The northeastern coastline of the Gulf of Thailand is claimed by three countries: Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Islands belonging to all three of these Southeast Asian nations can be reached from the area’s resort towns and ports. From Thailand’s Koh Chang and Koh Kood in the north to the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc towards the south, the majority of the tropical islands in the string are Cambodian and, compared to their more famous siblings, are virtually untouched.

Whether you’re interested in SEA’s top party islands or seeking out somewhere more serene for some peaceful hammock time, you can find your ideal tropical idyll among the Cambodian islands. Koh Rong and neighboring Koh Rong Samloem are among the most accessible and offer a yin and yang contrast of a party island and a more tranquil recovery island. Koh Totang, to the north, offers a peaceful escape surrounded by nature with a stay at the island’s solitary resort, while Koh Tonsay, to the south, is a quaint island easily accessed from Cambodia’s smallest province, Kep. Koh Thmei and Koh Ta Kiev sit just off the coastal boundary of Ream National Park, and those who enjoy life on the ocean waves will enjoy the boat ride out to the farther-flung Cambodian islands of Koh Poulo Wai 1 and Koh Poulo Wai 2.

Top 7 Cambodian Islands to Visit

1. Koh Rong

Koh Rong is the largest of the cluster of Cambodian islands that are easily accessed from the town of Sihanoukville. Together with its sister island, Koh Rong Samloem, it guards the entrance to Chhak Kompong Som (Kampong Som Bay). The east-facing Koh Tuch Village area is where you can party until the spectacular sunrise signals bedtime, while the rest of the island is covered with untouched forest, with several waterfalls and isolated beaches at its edges.

The island boasts more than 20 beaches, many covered in pristine white sand, and the coastline is dotted with beautiful bays and rugged rock formations. After a post-party nap, you can head to the island’s peaceful west coast for a rejuvenating swim and to take in the sunset before heading back to the Koh Tuch area to start again.

2. Koh Rong Samloem

When visiting Cambodia, the islands offer a welcome and relaxing retreat from the hustle and bustle around Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, and Koh Rong Samloem is as accessible as it is tranquil. Sitting to the southeast of Koh Rong, it’s much more relaxed than its noisier neighbor. The southern section of Chhak Saracen, or Saracen Bay, is home to the most popular resorts. The choices range from basic bamboo bungalows to more up-market beachfront villas, and from each, it’s possible to enjoy views of the soft sand and turquoise waters by day and the bioluminescent plankton by night.

For a more laid-back, local vibe, M’Pai Bay is a great option. Located on the island’s northern tip, looking across to Koh Rong, the quiet fishing village reveals more about the local way of life, whereas Saracen Bay hints at the island’s more touristic future. Both Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem are earmarked for future development, so go now before the developers make their mark…

3. Koh Ta Kiev

Accessible by speedboat or a slower-paced ferry from Sihanoukville, Koh Ta Kiev is smaller and less developed than the two ‘Rong Islands.’ The island has a small smattering of basic resorts along its west and southwest shorelines, but plans are afoot for more luxurious options in the near future. At the moment, the island remains a quiet haven with a back-to-basics vibe and is ideal for chilling in a hammock with a good book.

4. Koh Thmei

Lying within the boundaries of one of the National Parks of Cambodia, the islands Koh Thmei and Koh Seh are known for their varied and exotic birdlife. The smaller Koh Seh is uninhabited, but Koh Thmei is perfect for nature lovers looking to unwind and relax. When not napping in your hammock and being lulled to sleep by the calls of the myriad birds, you can also enjoy snorkeling the island’s mangroves and coral reefs.

Being part of Ream National Park, Koh Thmei may just escape the attention of the developers a little longer than some of the other Cambodian islands. With just one resort – Koh Thmei Resort – and a small camping area, decisions are easy and life is simple.

5. Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island)

Glancing out from Kep Beach, near the border between Vietnam and Cambodia, islands belonging to both nations can be seen. The small Koh Tonsay, meaning ‘Rabbit Island,’ is one of the closer-to-shore Cambodian islands, while the much larger Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc lies, strangely, to the west.

The one-square-mile island is decorated with lush vegetation and is easily reached by boat from Kep. The warm, shallow seas surrounding the island are perfect for swimming and snorkeling, and the white-sand beaches are ideal for drying off and topping up the tan.

6. Koh Totang

The Botum Sakor Peninsula forms the western side of Kampong Som Bay and projects southwest from the Cardamom Mountains, which were the last refuge for tigers in Cambodia. On the eastern slopes of the mountain range, cardamom and pepper are grown commercially, and just off shore lies a set of islets known as the Koh Sdach Archipelago. One island within the set is the tiny Koh Totang, a true hidden gem among Cambodian islands.

The off-the-beaten-track island offers views into Botum Sakor National Park, Cambodia’s largest national park, to the east and uninterrupted seascapes to the west. As one of the more remote and rustic Cambodian islands, it’s another nature lover’s paradise. Jungle hikes and hammock time are the order of the day, and the island’s sole resort is the aptly named Nomads Land…

Read more: Nature in Cambodia: A Travel Guide to Its Wilderness

7. Koh Poulo Wai

The Khmer word Koh means ‘island’ in English, and Poulo is derived from the Malay word for island. But the two ‘islands’ in the name are apt, as Koh Poulo Wai is actually a pair of small and uninhabited Cambodian islands. Think Robinson Crusoe and Castaway.

Farther out into the Gulf of Thailand, almost 100 kilometers from Sihanoukville, the islands were out-of-bounds to tourists for a long time, but now they can be visited on organized tours. As the islands are far from shore, the water is remarkably clear, and as such, they are a favorite among scuba divers. Perhaps the best way to see these islands is via a liveaboard trip organized.

Activities and Attractions

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling Spots

If you’re planning an island-hopping adventure around a few of the Cambodian islands, it’s definitely worth popping a mask and snorkel into your backpack. There’s always a beach close at hand, although some offer better opportunities than others for mingling with the local aquatic life.

As the two larger islands, Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem perhaps offer the most accessible options. There are dive centers on both islands, and scuba diving and snorkeling trips to the best spots are readily available. Although snorkeling from the beaches of the smaller Cambodian islands is also worth checking out. There’s a chance of a turtle encounter from the beaches of each of the islands mentioned above.

For the more adventurous aquatic explorer, overnight trips to Koh Poulo Wai will reward you with the clearest waters and the most pristine reefs. The waters are less visited and, being farther from the mainland, are less muddied by run-off from ports and rivers.

Kayaking and Paddleboarding

Again, being the biggest and busiest of the Cambodian islands, Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem have the most opportunities. There are a few adventure centers on the islands where you can rent equipment or join organized trips to the best spots. Whether you’re looking for a quiet paddle off the beach or a mangrove exploration trip, you will be able to find companies to help you.

Koh Ta Kiev is another good spot for gentle water sports, and you can rent sea kayaks for a reasonable price from a couple of the resorts. Likewise, you can also find sea kayaks to rent on peaceful Koh Thmei.

Cambodia Islands: The Top 3 Beaches

Pagoda Beach (Koh Rong)

Pagoda beach is located in the southeastern part of the island and offers the best beaches for a relaxing stay away from the more touristy Koh Tuch Village, and hosts excellent boutique resorts.  Pagoda Beach is a great place to enjoy the quiet white sands and clear waters during the day.

Saracen Bay (Koh Rong Samloem)

As the main tourist hub on Koh Rong Samloem, Saracen Bay is both convenient and beautiful. Most of the island’s resorts and tourist shops are dotted along the white-sand shore here, but as time goes by and more resorts pop up, it will become a little busier. But the bay’s sweeping sides help keep the water nice and calm, and while it lacks sunset views, it’s a beautiful spot for logging some serious hammock time.

Long Set Beach (Koh Rong)

Long Set Beach, also known as 4K Beach due to its length, is another top spot for lying supine and soaking up the rays when hitting the Cambodian islands. Located to the north of the party area of Koh Tuch, the sweeping bay boasts a stunning expanse of soft, white sand. There are a couple of boutique resorts and hostels along the beach, but by and large, it’s a peaceful spot and a good place to recover if you were partying the night before.

Best Time to Visit Cambodian Islands

If you’re planning a trip to this part of the world, generally speaking, between November and March is the best time to hit the beaches in Cambodia. Islands can get pretty busy during these months, especially at the weekends, and the peak months of December and January will see the islands’ populations swell with the weather at its best.