Most people come to Saracen Bay (the main tourist area on Koh Rong Samloem) to lie back, relax, and admire the magnificent views, but if you feel adventurous, there are 5 things that we would recommend for you to see and do. P.S. You can book some of these activities online now and save up to 15%:

 

1) Swim in The Waterfall

Firstly, there is the fantastic waterfall at the far side of the bay – Near a main pier and Freedom Island resort. The jungle surrounding the waterfall is beautiful, and the pool at the bottom is superb on a nice hot day – There is a bar and a restaurant, and you can sit back in the refreshing waters with a nice cold drink. If you decide to grab a bite to eat, the Khmer food at the restaurant is pretty good. Please note: the waterfall tends to dry up in the middle of peak season.

 

2) Visit Lazy Beach

As a separate day trip, we would definitely recommend for you to see Lazy Beach – A 40 minute walk through the jungle trail.

Voted as one of the ‘Top 21 Beaches in the World‘ by The National Geographic, the views on this side of Koh Rong Samloem are truly mesmerising, and if you spend one night at the resort there, you can see the breathtaking sunset.

Beautiful Sunset at Lazy Beach
 

The restaurant (and bar area) at Lazy Beach Resort is ideal for lounging, and the beach is in pristine condition, so you have plenty to do (or not to do) when you get there. Take a look at this article for more details.

3) Snorkel and Scuba Dive

For those who want to take full advantage of the wonderful marine life, there is snorkelling and scuba diving available.

 

The snorkelling / scuba diving centre is located near the centre of Saracen Bay (near Orchid Resort) and is quite easy to find – Just take a stroll along the beach and look out for it. Scuba diving is an absolutely amazing experience around Koh Rong Samloem – The best place is around Sunset Beach, on the western side of Koh Rong Samloem (see also: Snorkelling on Lazy Beach).

4) Take an Island Tour

More recently, a very popular boat tour around the island has become available. Organised by Captain Kem, ‘Caribbean Tours’ takes you all over Koh Rong Samloem, allowing you to see many of the other attractions, beaches, and resorts.

This is a fun thing to do if you can find the time, and what’s great about this tour is that you can stop off at any point you like along the way, including the best areas for snorkelling and fishing. Don’t be expecting any advanced fishing equipment though – The local Khmer use a small plastic bottle and fishing wire. Even if you don’t happen to catch a feast (the trick seems to be in how far down you let the hook go), being out in the waters on a small boat is fantastic, especially when the sun starts coming down.

Glowing Plankton on Koh Rong Samloem

 

Captain Kem also currently offers a night time trip to see the bioluminescent plankton – Try to book the tour in advance during the day though (there are several booking points across the bay or just ask at your resort).

5) Visit The Lighthouse

At the opposite end of Saracen Bay to the waterfall, near Paradise Villas and Dolphin Bay Resort, you’ll find the entrance to the long walk to see the light house. Although the views from the top are splendid, it’s a bit too far to go, so maybe don’t make the journey unless you have a spare day on your hands and you’ve already seen Lazy Beach.

Fantastic Views From The Lighthouse

 

FAQs

Q: When is the best time to visit Saracen Bay?

 A: The best time to visit Saracen Bay 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. To give you a rough idea of the average temperatures over this past year:
 
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.
 
Please see our Weather Guide for more information.

Q: How do I get to Saracen Bay?

 A: There are now 5 modern ferry services from Sihanoukville to Saracen Bay – 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 Saracen Bay 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.
 
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 Koh Rong 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 on Koh Rong Samloem.
 
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.
 
Jungle Trekking
Explore the exotic jungle habitat by foot. If you’re staying on Saracen Bay, we would definitely recommend for you to see Lazy Beach – A 40 minute walk through the jungle trail.

 
Bioluminescent Plankton
Sparkling like a starry sky all around you, the bioluminescent plankton are a wonderful sight to behold at night times. Please speak to your hotel about booking a plankton tour.

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.
 
If you’re staying on Saracen Bay, the easiest way for you to see the plankton is by booking a boat tour.
 
For more information, please read: Glowing Plankton on Koh Rong

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. Saracen Bay and M’Pai Bay 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 Saracen Bay?

 A: There is currently no ATM on Saracen Bay. However, many resorts now take card (e.g. VISA, MasterCard, etc) and you can take money out using an Eftpos terminal (10% fee). It is also possible to do a WING transfer if you are desperate for cash. Please ask someone when you are there for details.
 
You can 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?

 A: There is currently no medical facility on Saracen Bay. However, Koh Rong has a medical facility on Koh Touch (the main tourist area). 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 Saracen Bay. Please see our Hotel Guide and Beach Guide to learn more.

Q: When is the rainy season?

 A: The rainy season on Saracen Bay is from the middle of May to early November. During these months there will be short bursts of heavy rain during the day. One thing to note is that, although it is wonderfully hot throughout the peak season, there are several advantages of visiting the island 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 Saracen Bay in Rainy Season