The Best Way To See The Unbelievable Underwater Glowing Plankton In Koh Rong, Cambodia

If you're looking for a place where you can relax on a beach, try amazing foods, and explore historic temples, book a trip to Cambodia. While you're there, don't miss touring Angkor Wat, one of the most beautiful temples in the world. The UNESCO World Heritage site Angkor Archaeological Park is a popular tourist destination, and it has ruins from the Khmer Empire, hundreds of years ago. To get a literal taste of the culture, take a food tour in Phnom Penh where you can travel by tuk-tuk and try some of the best food in the capital.

For those looking to relax in luxury, book an overwater villa at Song Saa; the eco-luxury resort is on a private island and has a range of activities from spa treatments to Buddhist blessings to sea kayaking. Song Saa is in the Koh Rong Islands, and the island of Koh Rong is a popular destination for backpackers and those looking for a party, according to Along Dusty Roads. But it's not just a party spot: in Koh Rong you can see an amazing natural light show.

There are some natural phenomena that seem otherworldly, like the Northern Lights, and in Cambodia, it's the bioluminescent plankton around Koh Rong. Swimming and snorkeling amidst the sparkling, glowing lights of the plankton is breathtaking, and to get the full effect, you'll need to go to the darkest place on the island that you can find. Visit Koh Rong suggests going on a boat tour to get away from the light pollution of the main tourist area or traveling to some of the island's less bustling areas like Long Set Beach.

Scuba.com explains the chemical reaction that causes the plankton to put off the bright blue glow at night. One of the coolest things about the beautiful glow is that if the water is disturbed, you'll see more of a glow. So the more time you spend swimming with the plankton, the more sparkling glow you'll see around you. You don't have to get in the water to see the twinkling bioluminescent display; you'll be able to see it from the boat or from the beach if it's dark enough.

The water around Koh Rong glows with plankton at night, and then during the day, you can spot seahorses, rays, squid, and parrotfish (per Move to Cambodia). If you're planning to check out Koh Rong, it takes up to an hour on the ferry to Koh Rong; you'll depart from Sihanoukville, and Visit Koh Rong recommends booking ahead of time. For a more laid-back, calmer vibe — also with the beautiful glowing plankton — Koh Rong Samloem is also an easy ferry ride from the mainland, per Backpacker Southeast Asia.

One thing to keep in mind when you're planning your trip to Cambodia is the weather. The dry season runs from November to May, and it's coolest between November and February. This also overlaps with the busiest time of year, meaning crowds and higher prices, according to Adventure Life. If it's not the dry season, it's the monsoon season, with rain ramping up in April and May and tapering off in October. The hottest and most humid time of year in Cambodia is from March to June, which can make sightseeing a sweaty and taxing venture.