Koh RongCambodia

White-sand beaches, bright blue water and minimal development make Koh Rong a dreamy island destination. Feel like you’re a million miles away from the real world while vacationing here in the Gulf of Thailand off Cambodia’s coast.

Koh Rong features 27 miles (44 kilometers) of pristine shoreline with lush forests at the heart of the island. Its seven bays provide sheltered conditions, making it a popular spot for scuba diving.

The closest port to Koh Rung is Sihanoukville. Enjoy a full day on one of the many tour boats. Appreciate a scenic ride, complete with lunch and drinks aboard the ship. Alternatively, take a 45-minute high-speed ferry to Koh Touch, the island’s main village.

Koh Touch has earned a reputation as a party destination. The rest of the island is very serene, but this village pulsates with music from sundown to sunup. Mingle with other tourists, backpackers and divers in bars, bungalows and restaurants.

Go to Soksan for views as beautiful as those in any film. You may have seen this beach onscreen before; a production company with a permanent base here regularly films movies and television shows, such as Survivor.

Find family-run bungalows along the island’s shoreline. These small wooden cottages on stilts look flimsy but offer basic amenities and unbeatable views across the water.

If charmingly dilapidated bungalows aren’t your preference, head to the island’s north end. Song Saa Resort is a playground for the rich and famous. Luxury cottages jutting out over the water feature four-poster canopy beds and outdoor spas.

You’ll find beautiful beaches at every turn, but Long Set Beach, just north of Koh Touch, is one of the area’s most stunning. Swim in the crystal clear waters of this secluded spot or look for shells in the white sand.

Koh Rong will likely develop a network of resorts someday soon, but these plans have not yet materialized. In the meantime, bask in its surreal beauty and serene isolation.