Sihanoukville is a small port city in southwest Cambodia on the Gulf of Thailand. The beach city offers perfect conditions for a tropical vacation: tropical climate, beautiful beaches, plenty of hotels, guesthouses and other accommodations, countless restaurants, beach bars and the lively nightlife. Here you can relax on the beach, enjoy fresh seafood, go on a snorkeling or diving trip and relax.
The ideal time for a beach holiday in Sihanoukville is the dry season from October to March, best time runs in the beginning of December, January and February. The rainy season falls between April and September. But the rainy season does not mean that it rains all day long. It rains on average every day, so there is still time for sunbathing.
Sihanoukville offers many beaches in the mainland as well as the offshore islands.
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Occheuteal Beach – the most popular beach in the city center, open to the public and extremely crowded, numerous restaurants and bars along the beach.
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Serendipity Beach – where the boat pier is, not so nice for swimming and swimming.
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Independence Beach – small beach, a part of the Independence Hotel & Spa is private, a part is public, a playground for children and ideal for a walk.
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Sokha Beach – Sokka Beach Resort’s private beach, accessible only to hotel guests.
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Otres Beach – quiet pristine beach in the local village, about 20 minutes from town.
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Koh Rong – the big island with long white sandy beaches.
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Koh Rong Samloem – the small island with a dreamlike bay and beaches.
In Sihanoukville, you can immerse in thrilling water sports, enjoy the pristine white-sand beaches or even try exciting nightlife at the beach bars. To experience a gorgeous and rejuvenating vacation, here is our top 10 best things to do in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.
Kbal Chhay Waterfalls: Get relaxed by nature
Kbal Chhay Waterfall is a waterfall located approximately 7 km from the city center of Sihanoukville then a further 9 km along a red dust track. It can be reached easily by motorbike or a tuk-tuk. The best time to visit these cascading falls is during the rainy season between July and October when it’s full of water. Here you can incredible mountain view, drop by a local village where you can purchase homemade snacks and local beer.
Otres Beach: Spend some fun hours cooling off
The main reason to visit Sihanoukville is the beaches. Otres is only a three kilometer yellow sand beach but still very original and not chaotic. With five small beaches along the shore, Oltres Beach is presented as the country’s premier beach resort town and undoubtedly the best beaches in Sihanoukville. The endless cool sea wind and azure water of the Gulf of Thailand make a pretty picture and great spots for a unforgettable holiday by the beach.
Phsar Leu Market: live a day as a local citizen
The Phsar Leu Market is the biggest traditional market in Sihanoukville. It offers a great chance for tourist to discover the interesting culture and lifestyle of locals. This market features fruits, clothing, seafood, tailors, jewellery, barbers and Khmer food, the building of this market is a well-known landmark in town. You can find some local souvenirs in this market and also expect reasonable prices and an abundant selection, but possibly on hygienic conditions.
Wat Leu Pagoda: best panorama view in town
Wat Leu is located on the Sihanoukville Mountain is only 6 kilometers from the town, it is considered as one of the 5 main pagodas in the picturesque port city, which lies on a hill where you have a magnificent view of Sihanoukville and the sea that surrounds the peninsula. This temple is also ideal for photography. The tranquility and sacredness of the place attracts the travelers as well as those who are in search of peace.
Koh Rong Island: Discover an unspoiled beach
Koh Rong is the largest Cambodian Island, while Koh Rong Samloen is the second one. Koh Rong is one of the 23 islands that are part of Ream National Park, Cambodia and it is one of the islands that offer travelers crystal blue waters, white sand beaches, swimming, fishing, scuba diving or simply take a walk through this beautiful island. It can be great for the whole family to enjoy a day. Plus, you will find no tastier and fresh of fish on the earth but there. It will truly make you never want to leave.
Ream National Park: Interact closely to nature
Located just 11 miles from downtown Sihanoukville, this is one of the most spectacular locations on earth to visit, because that is virtually untouched. You will find a wide variety of ecosystems within the Ream National Park. This includes rivers, estuaries, beaches, coral reefs, forests, rain forests, mangroves, and open water. This ecosystems makes it a prime location to find a large number of different species of plants and animals. It’s one of the largest tropical rainforests of South East of Asia.
Holiday Palace Casino: Gamble away at night
If gambling is your hobby, you will be delighted to find Holiday Palace Casino in the centre of town, behind Independence Hotel. It is now the longest running casino. You cannot miss its giant colorful lights and decoration that truly stand out compared to others. It consists of a formal casino and a few restaurant and coffee shop, it also can have great lotteries and giveaway on special occasions.
From Siem Reap there is a daily flight with Cambodia Angkor Air to Sihanoukville. From Phnom Penh you can go by bus or private car. The journey takes 5 to 6 hours. To drive around the city you can use the tuk tuk anywhere on the street. It costs from $3 depending on the route.
If you want to stay on the island of Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem, there are daily ferries or speedboats. There are no tuk tuks, bicycles or motorbikes on the island at all. You can only walk or take a taxi boat.
Sihanoukville has everything from first-class to mid-range hotels and even simple guesthouses. Here are our recommendations:
Sihanoukville
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4/5 star with private beach: Sokha Beach Resort, Independence Hotel & Spa
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3-star directly or close to the beach: Sahaa Beach Resort, Nai Resort, Ren Resort, White Boutique Hotel and Residences.
Koh Rong : The Royal Sands Koh Rong (luxury), Sok San Beach Resort, Long Set Beach, Koh Rong Hill Beach Resort, The Secret Garden Koh Rong, Tamu Resort.
Koh Rong Samloem: La Passion Beach Resort, Moonlight Resort.
Koh Russey: Alila Villas (luxury)
Being a sea port, Sihanoukville offers numerous fresh seafood options. There are many restaurants and bars on the beach. It will cost you around $10-15 per person per meal. There are also local women walking along the beach selling snacks and fruit. In city center, you can reach plenty of food stalls and restaurants along the beaches. Khmer dishes are a mixture of magic from sweet and slight bitterness.
From Sihanoukville you can go on guided tours in the area to the Ream National Park, Kbal Chhay Waterfall, Kep and Kampot or go snorkeling and diving.
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The public beaches in Sihanoukville are no longer authentic. The influence of the Chinese is growing in the city, with many large hotels for Chinese, construction sites, casinos are ruining this beautiful city. We would recommend a bathing stay on the island or private resort.
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On the island, payment is mainly made in cash. Credit card is only accepted at some restaurants or hotels. Therefore please bring enough cash with you.
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Electricity and water supplies can be unstable on the island. There is also no supermarket or mini market and no pharmacy. You should already have everything you need.