Lonely Beach
Koh Rong, Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Lonely Beach sits at the very northern tip of Koh Rong, Cambodia, deliberately far from the party scene that built the island's reputation on its southern end. A single small resort of solar powered bungalows sits above the sand, and after dark the water glows faintly with bioluminescent plankton when the surf or a swimmer disturbs it.
About as isolated and quiet as a Cambodian beach gets, with a genuine natural light show after dark, but the total lack of amenities and cash-only setup mean it takes real commitment to get to and stay at.
Bring enough cash for your whole stay. There's no ATM anywhere near Lonely Beach, and it's a private boat transfer just to reach it, so running short isn't a quick fix.
There's no walk-in or public boat access. Getting to Lonely Beach means arranging a private transfer from Koh Touch or Sihanoukville, usually booked through the resort itself.
Boats land directly on the sand, and there's no paved path or facilities beyond the resort's own bungalows, which sit just above the beach.
The dry season from November through April brings the calmest seas for the boat transfer and the best visibility for the bioluminescent plankton at night. The wet season from May through October brings rougher crossings and less predictable conditions.
More Asia Pacific beaches
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