Island life! Simple, slow, and delightfully unvarnished. Koh Rong Sanloem is the smaller of the two Koh Rong islands in the Gulf of Thailand, lying roughly 25 km off Sihanoukville and about 4 km south of its larger, more populated sister island Koh Rong. The island stretches approximately 9 km in length and is under 5 km at its widest point, with a total coastline of around 37 km. Tourism is a relatively new phenomenon here: the first visitors arrived only in the mid-2000s. Between 2005 and 2010 the first adventurous backpackers found their way to Koh Rong Sanloem, staying in very basic accommodation: Bamboo huts, shared generators and bucket showers! But they were drawn by powdery white sand, crystalline water and the island’s peaceful contrast to Koh Rong and the mainland. After 2012, the first ferry operators offered regular services and the first boutique bungalows appeared, often foreign-owned yet staffed by locals. Then Covid arrived; for some residents it proved a blessing in disguise, as several ambitious tourism developments were planned, putting the “secret island vibe” at danger. Today, you can still spot unfinished buildings slowly reclaimed by the jungle, a visible reminder of plans halted and of the island’s enduring, untamed character.

Life has been fairly basic, calm and relaxed here on the island. Sleeping, swimming, reading, eating, and then repeating it all feels perfectly fine, the days unhurried and pleasantly simple. We have a bungalow about 30 meters from the ocean, and our small terrace gives us an unobstructed view of the water, where light dances on the surface. You can hear the waves rolling in while watching the kids play in the sand. It is pretty idyllic here. I think we could have stayed a month here or longer without ever getting bored of this almost-paradise setting. The Cambodia Beachhouse (https://www.instagram.com/beachhousecambodia/?hl=en) has proven a perfect location for us, and their welcoming owner and staff are just lovely people, ensuring a wonderful stay for the guests. We can highly recommend the stay here to anyone who is looking for relaxed island vibes in Cambodia!

We will have to leave this beautiful spot in two days though, because it’s time for house sitting Krong Kep. More on that in the next update. Until then, be well!