The best islands in Cambodia
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Sihanoukville is Cambodia's premier beach destination, popular with locals, backpackers and expats alike. But despite massive amounts of recent development, the town can still be disappointing for those who come expecting a Thailand-like beach experience.
Sihanoukville's beaches just aren't very impressive, and the child beggars and crusty sexpats only add to the feeling of seediness that the place exudes. Luckily, though, Sihanoukville proper can just be a pit stop on a trip to a true beach paradise.
Koh Rong Saloem
If you've been to one of the islands off Sihanoukville before this year, Koh Rong Saloem was probably it. Lazy Beach has been the accommodation of record for the Sihanoukville islands for more than six years now, and the island is still just as lovely and lazy as ever. Every night Lazy Beach guests relax with a cocktail on the porch to enjoy stunning fuchsia sunsets. The most recent development on Koh Rong Saloem has been the opening of the Freedom Beach Bungalows on the other side of the island in Saracen Bay, where one should be able to see an equally beautiful sunrise.
Koh Rong
Koh Rong is the star of the islands off Sihanoukville. With white sand beaches and turquoise waters, Koh Rong is a dreamy tropical paradise and one of the loveliest islands in the Gulf of Thailand. Apart from sunning on the miles of white sand, there's also diving, snorkelling and trekking paths for visitors.
Koh Ta Kiev
Koh Ta Kiev is the widely-ignored little brother of the island group. Koh Ta Kiev Resort has been in operation for a few years but many travellers have passed it by, perhaps due to the "resort" moniker (which for a collection of simple but sturdy bungalows is soundly undeserved). Recently new accommodation has taken up residence where Jonty's Jungle Camp used to be. Ten103 Treehouse Bay is nestled deep in the jungle.
Koh Russei
Koh Russei is still living under the shadow of its former self, as a package tour and backpacker hangout with dirty beaches. But these days, the island has renewed itself after a major bulldozing by the Cambodian government eliminated all but one set of bungalows and a small cafe.
Koh Thmei
The most pristine of all of the islands, Koh Thmei is part of the Ream National Park and doesn't even have an entire village to call its own. Last December the Cambodian government granted a German couple the right to build an eco-friendly lodge there, complete with solar panels and natural water filtration system.
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They should actively promote these destinations for tourism.
They could make a lot of money.
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Originally posted by charlize:
They should actively promote these destinations for tourism.
They could make a lot of money.
Will pass your message to the cambodia tourism minister... -
Wow... must visit first, before it turned "commercialied" like phuket or koh samui.. :p