Our actual Google Maps Timeline route from Kampot to Koh Rong Samloem.
Date of the journey:- June 2020
Distance travelled:- 82 miles
Whilst in Kampot we were under travel restrictions owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The travel restrictions in Cambodia were starting to be lifted. International travel bans were still in place. So, after 99 days in Kampot, we decided to go for a trip over to the island of Koh Rong Samloem.
Being long term residents in Kampot. We had a scooter on hire from the Romantic 169 tour. This allowed us to get from our accommodation at Joe’s Bar to the minivan pick up point at the Romantic 169 tour office, where we had to drop off the scooter.
Tickets to Sihanoukville had been booked at the office the day before at a cost of 6 USD per person. Our minivan departure was at 0815 hrs. The journey lasted just over 2 hours. A scenic journey passing Bokor and Ream National Parks.
Sihanoukville is currently a huge construction site. There are new large resort hotels and apartment tower blocks under construction wherever you look. When all of the new buildings are occupied, you will need to be early to get a space on the beach. Although it is long, we don’t think it’s long enough for all the people that will be there.
The minivan couldn’t drop us at Serendipity Pier, where the ferries depart from. This was owing to construction work. Instead, dropping us at the corner of Ochheuteal Street 500 and Serendipity Beach Street (502). A 4-minute walk down to the ferry pier.
At the pier are the ferry company ticket desks.
We booked the next available ferry to Koh Rong Samloem Island, which was at 1200 hrs. The ticket price was 20 USD per person for an open return ticket. When on the island, just ask your accommodation to book your return seat, giving at least 24 hours notice. The minibus driver will try to get you to purchase the ferry tickets before you get to the pier. If you purchase them anywhere other than the pier, you will pay an additional 2 USD per ticket.
The ferry we booked was operated by Island Speed Ferry Cambodia. A modern catamaran boat, with 150 seats, that was fully equipped with air conditioning and life jackets.
Departing Serendipity Pier at 1220 hrs, 20 minutes late, we headed to Koh Rong Island, arriving at 1320 hrs. After dropping almost all the passengers at Koh Rong, we departed for the 20-minute journey to Koh Rong Samloem. Arriving at the Fishing Pier on Koh Rong Samloem at 1345 hrs.
Our accommodation on the island was at Sara Resort on Saracen Beach. During our time in Kampot, we became friends with an Australian, who had worked on the island in hospitality. He was kind enough to book the resort for us at a special price. Sara Resort is about 1.5km from the Fishing Pier, a 20-minute walk along the beach. Alternatively, the resort will send a boat to collect you. The boat is a longboat and collects/drops you at the beach. You will have to wade into the sea to get in/out of the boat.
