Koh Rong Weather – Tips to Plan Your Trip

As we are now in rainy season (middle of May till early November), the weather on Koh Rong Island has changed, with short bursts of heavy rain appearing throughout the day. It is still quite hot, but it is more humid and cloudier. We still think you’ll love it here, so please do come over – you’ll have a great time we promise! Below is the weather forecast for the next few days. If you don't trust weather forecasts, message us and we'll let you know what the weather is like on the islands. Average Temperatures on Koh Rong To give you a rough idea of the average temperatures over this past year (note: these are the average temperatures in the shade - temperatures in direct sunlight can be much higher): Middle of November / December / January / February: Warm and dry. 25°C daytime. March / April / May: Hot and dry. 35°C daytime. June / July / August: Hot and wet. 35°C daytime. September / October / Early November: Warm and wet. 25°C daytime. We would say that the best time to visit Koh Rong and its sister island Koh Rong Samloem is between the middle of November and the start of May. During these months you'll have beautiful hot days (25°C - 40°C) with very little cloud and low humidity. Koh Rong's Climate Over Time In general, Koh Rong’s weather patterns tend to be consistent over time, being strongly dependent on the direction of the wind and Koh Rong’s close proximity to the equator in the Gulf of Thailand. (Because the two islands are very close to each other, Koh Rong Samloem’s weather patterns are identical). Between the end of November and the start of March the hot dry weather comes from the north-east direction, while between June and September the rain and wind come from the south-west. The average monthly maximum temperature in the above charts is the average air temperature in shaded areas. As such, Koh Rong temperatures in direct sunlight are much higher. Although the temperatures on Koh Rong do not vary much over the course of a year, humidity on the island varies significantly, with April and May being particularly humid and December and January very dry. The amount of sunshine on Koh Rong and on Koh Rong Samloem is very dependent on the season, with the dry season having significantly more sun than the rainy season. Images courtesy of www.weather-guide.com Rainy Season on Koh Rong The rainy season on Koh Rong is from the middle of May to early November. It’s hard to predict exactly what the weather will be like during these months, but most of the time there will be short burst of heavy rain throughout the day, lasting for about 2 hours or so. Closer to September is when the weather is most volatile – it could rain just during the night or just during the day, it could rain for days at a time or stop for several days straight. Take a look at this short video of what it's like on Koh Rong when it rains: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDyi1ydHBXQ One thing to note is that, although it is wonderfully hot throughout the peak season, there are several advantages of visiting Koh Rong during the rainy season. For example, those that visit during the rainy season get to enjoy half-priced accommodation and beautiful rainy scenes, and because it never gets too cold in Cambodia, swimming in the ocean is still a very pleasurable experience (the water rarely drops beneath 25°C). Take a look at this article for more information: 5 Reasons to Visit Koh Rong in Rainy Season The Weather on Koh Rong in 2019 In 2019 the weather on Koh Rong was a little unpredictable. Firstly, we had a few short bursts of heavy rain randomly spread out throughout the peak season (middle of November to the start of May). The rain was very rare, so it shouldn't affect your trip here if you’re planning to come this peak season (starting November 2020). Secondly, on some days the weather forecast predicted rain, but it was actually very sunny, while on other days the weather forecast predicted a lot of sun, when instead it rained. To conclude – Just come over, we promise you’ll have a great time! FAQs Q: When is the best time to visit Koh Rong? A: The best time to visit Koh Rong is between the middle of November and the start of May. During these months you’ll have beautiful hot days with very little cloud and low humidity. Q: When is the rainy season on Koh Rong? A: The rainy season on Koh Rong is from the middle of May to early November. It’s hard to predict exactly what the weather will be like during these months, but most of the time there will be short burst of heavy rain throughout the day, lasting for about 2 hours or so. Closer to September is when the weather is most volatile – it could rain just during the night or just during the day, it could rain for days at a time or stop for several days straight. Q: What is the weather like in October? A: In October, the weather on Koh Rong should be warm but wet, with an average temperature of 25°C daytime. Q: What is the weather like in November? A: In November, the weather on Koh Rong should be warm and dry, with an average temperature of 25°C daytime. Q: What is the weather like in December? A: In December, the weather on Koh Rong should be warm and dry, with an average temperature of 25°C daytime. Q: What is the weather like in January? A: In January, the weather on Koh Rong should be warm and dry, with an average temperature of 25°C daytime. Q: What is the weather like in February? A: At the start of February, the weather on Koh Rong should be warm and dry, with an average temperature of 25°C during the day. As the month progresses, it should start to get gradually hotter, reaching temperatures of 35°C by the end of the month. Q: What is the weather like in July? A: The weather on Koh Rong in July should be hot and wet, with an average temperature of 35°C daytime. Expect short bursts of heavy rain during the day. Q: What is the weather like in August? A: At the start of August, the weather on Koh Rong should be hot but wet, with an average daytime temperature of 35°C. The weather will start to cool throughout the month, reaching temperatures of 25°C by the end. Similarly to July, expect short bursts of heavy rain during the day throughout the whole month. Q: How do I get to Koh Rong? A: There are now 5 modern ferry services from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Island – Speed Ferry Cambodia, Island Speed Boat Cambodia, Buva Sea, Angkor Speed Ferry, and GTVC. (There are also a couple of $5-$10 ‘Slow Boat’ services that take 1.5 – 2.5 hours – These services are not professionally run and are not recommended). It will take about 40 minutes to get to your destination if it’s the first stop. If the boat first stops elsewhere, it may take 1 hour or so. All 5 services will charge roughly $25 return, though prices can vary depending on time of year, special offers, etc. All services leave from the Ochheuteal (AKA ‘Serendipity’) pier in Sihanoukville and go to the main tourist beaches on the islands. If your hotel is not on the main beaches (Koh Touch / Saracen Bay), please read Sihanoukville to Koh Rong. The 5 services offer modern speed boats with comfortable chairs, life jackets, and the option to buy food and drink on board. Not all of the ferries have air-conditioning, but once the boats set off there is a strong cool breeze throughout the sitting areas which more than makes up for it. All ferry services tend to be very busy - we strongly recommend you buy your tickets in advance. You can buy your tickets online now here: Book Ferry Tickets Online Now Q: What activities are there? A: Snorkeling & Scuba Diving The islands are known for their stunning underwater panorama. Whether it's snorkeling or scuba diving that you're after, there are plenty of superb locations. Kayaking & Paddle Boarding Enjoy the crystal clear ocean waters by Kayaking or paddle boarding your way around – An ideal activity for couples and families alike. Mountain Biking & Jungle Trekking Explore the exotic jungle habitat by foot or via a mountain bike. Bioluminescent Plankton Sparkling like a starry sky all around you, the bioluminescent plankton are a wonderful sight to behold at night times. Jet Skiing & Windsurfing For some fast paced action on the beautiful clear waters, hire Jetskis or Windsurf. To learn more, please read our Activities Guide. Q: Is Koh Rong a party place? A: Please ignore what you might read elsewhere – Koh Rong is NOT just a party place! Yes, the main tourist area, Koh Touch, has a reputation for being quite lively, but there are MANY other areas that are peaceful, relaxing, and truly mesmerising. Even on Koh Touch itself there are beautiful, quiet areas a little further down the beach. Please read our Hotel Guide and Beach Guide for more information. Q: Where can I see the glowing plankton? A: Sparkling like a starry sky all around you, the bioluminescent plankton are a wonderful sight to behold at night times. Although this phenomenon is abundant on the islands, the glowing plankton can only be seen in places with very little light pollution. As such, if you’re staying on Koh Touch (the main tourist area on Koh Rong) or on Saracen Bay (the main tourist area on Koh Rong Samloem), the easiest way for you to see the plankton is by booking a boat tour (you can also walk to Police Beach on non-party nights (15 minutes left from the main pier) and Tree House Bungalows (15 minutes right from the main pier) on Koh Touch, or make your way to Long Set Beach around the corner from Koh Touch). For more information, please read: Glowing Plankton on Koh Rong Q: Where are the best beaches? A: There are many wonderful beaches on Koh Rong. To give you an idea, here are three beaches that we like (please read our Beach Guide to learn more): 1) Lonely Beach - Possibly the best beach on the islands (even bettering Lazy Beach on Koh Rong Samloem), is Lonely Beach to the northern side of Koh Rong Island. Although it is not in the most convenient location, it really is absolutely stunning. The small alcove feels like a real island-paradise, with crystal clear ocean waters, soft white sandy beaches, and tall palm trees all around. The atmosphere is quite serene – so peaceful and quiet with just a few crickets chirping in the background. There are very few people around, so you feel quite isolated and secluded out in a truly beautiful setting. 2) 4K Beach (Long Set Beach) - We would say that 4K beach is number two on the list, though there are now several resorts built along this wonderful stretch of white sand, sparkling turquoise ocean, and tropical jungle wilderness. What’s great about this beach, apart from the stunning scenery and inviting pristine waters, is that it’s a short walk away from the main tourist area on Koh Rong Island (Koh Touch). 3) White Beach - At number 3 we are going to put White Beach – A 10 minute walk from the main pier on Koh Touch. Admittedly, there are probably better beaches, but the convenience of White Beach and the quality of the resorts around this area push it up a place or two. Despite what you might read elsewhere, this far side of Koh Touch is not a party location and does not suffer from the same setbacks that other more popular areas experience. The beach on this part of the touristy stretch is clean and well-kept, with soft white sands and beautiful clear ocean waters. Q: What should I bring with me? A: We recommend that you bring plenty of cash, mosquito spray, sun tan lotion, and any other necessities. Both islands have small shops where you can buy most of what you might need, but prices can be inflated so it's a good idea to stock up on the essentials before you go. Q: Is it easy to get a Cambodian Visa? A: Yes - it is generally very easy to get a Cambodian Visa. Although there are tighter restrictions for Business Visas (which now require a Cambodian work permit), the Tourist Visa (1 month stay) is very straight forward and can be obtained at the airport / border crossing as you arrive. If you'd like to skip the ques, you can buy your visa online now here: Buy a Visa Online Now. Q: Is there an ATM on the islands? A: Although there is no ATM as such, you can still get cash out at any of the three Eftpos terminals on Koh Touch (the main tourist area on Koh Rong Island). There is an Eftpos terminal at Green Ocean Guesthouse, White Rose Guesthouse, and Koh Lanta. Q: Is there a medical facility on Koh Rong? A: There is a medical facility on Koh Touch (the main tourist area on Koh Rong Island). Please ask someone when you are there for directions. Q: Is it a family-friendly place? A: Yes, there are many quiet, family-friendly places on the islands. Please see our Hotel Guide and Beach Guide to learn more. Q: Where was Survivor Kaoh Rong filmed? A: Koh Rong Cambodia has hosted the popular reality programme 'Survivor' several times. In 2012, a special edition of the French Survivor (‘Koh Lanta’) was filmed near Sok San Village with an All-Star cast. The production team returned in 2013 and again in 2016 to film the regular editions. In 2015, the American version of Survivor produced Season 31 (Survivor: Cambodia – Second Chance) and season 32 (Survivor: Kaoh Rong – Brains vs Brawn vs Beauty) on Koh Rong Island. The 16th edition of Expedition Robinson (Sweden’s Survivor) was also filmed on the island. Useful Resources: Accu Weather World Weather Online Weather Forecast