Snorkelling and Diving in Sihanoukville and Koh Rong

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The waters around Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem are part of a marine national park. Under the surface you find coral, rocks, sea grass and many small sea creatures. Visibility is not as high as in some famous dive areas, but it is calm and relaxed, with good spots for beginners. This guide covers snorkelling from the beach, boat trips, scuba diving and the best season.

A marine national park

Koh Rong Marine National Park was created in 2018. It covers the islands and the sea around them. The park protects coral reefs, sea grass beds and mangroves. These are home to fish, crabs, sea urchins, starfish and many smaller creatures. Some areas have seen damage from fishing and building in the past, so it is important to look after what remains. Do not touch or stand on coral. Do not feed fish or take shells. Use reef-safe sun cream if you can find it. Choose dive shops that follow good practices and brief you before each dive.

Snorkelling

You can snorkel straight from many beaches. The best spots are near rocks at the ends of beaches, where coral and fish gather. On Koh Rong Sanloem, try the rocks at Sunset Beach and around M'Pai Bay. On Koh Rong, the rocky areas near Koh Touch and on the quieter coasts are good. Many day trips also stop at small islands and reefs nearby. Bring your own mask if you can, as rental masks are often old. Snorkel on calm days and at high tide, when there is more water over the coral. Watch out for boats near the shore.

Scuba diving

Several dive shops work on both islands, mostly at Koh Touch on Koh Rong and in M'Pai Bay and Saracen Bay on Koh Rong Sanloem. They offer trial dives for beginners, full courses and boat dives for certified divers. Most dive sites are shallow, often less than 20 metres deep. This makes them good for learning. Divers often see small reef fish, sea horses, nudibranchs, crabs and shrimp. The joy here is in finding small creatures, not in large animals. Some shops run longer trips to quieter islands further out. Always check that the shop is certified and the gear is in good condition.

Courses for beginners

The calm, shallow water makes the islands a good place to learn to dive. An open water course usually takes about three to four days. It includes theory, practice in shallow water and several open water dives. You can also try a single discover dive with an instructor, with no course needed. Book a few days ahead in the busy season. Tell the shop about any health problems before you start. You should not fly for at least 18 to 24 hours after diving, so plan your last dive well before your flight home from Sihanoukville or Phnom Penh.

Best season

The best time for snorkelling and diving is the dry season, from about November to May. The sea is usually calm, and the water is clearer. March to May often has the best conditions, with flat seas and warm water. From about June to October, the wet season brings wind, waves and rain. The water can be cloudy, and some boat trips are cancelled. Some dive shops close or reduce trips in the wettest months. The water is warm all year, so a thin wetsuit or a rash guard is enough. A rash guard also protects you from the sun.

Snorkelling and Diving at a glance

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