Sihanoukville
Beaches, islands & casinos
Sihanoukville is a seaside town on the Gulf of Thailand. Called Preah Sihanouk in Cambodian, the city has Cambodia’s largest seaport. Tourists visit the city mainly for its beaches, islands and the casinos.
Rapid change
Not long ago Sihanoukville was a sleepy small coast town. Recently the city has seen very rapid change. The town is the scene of huge construction projects. Dozens of large casinos and high rise condo buildings have been built or are under construction.
Beaches
In and around Sihanoukville are several sandy beaches. Quiet and picturesque until recently, the beaches have become the scene of massive construction.
Independence Beach
Closest to town is Independence Beach, a sandy beach lined with trees and a pier out into the sea. High rise construction is going on just behind the beach. If you’re looking for a clean pristine beach, this is not the one to go to.
Otres Beach
East of the city is Otres Beach, a long wide sandy beach that offers great sunset views. There are several resorts and bungalows. A few local people sell BBQ seafood like squid on the beach. Massive construction of high rise buildings is going on along much of the beach.
Ou Chheuteal Beach
Between Independence Beach and Otres Beach is Ou Chheuteal Beach, a long and narrow sandy beach. Walk onto the pier to get a good overview of the area. The ferry station is where the ferry boats to Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem depart from. There are several resorts and beachfront restaurants.
Islands
Close to Sihanoukville in the Gulf of Thailand are several islands with hotels and bungalow resorts. The three main islands are Koh Rong, Koh Rong Sanloem and Koh Puos.
Koh Rong
Koh Rong is the largest island near Sihanoukville. A hilly island with a forested interior, Koh Rong has several dozen beaches, resorts and bungalows. You can get there by boat from Sihanoukville. The ferry departs from the Ferry Station at Ou Chheuteal and arrives at the Koh Rong Community Pier on the South East tip of the island.
Koh Rong Sanloem
South of Koh Rong is Koh Rong Sanloem, a much smaller, forested island with sandy beaches. Most bungalows, bars and restaurants are on Saracen Bay. It takes about forty minutes to get there by boat from the Ferry Station at Ochheuteal pier.
Koh Puos
Koh Puos is a small island just off Sihanoukville. It can be reached by car or tuk tuk; a bridge connects the island with the mainland. Koh Rong is developed as a holiday resort island.
Nightlife
There are plenty of nightlife options around Sihanoukville with dozens of beer bars, nightclubs and discotheques. Most of them are found on Ekareach Street and in the touristy area between Serendipity Beach and the Golden Lion Plaza. Many bars have closed down in 2020. If you feel lucky, go to one of the many casinos.
Wat Leu pagoda
The Wat Leu pagoda is located on top of a hill just North of the city center. A flight of stairs lined with multi headed Naga serpents leads to the pagoda. At the bottom of the stairs is a pair of guardian golden lions. On top of the hill stands the colorful viharn topped with a golden spire.
Wat Leu is an active temple with resident monks living in the kuti. Several chedis on the grounds house the ashes of deceased. The temple is set in a natural environment with large trees, there are good views of the city from the top.
Kbal Chhay waterfall
Nearly twenty kilometers North of the Sihanoukville city center is Kbal Chhay waterfall. Located in a small forested area, the beautiful waterfall is visited by both locals and tourists. Kbal Chhay waterfall is at its best at the end of the rainy season. Entrance fee is 1 US$.
Markets
Around Sihanoukville are several busy markets where local people go shopping.
Vendors offer their wares from stalls on either side of narrow lanes. Apart from cheap clothing, it’s mostly lots of fresh seafood like shrimp, fish, crab, squid and cockles as well as vegetables and local fruits as banana, mango and dragon fruit that is being sold.
Phsar Leu market
A covered market inside a large hall, Phsar Leu is cleaner than an open air market, especially during the rainy season. On sale are mostly clothing, children’s toys, shoes, flowers, fish and other seafood, vegetables, chillies and fruit.
Night market
The night market is an open air market next to the Golden Lion traffic circle. It’s a good place to try local street food like Cambodian style fried rice with seafood or fried chicken, fried banana, local style Lok-Lok (meat and vegetables on a skewer) or noodle soup.
Getting there
Sihanoukville airport is located at about twenty kilometers East of the city. Several airlines offer flights to Asian cities, particularly in China.
Buy tickets online
Check out all alternatives and details and buy tickets online at the 12Go website.
Getting around
Sihanoukville does not have a public transport system. You can get around the city by taxi, tuk tuk or motorbike taxi. Most hotels will be able to arrange a taxi or tuk tuk.
Alternatively, download the PassApp on your phone to book a car.
To do & see in Cambodia