Blissful beaches, paradise islands & riverside charms

The South Coast of Cambodia is the place to chill and unwind after the majestic temples of Angkor and the chaotic yet charming capital of Phnom Penh. The Southern Islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem are the quintessential tropical escape with powder white beaches and turquoise waters. On the mainland, Kampot is a somnolent riverside town and gateway to pepper plantations and salt flats, while nearby Kep is an old French seaside resort famous for its fresh crab. Further west lies Koh Kong, a coastal frontier for ecotourism and some unspoilt islands and beaches, including the largest mangrove forest in Southeast Asia.

Highlights of the South Coast

Beaches galore on this beauty, including 7km Long Beach on the west and the lovely Long Set Beach on the south. Home to 5* luxury like Royal Sands Koh Rong and Song Saa Private Island and mid-range resorts on Pagoda Beach, including Anaya, Tamu, You & Me and Secret Garden.

Sister islands to Koh Rong, Saracen Bay is a crescent shaped cove with squeaky soft white sands and a range of resorts from backpacker crashpads to boutique hotels, including Island Centrepoint, La Passion by Achiriyak and Eden Resort. Less developed than Koh Rong for now.

A smaller island close to Ream National Park, Koh Russey is home to two luxury resorts, including newcomer Jati, part of the same hospitality family as Shinta Mani, and long-running Koh Russey Villas. The yellow sands are not quite Koh Rong, but it is just a 15-minute ride from the mainland.

An up and coming island off the south coast of Koh Kong, this is a small island, but has a huge fishing community living along its eastern shore. Resorts are concentrated to the southeast of the island, but it remains more a destination for backpackers and Cambodian holidaymakers for now.

This riverside town is a real charmer, gateway to pepper plantations and salt flats and a base for river activities like kayaking and paddleboarding. The restaurant scene is the best beyond Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and it is easy to visit nearby places like Kep and Bokor Hill Station.

Known as Kep-sur-Mer to the French, this was Cambodia’s original beach resort and has been slowly coming back to life after being abandoned and destroyed during the long years of war. The place to try stir-fried crab with green pepper, it is also a based to visit pepper plantations and nearby islands.

One of the most pristine wildernesses in Southeast Asia, the Cardamom Mountains spill down to the sea in Koh Kong Province and there are some great places to get off the grid and explore nature, including Cardamom Tented Camp.

Named after the nearby waterfall, Tatai is a beautiful region of Koh Kong, gateway to the Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary, the largest mangrove forest in Southeast Asia. Canvas & Orchids is a serene base for nature treks, kayak paddles and wildlife encounters.

The village that kickstarted the ecotourism boom in the Cardamom Mountains, Chi Phat is a base for homestays, trekking, mountain biking and boat trips into the rugged interior beyond. Just beyond the village lies the Wildlife Release Station where animals are de-habituated for release back into the forest.