Most of the Islands off Cambodia form part of the country’s admisitrative districts and comprise Koh Kong, Koh Polaway, Koh Sess, Koh Thass, Koh Tral, Koh Traolach, Koh Treas, Koh Russei and the Kampong Som Group of Islands. Most of Cambodia’s islands are completely undeveloped and almost deserted but offer stunning scenery and secluded tropical beaches. It has only been over the past couple of years that basic accommodation is available on a selection of Cambodia’s islands close to Sihanoukville Cambodia’s most popular coastal beach resort, whose tourist visitors are attracted in search of a desert island experience.
Just an hours boatride from Sihanoukville, Koh Rusay known as Bamboo Island is the most popular and what it lacks in TV or mobile coverage, it makes up for in beach bungalows, a restaurant and bar. To the north lies the fishing island of Koh S’dach, which translates as “King’s Island”, its sits in the Gulf of Siam halfway between Koh Kong and Sihanoukville.
One Cambodian island, Koh Ta Kiev is already being developed by a Malaysian company who won a 99 year lease to develop 30-40% of the island into an eco-tourism resort with beaches, a golf course, marina and theme park. You can also go to the only jungle camp and enjoy jungle trekking on Koh Ta Kiev.
Early in 2007, Cambodia news sources reported on the Cambodian government’s intention to develop Cambodia islands as a tourism magnet and Koh Dek Koule is the only private island resort in Cambodia to be fully developed. The Mirax resort as it is named, perches high on the island of Koh Dek Koule and is the height of luxury and privacy in its twelve exotic suites, with one-of-a-kind antiques, custom-made furnishings, Chinese gravures and local hand-woven silks. The presidential suites cost $3,000 a night while the standard suites pitch in at a mere $360 per night.
On Koh Pos (Snake Island), a group of Russian investors recently received approval to build a US$300 million tourist resort. In the meantime, it’s convenient location just 800 metres of Sihanoukville’s Victory Beach means you can currently enjoy day trips to tiny Koh Pos Beach, known for its birds and monkeys. Koh Koang Kang (Koh Tas) is a little further away (1 hour) with good beaches and snorkelling.
From November to Febrary the islands to the south of Sihanoukville, Koh Kteah, Koh Crhalo and Koh Ta Kiev are more sheltered and enjoy good snorkelling.
Koh Thmei, Koh Ses and neighbouring Ta Kiou Island opened in January 2007 as Paradise island resort, all sit offshore the Ream National Parkland, 18km down the coast from Sihanoukville and is home to birds, endangered wildlife and marine habitat.
Forming the Kampong Som Group of Islands, Koh Rong Samlem is around 2-2½ hours away but worth the extra travel time because of its beautiful sheltered beaches on the north side and unmatched diving experience. Further away, 55km southwest still are the interesting and relatively unexplored Koh Tang and Koh Prins with diving shipwrecks and exciting underwater species. Also a minimum 3 day trip is Koh Rong, is 75km west and home to Condor Reef, Koh Rong has wonderful empty beaches, including one which stretches for 5km with nothing to be seen but sand and sea.
Koh Tonsay known as Rabbit Island is situated just off Kep, once French Cambodia’s premier resort in the 1920’s. Koh Tonsay, once used to intern criminals, today has a series of bamboo huts on stilts for visitors to enjoy island living at its best.
Recently Cambodia officials granted leases to six Cambodia companies to develop five different island resorts. One resort is set for an island near Kampot province whilst the remaining Cambodia island properties will be located off Sihanoukville, the fully fledged mainland Cambodia beach resort town. The Song Saa Island Resort when complete in 2010 will located on Koh Ouen and Koh Bong - two small adjacent islands that are a 30-minute boat ride from Sihanoukville and will be at the top end market for luxury hotels in Cambodia, complete with personal butlers, spas and private seaplane tours to Siem Reap, home of the Ankor Wat temples.
As travel to Cambodia is on the increase so too is the demand for beach holidays on virgin, unspoilt coastlines, something Cambodia has plenty off.