. it is quite picturesque, fronted by palm trees, with beach side restaurants. The Cham Yeam beach area has become the focal point of Koh Kong development, with a new five star casino/hotel, guest houses, and the Safari World zoo.
Koh Kong's best beaches are to be found on the nearby offshore islands, including the largest Cambodian island, Koh Kong Khoa which is a practically uninhabited jungle paradise with seven magnificent white sand beaches. It is about a forty five minute water taxi ride from Koh Kong.
In addition to hanging out at the beach, there is plenty else to do in Koh Kong, ranging from island hopping and diving with the local PADI dive center, to trekking in the pristine wilderness jungle of the Cardamom mountains to see the many waterfalls in the area. The majority of foreign visitors to Koh Kong are either coming from Sihanoukville, or are planning to go to Sihanoukville. There is convenient high speed ferry boat service daily between Koh Kong and Sihanoukville. It is a fun, four hour ride. Alternatively, there is bus service between Koh Kong and Sihanoukville. In the past, this was somewhat of an ordeal, requiring the crossing of four rivers on makeshift rafts. This situation has improved with the opening of new bridges, so currently there is only one river that needs to be crossed by raft.
Regardless of which direction you are coming from or going, Koh Kong is a unique experience that you shouldn't miss on your Cambodian vacation.
Most people don’t think of a beach holiday when they think of Cambodia. Beautiful tropical islands are not the first association with the country. However, there is a nice stretch of coast which has been enticing curious travelers for the past two decades. One highlight of the Cambodian coast is isolated and undeveloped Koh Kong Island.
Thomas and I along with our German friends Michaela and Stephan took a full-day boat tour to the island which included a trip through the local Mangroves out into the open ocean to the wind-swept, jungle-covered island, which is theoretically occupied by the Cambodian army. Upon arrival, odd tidal conditions forced us to abandon the boat and swim to the shore, where we were rewarded with beautiful beaches and a barbecue. (Getting the food to the beach required the boat captain to swim back and forth between the boat and the island transporting the supplies in a not-so-water-proof box.)
Koh Kong's Districts
- Botum Sakor
- Kampong Seila
- Kaôh Kong
- Kiri Sakor
- Mondol Seima
- Smach Mean Chey
- Srae Ambel
- Thma Bang
