Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sun worshippers will discover additional beaches on the Gulf of Thailand further north
near the Thai border.
Koh Yor Beach
This long, wind-swept beach is on the far (western) side of the peninsula that forms the
west bank of the Koh Poi River opposite Koh Kong. It's not the world's prettiest beach,
but it offers good shell collecting and you're pretty much guaranteed to have it to yourself.
To get there, cross the bridge that spans the river north of the town centre, pay the toll on
the other side (1200r for a
moto
) and look for a left turn about 1.5km beyond the toll
booth. The beach is about 6km from the turn-off.
BEACH
WAT NEANG KOK
A rocky promontory on the right (western) bank of the Koh Poi River is decorated with life-size
statues demonstrating the violent punishments that await sinners in the Buddhist hell. This graphic
tableau belongs to Wat Neang Kok, a Buddhist temple. To get there, cross the bridge, turn right 600m
past the toll booth (
motos
1200r), and proceed 150m beyond the temple to the statues.
Tours
Boat tours are an excellent way to view Koh Kong's many coastal attractions. English-
speaking
Teur
( 016 278668)
hangs around the
boat dock
(cnr Sts 1 & 9)
and can help you
hire six-passenger (40-horsepower) and three-passenger (15-horsepower) outboards
(speedboats). Destinations include Koh Kong Island western beaches (big/small boats
US$80/50), around Koh Kong Island (US$120/90) and Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary
(US$40/30).
The most popular tour is to Koh Kong Island (full day per person including lunch and
snorkelling equipment US$25, or overnight for US$55). Trips take in some of the man-
groves of Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary, and there's a good chance of spotting Ir-
rawaddy dolphins early in the morning on these trips. Overnight trips involve beach
camping or a homestay on the island. Note that tours don't take place in the rainy season
(July to October) because of strong onshore (southwesterly) breezes. However, private
boat trips to Peam Krasaop are possible year-round.
As tours become more popular, garbage is beginning to pile up on some of the island's
western beaches, mainly the fault of irresponsible boatmen and tour operators. The fol-
