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"Short stories and travel reports from my life adventures around the globe".

Travel Report: Koh Rong Island, Cambodia.

Coconut Beach on Koh Rong Cambodia.

Koh Rong Island, Cambodia.

December 2015. It was hard to imagine that Christmas was around the corner. In just under a few weeks I’d be flying back to Scotland where there’d be snow, mince pies and dog walks in the local forest.

It was all a million miles away from the blue skies and glistening turquoise waters of Cambodia as Wonderboy and I sped away from Sihanoukville towards the island of Koh Rong.

Speedboat to Koh Rong Island Cambodia.

On the boat to Koh Rong.

I’d heard mixed things about Koh Rong. Was it really an Idyllic tropical paradise? Or just another South East Asian nightclub, filled with the kind of people you’d cross the street to avoid back home. Hopefully it wasn’t the latter, because I’d seen enough of all that during my time in Thailand.

Koh Rong Island Cambodia.

Koh Touch.

After some essential research, I felt satisfied that we could avoid all the nonsense and station ourselves somewhere authentic. In the end, we opted for three nights on Nature Beach, a non-party resort on the south eastern side of the island.

The boat from Sihanoukville dropped us at Koh Rong’s main village, Koh Touch, from where we had a four hour wait for the transfer to Nature Beach.

Koh Rong Island, Cambodia.

Bong's Guesthouse Koh Rong.

Killing time.

Koh Touch is home to the island’s main drag of guesthouses, bars and restaurants. Thus we certainly didn’t have any trouble killing time. Sauntering down the narrow strip of beach, we decided to settle down at Bong’s, a restaurant-bar guesthouse with a silly slogan that read “The local is local”.

Koh Touch main drag Koh Rong Island.

Koh Rong Island.

At first glance Koh Touch didn’t seem so bad, in the daytime at least. It was mid afternoon and a pleasingly sleepy vibe prevailed. According to our moody waitress, most people were “still hungover” from last night’s beach party. Which suited me just fine.

All in all, it wasn’t such a terrible place to  consume a disappointing bowl of beef nachos. But of course we anticipated much more from Nature Beach.

Boat transfer Nature Beach Koh Rong Island

Koh Rong Island.

Finally, our complimentary boat pickup arrived at Koh Touch pier. All we had to do was choose either an 11:00 or 17:00 slot and give them twenty four hours notice by email. We had the boat to ourselves that day, which felt pretty special. Our mute captain ushered us onboard, fired up the engine and we were off!

En Route To Nature Beach.

The boat to Nature Beach Koh Rong Island Cambodia

Nature Beach bound.

The journey from Koh Touch to Nature Beach took about thirty minutes. Brilliantly, the trip unfolded during sunset, a lovely blend of pink, blue and orange in the sky as we chugged towards our destination.

Sailing to Koh Rong Island.

Koh Rong Island.

Night had already descended by the time we were done checking in at Nature Beach. They have a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets. In what I can only describe as a moment of madness, Wonderboy and I thought it would be cool to stay in one of the raised beach tents.

Lured by a sense of adventure and the dirt cheap rate of $10 a night, we definitely overestimated the size of our “twin tent”. In fact, dear readers, that first night on Nature Beach stands tall as one of the worst night’s sleep I’ve ever had.

Nature Beach.

Raised tents Nature Beach Koh Rong Island

$10 a night!

Firstly, it was stiflingly hot. To the point where I felt so overwhelmed I literally had to leave the tent two or three times for a cold shower in the communal bathroom.

Then there was Wonderboy’s snoring and the fact that bugs kept finding their way in through the netting. I can still picture myself lying there in agony, praying to the gods that my tent mate wouldn’t fart.

Twin chalet Nature Beach Koh Rong Island

Upgrade!

“F*** this let’s get a chalet!” exclaimed Wonderboy the next morning. Which is exactly what we did. It was hardly a luxury lodging, but boy did it feel like a major upgrade after our night in the matchbox sauna.

Moreover, we landed ourselves a 50% discount! It was Wonderboy’s birthday, so instead of the usual $80 a night (way overpriced)we only had to pay $40. A resounding victory!

Twin chalet on Nature Beach Koh Rong.

Koh Rong Island.

Having settled into our new living quarters, we could now focus on enjoying Nature Beach’s many charms. I immediately loved how understated it all was. No crowds, no vendors, no litter, just a scattering of parasols and a wooden tree swing. This was what I’d signed up for!

Nature Beach on Koh Rong Island.

Nature Beach.

And so unfolded our Cambodian tropical paradise experience. I took a much needed nap to make up for the previous night’s unpleasantness. Then came a paddle in the transparent waters, with its giant boulders and schools of tiny, multicoloured fish. And of course a proper swim in the sea, the skyline completely unobscured, not even a single boat in sight.

Koh Rong Island.

Beautiful Nature Beach Koh Rong Island.

Nature Beach.

When hunger and thirst called, we’d take the five minute walk to the beach bar, a thatched roof hut where an Australian guy and a Filipino girl shook up some mean cocktails.

While their menu was somewhat limited, I had no complaints about the food itself. I particularly liked the Beef Lok Lak, a traditional Khmer dish. The meat is served in a rich gravy, the white rice topped by a fried egg.

Beef Lok Lak Koh Rong Cambodia.

Beef Lok Lak.

I have great memories of Wonderboy’s 36th birthday night at the beach bar. The beers and cocktails flowed all night as we played round after round of hotly contested Jenga. Amazingly, a Thai family were also celebrating someone’s birthday and kindly shared their humongous cake with us. Good times!

Beach Bar Koh Rong Island Cambodia.

Cake and Jenga!

Before calling it a night, we took in the unforgettable sight of glowing plankton down by a hidden cove. The barman assured us we wouldn’t want to miss it and boy he wasn’t kidding! It was a truly incredible sight as, all around us, tiny bioluminescent organisms lit up the water.

And of course they all reacted to the movement of our feet, creating a sparkly, shimmering extravaganza that truly has to be seen first hand to be believed. I tried to photograph it but the results were miserable. Following a bit of digging around online, I’d say it looked something like this.

Koh Rong Island.

Glowing plankton Koh Rong Cambodia

Plankton.

Photo courtesy of dw.com. 

On day two we spontaneously set off on the two kilometre hike to a neighbouring resort called Coconut Beach. We’d heard that this was one of the island’s most impressive stretches of sand, home to a stunning bay of aquamarine water.

Walking trail to Coconut Beach Koh Ker.

It’s that-a-way.

In another moment of insanity, we set off on the walk in the middle of the afternoon, at the hottest time of the day. Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun, right?

The wild, unpaved trail starts at the end of Nature Beach, just beyond the last chalet. From there it twists through light woodland, gravelly inclines and a few dense jungle paths. Armed with some bottles of water and enough suntan lotion to drown a large tiger, we pushed on with much enthusiasm.

Hiking to Coconut Beach Koh Rong Island

Hiking to Coconut Beach.

There were no resting stations along the way, not even a spot of shade to duck into. If only I’d had a hat, that might have helped. Seriously, we were both fortunate not to get sunburn. As we progressed, there were plenty of bugs, lizards and even a few iguanas scurrying across the path. Unsurprisingly, we didn’t encounter a single person along the entire route.

Hiking To Coconut Beach.

Iguana Koh Rong Cambodia.

Meeting the locals.

At last we arrived at Coconut Beach Resort, a collection of large, handsome bungalows set in a jungle clearing. Admiring the scene for a moment, we subsequently continued along the trail that leads to Coconut Beach.

Coconut Beach Chalets, Koh Rong Island.

Coconut Beach Resort.

As the path began to descend, the trees cleared, providing a tantalising window into The Gulf of Thailand. The water was spectacular, while a large boat bobbed from side to side in the distance. Now we were closing in on the beach, the sound of the waves urging us on.

The Gulf of Thailand.

The Gulf of Thailand.

From the moment I laid my eyes on Coconut Beach I knew Wonderboy and I had missed a trick. This is where we should have stayed! The sand was so perfectly white and felt like powdered chalk to the touch. Scanning the situation, I guessed there were maybe half a dozen folk lying at the far end. So we happily set up camp right where we were.

Coconut Beach.

Coconut Beach on Koh Rong Island

Koh Rong Island.

Wonderboy wasted no time in jumping straight into the water for a swim. In contrast, I was hungry! So I made my way up the steep, 150 step staircase to the beach restaurant and bar.

Ordering a Coca Cola and a plate of banana pancakes, I drank in the glorious views of the sea. And then chuckled to myself as I caught sight of Wonderboy breast stroking his way along the panoramic.

Gulf of Thailand Cambodia

Wonderboy!

Although generally inferior to the camera I have now, my Sony whatever it was did possess a kickass zoom. And it was fun pushing it to its limits that afternoon in order to close in on Wonderboy’s little spot in the sea.

Swimming in The Gulf of Thailand.

The Gulf of Thailand.

If you ever make it to Coconut Beach, I can wholeheartedly recommend those banana pancakes. Fluffy and with just the right amount of crisp, they came with an unexpected jug of maple syrup. Delicious!

Koh Rong Island.

Banana Pancakes

Coconut Beach.

Suitably fed and watered, it was my turn to hit the sea. I wasn’t much in the mood for swimming, hence I made do with some lounging in the shallow waters.

It was such a perfect afternoon, and a world away from the Scottish hamlet I’d soon find myself in for the festive season. Looking back, these are the moments that make this strange and often stressful nomadic life of mine feel so special.

Coconut Beach Koh Rong Island.

Chill.

Like this? Check out more from my experiences in Koh Rong.

I’ve also written a whole bunch of pieces from all around Cambodia.

I’ve been living, working and traveling all over the world since 2001. So why not check out my huge library of travel reports from over 30 countries.

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32 Comments

  • Little Miss Traveller

    Really interesting to read about your island adventure and pleased you were able to upgrade to a chalet from that minuscule tent like structure Leighton. Those banana pancakes looked good too!

    January 26, 2021 - 10:56 am Reply
    • Leighton

      Ahhh thanks Marion. Koh Rong always brings back fond memories of an uncomplicated, carefree period of my life. Thanks for reading!

      January 26, 2021 - 10:58 am Reply
  • bublelady

    This is a such a chilled out read. So beautiful, I hope I get the chance to visit one day.

    January 26, 2021 - 11:47 am Reply
    • Leighton

      I hope you do too! It’s a little slice of paradise.

      January 26, 2021 - 12:25 pm Reply
  • 100 Country Trek

    Now that is a place we haven’t been. Looks like a great place with the cool hut.

    January 26, 2021 - 12:15 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Glad you could see a new side of Cambodia. If you choose the right part of Koh Rong, it’s an idyllic tropical paradise.

      January 26, 2021 - 12:21 pm Reply
  • salsaworldtraveler

    Great times and wonderful memories Leighton.

    January 26, 2021 - 1:21 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Thanks for checking in, appreciate it!

      January 26, 2021 - 1:26 pm Reply
  • I’ve Bean Travelling

    That water looks incredible. We are expecting 10 cm of snow here today so I’m dreaming of being some place like that instead!

    January 26, 2021 - 2:43 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Thanks for reading! Enjoy the snow, if you can. We had some here in Belgrade last week.

      January 26, 2021 - 2:53 pm Reply
  • Mary Phillips

    I understand how this could be one of your favorite places. Seems a wonderful place for a get away if one is close and able.

    January 26, 2021 - 4:02 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Absolutely Mary. Lovely to hear from you. Hope all is well with you guys.

      January 26, 2021 - 4:04 pm Reply
  • Memo

    Your descriptions of the various accommodations are especially vivid – even when they were not inviting. Loved how “the sand is always smoother on the other side of the island.” Must be a world wide phenomenon. Wish I had a chance to see it for myself.

    January 26, 2021 - 4:48 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Ha, thanks Memo! Just emailed you as it happens. Hope all is well in Mexico.

      January 26, 2021 - 4:58 pm Reply
  • Emily

    Sounds and looks like an amazing trip!

    January 26, 2021 - 5:10 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Thanks Emily!

      January 26, 2021 - 5:14 pm Reply
  • Monkey's Tale

    Coconut beach looks wonderful, but the thought of the hot walk back to your non-luxury cabins must have been awful. We had one of those days in Panama where we found paradise and then had to return to our budget accomodations.

    January 26, 2021 - 5:52 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Well, these are the so-called woes of the privileged traveller I guess, ha! But you’re right, the walk back was hard, hard work. Those cabins were “alright”, but I think we would have killed for a touch of air con.

      January 26, 2021 - 6:06 pm Reply
  • Lookoom

    There are really ups and downs in this review of Cambodian beaches. I liked the description of Nature Beach for the ‘no vendors, no litter’ feature and of course Coconut Beach especially for the maple syrup.

    January 27, 2021 - 3:07 am Reply
    • Leighton

      I really wasn’t expecting the maple syrup! Thanks for reading!

      January 27, 2021 - 9:41 am Reply
  • Rebecca

    Sometimes, it does pay to fork over a bit of extra cash for a good night’s sleep; your second accommodation looked quite comfy! That Beef Lok Lak looks pretty darn good, and it reminds me of similar dishes in Taiwanese bento lunches, topped with a fried egg on top. The glowing planktons at night truly look extraordinary; I experienced a similar phenomenon last spring in my hometown’s beach in LA, and although the photos weren’t as clear as they could be, the experience is a rare and worthy one. Thanks for your take on Cambodia; I’ve yet to visit, but I hope to someday!

    January 27, 2021 - 5:06 am Reply
    • Leighton

      Had no idea you get glowing plankton in LA. Thanks for reading!

      January 27, 2021 - 9:42 am Reply
  • Coral Waight

    Sounds heavenly.

    January 27, 2021 - 5:49 am Reply
    • Leighton

      Thanks Coral!

      January 27, 2021 - 9:43 am Reply
  • Jyothi

    Wow.. Coconut Beach looks gorgeous 👌👌

    January 27, 2021 - 7:25 pm Reply
  • Msdedeng

    I appreciate the pictures. Makes one want to travel.

    January 27, 2021 - 11:49 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Thanks for reading! Glad to have fed your wanderlust.

      January 28, 2021 - 4:35 am Reply
      • Msdedeng

        🙂

        January 28, 2021 - 5:32 am
  • Lyssy In The City

    Great post! I didn’t know plankton glowed like that. The only plankton I know is from Spongebob ha!

    January 28, 2021 - 2:36 am Reply
    • Leighton

      Spongebob does Cambodia would be an interesting episode!

      January 28, 2021 - 4:34 am Reply
  • pam@ichoosethis

    Ok, this really does look amazing. I did laugh out loud about your tent experience!! I have not spent much time in Cambodia, but would love to do this trip some time! Bookmarking!

    May 11, 2021 - 3:02 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Aw that’s great, cheers Pam!

      May 11, 2021 - 3:04 pm Reply

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