Sihanoukville

Sihanoukville town is located in the center of a small peninsula that juts into the warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand. There are many beautiful beaches of fine pearl-white sand line the shore around the peninsula, most easily to get to them from town, each separated as much by character as the rocky headlands between.

There are some Cambodia tour programs will spend one or two nights in Sihanoukville for beach extension!

Sihanoukville’s white sand beaches and warm Gulf of Thailand waters combine with a laid back, beachy atmosphere to provide a great little tropical getaway. Sihanoukville is a place to unwind by the beach, enjoy the fresh from-the-ocean seafood, take in a snorkeling or scuba trip.

When is the best time to visit Sihanoukville?

Sihanoukville witnesses tropical weather thanks to its proximity to sea waters. On account of the southwest monsoon winds that blow over the town, it experiences two seasons, the dry season and the wet season. The best time to visit Sihanoukville is during the dry season between November and April.

Where to stay in Sihanoukville?

We recommend you sleep one night on Koh Rong island and the rest of the night’s sleep in the city. In the downtown, visitors will have many choices of accommodation services. Almost hotels, motels are concentrated along the big beaches. You can choose hotels, motels are located on the roads behind the sea, the price will be cheaper. On the island, the price will be more expensive than downtown.

Places to visit in Sihanoukville?

With plenty to see and do, Sihanoukville is one of the greatest cities to explore when in Cambodia. Here are some of our suggestions.

Sihanoukville’s Nearby Islands: Sihanoukville is often described as the gateway to Cambodia’s best islands, some island you should visit such as Bamboo Island (Koh Russey), Koh Rong Samloem, Koh Rong,  Koh Sdach & Koh Ta Kiev …

Explore Ream National Park: Specifically, the Ream National Park in Cambodia is one of the most beautiful places you will ever find. Located just 11 miles from downtown Sihanoukville, the capital of this region, this is one of the most spectacular locations on earth to visit, because up until recently this was a land that was virtually untouched. The national park had existed for years, but no man made intervention was spoiling the location. There were not large hotels, massive factories or industry, or huge fishing vessels scarring this majestic location.

Snorkeling & Fishing: You will enjoy fresh atmosphere on the boat to islands and then try snorkeling to see amazing marine ecosystem here. It’s exciting to enjoy the warm waters and beauty of many color of fish underwater.

Private boat trip: Sihanoukville is one of the few places in the world that hasn’t gotten caught up in the over development wave that has swallowed many other small towns. You will still find that nature charm littered throughout the Island and these boat tours and charters will help you step away from the hustle and bustle of the city and tourist crowds and become an Islander for your visit.

Water Sports: Sihanoukville is an ideal location for a number of water sports activities and adventures, essential accomplishments for any beach holiday. Submerge yourself in the ocean and get a good view of the coral and sea creatures lurking in Sihanoukville’s depths on a scuba diving trip. If diving is too extreme, many places on the beach offer snorkeling trips, fun for having a flipper around. Other water sports activities include kayaking, windsurfing, and for a slightly higher price, you can practice kitesurfing. All of these activities make for a thrilling day by the sea.

Visit Wat Leu Temple: Cambodia is known for its Buddhist Wats or temples. They are an absolute must-see when you visit the country. The temples are stylistically diverse, ranging from the green-tinged stone of Angkor Wat to the colorful pointed roofs of temples such as Wat Leu, which resembles a pagoda. Religiously significant and intriguing in its architecture, Wat Leu has several features to note, such as the three-headed carved white elephant, its gold decorations and a huge black statue of the Lord Buddha. This is an attraction representative of Cambodia’s rich spiritual culture.

Where to eat in Sihanoukville?

There is no shortage of restaurants in Sihanoukville; almost anything you want, you may get it. There are plenty of moderately priced Cambodian and international restaurants. Almost every restaurant offers Cambodian food. For the budget minded, check out the inexpensive Chinese places and the local food stalls and noodle cookshops next to the centre.

It would be a shame to leave town without savouring the delights of a meal of seafood, which unsurprisingly, is Sihanoukville’s speciality, priced by the kilogram and cheaper than anywhere else in the country. If you prefer informality, you can buy your own fish and seafood in the market, and any other accompaniments you fancy, and get them cooked up at one of the beach stalls. There are thousands of shacks offering tasty and reasonable barbecue in the evening right next to the beach.

Snake House

That’s one of the interesting places to eat. It’s a restaurant and Bar with Russian and International cuisine. An absolutely unique venue: a restaurant/herpetarium carved into the middle of a lush garden maze with dozens of terrariums containing rare and poisonous snakes, exotic lizards, and artificial tide pools. Reasonably priced international and Russian fare. Located between north and south Victory Beaches.

Villa Garden Restaurant & Bar

This nice international restaurant and bar is located on the Ochheuteal Beach Rd. between Ochheuteal and Serendipity beaches. Brand new upstyle al fresco restaurant/bar at the DevaRaja boutique guesthouse, offering a unique and eclectic selection of western and Asian favourites and unique chefs choices and creations, many with an emphasis on seafood – shrimp scampi, crab quesadillas, Thai basil crab cakes and of course the daily fish special. Full bar with draft beer, cocktails and a new slate pool table.

Khmer Gourmet

Located at the Weather Station Hill this restaurant offers delicious Vegetarian, Mexican and Organic food. All vegetarian dishes employing organic ingredients as much as possible. Lots of special Mexican dishes, wraps, veg chilli, veg quesadillas, breakfast burritos and more. Organic veggies, organic brown rice, coffees, teas, and sugar, sourced locally. Memorable homemade desserts. Quality ingredients and hygienic preparation guaranteed. Sometimes Live acoustic music.

How to get to Sihanoukville?

You can access Sihanoukville from Phnom Penh (Capital of Cambodia) by bus, by taxi or by air.

Using Buses or Vans

There are many Bus companies like Giant Ibis, Mekong Express, PSD Xpress, Sorya Bus, Neak Krohorm, Thero Express (15-seat), Larryta, KSO, Virak Buntham, Kampot Express, Cambodia Post VIP Van offering bus/van services to Sihanoukville town using modern air-conditioned buses/vans. Buses/vans depart every 15 minutes to one hour, daily from 6am-12pm mid night. The prices are reasonable.  Online Bus ticket  can be purchased in advance.

Using Share Taxis

Most share taxis depart Phnom Penh before 10:00am, though you can still find one into the midafternoon. The price varies between $3-5/person. Shared taxis offer a cramped and harrowing 2 1⁄2-3 1⁄2 – hour ride with 8 or more people stuffed in a compact car. Private taxis run about $20-$25. In Phnom Penh taxis wait at the southwest corner of the Central Market (Phsar Thmey). In Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh bound taxies wait on Street 108.

By Boats

There are daily boats departing from Sihanoukville (500Baht, 4 hours) around noon for Krong Koh Kong. Most foreigners are unfortunately asked to pay 600Baht or $15. It’s worth the tour as you pass by some virgin beaches and nice costal formations.

By Air

There are two flights per day from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville or v.v in the morning and afternoon. It is available also direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Sihanouville. All are operating by Cambodia Angkor Airways.