Sihanoukville, also known as Kampong Som,
or Kampong Saom, is a port city in southern Cambodia on the Gulf of
Thailand. The city is the only deep water port in Cambodia and its
beaches are rapidly making it popular as a tourist destination. The city
is named after King Norodom Sihanouk.
Geography
Sihanoukville is surrounded by palm-fringed sandy beaches and pristine
tropical islands off its south and west coast. Beaches here lies on the
west contour of the city, from north to south, namely Victory Beach,
Lamherkay Beach, Koh Pos Beach, Independence Beach, Sokha beach,
Serendipity Beach and Occheuteal Beach. The most popular beaches are
Occheuteal, Sokha, Independence and Victory. Tourist are allowed island
hopping, diving, snorkeling and game fishing at the islands nearby.
Occheteal Beach and Serendipity Beach
Occheteal Beach is the all-rounder with long and narrow strip of beach
lined with pine trees, grass umbrellas, rental chairs and little drink
huts. The sandy beach that stretches southwards is worth trekking down
if any trippers want some privacy. Many of these huts were recently
bulldozed by the government to make way for a supposed new resort. At
the northern end is Serendipity Beach , which is a cool place for
travelers to hang out. Serendipity beach also offers small guesthouse
rooms right on the beach with occasional full-moon parties. However, the
beach is filled with boulders that make it unfriendly for swimming.
Sokha Beach
Sokha Beach is located just west of Serendipity Beach . This beach is
the most popular among local beach goers. It provides many facilities
and wide white sandy beach, especially on the high tide season.
Independence Beach
Independence Beach is located next to Sokha Beach on its west. The beach
was named after the old Independence Hotel. This beach offers a good
stretch of clean sand. Situated at the northern end of the beach is
Independence Hotel and Koh Pos Beach, the nice tiny island only 800m off
the coast. Koh Pos offers cool shades but rocky waters.
Victory Beach
Victory beach is situated at the furthest north of the peninsula of
Sihanoukville . It was the original backpacker beach and still popular
with budget travelers. At the northern end of the beach is located the
deep sea port. Thus, apart from white sand and blue sea, this beach
offers a good spot to enjoy the scenes of sunset. At the further south
of Victory Beach is another small strand of sand called Lamherkey Beach
where the Hawaii Seaview Restaurant is located. It is the place where a
French/ Cambodian construction team laid groundwork for the construction
of the new Port of Kampong Som during 1950s. At this beach, you can
hire a boat to nearby islands.
Islands
There are more than a dozen islands off the coast of Sihanoukville for
tourists to hop around. Most of them are yet to be more developed for an
overnight stay. Many guesthouses, restaurants and cafes on shore cater
trips and packages to these islands.
Koh Rong
Koh Rong is situated west of the Sihanoukville coast. It offers the
fantastic strand of beach on its southwest, stretching about 5 km. It
has fresh water resources on the island and a bustling fishing community
on the southeast with basic supplies including fresh water, fish and
crab.
Koh Rong Samlon
Koh Rong Samlon is a bit smaller than Koh Rong and situated on its
south. Beautiful beaches are on the east coast, where a large
heart-shaped bay with some shellfish cultivation is located, and on the
north shoreline facing Koh Rong.
Koh Tang
Koh Tang is located quite far from the main shoreline of Sihanoukville. Going there needs trippers to stay overnight on board.
