Getting to Koh Rong Samloem from Sihanoukville
Ferries to Koh Rong Samloem leave from Sihanoukville port and take 30 to 40 minutes to reach Saracen Bay pier. GTVC, Buva Sea and Island Speed Ferry run the route, with boats out from 8am to about 5pm and the last boat back at 4.45pm. From Phnom Penh, a bus-and-boat through ticket costs $37.50 to $40 one way and the whole run takes 4 hours 30 to 5 hours 30.
| Crossing time | 30 – 40 min |
|---|---|
| Leaves from | Sihanoukville port |
| Operators | GTVC · Buva Sea · Island Speed Ferry |
| Boats out | 8am – about 5pm |
| Boats back | 6.30am – 4.45pm |
| Bus, Phnom Penh – Sihanoukville | $9 – $15 |
| Through ticket from Phnom Penh | $37.50 – $40 one way |
| Through ticket, journey time | 4 hr 30 – 5 hr 30 |
| From Kampot | Buva Sea, 2 hr 15 |
Prices checked September 2026, in US dollars. Cambodia runs on USD; riel is used for change under a dollar.
Where does the ferry to Koh Rong Samloem leave from?
The ferry to Koh Rong Samloem leaves from Sihanoukville port. Kampot is the only other mainland departure point in Cambodia, and there is no airport on the island.
Buses from Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Kampot mostly drop passengers directly at the port, so you will not usually need a tuk-tuk between the bus and the boat. Boats arrive at Saracen Bay pier on the island's east side. From that pier, The Big Easy Koh Rong Samloem is 200 metres along the sand, about four minutes on foot.
How long does the ferry to Koh Rong Samloem take?
The crossing from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Samloem takes 30 to 40 minutes with all three operators.
The boats are speedboats rather than slow ferries, and the difference between companies is a few minutes rather than anything worth planning around. The time also varies with sea conditions and how many stops the boat makes, so treat 30 to 40 minutes as the usual range, not a guarantee. In rough weather the crossing is slower and considerably less comfortable, and in the wet season it is occasionally cancelled outright.
Which ferry operator should I book?
GTVC, Buva Sea and Island Speed Ferry all run Sihanoukville to Saracen Bay, and all three are fine.
Pick on departure time rather than brand. Individual timetables shift with the season, so check the day before rather than relying on a schedule you found online weeks earlier.
- GTVC: Sihanoukville to Saracen Bay
- Buva Sea: Sihanoukville to Saracen Bay, and the Kampot service
- Island Speed Ferry: Sihanoukville to Saracen Bay
- If your boat is cancelled, your ticket is honoured on the next available boat with the same company, not a different one. Keep the ticket.
How do I get from Phnom Penh to Koh Rong Samloem?
From Phnom Penh, take a bus to Sihanoukville and then the boat. You can book the two legs separately or buy them as one through ticket.
Different companies run buses to Sihanoukville throughout the day, and they cost $9 to $15. The alternative is the Vireak Buntham through ticket, which uses their own buses and Buva Sea's boats and covers both legs plus the transfer at the port, with no extra charges. It costs $37.50 to $40 one way, and the whole run takes 4 hours 30 to 5 hours 30. The last boats leave Sihanoukville around 5pm and the combined tickets are timed for that, so travel in the morning. Arrive at the bus terminal at least 20 minutes before departure to check in. The full Phnom Penh to Koh Rong Samloem route has the whole journey on one page.
What time is the last boat back from Koh Rong Samloem?
Boats leave Koh Rong Samloem for the mainland between 6.30am and 4.45pm, and 4.45pm is the last one.
If you have an onward bus or a flight out of Sihanoukville or Phnom Penh, work backwards from 4.45pm and leave more slack than feels necessary. A missed boat on the island is a missed day, because there is no later one.
Can I get to Koh Rong Samloem from Kampot?
Yes. Buva Sea runs a direct Kampot to Koh Rong Samloem service that takes 2 hours 15 minutes. It started in 2026.
This turns the island into a stop on the way south rather than a there-and-back detour from Sihanoukville. Kampot, the island, then back up the coast is a route that did not really work before.
How do I get from Koh Rong Samloem to Koh Rong or M'Pai Bay?
Island hopping between Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem costs $6 to $10 in either direction.
M'Pai Bay, the village at the north of Koh Rong Samloem, is about 20 minutes from Saracen Bay by island ferry for roughly $5 to $6. There are no roads or cars anywhere on the island, so everything is on foot or by boat. Lazy Beach is a 30 minute jungle walk on a marked path, and Sunset Beach about 40 minutes on a rockier one.
Do I need cash before I get on the boat to Koh Rong Samloem?
Yes. Draw cash on the mainland before you cross, because there are no real ATMs on Koh Rong Samloem.
Some shops and resorts will give you cash out against a card at a high percentage of the transaction, which is a bad rate for what amounts to an emergency service. Cambodia runs on US dollars, riel is used for change under a dollar, and KHQR works from Cambodian bank apps and from partner banks in countries including Vietnam and Thailand.
The return leg has to be confirmed at least a day in advance, and almost nobody is told this when they buy the ticket.
A return or through ticket does not automatically hold your seat on the boat back. It has to be confirmed, at minimum the day before. This is the most common way the journey goes wrong, and because the last boat off the island leaves at 4.45pm there is no later one to fall back on. Reception confirms it for guests without being asked.
Where we fit
The Big Easy Koh Rong Samloem is on Saracen Bay, 200 metres from the pier the boat lands at, about four minutes along the sand, which is worth something when you are carrying a pack in the heat. We book the boat in both directions for guests at either property, including the return confirmation. Guests coming from The Big Easy Phnom Penh on Street 172 can have reception there book the whole run as one journey.
Questions people actually ask
Do I need to book the ferry to Koh Rong Samloem in advance?
Not weeks ahead. Booking the day before is enough outside the December to February peak.
Is the ferry crossing to Koh Rong Samloem rough?
It can be, particularly in the wet season from roughly June to October. It is a 30 to 40 minute speedboat ride, not a ferry with decks to walk about on. If you are prone to seasickness, take something beforehand and sit towards the middle.
Can I get from Phnom Penh to Koh Rong Samloem in one day?
Yes, on a morning bus. The whole run takes 4 hours 30 to 5 hours 30, and boats to the island run until about 5pm, so arrive in Sihanoukville in good time. The combined bus-and-boat tickets are timed to make the connection.
What happens if my ferry to Koh Rong Samloem is cancelled?
Your ticket is honoured on the next available boat with the same company, not a different one, so keep the ticket. Reception at The Big Easy Koh Rong Samloem helps guests coordinate it.
Which pier does the ferry arrive at on Koh Rong Samloem?
Boats from Sihanoukville arrive at Saracen Bay pier. The Big Easy Koh Rong Samloem is 200 metres along the sand from it, about four minutes on foot.
Are there cars or roads on Koh Rong Samloem?
No. Everything on Koh Rong Samloem is on foot or by boat, and Saracen Bay is flat and walkable end to end.
Is there a doctor or medical help on Koh Rong Samloem?
There is first aid, basic help and pharmacies on the island, but real medical care is in Sihanoukville, 30 to 40 minutes away by boat depending on sea conditions. That is ordinary for a Cambodian island, but worth knowing before you book.
Can I pay for the Koh Rong Samloem ferry by card?
Ticket offices vary and it is safer not to rely on it. Bring cash and draw it on the mainland, because there are no real ATMs on the island.
Sources and how we checked
Times, operators and fares come from the ferry operators' own websites and from transport booking websites, checked in September 2026. The through-ticket fare and journey time were confirmed by The Big Easy team in November 2026.
Ask at reception
Ask at reception. Staying with us or not, we can help with a lot of the booking, and at the least we will point you to the right ticket office or booking source nearby. For guests we book the boat both ways, confirm the return leg, and tell you straight if the crossing is likely to be cancelled.