Best Beaches in Cambodia 2026

Cambodia’s coastline gets a fraction of the attention Thailand’s does, which is exactly why it’s worth your time — the islands off Sihanoukville and the quiet riverside towns further east are still genuinely uncrowded outside of the December–February peak. Here’s how the main spots actually compare.

Koh Rong: The Backpacker Classic

Cambodia’s second-largest island, a 45–70 minute ferry from Sihanoukville, built its reputation on Long Beach (Koh Touch) — 7km of white sand on the western side — and a beach-party scene that’s mellowed considerably since its mid-2010s peak. The island now has a wider spread: budget bungalows and loud bars concentrated near Koh Touch pier, and quieter, more upscale resorts spread along the island’s longer, harder-to-reach beaches like Long Set and Sok San.

Don’t miss a night swim with bioluminescent plankton — best on a moonless night between roughly May and December, when the water genuinely glows blue around your hands.

Koh Rong Samloem: The Quieter Neighbour

A 30-minute boat from Koh Rong (or a direct ferry from Sihanoukville), Koh Rong Samloem trades nightlife for genuine quiet — Saracen Bay, the main beach, is the kind of long, empty curve of sand that looks artificially perfect in photos. It’s the better choice if you want a couple of days doing absolutely nothing rather than island-hopping between bars.

Sihanoukville and Otres Beach

Sihanoukville town itself has changed dramatically over the past decade with large-scale casino development, and most travellers now skip the town centre entirely in favour of Otres Beach, a few kilometres south — still relaxed, with a long stretch of beach bars, yoga studios and seafood barbecue stalls that pick up where the original backpacker scene on Serendipity Beach left off. Otres is also the most practical mainland base if you want beach time without a ferry.

Kep and Rabbit Island

Kep, a small former French colonial seaside town two hours from Phnom Penh, is a different kind of coastal stop — quieter, more about seafood than swimming. The Kep Crab Market serves crab grilled or stir-fried with Kampot pepper literally pulled from traps a few metres offshore, and it’s worth the detour for that alone. From Kep’s pier, a 20–30 minute boat ride reaches Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island) — a genuinely simple, rustic island with one long beach, basic bungalows, and no real infrastructure beyond a few family-run seafood shacks. It’s the closest thing in Cambodia to a desert-island day trip.

Lesser-Known Options: Koh Ta Kiev, Koh Thmei and Koh Totang

For travellers who find even Koh Rong Samloem too developed, a handful of smaller islands offer a genuinely back-to-basics stay — solar power, no Wi-Fi, simple bungalows: Koh Ta Kiev (closest to the mainland, popular for a one-night escape), Koh Thmei (inside Ream National Park, with mangroves and occasional dolphin sightings), and Koh Totang, one of the furthest out and least visited.

Practical Tips for Island Hopping

• Book ferries in advance during peak season (Dec–Feb) — the popular Sihanoukville–Koh Rong routes sell out.
• Bring cash. ATMs are scarce to nonexistent on the smaller islands; Koh Rong’s main pier area has a few, the smaller islands have none.
• Pack a dry bag — speedboat transfers between islands get genuinely wet.
• Best months: November to April (dry season) for the calmest seas and best visibility; May–October brings rain but also the bioluminescent plankton season and far fewer tourists.
• Combine, don’t choose: a week on the coast comfortably covers a Sihanoukville/Otres base plus a Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem stopover — see our 7-day Cambodia itinerary for a route that includes the coast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Cambodian island is best for first-time visitors? Koh Rong Samloem’s Saracen Bay — close enough to reach easily, beautiful, and quiet without being completely without facilities.

Is Koh Rong still a party island? Less than it was. The bar scene around Koh Touch pier is still lively, but most of the island is now quieter resorts and bungalows spread along other beaches.

Do I need to book ferries in advance? In peak season (December–February), yes. Outside peak season you can usually buy tickets the same day at the pier.

Is Sihanoukville town worth visiting? Not for most travellers — large parts of the town centre are now dominated by casino construction. Base yourself at Otres Beach instead and use Sihanoukville only as a transit point.

Can you do a day trip to Rabbit Island from Kep? Yes — boats run constantly through the day, and a half-day is enough to see the whole island, though staying one night in a beach bungalow is worth it if you have the time.