“Mekong Island” is an easy day trip, about six miles (10km) northeast of Phnom Penh, that refers alternatively to either or both small islands located on the Mekong River, just outside of central Phnom Penh.
Koh Daich (pronounced “dike”) and Koh Okhna Tey are neighboring islands with narrow, bumpy dirt roads connecting a number of small, traditional villages and numerous banana and corn farms. Villagers live in wooden, stilted houses beneath which women spend their days weaving krama, traditional Cambodian scarves, and phamoung, a fine silk fabric.
A pleasant beach called Kbal Koh, located on the northernmost point of Koh Daich, is particularly popular in the dry season months (November-April), when locals and visitors from Phnom Penh come to swim and picnic in shady hammock-shacks. Towards the end of the rainy season (November), locals training for the water-festival boat races hold their own competition near the Buddhist temple on the island, where the boats are stored throughout the year.
Getting There
The easiest way to get to the islands is by boat from Phnom Penh near street 136, although this will require you to walk around the island or attempt to hire a local to drive you around with their personal motorbike.
If you travel to the island by bicycle, motorbike, tuk tuk, or motodop taxi you can explore the island more easily, though it may be a bit trickier to get there (particularly if you are traveling on your own). From Phnom Penh, cross the Japanese Friendship Bridge to Chrouy Chang Va Island. Continue along National Road 6 (towards Kampong Cham) until you arrive at the west bank of the Mekong River, where you should look for small blue signs (in Khmer) that mark the location of ferry piers. There are a number of ferry piers along the river that service cars and/or motorbikes for inexpensive trips across the river every 30 minutes or so.
Need to Know
- What is It?: A pair of islands on the Mekong River with charming rural villages that produce traditional Cambodian textiles.
- When to Go: In the dry season months: November-April, particularly in November, when boat races are held.
- Nearest Town: The islands are located just outside Phnom Penh: around 6 miles (10km)
- Don’t Miss: Learning about the production of and/or buying traditional textiles. Hanging out at the beach, swimming in the Mekong, and eat local BBQ corn.
- Entrance fees: None