When most people decide to go to Cambodia for a holiday, they think of the famous Angkor Wat and the stunning temples. Island hopping is probably the last thing people think about when it comes to Cambodia, however, there are many islands off the coast that are worth exploring. The islands are accessible from the beach side towns of Sihanoukville or Kep. There are 61 islands in Cambodia to choose from, offering little more than basic tropical beach shacks to kick back in. The islands have been kept a secret due to the past turmoil that came about from the Khmer Rouge rule in Cambodia. This means that their perfection has been kept intact and the islands now offer the adventurous traveler their own little piece of paradise.
However, the tourism industry is beginning to take hold in Cambodia and things are developing fast. If you want to experience the authentic nature of these islands, it's better to go sooner rather than later, before tourism takes over and they change forever.
The best time to visit the islands is during the monsoon season between February and October. At other times of the year there is a northerly wind that can make getting from one island to the next difficult due to choppy sea. In Cambodia the word "Koh" means island. There are three main islands that all travelers could visit: Koh Russei, Koh Tonsay and Koh Sdach. Koh Russei and Koh Tonsay are more developed and can be visited on a day trip from Sihanoukville or Kep, and Koh Sdach is a fishing village. As yet, there is no set route for getting from one island to the next which is part of the appeal. More often than not, travelers may need to make it up as they go along and get advice from the local fishermen to get out to the smaller islands.
Koh Russei is also called Bamboo Island and offers three bungalow resorts to stay in, one which even has private bathrooms. You will be able to find peace and quiet on Koh Russei as there are no hawkers and no hassles. Just find a hammock and a good book and relax listening to the gentle lap of the ocean. There is not much to do on Koh Russei; you can spend your days with swimming in the sea, or maybe going on a fishing trip. You may even like to join in on a game of volleyball with the locals. For meals there is a restaurant offering all sorts of cuisines, from French Fries to curries.
From Koh Russei it is easy to visit the islands of Koh Ta Kiev and Koh Craloh on an organised Three Island Boat Tour. Koh Tonsay is also called Rabbit Island as the locals say that the island resembles the shape of a rabbit. This is an island where the forest meets the sea; the middle of the island is covered with forest, and the trees grow right down to the water's edge. The white sand beaches here offer lazy days relaxing in a rustic paradise, and beaches here are the nicest of any island in the area. The main beach is a long stretch of sand, which faces the setting sun and creates a very romantic picture. After the sun has gone down you can dine on fresh seafood before spending the night in a thatched bungalow right on the beach. During the day you can spread your towel down and mark your own patch of beach, or you can get some exercise by walking right around the island, or walk up the hillside where you can see the remains of a Khmer Rouge bunker.
Koh Sdach is a small fishing village located about a 20 minute boat ride from Sihanoukville on the bullet-boat. This island is also called King Island after a local legend about a king and his men seeking refuge on the island after a fierce battle. The King found no source of fresh water on the island and summoned the power of the gods to help him, and a fresh water spring appeared. You can see the spring near the dock where the boats arrive. Fishing is the mainstay of the island and you can expect lots of fresh seafood for dinner. There is only one guesthouse on the island, with a karaoke bar for those who like to sing along. The islands in Cambodia offer travelers peacefulness and a chance to relax surrounded only by palm trees. A lot of the islands are not easy to get to, but once you are there, you won't want to leave. If you are looking for a very laid-back and primitive island stay, the Cambodia Islands will offer the perfect escape from the real world.
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