Pure bliss. This is how it felt as we arrived on Koh Rong Sanloem, the most gorgeous beach in Cambodia. We made the journey here from Sihanoukville to end our ten day Cambodia vacation. It was the perfect finale to a rather busy trip. If you’re planning to go to Southeast Asia, you must squeeze in at least a few days on this island paradise. From dreamy turquoise water, to white sandy beaches, it’s the epitome of relaxation.

After a rough speed boat ride from the mainland, we were transformed to a remote disconnection from reality. Unlike it’s touristy neighbor Koh Rong, this island still feels rather untouched. Although we only spent a few days here, there was so much to see and do. Explore this guide to the most beautiful beach in Cambodia and let it inspire your next getaway!

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A Guide to the Best Beach in Cambodia

In This Article
Best Time to Go
How to Get To Koh Rong Sanloem
Where to Stay on Koh Rong Sanloem
Things to Do on Koh Rong Sanloem

Terra enjoying time in the water during sunset

Best Time to Go to Koh Rong Sanloem

Usually the best time to visit Cambodia overall is during the dry season, which is from November through May. If you’re looking to experience sunny skies with practically no rain, this is your best bet. However this also means there will be more tourists. So in the end it’s all about what your preferences are.

During the wet season, which runs from May to November it will be more rainy. It might offer a different experience here on the island, and definitely more secluded. But you might not have those bright sunny beach shots. The great thing is there will be less tourists and overall cheaper prices.

Speed Ferry Cambodia boat in Sihanoukville

How to Get to Koh Rong Sanloem

Before heading to Koh Rong Sanloem, we spent one day in Kampot. After reading some not so great things about Sihanoukville, we decided to stay overnight here instead. It was such a beautifully relaxing place to stay and also put us much closer to our journey to the island. It’s just a few hour drive from Sihanoukville, and also a place worth seeing.

From Sihanoukville there are several options to bring you to the two islands, Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem. We recommend asking your resort or bungalow which ferry is the best to take, as it depends on which pier you need to go to. Our resort was on Saracen Bay, and we chose Speed Ferry Cambodia, which dropped us off just a few minute walk from there.

Some other options are Island Speed Boat Cambodia, Buva Sea, and GTVC Speedboat. These are the most popular ones and get you there between 45 minutes to 1 hour (if all goes well.) You can book these on BookMeBus, the most useful source for booking any transportation in Cambodia. The boats all leave from Serendipity Pier in Sihanoukville.

There are also slow boat options, but these are not recommended. If you’re staying on Saracen Bay, then it’ll be an easy trip. However if you’re staying on Lazy Beach, then you will either have to arrange for a private boat service, or take one of the speed boats to Saracen Bay and walk 30-40 minutes through the jungle to the other side.

Tips: The boat ride can get a big rough, so if you tend to get sea sick keep this in mind. The timing might also not work out perfectly, our boat was late and it also had issues on the way. Always plan ahead for these little travel hiccups.

Where to Stay on Koh Rong Sanloem

There are plenty of resorts and small bungalows to choose from on the island. Most of these are located in Saracen Bay. These all range in price from what type of experience you want to have. Of course the more rustic will be the cheapest.

Sky Beach Resort

After reading many reviews on various resorts, I decided to go with Sky Beach Resort. It was actually fairly new, opening about 6 months prior to when we arrived. All the reviews were quite positive and it had a lot of things we were looking for.

Bungalows at Sky Beach Resort

It happens to be located on one of the most beautiful and quiet parts of Saracen Bay. It’s very easy to get to, with a few minute walk from Paradise Pier. There are just five bungalows right on the beach, with steps from the water. Since we were traveling with family, we chose not to go the rustic route and this one was perfect. There was reliable wifi if needed, hot showers, and also a mini store and restaurant here. Our bungalow also had air conditioning and fit 4 adults and one child pretty comfortably. We loved waking up and having the convenience of breakfast right on the premises. They also kindly brought food right to our bungalow to enjoy if requested. Everything was cooked fresh and had a very homemade feel to it. The fruit shakes were just beyond delicious!

Another thing we loved was the boat tours they organized. You can do a glowing plankton tour at night, and also snorkeling and a tour to M’Pai Bay Village, on the other end of the island. They offer many options to choose from. They also have stand-up paddle boards for you to use free of charge. The only thing it was missing were some hammocks to relax in.

Sunset view over bungalows in Saracen Bay

Other Options in Saracen Bay

In addition to Sky Beach Resort, there are so many to choose from depending on availability. We recommend to book in advance as much as possible in order to have a better pick. Some of the more popular ones sell out fast!

Sol Beach Resort: A beautiful resort with all the amenities you would need. Wifi, hot showers, private transfers, and an open air restaurant. The bungalows are nicely equipped with a bath and hot showers. Hammocks and beach chairs for relaxation. Located on a gorgeous part of the bay with plenty of activities to choose from.

Moonlight Resort: This one is a great choice for those who are looking for a more unique accommodation. It’s an eco resort with dome shaped bungalows that appear to be made of moon rock. They have a restaurant, pool and hot tubs, and plenty of beach lounging options. Some bungalows come with nice open air bathrooms, and all of them have hot showers and free wifi. Definitely a beautiful and photo-worthy place.

Bamboo Jam: A bit more rustic than the others, Bamboo Jam is a great value option. All the bungalows have a sea view, but no A/C. There are hammocks and beach swings to enjoy, as well as stunning views.

We did not make it to Sunset Beach during our stay, but here’s a gorgeous sunset from the island

Sunset Beach

For a more secluded experience you can stay on Sunset Beach. One of the best options here is Robinson Bungalows, a quite rustic choice but does have it’s own restaurant and bar. The bungalows have a straw thatched roof with mosquito nets. Amenities are quite basic, but it’s definitely more about the experience here. It’s also not as convenient to get to, you’ll have to walk here through the jungle from Saracen Bay. They do however offer slow boat service in the morning to Sihanoukville if needed. Overall it’s a great eco-friendly choice, with the bungalows being made from all local materials.

Lazy Beach

Lazy Beach is the most secluded part of the island to stay. They offer a private boat trip to the resort. You can also take one of the speed boats and walk through the jungle to get here. Lazy Beach Resort is one of the first resorts in this area of the island. The beach is much more calm and the sunsets are supposed to be beautiful here. The bungalows are very rustic with basic amenities. They also have a high-rated restaurant with front row views of the beach and sea. Definitely a very relaxed and unplugged experience!

Signage as you enter M'Pai Bay Village

View of M'Pai Bay Village from the pier

M’Pai Bay Village

Located on the northern part of the island, M’Pai Bay Village is perfect for solo or couple travelers. It definitely attracts more backpackers and budget travelers rather than families or those going for a more lux experience. It’s quite a quirky place with plenty of bars, places to eat, and activities. Keep in mind that most accommodations here are very basic, with unreliable wifi and electricity. There are mostly hostels and guesthouses with shared rooms and bathrooms, versus more private luxury. A lot of them lack air conditioning as well, so be prepped for mosquitos!

The Wildflower: A great budget option, with a mixed dormitory style, or a double room. The bathrooms are shared and all rooms come with mosquito nets. They also have a cafe and bar, and guests say the location is great.

The Sleeping Buffalo: Another budget option with a great value. They offer private rooms with a private bathroom and at a cheap price! Guests say the views are gorgeous, and love the bar here. Like many of the guesthouses here, they also have options for water activities for an additional cost. If you’ve got your furry friend traveling with you, they also accept pets here!

Beach House Cambodia: Another popular option with a variety of room options. You can either do a shared or private bathroom. They also have rooms with hot showers and air conditioning. They have plenty of water activities, lounging and a bar here. Definitely a great option with better reviews than most in this area.

Looking for more options? See more hotels in Koh Rong Sanloem.

Drone shot of boats by a pier

Things to Do on Koh Rong Sanloem

Although it’s quite a remote island, there is still plenty to do. Simply unwind and enjoy the stunning views, go on an adventure by foot, or head out into the water. Here are just a few ideas to inspire you.

Hammocks on the beach…pure relaxation!

Hammocking

Hammocks are everywhere around Southeast Asia, and there’s definitely no shortage on the beaches in Cambodia. Most of the resorts and bungalows have them, but if not there are plenty right out in the water. Meditate, relax, or simply take a nap. How often do you get to be on a remote island? Take advantage of these moments.

Terra enjoying her coconut and living the island life

We witnessed a gorgeous sunset on our first day

Drink from a Coconut

No visit to an island is complete without drinking fresh from a coconut. There are vendors selling them in various spots along the beach. It’s healthy, refreshing and delicious! And for the budget travelers, easier on the wallet.

Stand-up paddleboards free to use at our resort

Water Activities

One of my favorite parts about going to the beach are the fun water activities. Since our resort had free stand-up paddleboards to use, we couldn’t resist. Although I’m no expert at it, we still enjoyed getting out onto the water. Some resorts also have kayaks to use as well. It’s also a great way to get a nice workout in while traveling.

Snorkeling

A lot of the resorts offer snorkeling at an additional cost. We decided to go on a boat trip, which also included some snorkeling time. With the water being so clear, it’s perfect for admiring underwater life. But definitely be careful in the water, we noticed a lot of black sea urchins around. You can also book a snorkeling tour here ahead of time.

Swim with the Glowing Plankton

Seeing glowing plankton was one of my bucket list dreams. So I was quite excited when I found out you can see some around Koh Rong Sanloem island. Conveniently our resort offered tours, so we booked it for the first night. The boat will drive out to a dark spot, and provide you with snorkels if needed. To see the plankton you have to swim and move your hands around quickly, the movement activates the glow. Occasionally as the boat moved you can see the slight sparkle on the water. It was beautiful! Unfortunately it’s difficult to capture with a camera, so don’t have high hopes for a perfect photo.

Beautiful view from the island right before sunset

Walking along the stretch of beach in M'Pai Bay

Visit M’Pai Village

If you’re staying on Saracen Bay or Lazy Beach then you must check out M’Pai Village. Our boat tour included a brief stop here for a few hours for sunset. It has such a different feel from other parts and is a backpacker’s haven. There are several bars and restaurants along the water to hang out. The vibes here were very chill, and definitely felt younger overall. We loved spending some time walking around seeing a new part of the island.

Hike Around the Island

The island is still relatively untouched and there’s plenty of jungle to explore. There are various hikes you can take, either to Sunset Beach, or Lazy Beach, or somewhere more off the beaten path. Be aware of wild animals here, and only do it during the day. Our resort warned us of venomous snakes out in the jungle, and with minimal light it may be hard to see them. Apparently Lazy Beach has some stunning sunsets, although we never made the trek there this trip.

A wonderful travel moment and beautiful sunset to end our day

The gorgeous sunrise right outside our bungalow every morning

Watch the Sunrise and Sunset

It’s a no brainer to watch the sunrise and sunset while spending time in paradise. They are simply unreal here, and with the beautiful blue water, it makes it even more dreamy. We are usually not early risers, but loved waking up early to see the colors of sunrise over the beach. It sure is amazing to see nature’s beauty at work!

Beach swings are always a good idea!

Enjoy the Beach Swings

Swinging takes on another level when it’s on a beach. Saracen Bay is filled with plenty to use. There are some in front of the resort bungalows, and also some directly out in the water. They make great photo opportunities, and also a chance to feel like a kid again. Being on a swing always makes me feel young and carefree.

Magical sunset during our first night on the island

Must See Beach in Cambodia

These are just a few ideas on what to do and where to stay on Koh Rong Sanloem island. It’s the most beautiful beach in Cambodia and you won’t regret making the trip here. You’ll feel refreshed and slightly out of reality during your time here. For a moment I imagined not leaving here. It’ll leave you with a feeling of wanting to return again and again.

Have you been to Koh Rong Sanloem? If so, we’d love to hear more!

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Denmark is filled with plenty of beauty to see around the whole country. Although we only had 5 days to spend in Copenhagen, we wanted to venture out for an overnight trip. Some possibilities on our list included Ribe, Aarhus, Odense, and Aero Island, but I was intrigued when I came across Bornholm Island. I really wanted an experience that was more immersed in nature while exploring smaller less known villages. I’m more than thrilled to share our one day adventure in Bornholm and open your eyes to more of the country.

Note: We use affiliate links in this post. This helps us to continue providing great content. For more info you can read our full disclosure here.

A Guide to Bornholm Island

In This Article
Where is Bornholm Island
Best Time to Visit
How to Get to Bornholm
Getting Around
How we Spent One Day in Bornholm

Where is Bornholm Island?

Bornholm is actually a small island located off the coast of Sweden. It’s located within the Baltic Sea and quite small at less than 600 square km. You can drive the entire perimeter in a day, however if you want to stop and enjoy the sites it’s best to have at least 3-4 days here to explore.

When is the Best Time to Visit?

The high season and popular time to visit Bornholm is from June through September. Dubbed the “Sunny Island,” the skies and Baltic Sea are filled with shades of blue during this time. The island is vibrant and bustling with visitors and activities. If you’re looking for perfect weather, water activities and more excitement, then this would be the best time to go.

The off-season however has its advantages. We were here in November and truly enjoyed having the entire island practically to ourselves. We drove for long stretches without seeing a soul. When we stopped to see the main sites, they were empty giving us full freedom to explore. Each village was practically a ghost town which felt eerie, but refreshing. However, not many restaurants were open and lodging wasn’t as widely available. We also didn’t have as much sun as we had hoped, but it made it feel more surreal. Overall, everything else made up for that and we highly recommend visiting during both for different vibes.

View of Ronne from the ferry

How to Get to Bornholm

There are several ways to get to Bornholm, but public transportation by bus and ferry was easiest. I bought a combo round trip ticket from Bornholmerbussen and it was fast and efficient. Since the site is in Danish, having a translator handy is helpful. The trip takes about 3 hours and tickets were around $60 total for all of us.

You could also take trains to Ystad Sweden, and then take the ferry from there. This option is much longer than by bus, so we opted not to try this route.

The last option would be to rent a car and drive to the ferry. We didn’t feel this made as much sense, but it could depending on your itinerary.

Getting Around the Island

There are public buses that operate around the island, but they don’t run often. We decided to rent a car since we had limited time here. If you really want to explore the off the beaten path areas, then you’ll definitely need one. There’s a Europcar right by the ferry, so it was very convenient to pickup and dropoff there during our visit. You’ll have to know how to drive a manual car since there’s no automatic cars to rent.

The roads are very smooth and easy to drive. They are clearly marked and so intuitive to navigate. Some of the villages are quite hilly and narrow, but easily manageable.

Drone view of Hasle, a small village in Bornholm

How We Spent One Day in Bornholm Island

Since we took the 6:45am bus from Copenhagen, our ferry arrived around 9:30am. We picked up our rental car right away by the ferry, and headed on our way. We didn’t have a set itinerary planned, but had a few villages in mind to explore. Since it was winter and off-season we decided to keep our exploration in the northern part of the island instead of the south.

Explore more: 5 Day Guide to Copenhagen

Allinge

We started off by driving up the left coast towards Allinge. Along the way, we stopped in a small village called Hasle. The streets were pretty deserted and there weren’t many people around at all. With it being so quiet, we thought it was a great opportunity to send the drone up to snap some aerial photos of the village. We also walked around on foot and explored a bit. The weather was quite windy and frigid, so we decided to head on our way towards our next stop.

Walking through the deserted streets of Allinge

The great thing about Bornholm is it’s very quick to get to each place. In about 15 minutes we arrived in Allinge, another beautiful village with adorable Danish style homes. On our way to the island we had eaten a light breakfast, so we were quite hungry by now.

A smokehouse on the water in Allinge

We drove to a smokehouse, but unfortunately it wasn’t open. In fact not many places were open at all. It was hard to find decent food, so we had to settle for whatever we saw open. We finally found a grocery and a small cafe nearby called Hoiers Iscafe. They had smörrebröd which was a plus, but the food was average at best. It’s definitely worth noting down if you’re here during off-season, but if not we suggest heading elsewhere.

After lunch, we parked the car and strolled around on the streets. It was pretty amazing how empty it was, allowing us to photograph the empty and charming streets. If only the weather was sunny, it would’ve been perfect! I truly enjoy having a place to ourselves sometimes. Overall the village was beautiful, with cute colorful homes and interesting pathways looping in between.

Walking towards Hammershus Castle Ruins

Hammershus Castle Ruins

There are several sites to see around Bornholm, and Hammershus is one of them. We saw several castles during our trip, and this was one of the most memorable. You must not make a trip here without seeing it. It’s truly an amazing place to explore and the scenery around is stunning.

See more: Castles in Denmark

Crossing the medieval bridge into the castle grounds

Hammershus is a medieval fortress built in the 12th century. It provided protection for the island until it was abandoned in 1743. There’s a visitor center where you can read more about the history, but we didn’t have time to stop by. From the visitor center you can also get a stunning panoramic photo of Hammershus.

View of the spooky trees from inside the castle ruins

We spent a few hours walking around the grounds of the castle. It was very drone friendly, which was perfect. With nobody around it was easy to take a lot of footage without disturbing anyone. Being the only ones exploring such a historical site was refreshing. There’s beautiful views of the Baltic Sea from several viewpoints within the ruins. It felt eerily beautiful at times, with overcast skies, crisp air, and a slight fog all around. I loved the mossy ground and spooky trees, which added to the whole experience.

Strolling through the streets of Gudhjem

Gudhjem

By now it was starting to get darker, so we decided to leave Hammershus to continue our drive to Svaneke, our final stop for the night. We drove along the north shore and first stopped at Gudhjem, a quaint little fishing village, situated up on a hill. Like the other villages, it was quite deserted. So this allowed some uninterrupted exploration of the empty streets again. I imagine it must look gorgeous in the summer with views of the blue sea!

View of the village of Svaneke through our guesthouse window

Svaneke

The last and final stop for the night was Svaneke, a very small and beautiful town in the northeastern part of the island. We chose to stay here since it’s one of the most stunning towns on the island. With colorful timbered homes, narrow windy streets, and the best views of the sea we can see why! We arrived in darkness, so unfortunately we didn’t get to see the town in daylight until the morning. But even walking through it at night is quite an experience.

The cute entrance to Svaneke Guesthouse

Where to Stay

I wanted a more local experience for lodging, so we opted for Airbnb. I came across Svaneke Guesthouse, a beautiful yellow half-timbered home tucked in on one of the most charming streets, with views of the sea from the windows. We chose the larger private room in the house, and had the entire top floor to ourselves since we were the only guests.

The Guesthouse

The room was absolutely perfect, so cozy and sufficiently warm. There were two small beds, and a larger queen sized bed. Terra adored having her own little sleeping space within a nook. There was also some cats roaming around, so if you’re allergic this might not be the place for you.

The beautiful backyard area of the guesthouse

Outside of the room is a common guest area with a fridge, dining area and some places to lounge. Terra had so much fun with the kids toys they had available. Everything was very clean and nicely stocked, including the bathroom. The house also has a cute backyard area, which would be quite lovely to hang out in the summer.

A true homemade Danish breakfast!

In the morning there’s a breakfast option for an additional cost. It included homemade bread, jams, meats with cheese, and yogurt with muesli, a truly Danish meal. Coffee, tea and hot cocoa was also served. The entire meal was so fresh and delicious, a healthy start to our day!

Talking to our host Michael was the best part of our stay here. He lives in the bottom floor of the guesthouse with his wife Lene, however she was not in town for the night. It was so intriguing to learn about life on the island, and Danish style living, as well as some history. They start their day with a nice swim in the sea, sounds like quite the charming life! It was truly a delight being hosted by such lovely people. Our entire stay was very intimate and comfortable. We plan to go back during the summer season!

See more: Places to stay in Bornholm Island

The inside of the restaurant, quite empty!

Dinner

After arriving in Bornholm, we noticed not many restaurants were open, so we were quite worried about dinner. Luckily Michael booked us a table at one of the only restaurants open in Svaneke during off-season called Svaneke Bryghus. It was actually a lovely place with beautiful rustic decor and a wide array of craft beers. There was a variety of food and great choices for kids. The meal did not come cheap, but the food was decent.

Walking to the restaurant was an experience in itself. The narrow streets were only lit by a soft glow of lanterns, and it was so quiet we heard our voices echo. This was one of those memorable travel moments that you don’t forget.

A beautiful red house by the water in Svaneke

Svaneke

With an early start and a nice homemade breakfast, we had a bit of time to explore before driving to the ferry. The area around the guesthouse is actually quite charming and makes for some wonderful photo opportunities. There are also gorgeous views from the windows all around.

The empty streets of Svaneke, I wonder what it’s like in summer?

The most charming house, love the red door!

Walking around Svaneke felt just like the other villages, deserted and absolutely amazing. As I strolled through the empty streets, there was not a soul around. Talk about instagram photo heaven! No selfies sticks hanging around, no waiting in lines for photos, it was the best! The area by the water was beautiful, with small boats docked. There were small shops, bakeries and hints of life, however mostly all closed up for now. There’s a plethora of colored half-timbered homes to see with cute windows. If you have more time we highly recommend extending your stay here to explore more.

The historical Osterlars round Church

Osterlars Church

After a morning walk around the village, we had to leave for the ferry. Since we had plans to head to Tivoli later in the day, we had to take the 10:30am ferry.

Conveniently located on the way there is Osterlars Round Church. It’s one of the other popular sites to see on the island, and dates all the way back to the 1100’s. You can go inside, however we only had time to briefly walk around the outside. It’s an adorable and beautiful church with gorgeous gardens surrounding it. With another overcast day, the slight mist made it feel slightly mysterious. Around the island are three other round churches to see as well, so you can definitely make a tour out of it!

The grounds around the church had gorgeous gardens!

As you can see, there’s so much more to Denmark beyond Copenhagen. We hope this opened your eyes to add Bornholm Island to your list of places to explore. It’s a beautiful, utopian island with a rich history, refreshing nature, interesting architecture and quaint fairytale villages. What more could you want?

What’s the most stunning island you’ve been to? We’d love to hear in the comments!

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