Koh Rong has no roads or motorized vehicles in the way the mainland does — getting around means water taxis, walking trails, or a mix of both depending on which beaches you’re connecting.
Water taxis between beaches
Small boats run between Koh Touch, Long Beach, Paradise Beach, and the Monkey Island area for roughly $5-10 for nearby hops and up to $20-30+ for farther ones, either on a loose informal schedule or arranged directly with your accommodation. This is the standard way most visitors move between beaches, especially with luggage.
Walking trails
A network of jungle trails connects some of the island’s beaches on foot, offering a free alternative to water taxis for travelers who don’t mind a warm, sometimes steep walk through forest terrain. Trail conditions vary and aren’t always clearly marked, so asking locally about current conditions before setting out is worth it. If you do choose a trail over a water taxi, bring more water than you think you’ll need, wear proper closed shoes rather than sandals, and avoid setting out late in the day given the lack of lighting and the heat — water taxi availability also thins out after dark, so plan any cross-island movement for daytime hours where possible. Telling someone at your accommodation your planned route is a sensible precaution given the limited connectivity in more remote parts of the island.
Getting from the pier to your accommodation
If you’re staying at Koh Touch, your accommodation is typically within walking distance of the ferry pier. If you’re headed to Long Beach, Paradise Beach, or elsewhere, arranging a transfer boat with your accommodation in advance avoids negotiating on the spot with limited options — this is especially worth doing for a same-day transfer right after arriving on the mainland ferry, since finding a boat on the spot at Koh Touch’s pier gets harder later in the day.
Costs, tipping, and payment
Water taxi hops typically run roughly $5-10 for nearby beaches and up to $20-30+ for farther ones like Paradise Beach or Monkey Island, depending on distance and whether you’re negotiating independently or going through your accommodation’s arranged transfer — budget accordingly if you’re moving between beaches regularly. Boats are usually priced per boat rather than strictly per person, so traveling with others or coordinating a shared transfer with fellow guests at your accommodation brings the per-person cost down meaningfully, especially for longer hops out to Paradise Beach or Monkey Island. Tipping isn’t mandatory for standard transfers but is appreciated, particularly for longer trips or if a driver waits for you during a stop — a dollar or two is a reasonable gesture. Keep cash on hand in small denominations, since card payment isn’t an option for most water taxi operators on the island.
No motorbikes or tuk-tuks
Unlike the mainland, Koh Rong has essentially no motorized land transport — there’s no equivalent of Sihanoukville’s tuk-tuk network here, so plan around water taxis and walking rather than expecting mainland-style transport options. Travelers coming straight from Sihanoukville’s tuk-tuk-and-motorbike routine should mentally reset expectations on arrival — everything here moves slower and revolves around boat schedules rather than on-demand rides, which takes a day or so to adjust to but rarely causes real problems once you’ve settled into the island’s pace.
Getting to Koh Rong Samloem
If your trip includes both islands, a direct boat connects them without needing to return to the mainland first — see our Koh Rong to Koh Rong Samloem ferry guide for that specific route.
Mobile signal on trails and water taxis
Signal thins out quickly once you’re on a jungle trail or partway across open water, even though Koh Touch itself has reasonably reliable coverage. Downloading an offline map before setting out on a trail, and confirming pickup times with your accommodation in person rather than relying on a message sent from the trail, avoids the frustration of an unanswered text at a remote beach.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get between beaches on Koh Rong?
Water taxis are the standard option, running a few dollars per hop, with some beaches also connected by walking trails through the jungle.
Are there tuk-tuks or motorbikes on Koh Rong?
No — the island has no motorized land transport network like the mainland does. Water taxis and walking are the only options.
Can I walk between all the beaches?
Some beaches are connected by trails, but not all, and trail conditions vary — check locally before planning a longer walk rather than a boat transfer.
Luggage and water taxis
Water taxis handle standard luggage fine, though larger group loads may need a slightly bigger boat — confirm with your accommodation or a local operator if you’re traveling with more than a standard backpack or suitcase per person.
Choosing where to stay based on transport ease
If minimizing water-taxi dependence matters to you, Koh Touch’s walkable layout is the most convenient base — see our where to stay on Koh Rong guide for how each beach area compares on this specifically.
Weather and sea conditions
Rougher seas during the wet season can make water taxi rides considerably choppier and occasionally suspend service briefly during the worst weather. Building some flexibility into cross-island plans during this period avoids frustration if a transfer gets delayed.
Combining transport with a day of activities
If your day includes a snorkel or dive trip, that boat will typically handle getting you out to the site directly rather than requiring a separate water taxi — see our Koh Rong diving and snorkeling guide for how those trips are usually organized.
The bottom line
Getting around Koh Rong requires a different mindset than mainland Cambodia — no tuk-tuks to flag down, just boats and trails on a more relaxed, occasionally weather-dependent schedule. Most visitors adjust to this within their first day and find it part of the island’s appeal rather than an inconvenience.
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