Sok San Beach (ឆ្នេរសុខសាន), also known as Long Beach, is a 7km long sandy white beach located on the western coast of Koh Rong Island.
People may have seen this beach before as it has featured on the Survivor series and the Sok San Resort was actually constructed for the purpose of housing staff and crew related to the production. Sok San Resort is one of the many accommodation options along the beach. More about accommodation options further below.
The 7km long beach features Sok San Port (ផែសុខសាន្ត) at its northern end which is surrounded by a few shops and restaurants after which it is basically 7km of unbroken sand white beach. The beachfront is nicest around Sok San Resort, Royal Sands, and Long Beach Resort as they actively keep their private frontage clean and neat. Other sections of the beach can collect odd rubbish that is either left or washes ashore.
Things to do
Things to do along Soksan beach are mostly centered on simply enjoying what is (currently) a not overly developed, beautiful beach, with aqua azure waters.
Long beach walks are a must taking in the different scenery and even stopping by the bars at the other bungalows/resorts for refresher along the way. Sunsets are spectacular.
Other activities include swimming, pier fishing, snorkeling, kayaking or renting a bike and exploring the island trails through the native jungle. Also not to be missed is the bioluminescent plankton seen along the ocean’s edge at night.
If you are on an extended stay, you can also join in on island hopping tours which your resort can organize for you. Scuba diving tours are another option.
If you are not already staying there, you can also walk along the beach to one of the upscale resorts and splurge on yourself by enjoying spa services, massage, gym, pool, bar, and their restaurants.
Weather
Regarding water quality, it can get choppy during the rainy season (May to October) and may not be suitable for swimming some days. The rainiest period is September and October and you can expect it to rain most days, although, when it rains it does so hard and fast generally lasting only two hours. Regardless, the temperature (27-34c) is almost constant year-round as is the water temp. High tides during typhoons can eat into the beach but it normally recovers quickly.
You’ll also be warmly welcomed by the local sandflies and you should be sure to take some repellant as it will be cheaper to bring from the mainland. Include sunscreen, mosquito repellant, a hat, sunglasses etc.
Accommodation on Sok San Beach
There are several options from new five star resorts to bungalow shacks.
The Royal Sands (Koh Rong)
Rating: 9/10
Located on an immaculate section of Long Beach on Koh Rong Island, the five-star Royal Sands offers modern beachfront villas, ocean view, and pool view villas along with a restaurant, bar, wellness spa, yoga space, saltwater pool, indoor pool, and jacuzzi.
Long Beach Resort Koh Rong
Rating: 9/10
Located on Long Beach/SokSan Beach of Koh Rong Island, they offer individual bungalows that fuse modern construction with the traditional Khmer wooden architecture with direct access to their private section of beach. On-site is a restaurant and bar.
Sok San Beach Resort
Rating: 7/10
Located on the famous long stretching sandy Sok San Beach of Koh Rong Island, the four-star resort occupies a private section of beach offering two restaurants, spa services, bar, and modern private bungalows or chalet.
Ryta Beach Bungalow & Resort
Rating: 7/10
Absolute beachfront with a private beach area. They offer new modern and private bungalows with shower/AC/WiFi. They have on-site restaurant.
Sok San Beach Bungalows
Rating: 7/10
Rustic traditional wooden bungalows right on the beachfront. There is a restaurant onsite. It is the pick of the value options.
Soksan Natura Beach
Rating: 7/10
While more upmarket resorts have manicured beach fronts and well-maintained landscapes, Natura is as it is. Accommodation is concrete style bungalows with bathroom and balcony. Kayak and snorkel gear is free to hire and the owner, Dara, is much loved by the guests. Prices here can be half what you pay elsewhere along the beach!
Sunrise Flower
Rating: 7/10
Whilst it does not have direct beach frontage it does have great views and lush grounds. The beach is only 100m away. Again they are basic rustic style bungalow constructions that are common to the area.
Angkor Chom Bungalows and Rooms
Rating: 7/10
Traditional wooden private bungalows right on the beachfront along with private rooms in a larger bungalow. There is a restaurant onsite and other restaurants are nearby at the main pier.
Soksan New Beach Bungalow
Rating: 5/10
A beachfront location that might be a budget option when others are full up.
Soksan Long Beach
Rating: 5/10
There is a mix of private bungalow styles here including traditional wooden style with balconies over the water (swamp?) and some are nicer than others. It might be the last pick from this list. What it does have going for it is the location and clean beachfront.
Getting to Sok San Beach from Sihanoukville
You can get to Sok San beach by taking the ferry from Sihanoukville at Serendipity Pier. Journey time is from 45-90 minutes. Cost is around $11 one-way.
The recommended ferry companies are Speed Ferry Cambodia, Island Speed Boat Cambodia, Buva Sea, Angkor Speed Ferry, and GTVC. All ferries terminate at Koh Toch on Koh Kong Island. From there you can take a $6 shuttle boat ride to Sok San Beach.
Island Speed Boat Cambodia and Buva Sea ferries were offering a daily service direct from Sihanoukville to Sok San Pier, so do enquire if it is operating on that day as it does save you a second transfer.
If you are staying at Sok San Beach resort or Royal Sands Resort, they both offer private ferry services for guests of their resorts.
