Let's get to know some islands in Cambodia that have received strong investment and development

Although Cambodia is a small country, it is rich in cultural and natural resources, including river resources, coastal resources, especially islands.

Nowadays, we noted that many national and international investors are interested and investing in many islands, which makes the islands in Cambodia begin to develop.

In this article, Compass will introduce some of the islands in Cambodia that government and private companies are investing in and developing into resorts, tourist destinations, and great places for relax

The four coastal provinces of Cambodia

Before going on to describe the situation of the islands that are being developed in the coastal provinces, we should first know about the 4 coastal provinces in Cambodia.

The 4 coastal provinces of Cambodia are located adjacent to the gulf of the Southwest and are also considered as priority areas of Cambodia's marine resources, they are:

1. Koh Kong Province

It covers a total area of 10,045.58 square kilometers, located in the southwestern part of Cambodia and bordering Sihanoukville and Kampong Speu provinces to the east; gulf and Thailand to the west and south; and Pursat province to the north.

In Koh Kong province, there are 23 islands, including 1- Koh Kong Krao, 2- Koh Sdech, 3- Koh Smach, 4- Koh Ampil Thom, 5- Koh Ampil Kandal, 6- Koh Ampil Toch, 7- Koh Moul, 8- Koh Nou or Koh Kandou, 9-Koh Damlong, 10-Koh Mnas, 11-Koh Ta Tam, 1Koh Mnas2-Koh Yor, 13-Koh Krousar Knot, 14-Koh Krousar Krao, 15-Koh Krousar Kandal, 16-Koh Andek, 17-Koh Khmoch, 18-Koh Chan, 19-Koh Totung, 20-Koh Rokas, 21-Koh Pov, 22-Koh San Chheu Ra and 23-Koh Loy.

2. Sihanoukville

Covers an area of 2,658.90 square kilometers, bordering Koh Kong province to the north; Kampot to the east; Kampong Speu to the south and west to Kampot and the Gulf of Thailand.

Talking about islands, Sihanoukville has a total of 32 islands, including: 1-Koh Preab (Dove Island), 2-Koh Puos (Snake Island), 3-Koh Thas/Kaong Kang(Mangrove Island), 4-Koh Dek Koul (Nail island) , 5-Koh Tres/Kteah(Pan Island), 6-Koh Rong, 7-Koh Bong, 8-Koh Poun, 9-Koh Kon, 10-Koh Rong Samloem, 11-Koh Moul, 12-Koh Touch, 13-Koh Chanloh/Koh Preus (Deer Island), 14-Koh Thmei, 15-Koh Chraluh/Koh Krabey, 16-Koh Ta Kiev, 17-Koh Russey (Bamboo Island), 18-Koh Sramaoch(Ant Island), 19-Koh Sampoch, 20-Koh Doung (Coconut Island), 21-Koh Pring, 22-Koh Khmoch, 23-Koh Trongol, 24-Koh Veal, 25-Koh Tang, 26-Koh Mouy, 27-Koh Damlong, 28-Koh Pir Lech, 29-Koh Pir Keut, as well as 3 other islands namely Koh Ta, Koh Yeay and Koh Chao, these last three islands are in the Koh Poulo Wai archipelago.

3. Kampot Province

It covers an area of 4,873.2 square kilometers, bordering Kampong Speu to the north, Takeo to the east, the gulf to the south and Sihanoukville to the west. 

Kampot is also a potential tourist destination and is one of the four coastal provinces. However, this province has only 3 islands, including: 1- Koh Seh (Horse Island), which is the largest island, 2-Koh Ki and 3-Koh Trongol.

4. Kep Province 

The province covers an area of 336 square kilometers, with a land border surrounded by Kampot province and a 26-kilometer sea border.

In Kep province, there are a total of 12 islands and 1 coral reef area, including: 1-Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island), 2-Koh Tbal (Millstone Island), 3-Koh Svay (Mango Island), 4-Koh Pou, 5-Koh Mak Prang, 6-Koh Ach Seh (Horse Dung Island), 7-Koh Angkrong, 8-Koh Svay Prey(Wild Mango Island), 9-Koh Hal Trei, 10-Koh Karang, 11-Koh Kok (Egret Island), 12-Koh Mtes (Chili Island) and 13-coral reef area.

It should be mentioned that some of the above islands have been developed into tourist resorts under the investment of various private companies authorized by the Royal Government.

And some of the islands have also been developed into Eco-tourism area, but are local communities and been set up by the islanders, while some others, even if uninhabited, they can be visited in the form of camping and self-cooking with boat service to arrive.

Island situation in Cambodia and the development of private enterprises

Although there are more than 70 islands in the four coastal provinces of Cambodia, at present the islands allowed by the government to be invested and developed by private enterprises only account for about 1/3 of the total number of islands.

However Compass will mentions the 16 islands that have been developed and are good investment destinations in the future.

Those islands include:

1. Koh Rong 

Koh Rong is a natural island with a clear blue sea and unique scenery and is also considered An island with some of the most beautiful beaches in Southeast Asia

Koh Rong is an island located 40 km off the coast of Sihanoukville, Cambodia, with an area of 78 square kilometers, the second largest natural island in Cambodia, from north to south is about 10 km, the highest point of the island is about 133 meters above sea level. Travel to Koh Rong takes 2 hours or more from the Sihanoukville.

Compared with some islands, Koh Rong seems to have the most advantage in attracting investors because it has boat that bring tourists, and visited every day. Therefore, it attract more investment and more opportunities to develop as a commercial development area and eco-tourism resort on the island. And the investment on the island is mostly hotel, resort and restaurant projects.

At present, many companies are developing Koh Rong, including Royal Group Koh Rong Development Company (subsidiary of Royal Group) and Royal Galaxy Group, with a investment capital of more than 285 million US dollars.

Development projects on Koh Rong include five-star hotel, resort, casino, a 3MW solar power plant, a submarine transmission line connecting the islands off the coast of Sihanoukville and Koh Kong provinces, the project of Koh Rong International Airport (level 4C) which cost about $300 million and the construction of 70 km concrete road (Memorandum of Investment of $35 million between Royal Group Koh Rong Development Co., Ltd and Sinohydro Corporation Limited.

2. Koh Rong Samloem 

It is also an island of Sihanoukville and is located about 4 km south of Koh Rong with beautiful white sand. The special feature of Koh Rong Samloem is its long white sand beach with the clear blue sea, creating a rare landscape that can attract a lot of tourists to visit.

Not different from Koh Rong, Koh Rong Samloem is also an area with potential for investment projects such as restaurants, hotels or resorts. Development projects in Koh Rong Samloem includes:

- Koh Rong Sanloem Island Resorts Co., Ltd: Development project of part of Koh Rong Samloem, cover an area of 1,066 hectares.

- Emario Shonan Marin Corporation Ltd. In collaboration with U Property Management Co., Ltd, a project to develop a part of Koh Rong Samloem with an area of 1,315 hectares.

On February 16, 2024, the two companies also invested in the construction of more than 60 km of concrete road and Koh Rong Samloem boat port in Koh Rong Samloem village, Koh Rong commune, Koh Rong city, Sihanoukville province. The investment company also intends to build a wastewater treatment plant in the future.

3. Song Saa Private Island

Song Saa Island is a new private island in Sihanoukville. The island is very special because it is a kind of quiet place to relax, there are places for accommodations, watch sunset, place to see the beautiful coral and fish, and many other places that are all scenic. It is so beautiful that it can be compared to “the second Maldives.”

Song Saa Island is located in the southwestern part of the Cambodian coast, about 40-45 minutes by boat and 29 km from the port of Sihanoukville.

Song Saa Island is invested by Brocon Investment Co., Ltd. on a land of 7.42 hectares, built as a mountain villa, villa on land with sea view, floating villa, floating restaurant, yoga place and other recreational activities.

4. Koh Chraluh/Koh Krabey

Koh Chraluh or Koh Krabey is an island in Sihanoukville and is gaining popularity with its beautiful natural white sandy beaches. Tourists can reach the island by boat from the south of Sihanoukville in just 20 minutes.

Koh Krabei was developed by RPB Investment Co., Ltd on an area of 12.23 hectares with the development of a modern resort (Six Senses Krabey Island), with 40 separate private villas.

5. Koh Russey

Koh Russey (Bamboo Island) is a beautiful island with blue water, beautiful beaches, pink or red sand with dense forest, located in Ream commune, Prey Nob district, Sihanoukville province. It has been becoming a luxury resort where tourists can enjoy swiming, sunbathe, go fishing, watch the sunset, ride a bike, breathe the fresh air and walk along the beach, etc.

The government has leased the island to private companies to develop ecotourism projects of high standard comfortable hotels, bungalows, resort. There are currently two companies investing in Koh Russey Island, including:

- Everspring Resort Co., Ltd:  a project to develop a part of Koh Russey on an area of 52 hectares as a hotel and resort.

- Koh Russey Resort Ltd: a project to develop a 78-hectare part of Koh Russey Island by developing eco-tourism in hotels, bungalows, resorts, vacation villas, 13 villas with private swimming pools, restaurants, bars, gyms, spas, swimming pools and other activities on the beach and so on.

6. Koh Morakot/Koh Puos

Koh Morakot or Koh Puos (Snake Island) is also an island with potential for development related to tourism and construction. But it is special than other islands in that this island is close to the mainland of Sihanoukville, less than 1 km to across to this island.

Koh Puos is under development by Koh Puos (Cambodia) Investment Group Ltd. with an area of 116 hectares. In addition, the island has a 900-meter-long bridge over the sea, concrete roads, a number of recreation projects, and some infrastructure that has been well-developed.

7. Koh Thmei

Koh Thmei is an island in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, just an hour travel from the mainland of Sihanoukville. The island has a beautiful landscape, surrounded by lush mangrove forests. In addition, tourists can also see the various species of wildlife and birds there.

Despite being within the protected area of Ream National Park, seeing the potential of the island, the Cambodian government has approved long-term lease concessions to a number of developers since 2010, such as eco-tourism development projects, resorts, hotels, bungalows and other leisure and recreational projects.

Companies that approved to develop on the island: 

- H.T.T.H Island Investment Co., Ltd: to develop a part of Koh Thmei island on an area of 1,168 hectares.

- Celestial Stars Limited Company : to develop a part of Koh Thmei island on an area of 409 hectare.

- Yeejia Development Company Ltd : to develop a part of Koh Thmei island on an area of 850 hectare.

- Vilong International Investment Co., Ltd:  to develop a part of Koh Thmei island on an area of 46 hectare

- Ho Vuthy Company:  to develop a part of Koh Thmei island on an area of 131.95 hectares

- OCIC Company: to develop a part of Koh Thmei island on an area of approximately 245 hectares.

8. Koh Ta Kiev

Koh Ta Kiev is a small island with an area of 28 square kilometers and about 10 kilometers from Sihanoukville. To get to Koh Ta Kiev island, people usually travel by motor boat and takes less than an hour. Koh Ta Kiev Island is a beautiful island with long white sand beaches, it is ideal for diving to see coral at sea, jungle walks, swimming, and more other recreation activities.

This island also attracts two major developers, including:

- Koh TaKiev Investment Co., Ltd: to develop a part of Koh Ta Kiev on an area of 238,8701 hectares.

- Prince Real Estate (Cambodia) Group: to develop a part of Koh Ta Kiev on an area of 307.62-hectare.

9.Kaoh Chanloh/Koh Preus

Kaoh Chanloh or Koh Preus (Deer Island) is about 2 km from Otres Beach in Ream Commune, Prey Nob District, Sihanoukville and covers a total area of 56.28 hectares. The island has high tourist potential for both Khmer architectural projects and natural resources such as golden yellow sand beaches, coral reefs, mangroves, natural freshwater flows from the top of the island and wildlife and so on.

Nowadays, Koh Preus is under development by Angela Real Estate Co., Ltd. to build five-star hotels, casinos, villas, bungalows, clubs, restaurants, bicycles and other entertainment venues.

 10. Koh Mouy

Koh Mouy is located in Koh Rong Samloem Commune, Koh Rong city, Sihanoukville, about 50 km from Sihanoukville and 47 km from Koh Poulo Wai Island near the Thai border.

In April 2023, the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) decided to issue a registration certificateto the company “G.T.V.C IMPORT EXPORT CO., LTD” on the Koh Mouy development investment project with an investment of approximately $ 7.7 million to become a modern and diversified tourist resort. 

11. Koh Tonsay 

Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island) is a satellite resort located in the southeast of Kep municipality, Kep province, about 4.5 km from the city of Kep, travel by boat about 30 minutes to reach the island. This is a luxurious natural resort of the city, which is naturally favorable because there are 2 beaches with natural white sand can be a good place for sea recreation.

In 2019, Try Pheap Koh Tunsay Resorts Co., Ltd was approved to develop Koh Tonsay for 50 years with an investment of  130 million USD on an area of 144 hectares, in order to transform it to a new satellite city, including a diversified recreation center. Recently, the developer also unveiled the master plan of the Koh Tonsay development project, which includes resorts, hotels, entertainment centers, Buddha statue and Cambodia’s first cable car connecting the island to another island. The development project on Koh Tonsay is expected to attract more local and international tourists.

12. Koh Tbal 

Koh Tbal (Millstone Island) is a natural island with beautiful scenery and the clear sea water visible to the bottom, accompanied by fresh air makes the tourists who come to visit this island feel refreshed. Koh Tbal is located in Kep Village, Sangkat Kep, Kep municipality, Kep Province, about 6 km from the city of Kep,  travel by boat about 35 to 45 minutes to reach the island. 

Koh Tbal is also a natural island that has the potential not to be outdone by other islands for tourism sectors. Koh Tbal is adjacent to Koh Tonsay, which is also in the development project of Try Pheap Koh Tunsay Resorts, the distance between the two islands is only 1.5 km, the  investment capital is 17 million US dollars.

13. Koh Svay, Koh Mtes and Koh Kok

Koh Svay, Koh Mtes and Koh Kok are small islands in the fishing area of Kep province with lush green landscape surrounded by clear blue sea, especially this island is also in the marine biodiversity conservation area.

In 2022, the government approved SAMANEA CO., LTD company from Singapore, to develop investment projects of Koh Svay, Koh Mtes and Koh Kok, located in Kep Village, Sangkat Kep, Kep municipality, Kep Province with an estimated investment capital of USD 18 million, aim to develop the islands into potential tourist destinations.

14. Koh Sdech 

Koh Sdech (King Island) is a natural island located in Koh Sdach village, Koh Sdach commune, Kirisakor district, which stretches along the sea for more than 81 km from the provincial town of Koh Kong, and travel to the island by ferry (small boat at high speed). Koh Sdech Resort has beautiful sandy beaches, guesthouses and beautiful scenery for relaxation, there are many islands around and natural forest. Tourists can take a boat trip to go fishing, scuba diving to see corals and the biodiversity of the seabed.

Koh Sdech is not only a popular attractions for local and international tourists, it is also a potential investment destination. First, the Chinese company "Union Group" has invested and developed into the most attractive seaside resort and It is well-known in Cambodia, combined with the development of a large international economic transport corridor. Later,  Vireak Buntham Company built a resort, hotel and tourist port project on Koh Sdech.

15. Koh Mnas

Koh Mnas (Pineapple Island)  is located in Darasakor development area in Kirisakor district, Koh Kong province. It takes about 20 minutes by boat from Darasakor’s Port to reach this island. Koh Mnas is a little-known island, but it has a beautiful, quiet landscape, with crystal-clear sea water, white sand, coconut trees growing out of the beach and fresh air. People can enjoy diving to see corals, fishing, or drinking tasty coconut water. 

At present, Koh Mnas is being invested by a private company which plans to turn this beautiful island into a luxury eco-tourism resort in Koh Kong province.

16. Koh Totung

Koh Totung is a wonderful eco-tourism island with an area of 0.8 square kilometers and is adjacent to Koh Chan and Koh Sdech, it is located in Kirisakor district, Koh Kong province, only 5 kilometers away from the port of Koh Sdech Island.

However,  this island has never been developed. Until April 2023, the Royal Government approved the company “DEN NOKOR (CAMBODIA) INVESTMENT CO., LTD” to invests and develop on Koh Totung into a world-class eco-tourism resort and other related activities with an investment capital of approximately 30 million US dollars.

Overall, although the islands in Cambodia have received a steady stream of investment, they still seem to be limited due to the fact that construction developments on the islands cost up to three times as much as onshore development, which makes the project investing on an island takes a longer time. 

However, the Royal Government of Cambodia also fully supports and seeks a coordinated approach to the investment projects of private companies and expect the islands in Cambodia to be fully invested and can attract more tourists or investors in the future.