Saracen Bay: The Iconic Crescent Lagoon of Koh Rong Sanloem (2026)

Last fact-checked: October 2026

Named after the British survey brig HMS Saracen that charted Cambodia's islands in the 19th century, Saracen Bay is the crown jewel of Koh Rong Sanloem. Curving for 3 kilometers in a sheltered horseshoe on the island's eastern side, its shallow, mirror-flat water and dazzling white sand make it look like a giant natural swimming lagoon.

Why Stay on Saracen Bay

With no cars, no motorbikes, and no paved roads along the bay, walking barefoot in the sand is the only way to move from one beachfront restaurant to the next. Because the deep crescent shape blocks ocean swell, the water stays calm and knee-to-waist deep for puluhan meters offshore.

• Car-Free Castaway Luxury: Boutique wooden villas and eco-resorts sit tucked beneath casuarina and coconut trees just steps from the high-tide line.
• Easy Access to West-Coast Sunset Trails: From the center of Saracen Bay, a flat, shaded 25-minute jungle footpath leads directly across the narrow waist of the island to Lazy Beach, while another 40-minute trail leads to Sunset Beach.
• Bioluminescent Plankton & Night Walks: At the darker northern and southern ends of the bay, you can wade into the water after 20:00 and see glowing plankton without even taking a boat.

How to Get to Saracen Bay

All five major speedboat companies from Sihanoukville Autonomous Port stop directly at the piers in Saracen Bay:

• From Sihanoukville: 35 to 45 minutes by fast ferry ($25 return). Tell the crew your resort name so they drop you at the closest jetty along the 3 km bay.
• From Koh Rong (Koh Touch or Long Set): 15 to 20 minutes on morning or afternoon inter-island speed ferries ($8–$10 one-way) or private longtail boat ($25–$35 per boat).

Location of Saracen Bay on Koh Rong Sanloem

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.