ខ្មែរ
English
You’d be forgiven for assuming Koh Kong, Cambodia is an island thanks to the typical Thai and Cambodian prefix – ‘Koh’. But in this case, Koh Kong is an entire province in the country’s southwest. Just 10km from the Thai border, the region’s capital, also called Koh Kong (as well as Krong Koh Kong or Koh Kong City), is an excellent jumping-off point for exploring this sparsely populated part of the country.
Use the city to explore Cambodia’s largest island Outer Koh Kong, aka Koh Kong Island or Koh Kong Krao (yes, confusingly everything here appears to be called Koh Kong), trek through the biodiverse Cardamom Mountain Range or soak up beach vibes in Koh Yor – just a short tuk-tuk ride from the city centre.
If you’re only visiting the city, a couple of days is enough but if you want to get deep into the conservation corridor, you’ll need to budget four to seven days!
Best Time to Visit Koh Kong, Cambodia
The best time to visit Koh Kong is November-March. Sure, it’s high season but temperatures are pleasant, rarely reaching over 30ºc. It’s worth planning ahead at this time of year though. The best accommodation can fill quickly and prices are slightly higher.
Visiting in the shoulder seasons, October and April can mean you get the best of the weather without the crowds or prices – but it’s a gamble. If rainy season (traditionally May-October) finishes late, you’ll need a good jacket. And if the hot season (April-May) starts early, you’ll spend a lot of time hunting for shade!
Things to Do in Koh Kong, Cambodia
1. Visit Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary
The most popular trip from Koh Kong City, the Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary, allows you to get up close and personal with one of the most important habitats in the world – mangroves. A one-kilometre, often sketchy concrete walkway leads you through the dense foliage before spitting you out next to a restaurant and shops in the heart of the sanctuary.
Here you can grab a bite to eat or pick up a souvenir from one of the many tourist shops. There are a series of rest huts you can enter to enjoy the mangroves or, if you’re done, cross the suspension bridge to the lookout tower for great views of the protected area. Finally, hop on a boat trip which will take you on a water-level tour of the mangroves and deposit you back at the start.
Entry is around 5000 Riel (approx. $1.25USD) and a boat trip within the park costs between 20,000 and 70,000 Riel (approx. $5-17.50USD) depending on the option you choose. A tuk-tuk from the city to the mangroves and back costs approx. $10USD.
2. Take a Trip to Koh Kong Island
Taking two to three hours by boat, Koh Kong Island is about as idyllic as they come. One side of the island is home to towering cliffs and deep jungle, while the other delivers several charming beaches. The water is so clear you can see the bottom even when you’re well out of your depth, making Koh Kong Island the perfect place for a spot of snorkelling!
The island is hard to reach and requires a tour to access. There is one accommodation option on the island – Koh Kong Island Resort which has a private beach and onsite restaurant. There used to be more but locals told us they closed during the pandemic. Camping used to be an option but again, this doesn’t seem to be running anymore.
Regardless of how you get to the island, you’ll find large swathes of it off-limits thanks to military activity.
3. Explore the Local Beaches
There are several beaches within a short drive of Koh Kong City. Some, like Koh Yor and Pak Khlang, are very developed with restaurants, bars and guesthouses fencing off their own little stretch. But others like Lam Da Beach are more untamed, offering a chance to relax on the sand without the need to buy a meal or drink. Sner Beach is a popular spot with locals as it’s just a short journey from Koh Kong City. Bars and restaurants line the centre of the beach but there are quieter spots too.
Food and Drink in Koh Kong
While Koh Kong isn’t yet firmly entrenched in the Cambodian backpacking scene, its proximity to the Thai border and surprisingly large number of Western expats mean there is a range of food options to suit all tastes!
Young, Wild and Free: Enjoy a Western meal with the sand between your toes at Young, Wild and Free. There’s a relatively small menu but everything they do, they do right! Don’t miss the Koh Kong Sausage! They also host a weekly movie night, so time your visit right and you’ll get to enjoy a meal and cinema on the beach!
Thmorda Crab House: A short journey across the bridge from Koh Kong City, Thmorda Crab House offers a large Thai menu as well as a range of western and seafood dishes. Service is notoriously slow but the food is delicious and the views are great – so settle in with a cold beer and enjoy the mangroves while you wait!
De’ Village Coffee and Eatery: Koh Kong’s answer to Starbucks, this upscale coffee shop has an incredible range of teas, coffees, frappés and snacks – all in a beautifully air-conditioned building!
How to Get to Koh Kong
From Phnom Penh: Buses from Phnom Penh to Koh Kong leave daily. They cost $8-12USD per person depending on the company you book with. Most hostels in Phnom Penh don’t arrange bus tickets to Koh Kong because it’s not on the typical tourist route, so you may need to find the ticket office for yourself.
We recommend Vireak Buntham. They’re on the higher end of the price range but the vehicles are never overfilled, have good air conditioning and they give a free bottle of water to all passengers.
