Koh Rong Sanloem Ferry 2026: Which Boat, Which Pier and Where to Stay
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The ferry doesn’t leave from the pier you’ve read about. Older blogs still send you to Serendipity or Ochheuteal pier. Today the main boats leave from Sihanoukville Port. Get that wrong and you watch your boat go without you.
You want two things: a calm crossing and a bed on the right beach. This guide gets you both. We checked the current listings on 16 October 2026 and turned them into one table, one plan and one checklist.
- All main ferries leave from Sihanoukville Port (the Autonomous Port). The old Serendipity/Ochheuteal piers are no longer the usual departure point.
- Operators on the Sanloem run: GTVC, Buva Sea and Island Speed Ferry. Listings show crossings of about 30–60 minutes, first boats around 08:00–08:30, and last boats between about 15:00 and 17:00.
- Pick by your beach, not the brand: each company uses different piers (Saracen Bay piers or M’Pai Bay), so match the boat to where you’re staying.
- Fares: listings checked in October 2026 show one-way fares from about US$17, and returns around US$30–34 depending on the operator. Confirm at the counter.
- Rough seas (roughly June–October): take the biggest boat, leave a buffer day, and don’t ferry back on the day of an international flight.
What’s the simplest plan for getting to Koh Rong Sanloem?
Which Koh Rong Sanloem ferry should you take: GTVC, Buva Sea or Island Speed?
A traveller asked this on TripAdvisor on 8 October 2026. The only reply was one regular’s tip: take the biggest boat. That helps on rough days, but your pier matters more. Here’s how the three compare.
| Operator | Departures from Sihanoukville* | Crossing (listed) | Where it drops on Sanloem* | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTVC | 08:00, 11:00, 14:00, 16:00 (GTVC booking listing, Oct 2026) | ~30 min (GTVC listing) | Saracen Bay and M’Pai Bay | Bigger boats on choppy days; M’Pai Bay stays |
| Buva Sea | Departures from 08:30, with the last boat in the afternoon (up to 17:00 on some listings). Boards at Gate 6 | ~45 min | Several Saracen Bay piers (Eden/Orchid area, near Paradise Villas) plus some M’Pai Bay runs. Check the pier on your ticket | Saracen Bay stays; late arrivals |
| Island Speed Ferry | Around 08:00, 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00 | ~50–60 min out; return boats stop at Koh Rong first (~1h15) | Saracen Bay (check your ticket) | Combining Koh Rong and Sanloem |
*Timetables change by season and fewer sailings run in the rainy months. Use this as a guide and confirm on the day.
How do you get from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Sanloem, step by step?
Free: the Koh Rong Sanloem stay picker + last-boat checklist
Four quick questions to find the beach that fits your trip, the ferry table, and a six-point last-boat checklist. It’s a 3-page PDF you can save on your phone before you leave Sihanoukville.
Download the free PDF →Want the weekly Cambodia brief too? Join free here.
Where should you stay on Koh Rong Sanloem for your trip style?
| Area | Vibe | Getting there | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saracen Bay | Long white-sand bay, resorts and bungalows, calm water | Most ferries stop here (several piers) | First-timers, couples, families |
| M’Pai Bay | Fishing village, cafés, backpacker stays | Fewer boats, so check your ticket | Budget, slow travel, local feel |
| Lazy Beach / Sunset Beach | Remote, a few resorts, sunsets | Resort boat or a jungle path | Switching off, honeymoon vibe |
| Koh Rong (other island) | Busier, nightlife in Koh Touch | Separate ferry stops | Parties, more choice |
Rule of thumb: book your first two or three nights on the bay your ferry serves. Move once you’ve seen the island. Bring some cash. Card and ATM access on the island is limited.
Check live availability and prices for your dates, then book before the boat.
Compare Koh Rong Sanloem stays on Trip.com → (affiliate link)Compare stays: what to look for in a Cambodia hotel →
What should you check before the last boat?
Most missed boats come down to timing, not bad luck. Run through this list the evening before.
Do you need to spend a night in Sihanoukville first?
Only if you arrive after the last boat. Listings show the last boats between about 15:00 and 17:00 depending on the operator. If you’re late, stay close to the port and take the first boat in the morning. Our getting around guide covers Grab and PassApp.
Staying a night in Sihanoukville before the early boat? Compare Sihanoukville hotels (affiliate link)
Koh Rong Sanloem ferry FAQ
5 answers · tap to expand01How long is the ferry from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Sanloem?
Listings show about 30–60 minutes depending on the operator. Return boats that stop at Koh Rong first take about 1h15. Rough seas add time.
02Should I book the Koh Rong Sanloem ferry in advance?
In quiet months, buying at the port a day or two ahead usually works. Book ahead for peak season (December–January) and Cambodian long weekends.
03How much is the ferry to Koh Rong Sanloem?
Listings checked in October 2026 show one-way fares from about US$17, and returns around US$30–34 depending on the operator. Confirm at the counter.
04Is the ferry safe in the rainy season?
Boats run most days, but the seas can be rough from about June to October and sailings can be delayed or cancelled. Choose a larger boat and keep a buffer day.
05Which beach on Koh Rong Sanloem is best?
Saracen Bay for first-timers and families, M’Pai Bay for budget and village life, and Lazy or Sunset Beach to switch off.
Next steps
Plan the rest of your trip
Before you goGet a SIM or eSIM before the islandSignal varies by beach, so sort your data before the boat.
Getting thereGetting around Phnom Penh: Grab, PassApp and tuk-tuksGrab vs PassApp vs tuk-tuk before you head south.
Before or after the islandSolo traveller hotel guide: Phnom Penh and Siem ReapWhere to stay either side of your beach days.- Where to stayPartnerCompare Koh Rong Sanloem stays on Trip.com (paid link, opens in a new tab)See what’s free on your dates before you book the boat.
Partner = paid link. If you book through it we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
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