Koh Kong Island

Koh Kong Island is the largest of the Cambodian islands and is a true hidden treasure. It is situated approximately 25 kilometres to the south of Krong Koh Kong. It can be a bit confusing as Koh Kong is sometimes to referred to as an island, a province or a town. In fact, they are three different places! The province of Koh Kong is one of Cambodia’s largest and includes Koh Kong Island. There is also a town called Koh Kong in the province of Koh Kong. Phew! The Koh Kong Island is famed for its luxurious beaches but still remains fairly empty of visitors.

You can reach the island of Koh Kong by boat and there is supposed to be a bridge from the mainland to the island in the pipeline. You can catch a moto ride from Sihanoukville to Koh Kong town and then ask a motorboat to take you across to the island. The cost of this is in the region of 1,000 Baht.

Once on the island, you can take the time to explore the pristine beaches. They have white sand and the beaches located on the western side of the island are practically deserted. In fact, you will often see sand crabs aimlessly wandering along the shoreline. There is also the opportunity to pick up many colourful and interesting shells on the beach, of the type that are usually reserved for souvenir shops. The best feature of thebeaches on Koh Kong Island is the crystal clear clarity. It is very easy to stare down into the clear waters and pick out a grain of sand at the bottom- honestly, the water is that clear! There are lines of coconut trees and visitors can enjoy watching the schools of dolphins that frequent the shores. Many of the beaches allow you to indulge in snorkelling and fishing. One of the bestbeaches to visit is the sixth of the seven beaches. Working your way down from the north of the island, you will find a Gilligan’s island style lagoon. This is perfect for couples who wish to spend a bit of private time together.

There are also several forested areas on the island but it is prohibited to venture too far into them if you are a visitor to the island. It is possible to access the half dozen forested hills that are situated on the eastern side of the island though. These are an excellent way to get great ocean views from as high up as 407 metres above sea level. Below you will be able to see the mangrove lined coast and the pristine beaches.

Koh Kong Island is still basic in terms of areas that are tourist-friendly. There is only one town on the island called Alatan where you may be able to pick up a few supplies. There are no guesthouses or hotels; but with the boom in visitors to Cambodia, it will surely not be long before there are numerous developments springing up on the island (there are no regulations to stop development on Koh Kong Island and there is no preservation of wildlife). For this reason, it may be best to visit this serene and breathtaking island before it become crowded and commercialised!

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