Cambodia’s Islands: Beyond Koh Rong & Koh Rong Samloem

Most people who’ve done any research on Cambodia’s coast will have come across the same two names: Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem. And honestly, that reputation is well-earned; both islands are genuinely stunning. But if you stop there, you’re missing a lot. Cambodia’s coastline is quietly hiding some gems that never seem to make it into the top search results. Whether you’re after a luxurious escape, a proper digital detox, or something in between, there’s an island here that fits.

1. Koh Rong

The one everyone goes to (and with good reason)

Koh Rong is Cambodia’s most famous island, and it earns that title. Stretches of white sand that seem almost too good to be real, water you can see straight through, and a vibe that shifts depending on which side of the island you’re on. Stay near Koh Touch village and you’ll find beach bars, fire shows, and the kind of nights that blur together in the best way. Wander further and you’ll stumble into near-empty bays where the only sound is water. The island genuinely has something for everyone — couples, backpackers, families, people who want to party and people who want to forget the world exists.

2. Koh Rong Samloem

For when you actually want to switch off

If Koh Rong is the life of the party, Samloem is what happens when you slip out early and find a quiet corner. It’s calmer, greener, and noticeably more laid-back, the kind of place where you stop checking your phone not because you’re trying to, but because you just forget to.
The beaches here, especially Saracen Bay, are genuinely beautiful, and the pace of life slows down enough that even anxious travellers tend to unwind within a day or two. It’s become a favourite for honeymooners, and you can see why.

3. Koh Russey

Private island luxury, minus the fuss

Not far from the mainland, Koh Russey feels like a different world. It’s a private island with the kind of setup that makes you feel like you’ve got the whole place to yourself, elegant villas, quiet beaches, and none of the noise you’d expect from more popular spots. The transfer from Sihanoukville is quick, which is a bigger deal than it sounds, some of Cambodia’s more remote islands involve boat rides that test your commitment. Koh Russey skips all that, making it a surprisingly accessible option for anyone who wants real luxury without a full expedition.

4. Koh Ta Kiev

For people who mean it when they say "off the grid"

No luxury here. No reliable electricity, no resort pools, no cocktail menus. What Koh Ta Kiev has instead is untouched jungle, empty beaches, and the particular satisfaction of a place that hasn’t been smoothed out for tourists yet. You stay in simple bungalows, you eat what’s available, and you spend your days swimming or hiking or just lying in a hammock watching the trees. It strips things back in a way that sounds uncomfortable in theory and tends to feel like exactly what you needed in practice.

5. Koh Tonsay

A quick escape near Kep

Rabbit Island (translation of “Tonsay”), as most people call it, sits just off the coast near Kep. It’s small, simple, and genuinely charming, a few beachfront restaurants serving fresh crab (Kep is famous for it), some basic bungalows, and the kind of unhurried atmosphere that makes a weekend feel like a week. It’s not a destination you’d fly across the world for, but if you’re already in the area, it’s absolutely worth an afternoon or two.

6. Koh Sdach

The one you probably haven't heard of

Koh Sdach is still figuring itself out as a tourist destination, which is exactly what makes it interesting right now. There’s a real fishing village here, not a tourism facsimile of one, and the surrounding islands are largely unexplored. Eco-tourism options are beginning to emerge, and the vibe is genuinely local in a way that’s getting harder to find elsewhere on Cambodia’s coast. If you like being somewhere before it gets discovered, Koh Sdach is worth watching.

So which island is right for you?

The honest answer depends on what you’re actually looking for:

Want variety and nightlife? Koh Rong.
Want to properly decompress? Koh Rong Samloem.
Want to feel like you have your own private island? Koh Russey.
Want to genuinely escape? Koh Ta Kiev.
Passing through Kep and want a quick getaway? Koh Tonsay.
Want somewhere still mostly off the tourist trail? Koh Sdach.

Cambodia’s coastline doesn’t always get the credit it deserves, too often it’s treated as a quick stop before Thailand or Vietnam. But spend a week island-hopping here and it starts to feel less like a consolation prize and more like the whole point.