Koh Rong Sanloem 🇰🇭 Beaches, Food & the Hike to Clear Water Bay

We spent a fantastic few days on Koh Rong Sanloem in Cambodia — in search of the best beaches, tasty local food, and a bit of peace and quiet away from the crowds. Our journey started at Sihanoukville Ferry Terminal, where we caught a GTVC boat to M'Pai Bay Pier. After a first look around the fishing village, we headed straight to Plankton Beach for a late afternoon swim in crystal clear water. Dinner on night one was a big surprise: excellent dumplings and rice bowls at Macondo. The next day, we grabbed breakfast at Bong's in M'Pai Bay before attempting the hike to Clear Water Bay. Things didn't quite go to plan… a high tide delay, ignoring a blog-recommended trail, a brutal shortcut over a steep hill in 35°C heat — and even crossing an active construction site. (Lisa somehow negotiated our passage with the Cantonese-speaking site manager!) Clear Water Bay was absolutely worth it though: powder-white sand and some of the clearest water we've seen anywhere in Southeast Asia. 👉 Blog we referenced for the route: Lost Abroad – How to Get to Clear Water Bay But development is moving fast. Check our video maps for the most recent info, and be prepared to adapt if you attempt the hike. We took the proper trail back, watched an amazing sunset at View Point Bar, and had dinner at Spicy 23, a Khmer-Thai fusion spot we really recommend. On New Year's Eve, we started with bagels and coffee at Seapony Café, then took a boat to Saracen Bay on the other side of the island, stopping for lunch at The Big Easy along the way. While the beach is picture-perfect, we also show what's hidden behind the green site fencing — abandoned resorts, piles of rubbish, and signs of overdevelopment. We talk about the issues of evictions, plastic pollution, and rapid change on Koh Rong Sanloem — and why, despite it all, the island still deserves a visit. We wrapped up the trip celebrating New Year's with locals, travellers, and expats back in M'Pai Bay. Next stop on our Cambodian island adventure: Koh Rong. 🏝️ Places of Interest & Beaches M'Pai Bay — https://maps.app.goo.gl/QYyhiLVqXqwxV... Plankton Beach — https://maps.app.goo.gl/3uQRVMQohztCb... Clear Water Bay — https://maps.app.goo.gl/nDhTeJhedT1DY... Saracen Bay — https://maps.app.goo.gl/uvKJ3k25mmyyv... 🍽️ Food, Bars & Cafés Macondo — https://maps.app.goo.gl/VtLjwHUuPx8dL... Bong's Guesthouse & Café — https://maps.app.goo.gl/jFjqFpexrs5gj... View Point Bar — https://maps.app.goo.gl/Eo9VcSRd7j9Kz... Spicy 23 — https://maps.app.goo.gl/ghcNisxip9oVW... Seapony Café — https://maps.app.goo.gl/yX3qQVYf9nfxa... The Big Easy — https://maps.app.goo.gl/KdzY7dfaGUe1q... ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Intro 00:42 – Sihanoukville Ferry Terminal 02:36 – First impressions of M'Pai Bay 03:09 – Plankton Beach 04:11 – Dumplings & rice bowls at Macondo 07:07 – Breakfast at Bong's 07:21 – The hike to Clear Water Bay 10:11 – The construction site "shortcut" 11:40 – Arrival at Driftwood Pier 12:42 – Clear Water Bay 14:28 – Taking the proper trail back 17:06 – Sunset at View Point Bar 17:58 – Khmer-Thai fusion dinner at Spicy 23 19:28 – NYE breakfast at Seapony 20:39 – Boat to Saracen Bay 22:29 – Lunch at The Big Easy 22:54 – The downside of tourism development 24:56 – Final thoughts on the island 25:44 – New Year's Eve in M'Pai Bay #KohRongSanloem #CambodiaTravel #IslandLife #ClearWaterBay #BeachAdventure