Koh Thmei

This unspoiled island of 15 square miles, part of Ream National Park, is only home to a small fishing village of about 200 people and a few small bungalows. This is a fantastic island for nature lovers – the beach is littered with exotic shells, there's a coral reef for snorkelling just offshore, and the jungle interior is home to over a hundred different bird species. Monkeys, civets, lizards, and several threatened species live on Koh Thmei, including the fishing cat, a wetland feline that lives near streams and mangrove forests.

Hiking, bird watching, snorkelling, and renting a two-person sea kayak are all options for visitors. There are nearby deserted beaches where you can see dolphins swimming along the coast. Currently, the only place to stay on the island is the Koh Thmei Resort, which has a private beach and garden as well as simple but clean bungalows powered by solar energy.

• Best time to visit: January, February, March and December
• Location: Ream National Park, Preah Sihanouk, Campuchia