Welcome to Sihanoukville

Sihanoukville is Cambodia’s beach resort and a prime destination for Cambodia’s sunseekers. It sits on a peninsula which sticks out into the clear waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Gently sloping beautiful white beaches make for safe swimming and undeveloped islands are drawing locals and tourists in large numbers as have developers hoping to cash in on the tourist boom. It has five casinos, three major resorts and more along the way.

Port City

Sihanoukville is the youngest city in Cambodia and really began in 1955 when work started on the country’s first and only deepwater port. It was named Sihanoukville, after the King, on its completion but many of the locals still use its original name of Kampong Som. The bulk of the country’s trade goes through the port and tourist boats are starting to call on Sihanoukville as well.

The Khmer Rouge kept it off limits for several years but with an excellent roads from Phnom Penh, it has attracted backpackers and Phnom Penh’s city dwellers who come for a lazy weekend. Its beaches are dotted with beach umbrellas, shacks, seafood restaurants and bars and visitor arrivals may increase even further when flights resume between Sihanoukville and Siem Reap.

Up for Grabs?

Sihanoukville’s beaches are in a state of flux as many parcels of public beach have been sold to private developers. Sokha Beach, probably its prettiest, is exclusively owned by the five-star beach resort, Sokha Beach Resort, and there are fears that many of the remaining public beaches are going to suffer the same fate.

Its town center is a little rough at the edges but is developing quickly with internet cafes, restaurants, banks, businesses and travel agencies sprouting up like mushrooms. Despite the boomtown atmosphere, it still has a laidback feel. There is the seedy side of town with the increasing proliferation of hostess bars, but at least, the previous open solicitation that was previously rampant here has stopped.

Great Scuba-Diving

There is stellar diving in nearby reefs which are rich in marine life from eels to stingrays and dolphins and colorful coral. Some of the best diving are off the islands of Koh Tang and Koh Prins and require an overnight stay. There are many dive operators in town, some of whom are experts in longer trips to remote reefs.

There are more than half a dozen islands off Sihanoukville but with the exception of Ko Russei, Ko Ta Teav and Ko Rung Samloem, none of the other islands offer overnight facilities. Trips to these island can be arranged by the guesthouses and restaurants on the Ochheuteal and Serendipity beaches.

Waterfalls and Mangrove Swamps

For those who want a break away from sunworshipping, the beautifully preserved Ream National Park offers load of opportunities for exploration. Ranger-guided overnight treks or boat trips can be arranged to its mangrove forests and fine sandy beaches.

The Kbai Chhay waterfalls are just 7km away from Sihanoukville. These are favored spots for the local tourists who lounge and picnic on the many raised bamboo platforms that have been set up around the deep pools.

There are good roads connecting Sihanoukville with Kep and Kampot and it is easy to arrange day trips to visit the attractions in these places. Although crowded on weekends, its beaches can be relatively quiet on weekdays.