Last Updated on October 9, 2024
How hard would you work to spend the day on 7km stretch of almost completely deserted white sand beach?
We were looking for it in Thailand, almost found it in Malaysia, but it is in Cambodia where we finally found our ultimate South East Asian beach: miles and miles of white sand, ankle-high crystal clear water 100 feet out from shore and barely a soul in sight.
The beach, located on Koh Rong, a small island two hours off the coast of Cambodia, was empty for one reason. To get there requires an hour of semi-strenuous hiking in raging April heat. The last stretch included scrambling up and down 75meters of nearly vertical descent, clinging to a (who-knows-how-old) rope. All the swearing, complaining, tripping, falling and profuse sweating was forgotten within seconds of being on the beach.
Recognizing that we had finally found ‘our beach’, the challenge seemed totally worth it, even when we made the slog back up and over the mountain to return to our guesthouse on the other side of the island that night.
Sandi
Monday 20th of August 2012
Hi! We are in kampot right now and are planning to go to ko rong the next couple weeks. Whats the name of the beach? It looks amazing!!!!
Dani
Monday 20th of August 2012
Hi Sandi, how awesome! Hope you'll enjoy Koh Rong as much as we did. The beach is just called Long Beach. It's on the other side of the island (the opposite side from where the ferry arrives) and there is a marked path to the beach - it takes about an hour and it's a strenuous hike, but well worth it! :)
Alex
Tuesday 24th of April 2012
I hauled myself across that same path and saw that same stunning beach. Absolutely stunning, like nothing I had ever seen before! I'm so glad you both got to see it as well.
There was only one downside to this parade... sand flies! Did you guys get bitten as well?
Dani
Wednesday 25th of April 2012
Yes, I think they got us!! I had over 50 bites on my legs. We didn't feel them bite though in the moment we were there - However, I am still not sure if they were sand fly bites or other bug bites, because somebody told us sand flies wouldn't come out until dusk. Oh well, it was a gorgeous beach nonetheless :) We couldn't make ourselves do the hike again the next though.
Megan
Thursday 19th of April 2012
Gorgeous! Your blog and journey is SO amazing!! Please please submit your love story to our blog? & would love to interview you as part of Real Life Lesbians?
Dani
Saturday 21st of April 2012
Thanks so much, ladies! We would love to be featured in your RLL series and we'll email you about it :)
Rease
Tuesday 17th of April 2012
You certainly earned it with that hike! Looks beautiful.
Dani
Wednesday 18th of April 2012
Thanks, Rease! It was one of the most pristine beaches we've ever been to - hope we'll be able to return to Cambodia and explore some of the other islands down there!
Jaime
Sunday 15th of April 2012
Oh I need more details about this beach... it's these types of beaches I love and know I can spend ages on. Great shot & thanks for sharing.
Dani
Tuesday 17th of April 2012
You'd love this beach - if you're not too lonely there! There is literally nobody, even though there are some bungalows on one end of the beach. I think you'd have a great time staying there for a few days, but there is no internet on the island :D