Koh Kong

An eco-gateway on the Cambodia–Thailand border, leading into the Cardamom Mountains rainforest, the Tatai River waterfalls and the deserted beaches of Koh Kong Island.

Koh Kong sits in Koh Kong Province in Cambodia's far southwest, right on the border with Thailand's Trat Province, backed by the Cardamom Mountains and facing the Gulf of Thailand. It is one of Cambodia's most important gateways for ecotourism. The climate is hot and wet: the dry season (Nov–Apr) is best for trips into the mountains and out to sea, while the rainy season (May–Oct) makes this one of the wettest parts of Cambodia, with rough seas and muddy mountain roads – though the waterfalls are at their fullest. Nature is the main draw: south of town is the Peam Krasop mangrove boardwalk; a boat day trip takes you to the empty white-sand beaches of Koh Kong Island; east along National Road 48 lie Tatai Waterfall and the Tatai River, where you can stay in floating lodges and paddle a kayak; for something deeper, trek into the Cardamom rainforest or spend 1–2 nights in the Chi Phat community ecovillage. In town, the riverside is the place for sunsets and seafood, and Koh Yor Beach lies to the west. Getting there: from Trat in Thailand, cross at the Hat Lek border checkpoint and it's about 10 km to town; buses from Phnom Penh take about 5–6 hours, and from Sihanoukville about 4 hours. Tuk-tuks and motorbikes are the way to get around town. Plan on 2–4 days. US dollars and Cambodian riel are both used, and Thai baht is accepted in town; always hire a local guide for trips into the mountains, and protect yourself against mosquitoes.

Top sights

• Koh Kong Island – Cambodia's largest island, with seven uninhabited white-sand beaches stretching along its west coast. Reachable only by boat, it remains wi…
• Peam Krasop Mangrove Walk – An elevated wooden boardwalk inside Cambodia's largest mangrove protected area, winding through dense mangroves, with a viewing tower overl…
• Tatai Waterfall – A wide, stepped waterfall on the Tatai River, where water rushes over rock platforms. It's the most popular natural swimming pool around Ko…
• Tatai River – An emerald-green river flowing through the rainforests of the Cardamom Mountains, where you can stay in floating guesthouses, paddle kayaks…
• Cardamom Mountains – One of the largest primary rainforests in Southeast Asia, home to Asian elephants, clouded leopards and gibbons, and the heart of Koh Kong'…
• Chi Phat – A community-based ecotourism village in the Cardamom Mountains, where former poachers have become guides leading rainforest treks, mountain…
• Koh Kong Town Riverfront – A riverside promenade along the Koh Kong River in Koh Kong town, where you can watch the sun set behind the Koh Kong Bridge, with seafood s…
• Koh Yor Beach – A long sandy beach west of the Koh Kong Bridge, backed by casuarina trees and dotted with seafood shacks, a favourite spot for locals to wa…

Where to eat

• Anon Café Restaurant – An air-conditioned restaurant on the ground floor of the Asian Koh Kong Hotel beside the Koh Kong Bridge roundabout, kn…
• I Love Pizza – A small pizza restaurant run by Italian owner Vittorio, serving thin-crust Neapolitan pizza made with imported Italian…

Itineraries

• Chi Phat Cardamom Rainforest & Kampot – Travel from Phnom Penh to Chi Phat for community-based trekking, then head to Kampot for rivers and pepper.