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Faraway Paradise: Koh Rong Samloem

Beautiful-turquoise-beach-on-Koh-Rong-Samloem-island-in-Cambodia-copy
Beautiful-turquoise-beach-on-Koh-Rong-Samloem-island-in-Cambodia-copy

Koh Rong Samloem is One of those place that should be visited within the next decade. This is small island in the gulf of slam, just off cambodia’s northern coast. With internet exposure this alluring island is gaining a lot of attention with its beaches and picture postcard serenity that remisces the best beach area of Thailand twenty years ago.

Imagine the picturesque scenery of tropical greenery meeting lonely white sandy beaches with crystal clear ocean water lapping their edges – a place far from modern civilization and crowded cities. In our fast changing world this is a scene that is disappearing rapidly. Here on Koh Rong Samloem Island however, these images are still the real picture. The island measures approximately nine kilometres in length and five kilometres at its widest point. Koh Rong Samloem is ready to take you into its embrace of tropical sun, sand and gentle ocean.

Koh Rong Samloem—also spelt Sanloem or Saloem, is situated eighteen kilometres due west of Sihanoukville, the main beach resort of Cambodia and is reachable by fast ferry or fishing boats. Although much less developed than its larger companion island of Koh Rong; a ten-minute boat ride to the north, the beaches of Koh Rong Samloem suffer substantially less noise and is without light pollution that has become a problem on the larger party island due to its all-night bars and crowds dancing through the night.

Koh-Rong-Samloem-island-in-Cambodia-copy
Koh-Rong-Samloem-island-in-Cambodia-copy

The island’s best feature lies in its unspoiled natural beauty; with activities ranging from jungle walking to boat cruises to various pristine beaches around the island. Koh Rong Samloem is set for a huge increase in visitor numbers during its high season through to May 2016. There is also an expected increase in numbers for the European holiday period of July and August. To cater for this influx many new accommodation options are springing up on the three-kilometre long Saracen Bay and the island’s northern Mpay Bay.

Saracen Bay is one of the best spots in Koh Rong Samloem. It is basically an enclosed bay boasting three-kilometre length of white beach and is the location of the main boat pier that links the island with mainland. To the North of the island is Mpay Bay, an area that is currently developing into another tourist sector, with a lot of budget accommodation options from individual bungalows to guest houses. Snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, jungle trekking, mountain biking and fishing trips are just some of the organized activities that are widely offered throughout the island. It should be said though that relaxing in this tropical island splash of sand, sea and sunsets is still the endearing feature of this lovely paradise isle.