10 Best Beaches in Cambodia

The Kingdom of Cambodia is a scenic and diverse destination. Surrounded by Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand, Cambodia is teeming with ancient ruins and exciting cities. Cambodia is also home to a large number of beautiful coastal destinations along the Gulf of Thailand. If you’re planning a trip to Cambodia, don’t forget to check out at least one of these spectacular beaches in Cambodia.

10. Coral Beach

Just off the coast of Southwest Cambodia, near the Ream National Park, is the island of Koh Ta Kiev. While the island has some development, a lot of it is still pristine and natural. There are several beaches to choose from on Koh Ta Kiev, with one of the most scenic being Coral Beach. This tropical beach boasts accommodation as well as food and drinks. This makes it the ideal place to relax and unwind when you want to get away from it all but still remain comfortable. You’ll arrive by boat, and you can choose to rent a hammock for the day. If you visit, you can try out snorkeling, cliff diving or even spearfishing.

9. Victory Beach

The tip of the peninsula pointing to the Gulf of Thailand is home to Sihanoukville, the most popular beach destination in the country. While Sihanoukville is home to several beaches, one of the most conveniently located is Victory Beach. In the background you’ll see the Sihanoukville Port, where boats come and go regularly. The beach itself is lined with fine white sand and an abundance of palm trees for shade. If you want to dine right on the beach, this location offers several seafood eateries. Victory Beach is fantastic if you want a quick and easy spot that is safe and welcoming for families.

8. Koh Pos

Just off the coast of Sihanoukville is Koh Pos, which translates to snake island. There is a small bridge that leads to Koh Pos, making it more accessible than many of the other beaches on Cambodian Islands. The bridge is called Techo Morakat Bridge, and it leads to the lush green island with scenic, rocky beaches. The aptly named Treasure Island Seafood Restaurant is the island’s hub, and it attracts many visitors in search of waterfront dining, beautiful views and plenty of seafood. A short walk from the beach and you’ll get to the jungle, which is home to everything from monkeys to pythons.

7. Koh Thmei

 Just off the Sihanoukville headland is the island of Koh Thmei, which is part of the Ream National Park. This island is relatively small, and it is home to just one accommodation choice. While there isn’t much in the way of infrastructure or attractions, Koh Thmei is a beautiful destination with amazing beaches. You can try bird watching or spot dolphins out in the Gulf, or you can explore the reef right off the island with the help of a mask and snorkel. Bungalow accommodations round out the tropical experience that is Koh Thmei.

6. Sokha Beach

Sokha Beach in Sihanoukville is privately owned, making it one of the less crowded beaches on the mainland. It is also one of the cleaner, safer spots to relax and soak up the sun. You will have to pay an entrance fee to spend the day on the beach, or you can stay at the resort located right on the beach itself. If the snorkeling, suntanning and local restaurants aren’t enough, there is a great hike that takes you between Serendipity Beach and Sokha Beach, and it goes right along the coast to offer remarkable views.

5. Koh Tonsay

 

Along the coast, and near the Vietnam border, is the island called Koh Thonsáy. In English, this means Rabbit Island. This island is seeing slow development, which means that visitors can expect plenty of seclusion and virtually no crowds. Aside from a handful of local fishing huts, there are only a few bungalows and restaurants catering to tourists. To get to Koh Tonsay, you can take a 20-minute boat ride from Kep. Common ways to enjoy Koh Tonsay include hiking inland, scouting out secluded spots on the beach and taking snorkeling trips.

4. Sok San Beach

Koh Rong is an island off Sihanoukville that boasts miles of scenic coastline and pristine beaches. Sok San Beach is one of the most popular beaches on the island. Also known as Long Beach and 7km Beach, thanks to the size, Sok San Beach is accessible by foot or by boat. The television show Survivor was recently filmed on Sok San, which has increased tourism significantly. Nonetheless, it is a beautiful and uncrowded place to enjoy the water or go snorkeling. At night, the phosphorescent water actually sparkles when it is disturbed, which is a spectacular reason to visit after sunset.

3. Lazy Beach

Another of the islands just off the coast of Sihanoukville is Koh Rong Samloem. A short boat ride will take you to the island, which is home to Lazy Beach. Beachside bungalows overlook the blue waters and white sandy beaches, and the lush green jungle is just a short walk away. There won’t be any big crowds on Lazy Beach, and you’ll probably be one of a small handful of tourists. Snorkeling is a popular pastime, but so is relaxing on a hammock and enjoying the sea breezes. There is a bar and restaurant located on Lazy Beach so you never have to leave the island for refreshments and delicious cuisine.

2. Serendipity Beach

 In Sihanoukville, there are two neighboring beaches called Serendipity Beach and Ochheuteal Beach. Technically, Serendipity Beach is the rocky outcropping steps from the sand, but both beaches are often called Serendipity. There are nearly two miles of golden sand and a bustling ferry pier at one end. Serendipity Beach Road leads to the beach, and on either side you’ll see a number of amenities like restaurants, bars and even a golf course. This is a spot that is very popular with backpacking tourists, but there are also a number of mid-range and luxury hotels to choose from.

1. Otres Beach

 
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Serendipity and Ochheuteal in Sihanoukville, Otres Beach is a great alternative. It is just south of the more popular coastal spots in Sihanoukville, but it is less crowded, a little quieter and a lot more relaxed. There is a row of bars and accommodation options before you reach a long stretch of beautiful shoreline. Otres Beach is great for soaking up the outdoors, and activities include kayaking and windsurfing. On Saturday nights, Otres Market is the place to be. The market is home to food stall and live music that carries on until the early hours of Sunday morning.