M'Pai Bay: Chill Village & Snorkeling Hub on Koh Rong Sanloem (2026)

Last fact-checked: October 2026

Sitting at the northern tip of Koh Rong Sanloem facing the narrow channel toward Koh Rong, M'Pai Bay (often called MPB by travelers) combines a friendly Khmer fishing village with a tight-knit community of backpacker hostels, boutique hillside guesthouses, dive shops, and cozy cafes.

What Makes M'Pai Bay Different from Saracen Bay

While Saracen Bay is a quiet strip of spread-out beachfront resorts, M'Pai Bay has a compact village heart with a sandy main lane, affordable street food and Western eateries, and a warm social vibe in the evenings.

• Three Beaches in One: Swim at the main M'Pai Bay village beach, walk 15 minutes south across the headland trail to pristine, empty Clearwater Bay (famous for squeaky white sand), or scramble to Rocky Beach for sunset drinks.
• Best Shore Snorkeling on Sanloem: The rocky reef around the northern headland of M'Pai Bay and neighboring Koh Kon islet offers some of the best shallow snorkeling and scuba diving in the archipelago.
• Budget-Friendly Food & Rooms: Meals in M'Pai Bay cost $3–$7 (compared to $7–$15 at Saracen Bay resorts), and guesthouses start from $10–$25 a night.

How to Get to M'Pai Bay

M'Pai Bay has its own dedicated wooden ferry pier right in the center of the village:

• Direct Speedboats: GTVC Speedboat and Buva Sea stop directly at M'Pai Bay Pier from Sihanoukville ($25 return, 45 minutes) and from Koh Touch on Koh Rong ($8–$10, 15 minutes).
• Between M'Pai Bay and Saracen Bay: Because there is no road linking the two bays, take a local boat taxi ($5–$8 per person, 20 minutes) or hike the 1.5-hour coastal/jungle trail via Clearwater Bay.

Location of M'Pai Bay

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.