Cambodia is not only home to Angkor Wat temple, but also to 440kms of coastline that were named one of the most beautiful bays in the world. They offers crystal clear beaches, beautiful islands with abundant coral reefs which are overflowing with color and a multitude of diverse marine life species.
If you wish to explore the marine life here in Cambodia once you are here, you might want to check it out, where in Cambodia that you can go underwater? Well, scuba diving and snorkeling are type of rare sport activities which need skills and passion. Not many local people know or do it as I see the majority of people from the west who enjoyed this kind of activities. It can relate to skills (swimming) or expenses (high costs to go diving). Many Cambodian people struggle to make end meet so diving or enjoying such activities would come last in their heads.
I was lucky to do Snorkeling 3 times in my life which was at Koh Tres (near Bamboo island), Koh Songsaa (Koh Oun-Koh Bong) and Koh Rong Sanleum. The one at Koh Songsaa was the most beautiful experience. However, please check it out for more places that you can do go diving and snorkeling.
Sihanoukville probably the best places to do diving and snorkeling since many islands are in this region and they have many favorable topographical features. Koh Kong also offers great diving activities. Snorkeling, also, can be impressive around the nearby islands which feature rocky reefs, shallow waters and coral, and colorful tropical fish. From December to June, diving and snorkeling are ideal because the water is clearer and cooler than the rest of the year.
Famous diving sites include (a list of those places is here)
Locations |
Names of diving spots |
Special offers |
Others |
|---|---|---|---|
Sihanouk Ville |
αααααα»ααααααΉα αα·ααααααα»α Koh Rung Samloem & Koh Rong: |
A paradise for both beginners and advanced divers where diving spots are conveniently shallow and deep with beautiful landscape) |
Try glowing Bioluminescent Plankton Tour at night here - it is beautiful! |
Sihanouk Ville |
αααααΌα α¬ααααααααΆα Koh Kon (Koh Songsaa) |
A paradise snorkeling spot with abundance & colorful of underwater creatures |
|
Sihanouk Ville |
αααααΆα Koh Tang |
a great spot to discover marine life as the water is extremely clear), |
|
Sihanouk Ville |
αααααααααααΉααα»αααα Condor Reef (30 kilometers south of Koh Sdach or King island in Koh Kong) |
The best Scuba diving spot as it has breathtakingly beautiful natural shore reefs and diverse marine life & the shipwrecks) |
|
Sihanouk Ville |
αααααΆα Koh Thas |
Has beautiful reefs which you can spot large snappers and anemones, also a snorkeling friendly place |
|
Sihanouk Ville |
αααααΆααα Koh Ta Kiev |
It has white beach surrounded by green forest, shallow water & quiet for relaxing |
|
Koh Kong |
αααααααα Koh Sdach Archipelago (King Island, in Koh Kong): |
A combination of 12 islands made it convenient for scuba diving, great visibility with various species of fishes that you have never seen before) |
|
Koh Kong |
αααααααΆα Shark Island |
Home to fascinating variety of sharks; the blacktip reef sharks or the bull sharks |
|
Koh Kong |
αααααααΈα Koh Pring |
Sharks can be seen in winter or divers can enjoy the good old scuba diving experience on any one of its beaches |
|
Koh Kong |
ααααα»α Koh Kong |
Has small diving sites with colorful corals surrounded by parrotfish |
|
Kep province |
αααα’αΆα ααααα Koh Arch Ses |
Offers various fish and colorful sea creatures, a hidden gem not known to many |
Scuba diving facilities:
- Sihanouk Ville: there are several diving businesses on the islands which you donβt even need to book before arrival. However, follow this link here for various diving centers on the islands. Padi is also located there.
- Koh Kong: there are few diving shops at the center. Check this out.
Price for the diving
Here is some example of price for trips to Koh Tang, Koh Pring and Koh Pulau Weh:
- 1 night/up to 4 dives: $295
- 2 nights/up to 8 dives: $395
- 3 nights/up to 12 dives: $495
- 1 night snorkeling trip: $225
- 2 nights snorkeling trip: $295
- 3 nights snorkeling trip: $345
Island trip to Koh Rong Samleum return ticket: $20
- Snorkeling trip: $25
- 1 Fundive: $65
- 2 Fundives: $80
- 6 Fundives: $210
- 10 Fundives: $300
- Nightdive: $50
- Bio-Fluorescent (UV) Nightdive: $65
- Refresher course: $90
Please check more information about price here: Pricelist from Padi
Why dive in Cambodia?
According to Pickyourtrail blog, there are some interesting facts to consider about scuba diving in Cambodia
- The water has good temperature (around 27-31 degree Celsius) which is convenient for long hours of underwater exploration
- Many diving sites have shallow water, so they are comfortable for beginners. These sites are about 48 ft deep (14.63 meters).
- Many of the sites have great visibility (in dry months it can go up to 131 ft (39.93meter)
- The water currents are mostly gentle during clear days which makes it an easy spot to learn diving
- There are so many options for people who love to dive. The coastline has over 30 dive centers to choose from.
- More importantly - if you go to those islands, besides diving and snorkeling you can swim and sunbath on white sand beaches which are very beautiful.
Other posts about places to see in Sihanouk Ville and Koh Kong
Province (along coastlines) |
Articles for nearby attractions |
|---|---|
Koh Kong province |
- Chi Phat (Koh Kong), - Koh Kong province, - Areng - Tatai village - Mountain caves around Cambodia - Fishing beach or Chrouy Svay at Koh Kong - Mangrove forest in Cambodia - Cardamom Tented Camp - Food for camping |
Some photos of the islands where you can go diving and snorkeling!
coz of that I drank a lot of salty water 