Recommended Itineraries (2026 Edition)
With the new road network, exploring Koh Rong has never been easier. Whether you have a long weekend, five days or a full week, here is how to spend your time wisely, plus tips for the rainy season and a rough budget.
Last fact-checked: September 2026
The "Essential Koh Rong" (3 Days)
Day 1: Arrival & Vibe
Arrive at Koh Touch pier. Walk (about 30 minutes) or take a short taxi ride to Long Set Beach (4K). Enjoy beachfront cocktails and music at Nest Beach Club.
Day 2: Ocean Magic
Book a boat tour ($20-$30). Snorkel around the small islands near Koh Touch, try traditional line fishing, watch the sunset and end the night swimming with bioluminescent plankton in a dark cove.
Day 3: Island Chill
Morning kayak to the small islands. Lunch in Koh Touch village (try the authentic pasta at Da Matti) before taking the afternoon fast ferry back to the mainland.
The "Beaches & Nature" (5 Days)
A balanced plan for those who want to see more than the beach bars, including a day on the neighboring island.
- Day 1: Arrive at Koh Touch and stay near the pier or on Long Set. Swim at White Beach and have seafood from an evening barbecue in the village.
- Day 2: Rent a scooter. In the morning walk the boardwalk and paddle a kayak in the Prek Ta Sok mangroves, then spend the afternoon at Coconut Beach.
- Day 3: Ride to Sok San and walk to the Varisan Nureach Waterfall (best in the rainy season). Stay for the sunset on Long Beach and ride back before dark, or spend the night in Sok San.
- Day 4: Day trip to Koh Rong Sanloem: fast ferry to Saracen Bay, beach and snorkeling, and back with an afternoon boat (check the last departure). In the evening, a plankton swim.
- Day 5: Morning kayak to Koh Toch (Pagoda Island), then the ferry back to Sihanoukville.
The "Ultimate Immersion" (7 Days)
Perfect for those who want to see both the social side and the wild north of the island.
- Days 1-2: Base yourself in Long Set. Explore the social hubs and join the Saturday Nestival beach party at Nest Beach Club.
- Days 3-4: Transfer to the west side (Sok San Village). Enjoy the 7 km stretch of white sand of Long Beach. Try the fresh seafood at The Moon for a perfect beachfront dinner.
- Day 5: Rent a scooter and ride the new road north to Prek Svay fishing village. Rent a kayak and paddle through the mangroves.
- Day 6: Head to Lonely Beach at the northern tip for total isolation. The last stretch of road is rough and usually done on foot, or you can come by boat.
- Day 7: Sunrise on the beach and final departure.
Planning in the Rainy Season
Between mid-May and early November, and especially in July and August, plan with some flexibility:
- Keep a buffer day: Ferries are occasionally cancelled in rough seas, so do not book an onward flight for the same day as your ferry back to the mainland.
- Stay near a pier: Koh Touch and Long Set are the easiest places to arrive at and leave in bad weather; transfers to remote beaches can be difficult.
- Use the dry spells: Rain often comes in shorter bursts, so plan boat trips for calmer mornings and keep the waterfalls, which are at their best now, for the rainy days.
Rough Daily Budget
Prices on the island are higher than on the mainland because most supplies arrive by boat. Typical prices per person (2025-2026, approximate):
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed or tent | $6-15 per night |
| Private room or bungalow | from about $20-40 per night |
| Meal in a Khmer restaurant | about $3-5 |
| Scooter rental | $10-15 per day |
| Kayak rental | about $5 per hour |
| Boat tour with snorkeling and plankton | $20-30 |
| Ferry Sihanoukville - Koh Rong (return) | about $25-35 |
| Two fun dives | about $95-110 |
Bring enough US dollars in cash: there are practically no ATMs on the island. Practical info
Logistics & Social Tips
Ferries: GTVC Speedboat, Speed Ferry Cambodia, Buva Sea. How to get there
Events & Parties: Check the Nestival site for the Saturday beach party at Nest.
Booking: Nest Beach Club also has rooms and dorms, bookable on Booking.com.