Mad Monkey

Top choice in The Southern Islands


Part of the Mad Monkey hostel empire, this edition wins big with its secluded private cove and beaches to the north of Saracen Bay. Dorms of varying size and private bungalows are oceanfront, simple and fan-cooled, and the atmosphere is laid-back and convivial. A big, open-air bar and restaurant overlooks the sea, where people laze about in hammocks all day.

When guests do get up from their relaxation, it's usually to go on a boat trip for snorkelling or to play a beanbag-tossing game. Swimming in the secluded cove is also an activity of choice, particularly in the wee hours for couples aiming to have a go (or maybe a glow?) in the plankton.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Southern Islands attractions

1. Saracen Bay

1.97 MILES

Saracen Bay is an almost impossibly beautiful 2.5km-long crescent of white sand on the island's east coast, lined by two dozen or so resorts. Saracen Bay…

2. Sunset Beach

2.06 MILES

This idyllic swath of sand is home to just a few resorts that are all quite lovely. It's a 30-minute hike (sneakers necessary) here from Saracen Bay, or…

3. Police Beach

4.53 MILES

Named because the island's police station is located here, Police Beach, just south of Koh Tuch, hosts wild all-night parties on Wednesdays and Saturdays,…

4. Koh Tuch Beach

4.87 MILES

The wide sweep of Koh Tuch Beach extends for about 1km northeast from Koh Tuch village pier and gets lovelier the further out you go. We do not recommend…

5. Long Set Beach

5.5 MILES

Past the Koh Tuch Beach headland (near Treehouse Bungalows) is Long Set Beach. Walk another half-hour along the sand and encounter little more than hermit…

6. Sok San Beach

6.79 MILES

On the west side of the island is Koh Rong's finest beach, a 7km, almost empty stretch of drop-dead-gorgeous white sand. Sok San village at the northern…

7. Coconut Beach

6.94 MILES

At the easternmost point of the island, this jungle-clad, white-sand cove is roughly two hours from Koh Tuch on foot along the coast or 30 minutes by moto…

8. Lamherkay Beach

13.1 MILES

About 1.5km southwest of Victory Beach, next to a shady grove, is Lamherkay Beach, also known as Hawaii Beach. Koh Pos (Snake Island), the island 800m…