Everything need to Know about Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Everything you Need to Know about Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Sihanoukville Beach in Cambodia

With its beaches and casinos, Sihanoukville is primarily a tourist attraction, albeit one with an industrial deep water port. Because of the tourist industry the town of some 250,000 people has a more lighthearted flavour to it than Phnom Penh.

Situated on the eastern part of the Gulf of Thailand, Sihanoukville is a peninsula and has several beaches and small, offshore islands. It was founded in 1964 and is much more urban and modern than other Cambodian cities.

Considering the modest amount of visitors Sihanoukville has, the town features more than ample hotels, restaurants and bars. With its five beaches and three islands to relax on, Sihanoukville provides a peaceful counterpoint to Thailand's sometimes crowded beaches.

Where to go, what to see and stay in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Sihanoukville Hotels

Sokha Beach Resort, Sihanoukville

Sihanoukville hotels and resorts at the best rates, from four-star resorts such as Sokha Beach Hotel, to budget accommodation like Sou Ching Hotel, you are sure to find what you are looking for.

Located 230 kilometres southwest of the capital city Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville is a place to unwind, savour fresh from-the-ocean seafood, go snorkeling or scuba diving and generally slow-down and chill-out. White sand beaches and warm Gulf of Thailand waters provide a great little tropical getaway centred around this charming and unique fishing port. An increasing number of foreign visitors are discovering Sihanoukville, with its, thatched roofed restaurants, grass umbrellas and relaxed pace. The area has an ample supply of accommodation, including a brand new resort complex on Sokha Beach, several mid-range places downtown and at the beaches, a few 'upscale' three-star hotels, and standard guesthouses, around on Weather Station Hill. Additional attractions include the Kbal Chhay waterfalls, the Bokor Hills and the Ream National Park close by.

Editor's Hotel Guide

Editor's Hotel Guide in Sihanoukville

Sihanoukville, a major port city in southern Cambodia, is the country’s premium beach destination. The coconut and casuarinas trees along the coastline lures visitors into relax mode.

Sihanoukville (formerly known as Kampong Som), a major port city in southern Cambodia, is famous for being the country’s premium beach destination and is very popular among locals. The view of coconut and casuarinas trees along most of the coastline and the fresh air can easily lure people to switch into relax mode.

Enjoy all sorts of water sports and activities from swimming to diving and game fishing to island hopping as well as trying fresh seafood. Sihanoukville has gained popularity with foreign guests, meaning choices of accommodation are increasing. Take advantage of our 'Editor's Guide' by finding the best deals of places to stay here in Sihanoukville.

Sokha Beach Resort

Sokha Beach Resort in Sihanoukville Cambodia

• Private Beach
• Kids’ Club
• Friendly Staff
• Fresh Seafood
• Huge Pool
With its own white sandy beach, landscaped gardens and a huge swimming pool, Sokha Beach Resort has it all whether it’s sea, sun, sand or coconut trees. It has gained quite a few international awards over the years and has quickly become one of the leading resorts in Cambodia. Among their popular dining outlets is Lemongrass Restaurant which is not limited only to delicious fresh seafood but Asian and international too. Treat yourself to the pleasure of a gorgeous lifestyle from the long list of spa treatments at the Jasmine Spa, having said that nothing can beat the beach foot massage under blue skies.

Independence Hotel Sihanoukville

Independence Hotel Sihanoukville, Cambodia

• Well-Kept Beach
• Free Mini Bus to Town
• Children's Playroom
• 24-Hour Room Service
Independence Hotel Sihanoukville is among the pioneer hotels in Sihanoukville as it was built in early 1960 on a prime piece of beachfront land. All of the 88 cozy rooms are fully renovated and most offer sparkling ocean views. Guests can book up to five connecting rooms, allowing private access among large family groups or friends. Independence Hotel Sihanoukville also features an outdoor pool, a modern business centre, several F&B outlets, boutiques, a fitness centre as well as a supervised children's playroom.

Pagoda Rocks Resort

Pagoda Rocks Resort Sihanoukville

• Boutique Guesthouse
• Infinity Pool
• Sea View Private Balcony
• Fusion World Cuisine
Pagoda Rocks Resort is a perfect hideaway offering guests an ambience that goes well with the holiday mood. It features nine guesthouses with a private balcony and sea views. Nothing can beat relaxing in the 30m infinity pool looking out to the ocean and nearby islands. Pagoda Rocks Resort is located near Wat Leu Temple on Sihanoukville Mountain, about six kilometres from the town centre. At this boutique guesthouse, the talented chef and restaurant staff have never stopped surprising guests with unique fusion world cuisine, cocktails and more.

Sihanoukville Tours and Excursions

Enjoy Sihanoukville's leisure and laidback atmosphere. Our tours and excursions around Sihanoukville will allow you to spend an unforgetable beach holiday in Cambodia.

Sihanoukville is the Cambodian beach bum destination. Enjoy a visit to Ream National Park or go tropical island hopping. There are also caves to be explored and beaches, beaches, beaches galore. Things are still relatively quiet in this part of the world so take full advantage of the fact and have a good look around.

Boat Trip to the Islands

Sihanouville's beaches Islands

This full-day boat trip will take you to the beautiful islands off shore of Sihanouville's beaches on the Gulf of Thailand. It’s an opportunity to enjoy the sunlight and sea breezes while having a fresh seafood barbeque for lunch.

This full-day boat trip will take you to the beautiful islands off shore of Sihanouville's beaches on the Gulf of Thailand. It’s an opportunity to enjoy the sunlight and sea breezes while having a fresh seafood barbeque for lunch. The easy-going afternoon is spent on the white sandy beach. Snorkeling or scuba diving equipment and lessons are also available.

Phnom Ta-aun & Sia Caves

Phnom Ta-aun & Sia Caves

This adventure tour promises a fun and fascinating hike at Phnom Ta-aun & Phnom Sia caves. The caves’ exteriors are not very photogenic but the interiors are spectacular with a vast complex of passageways, amphitheatres stalactites and strange rock formations.

This half-day adventure tour promises a fun and fascinating hike at Phnom Ta-aun & Phnom Sia caves. The caves’ exteriors are not very photogenic but the interiors are spectacular with a vast complex of passageways, amphitheatres, stalactites and strange rock formations. Many areas of the cave are lit by sunlight filtering through fissures in the rock. Between these it is a bit dark, but it is this low, mysterious lighting that gives the caves their charm.

Rabbit Island

Rabbit Island - Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Koh Tonsay or Rabbit Island is located about 4.5 kilometres southwest of Kep. The sea here is shallow, making Koh Tonsay excellent for swimming. Here, you’ll find a variety of corals, sea animals and plants which attract researchers and ecologists.

Koh Tonsay or Rabbit Island is located about 4.5 kilometres southwest of Kep. The sea here is shallow, making Koh Tonsay excellent for swimming. Here, you’ll find a variety of corals, sea animals and plants which attract researchers and ecologists. A few locals live on the island, but you will need to bring with you whatever you need for the day. Boats can be arranged through guesthouses. For those seeking a relaxing day trip, this is highly recommended.

Ream National Park

Ream National Park - Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Ream National Park is 18 kilometres from downtown Sihanoukville. Boat trips on the river and through the mangrove channels, then into the Gulf of Thailand. The park offers walking tours of the mountain, safari tours of the smaller mammals and birds and waterfalls.

Ream National Park is 18 kilometres from downtown Sihanoukville, towards Phnom Penh to the park entrance. Boat trips on the river and through the mangrove channels, then into the Gulf of Thailand. The park offers walking tours of the mountain, safari tours of the smaller mammals and birds and waterfalls. Wat Ream, a Buddhist temple, is also worth a trip. By the seaside, there are dozens of food stands, specializing in fresh seafood.

Sihanoukville Attractions

Southern Cambodia has access to the Gulf of Thailand and offers ideal opportunities to finish a tour in the Kingdom. Kampot Som is a pleasant town 5km inland on the banks of the Tuk Chhou River.

Southern Cambodia has access to the Gulf of Thailand and offers ideal opportunities to finish a tour in the Kingdom. Kampot is a pleasant town 5-km inland on the banks of the river Tuk Chhou.

A nice place to enjoy a boat trip on the river. Kampot is also base for excursions to the Bokor National Park in the Elephant Mountains. The nearby seaside resort of Kep (Kep-sur-Mer) is located 25 km from Kampot.

This beautiful coastal area was once the favorite holiday spot for Cambodias French-influenced elite during the turn of the 19th century. From Kep fishing boats can take you to one of the island scattered in the bay.

Bamboo Island

Bamboo Island in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

A few days on Bamboo Island, off Sihanoukville's coast, comes highly recommended. The boat ride takes about half an hour and once there you will find that only about 30 people live on the island. On its north-facing crescent beach Bamboo Island has three bungalow resorts, two restaurants and two bars and is very, very laid back. This is serenity at its best. Read More...

• Location: Off Sihanoukville's coast.

• How to get there: A ferry departs from Ochheuteal Beach at 10:00 and departs from the island at 16:00 the traverse takes roughly 45 minutes.

Koh Kong Bridge

Koh Kong Bridge in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

The 1.9 kilometres Koh Kong Bridge was officially declared open on 4th April 2002 by Prime Minister Hun Sen. This magnificent 8 million dollar masterpiece of technology links Koh Kong with Thailand's south-west promoting tourism, investment and trade, as well as reducing travelling-time to Phnom Penh. However, this new wide laterite highway built by the Thai Army, requires 4 tricky ferry crossings and is not recommenced during the rainy-season.

Sihanoukville Casinos

Sihanoukville Casinos

Sihanoukville is not exactly southeast Asia's answer to Las Vegas but it does offer a few venues for those who enjoy to throw the dice and play footsie with Lady Luck. Presently there are four hotels offer gamblers their favourite games: blackjack, roulette, baccarat, gaming machines, and poker.

Sihanoukville's (and Cambodia's) longest-running casino is the Holiday Palace Casino (in which you could stay during our five days Cambodia Paradise Beach Tour Package), across from Victory Beach while the aptly-named Fortune Casino (formerly the Golden Palace Casino) has undergone a complete renovation and is the largest gaming venue in town. Meanwhile, the new kid on the block is Kampong Som City. Another gaming venue in which to try your luck is the Sokha Vegas in the Sokha Resort, Sihanoukville's premier seaside resort.

• Location: Holiday Palace Casino, Fortune Casino, Sokha Vegas in the Sokha Resort

Sihanoukville Restaurants

Sihanoukville Restaurants

Sihanoukville has a location that few places in the world can beat, especially when it comes to food – seafood. It is on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, in the southwest of Cambodia.

Sihanoukville has a location that few places in the world can beat, especially when it comes to food – seafood. It is on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, in the southwest of Cambodia.

This makes Sihanoukville heaven for seafood lovers, whether your favourite be fish, squid, lobster, prawn, crab or shellfish. With the recent surge of visitors to the town, many new bars and restaurants have open in the past few years.

Now diners can choose to eat on the beach with their toes in the sand, or at upscale places with white tablecloths and gleaming silverware. The food is never less than absolutely fresh – in most restaurants you can choose your meal while it’s still swimming around a large glass tank.

Angelo’s Restaurant & Bar

23 Tola St, Ochheuteal Beach. There are plenty of food choices at Angelo’s, ranging from fresh seafood and Asian dishes to international items including Greek specialties such as souvlaki and Greek salad.

• Tel: +855 (0) 12 1735 129.

Monkey Republic Bar

On the “Hill” behind Serendipity Beach (five minutes’ walk from the beach) Monkey Republic is one of the town’s most popular party venues. Food and drinks are reasonably priced and there’s also a pool table.

• Tel: +855 (0) 12 490 290.

Oceania Restaurant

3 Soviet St, near Victory and Hawaii Beaches, and behind the Snake House. This restaurant specialises in Japanese and Russian cuisine. It also has a 300-inch movie screen and a pool table.

• Tel: +855 (0) 12 728 903 or +855 (0) 12 224 728.

Starfish Bakery & Café

Behind Samudera Supermarket, Downtown, Starfish is famous for its tasty sandwiches, salads and Western breakfast, as well as fresh-baked bread, brownies, cookies and pastries. Starfish opened in 2001 and is part of the Starfish Project, a community-based humanitarian organization, for which it generates income. It has Wi-Fi Internet access, an art shop and a massage centre.

• Tel: + 855 (0)12 952 011.

Treasure Island Seafood

Treasure Island Seafood

Next to Hawaii Beach. From “The Hill” (or, to give it its full name, the Weather Station Hill, Sihanoukville’s best known nightlife center) take the beach road towards town and keep an eye out for the restaurant’s sign. Treasure Island serves Hong Kong-style seafood with great sunsets. The seafood, they say, is brought right to the restaurant from fishing boats.

• Tel: +855 (0) 16 876 618.

Bars

Sihanoukville has many attractive and relaxing bars dotting the roadside from the centre of town right down to any of the beaches. Some have been there for long time and are good sources of information for new arrivals. Most places are a combination of guesthouse, bar and restaurant, usually serving up a good selection of Khmer and international food.

Many now have Internet connections and pool tables. Among the most popular bars in Sihanoukville are Holy Cow, Britannia, Emerald Bar, G’Day Mate and Kangaroo Kitchen.

Sihanoukville Nightlife

Sihanoukville Nightlife

Sihanoukville is Cambodia's main beach resort. Back when Phnom Penh was considered too dangerous for NGO officials they stayed here, resulting nowadays in a glut of hotel rooms.

Sihanoukville is Cambodia's main beach resort. Back when Phnom Penh was considered too dangerous for NGO officials they stayed here, resulting nowadays in a glut of hotel rooms.

Billed as a beach resort, also the county's main port, in reality the main raison d'etre is a casino destination. There are four casinos at Sihanoukville and they draw many foreigners.

There is quite a bit of nightlife in town especially in and around Ekareach Street and the port and beaches. Then there is the Angkor Arms and nearby Small World along with a couple of other expat-run bars. The Snake Pit is between north and south Victory beaches and features bar top dancing and hard-to-find Russian vodka (the owners are Russian). Another universally popular bar is the 24-hour G'day Mate which features ice-cold beer and a good menu along with rocking in-house music. For more laid-back nightlife stick to the beaches.

Sihanoukville Shopping

Shopping in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

More a tourist destination than Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, there is less emphasis on traditional crafts for sale here. Still, you can buy a wide variety of products such as hand-loomed silk.

More a tourist destination than Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, there is less emphasis on traditional crafts for sale here. Still, you can buy a wide variety of products such as hand-loomed silk scarves, clothing, accessories, home accessories, decorative ornaments, coffee, condiments, handmade cards, notebooks, wall hangings, photo albums, and a variety of games including puzzles in Rajana, a centrally located shop.

On the Beach Road there is a range of beachwear, jewelry, bags and the items you'd come to expect from a Southeast Asian seaside town.

Phsar Leu, or upper market, is the largest traditional market in town. It is a dimly lit, partially roofed expanse of stalls selling everything from meat and vegetables to auto parts, jewelry, and of course clothes. Open at sunrise, closed at sunset, it is found on 7 Makara, near Omui Street.

Sihanoukville Activities

Considered by many as Southeast Asia’s next top beach resort, Sihanoukville attracts travelers, especially those who are looking for a destination with a lovely, unspoiled coastline.

Considered by many as Southeast Asia’s next top beach resort, Sihanoukville attracts travelers from all over the world, especially those who are looking for a new beach destination with a lovely, unspoiled coastline that has not yet become overdeveloped.

But it’s not entirely unsophisticated. After hanging out on Sihanoukville’s quiet beaches for a few days, visitors can try some of the activities below.

Cinema

Check out the Top Cat Cinema, an air-conditioned theatre with big screen, relaxing seats and properly scheduled films. They also serve traditional Western movie snacks such as pop corn and ice cream, soft drinks and even beer.

• Tel: +855 (0) 12 177 0677.

Cooking Class

Cooking Class in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Take a cookery class at the Traditional Khmer Cookery School. They will introduce you to Khmer recipes, ingredients and cooking techniques.

• Tel: +855 (0) 92 738 615.

Scuba Diving

Snorkeling and Scuba diving in Sihanoukville thrives because of the area's favourable topographical features. Offshore local waters are warm and the visibility is low but it is better to dive out by neighbouring islands and Condor Reef as visibility is superior there.

Snorkeling, also, can be impressive around the nearby islands which feature rocky reefs, shallow waters and coral, and colourful tropical fish. Diving and snorkeling from December to June is ideal because the water is clearer and cooler than the rest of the year. Professional guidance is available on the beach to assist divers and the snorkellers.

Diving has been part of the Sihanoukville scene for quite some time, October to June being the busiest period. Some of the most talked-about dive sites are Koh Rung Samloem and Koh Kon which are quite close to Sihanoukville.

Those who have more time should also dive at Koh Tang, Koh Prins, and Condor Reef, which are further out.

Contact dive shops such as Eco Sea Dive (Tel: +(855) (0)12-654104), Scuba Nation (Tel: +(855) (0)12-604680) or Chez Claude (Tel: +(855) (0)12-824870.

Traditional Massage

Experience a real traditional Khmer massage at Islands Massage (Tel: +855 (0) 34 399 070), Sokha Beach Resort & Spa (Tel: +855 (0) 34 935 999) or Tropical Massage (Tel: +855 (0) 34 933 726). There are other places that advertise ‘massages’ but whose service strays beyond what most people might regard as ‘traditional’. If you don’t want to find yourself in such a place, check with the front desk at your hotel.

• Tel: Islands Massage (Tel: +855 (0) 34 399 070), Sokha Beach Resort & Spa (Tel: +855 (0) 34 935 999) or Tropical Massage (Tel: +855 (0) 34 933 726)

Others

Fishing in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Try deep sea fishing with Fisherman’s Den. They have a 54-ft fishing boat with experienced crew, available for fishing, snorkeling and island-hopping trips.

There is as yet no golf course nearby, but according to local press reports, Sihanoukville is among the places slated to get courses in the near future.

• Tel: +855 (0) 34 933 997.

Tours in Cambodia

• Impressive Cambodia - 7 Days/ 6 Nights
• Charms of Cambodia - 5 Days/ 4 Nights
• Angkor Magnificence - 4 Days/ 3 Nights
• Highlights of Cambodia - 4 Days/ 3 Nights
• Cambodia Spotlights - 4 Days/ 3 Nights
• Siem Reap to Angkor Wat - 3 Days/ 2 Nights
• Tour in Siem Reap & Angkor Wat - 3 Days/ 2 Nights
• Highlight Ancient City - 3 Days/ 2 Nights
• Classic tour in Phnom Penh - 3 Days/ 2 Nights
• Siem Reap & Angkor Wat tours - 2 days/ 1 night