Cambodia’s southern islands are experiencing a dramatic transformation that’s reshaping the nation’s tourism landscape. Once pristine backpacker hideaways accessible only by rickety boats, islands like Koh Rong, Koh Rong Sanloem, and Koh Ta Kiev are now at a crossroads between preservation and development. As 2025 unfolds, these tropical gems are emerging as serious contenders in Southeast Asia’s competitive beach tourism market.
From Hidden Gems to Tourism Hotspots
Just a decade ago, Koh Rong was Cambodia’s best-kept secret—a rustic island paradise where budget travelers could sleep in beach bungalows for a few dollars a night, with no electricity after sunset and limited phone service. The island’s transformation accelerated dramatically after it gained international attention from being featured on the French version of “Survivor” and various travel documentaries.
Today, Koh Rong welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, with infrastructure developments that would have been unimaginable in the early 2010s. Modern speedboats now make the journey from Sihanoukville in just 40 minutes, replacing the slower, less reliable ferry services of the past. Solar panels and generators provide 24-hour electricity to most resorts, and 4G internet coverage has reached even remote corners of the island.
The Development Divide: Two Paths Forward
The southern islands are currently following two distinct development trajectories, creating a tale of two tourism models.
The Koh Rong Model: Rapid Development
Koh Rong’s main beaches, particularly Koh Toch (also known as Koh Tuch Beach), have embraced rapid development. Multi-story hotels, beach clubs with DJ-spun music, and restaurants serving international cuisine now line the shorefront. The island has become popular with younger travelers seeking a party atmosphere, with full moon parties and beach raves becoming regular occurrences.
The construction boom has brought obvious benefits: employment for locals, improved infrastructure, and significant revenue for the provincial government. However, concerns about environmental sustainability have grown proportionally. Waste management struggles to keep pace with visitor numbers, and coral reefs near popular beaches show signs of degradation from increased boat traffic and irresponsible tourism practices.
The Koh Rong Sanloem Alternative: Slower, Greener Growth
In contrast, neighboring Koh Rong Sanloem has attempted a more measured approach. The smaller island has positioned itself as a quieter, more eco-conscious alternative. Several resorts have committed to sustainable practices, including solar power, water conservation, and waste reduction programs. The island’s two main beaches—Saracen Bay and M’Pai Bay—maintain a more relaxed atmosphere, attracting couples, families, and travelers seeking tranquility over nightlife.
Community-led initiatives have emerged to protect the island’s natural assets. Local dive shops conduct regular reef cleanups, and some accommodations have banned single-use plastics entirely. While development continues, it proceeds at a gentler pace, offering a glimpse of what sustainable island tourism could look like in Cambodia.
Beyond Koh Rong: The Archipelago Awakens
The transformation extends beyond the two main islands. Cambodia’s southern archipelago contains numerous smaller islands, each developing its own identity:
Koh Ta Kiev maintains its reputation as a true escape, with limited development and an emphasis on eco-lodges and camping. The island attracts those seeking digital detox experiences, with some resorts deliberately avoiding WiFi and promoting disconnection from technology.
Koh Totang has become a model for community-based tourism, where local fishing families partner with small-scale tourism operators to provide authentic cultural experiences alongside beach relaxation.
The Koh Sdach archipelago, further north, remains relatively undiscovered by international tourism, preserving traditional fishing village life while cautiously exploring tourism opportunities.
Infrastructure and Connectivity: Opening the Islands
Perhaps the most significant factor in the islands’ transformation has been improved connectivity. The expansion of Sihanoukville International Airport, despite the city’s controversial Chinese casino development, has made international access easier. Multiple ferry companies now compete for business, driving prices down and service quality up.
On the islands themselves, infrastructure development continues apace. Road construction on Koh Rong has opened previously inaccessible beaches, though the environmental impact of cutting through jungle remains controversial. Solar farms are being developed to provide more reliable electricity, reducing reliance on noisy diesel generators.
Internet connectivity has perhaps been the most transformative infrastructure change. High-speed internet has enabled digital nomads to work from the islands, extended tourist stays, and allowed local businesses to market directly to international audiences through social media.
The Environmental Reckoning
The rapid transformation hasn’t come without environmental costs. Marine biologists have documented coral bleaching in areas with heavy boat traffic, and plastic pollution remains a persistent challenge during monsoon season when trash washes ashore from regional waters.
Coastal erosion has accelerated in areas where beachfront construction removed natural vegetation. The islands’ freshwater resources face pressure from increased demand, with some areas experiencing water shortages during the dry season peak tourism months.
However, there are positive developments. Several marine protected areas have been established, restricting fishing and development in ecologically sensitive zones. Conservation organizations are working with local communities to establish sustainable fishing practices that can coexist with tourism. Coral restoration projects have begun, with dive shops and resorts sponsoring reef rehabilitation efforts.
The Economic Impact: Beyond Tourism
The islands’ transformation has created economic opportunities extending beyond traditional tourism employment. Property development has enriched some early investors, while creating controversy over land rights and speculation. Local entrepreneurs have opened restaurants, tour companies, and handicraft businesses catering to the tourist influx.
For many young Cambodians, the islands represent employment alternatives to garment factories or agricultural work. Hotel and restaurant jobs, while seasonal, often pay better than traditional rural employment. Hospitality training programs have emerged to build professional skills among island workers.
However, concerns persist about economic leakage, with significant tourism revenue flowing to foreign-owned businesses rather than staying in local communities. The dominance of international online booking platforms means substantial commissions leave Cambodia entirely.
Cultural Shifts and Social Impact
The tourism boom has brought profound social changes to island communities. Traditional fishing villages have seen younger generations shift from nets to tourism jobs. Khmer cultural practices coexist, sometimes awkwardly, with the expectations and behaviors of international tourists.
Alcohol and party culture, largely imported through tourism, have created tensions in some island communities. However, cultural exchange has also brought positive elements, with increased English language skills, exposure to different cultures, and entrepreneurial opportunities for locals.
Intermarriage between locals and foreigners has increased, creating new multicultural families with ties to both Cambodia and abroad. Some foreign visitors have stayed permanently, opening businesses and integrating into island life.
Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond
As 2025 progresses, Cambodia’s southern islands stand at a critical juncture. The government has announced plans for further infrastructure development, including improved roads and expanded airport capacity. International hotel chains have shown increased interest in the region, promising more upscale accommodation options but raising concerns about corporate tourism’s impact on local character.
Climate change looms as the greatest long-term challenge. Rising sea levels, increased storm intensity, and coral bleaching from warming waters threaten the very assets that make these islands attractive. Forward-thinking developers and conservationists are beginning to address these challenges, but comprehensive climate adaptation strategies remain underdeveloped.
The next phase of the islands’ transformation will likely determine whether they follow the path of Thailand’s Koh Phi Phi—loved to death by overtourism—or chart a more sustainable course. Some indicators are encouraging: increased environmental awareness among operators, growing demand for eco-tourism experiences, and emerging regulatory frameworks for sustainable development.
Visitor Considerations: Choosing Your Island Experience
For travelers planning to visit Cambodia’s southern islands in 2025, the diversity of experiences available is greater than ever. Budget backpackers can still find affordable beach bungalows on quieter stretches of coastline, while luxury travelers have access to boutique resorts with international standards.
The best time to visit remains the dry season from November to April, though the islands are increasingly marketing shoulder season visits as quieter, more authentic alternatives. Responsible travelers are encouraged to choose accommodations with verified sustainability practices, participate in beach cleanups, avoid single-use plastics, and support locally-owned businesses.
Conclusion: Paradise in Transition
The transformation of Koh Rong and Cambodia’s southern islands represents both opportunity and risk. These islands have undeniably lost some of their untouched, backpacker-paradise character. Yet they’ve gained accessibility, economic opportunity for local communities, and increasing sophistication in their tourism offerings.
The question facing Cambodia’s southern islands isn’t whether development will continue—it will—but rather what form that development will take. Will environmental protection and community benefits be prioritized alongside profit? Can these islands attract tourism revenue while preserving the natural beauty that makes them attractive in the first place?
The answers to these questions will determine not just the future of Koh Rong and its neighbors, but potentially serve as a model for sustainable coastal development throughout Southeast Asia. As the transformation continues, Cambodia has the opportunity to learn from the mistakes of over-developed destinations elsewhere and chart a more balanced course.
For now, these islands remain extraordinary destinations—places where jungle meets turquoise water, where bioluminescent plankton still light up nighttime swims, and where despite all the changes, moments of pure tropical magic still await those who seek them.