The short answer
Long Set Beach: what visitors should know first
Go for the long, open beach and the sunsets. It is the island's best-known beach and works well for a slow family stay, but the sea is calm only in the dry months and the area is quiet to the point of closing in the wet season. Stay a night or two between November and March.
History and context
The story behind Long Set Beach
Long Set Beach lies within the wider Koh Rong archipelago, which was designated Koh Rong Marine National Park in February 2018, Cambodia's first marine national park. Facts about the beach itself, such as exact length, vary between guides (around 7 km is commonly quoted), so check locally.
Useful facts
Long Set Beach facts at a glance
- Location
- West coast of Koh Rong, north of Koh Touch
- Experience type
- Beach stay, sunset walks, swimming
- Length
- About 7 km quoted by guides; check locally
- Best season
- Dry season, roughly November to March
- Access
- Speedboat to Long Set pier or Koh Touch, then walk or shuttle
Why it matters
Why Long Set Beach is worth your time
Long Set is the postcard for Koh Rong. Wikipedia reports that it was ranked among the top 10 beaches in the world in the 2026 edition of The World's 50 Best Beaches, a listing that has helped draw attention to the island. It is also where visitors feel what makes Koh Rong different from the mainland beaches around Sihanoukville: space, quiet, and a coast that is not lined with high-rises.
That attention brings pressure. Wikivoyage has long flagged deforestation and waste in the sea around the island. A visit here works best when you stay in a resort that manages its own waste and water, avoid single-use plastic, and accept that comfort is simpler than on the mainland.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Sunset walk
The beach faces west, so the last hour of light is the time to walk its length with flip-flops in hand.
- 02
Morning swim
The water is usually calmest early, and shallow enough for most swimmers in the dry season.
- 03
Night sky and plankton
Away from the village lights, the dark beach is where visitors look for bioluminescent plankton and stars.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Arrive by morning boat and let the resort handle the last leg if there is one. Some speedboats go straight to the Long Set side; others drop at Koh Touch, from where the beach is roughly a 30-minute walk along the shore according to one boat guide, or a short shuttle boat ride. Check which applies before you leave the mainland.
The pleasure here is simple: a very long beach, shallow clear water in the dry season, and a sunset side that suits an early evening walk. Swim in the morning, when the sea is usually calmest, take shade at midday, and walk or sit on the sand when the light turns gold. Several beach restaurants and hostels sit along the sand and have menus for mixed groups.
Expect little infrastructure beyond the resorts. If you stay, ask about power hours, drinking water and walking routes after dark, and bring a torch. The beach is wild and beautiful, so avoid leaving rubbish or disturbing nests and dune plants.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Visit November to March; seas can be rough and services thin in the wet season
- Confirm your ferry drops at Long Set pier or Koh Touch
- Bring a torch for walking at night
- Pack sun protection, hat and insect repellent
- Choose a resort with a dry path to the sand
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- West coast of Koh Rong, north of Koh Touch (also called Long Beach or 4K Beach in parts)
- Time needed
- Half a day as a visit; two or three nights as a stay
- Best time
- November to March for calm water and clear sunsets; avoid the wet season
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- Walking on soft sand is tiring, and the stretch between resorts is long with little shade or seating. Pick a resort close to the sand with a lounger and a path with steps you can manage, and plan midday in the shade.
- Tickets and access
- Public beach with no entry fee; resort facilities, loungers and food cost extra. Boats to Long Set start from the mainland and some use Koh Touch as the stop, so confirm which pier before you book.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Long Set Beach
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Walking on soft sand is tiring, and the stretch between resorts is long with little shade or seating. Pick a resort close to the sand with a lounger and a path with steps you can manage, and plan midday in the shade.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Long Set Beach open all year?
The beach is natural, so it never closes, but Wikivoyage reports that it is closed in the rainy season in practice. Many businesses reduce service or shut, so check before booking between May and October.
How far is it from Koh Touch?
One boat guide gives about a 30-minute walk along the shore from the Koh Touch pier; shuttle boats also run. Confirm locally.
Is it suitable for older travellers?
Yes if you choose a resort close to the sand and keep walking short. Soft sand and heat are the main challenges.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
