The waters off of Sihanouk Ville and the nearby islands offer some good scuba diving opportunities. Coral encrusted rocky reefs surround many of the local islands, supporting abundant hard and soft corals, sponges, anemones and an assortment of fish life including sting rays, moray eels, dolphins and even whales. Experienced divers report that the variety and concentration of marine life along the reefs is impressive. Good dive sites can be found within a two hour boat trip of town, making for an easy day trip, but the very best sites are 4-6 hours out.

The local waters are warm (consistently between 27-31C) and though visibility can be quite variable, especially during the monsoon season. In the diving season from October to June visibility ranges from 10-25 meters on good days, even at nearby islands such as Koh Rong Samloem - better at more distant sites such as Koh Tang. Most of the dive sites are comparatively shallow (around 15 meters) and gentle currents around the islands allow drift diving over the reefs and outcroppings.

Some of the more popular diving islands include:

Koh Rong Many good snorkeling areas and near two dozen good dive sites around the island. Depths of 5-15 meters.

Koh Rong Samloem Rocky reefs host a variety of marine life in shallow waters and at depths up to 18 meters. Like all of the nearby islands the best diving and visibility is on the west side. Species sightings include cobia, puffer fish, moray eels, octopus, rays, crabs, nudibranch, cuttlefish, scorpion fish, lion fish, barracuda, yellow goatfish, parrotfish and more.

Koh Kon (‘Baby Island’) is, as the name implies, a small island sitting just off the north tip of Koh Rong Samloem. Rocky, coral encrusted outcrops on the west and south sides of the island provide home to a variety of corals and marine life including anemones, box fish, parrot fish, yellow goat fish, snappers, stingrays, moray eels and cat sharks. Visibility is moderate, averaging around 10 meters, though better on some days.

Koh Tang, Koh Prins, Poulou Wai Some of the best diving in the area lay 4-8 hours southwest, around Koh Tang, Koh Prins and Poulo Wai. The area has rocky reefs, depths of 15-40m and much better visibility than reefs closer to shore, ranging from 10-30m, usually around 15m. Koh Prins has two shipwrecks to the northwest at 30-40m. Koh Tang is a favorite diver’s destination. The island played a major role in the 'Mayaguez Incident' and still shows the scarring of the May 1975 battle between American and Khmer Rouge forces (see pg 8.) The surrounding waters offer several reefs and outcroppings displaying a particularly colorful variety of hard and soft corals, an abundance of other marine life, and consistently good visibility.

Scuba Outfitters / Dive Centers
 

There are now a several dive centers in Sihanouk Ville. Most can organize, outfit and lead almost any sort of diving excursion from snorkeling trips and introductory dives for beginners to fully outfitted multi-day scuba expeditions for experienced divers.

Chez Claude

Claude has been running scuba and adventure tours in Sihanouk Ville since 1992. Offering scuba excursions and lessons. Island and boating trips.

Tel: +(855)(0)12-824870

      +(855)(0)34-934100

Website: www.claudecambodge.com

The Dive Shop

A PADI 5 Star Dive Center and has been awarded National Geographic Dive Center status. Offering dive trips and all PADI courses - introductory Discover Scuba, PADI Open Water Courses, Advanced Open Water, Rescue and Dive Master. Fun dives, live aboards, overnights, custom tours, island accommodations. Equipment rental and sales. Mares equipment. Socially aware company directly assisting several charitable projects.

Located on the road to Serendipity Beach.

Tel: +(855)(0)34-933664
E-mail: info@DiveShopCambodia.com 
Website: www.DiveShopCambodia.com

EcoSea Dive is an PADI and SSI authorized company in Cambodia offering experienced guiding and instructing with affordable prices. Starting from introduction dives and open water courses (285$) to further certifications all the way to instructor level EcoSea Dive also offers monthly reef cleaning excursions led by a marine biologist. Daily boat transfers to Koh Rong Samloem allows non-diving guests too to enjoy snorkeling or just relaxing on the beach. Special requests and tailored trips can be arranged and new beachside accommodation options offer a wide range of opportunities to experience an island getaway that you will never forget!

Office on the road to Serendipity Beach next to Utopia.
Tel: +(855)(0)12-654104

      +(855)(0)12-606646 (Japanese spoken)
E-mail: ecoseadive@gmail.com
Website: www.ecoseadive.com 

Island Divers

PADI scuba diving courses with Island Divers: Beginner to Dive Master. Scuba excursions, tailor made trips. Experienced guides and instructors. Daily tours to Koh Rong Samloem Island for diving, snorkeling, relaxing on the beach. Island dive center and bungalows.
Tel: +(855)(0)86-494716

      +(855)(0)34-934100
Website: www.islandscubadivingcambodia.com
 

Koh Rong Dive Center

Dive center, offering a full range of PADI diver training classes, from PADI Open Water Scuba Diving certification through PADI Dive Master. In addition. Kids programs available. Twice a day scuba diving and snorkeling trips to areas around Koh Rong. Located in Koh Rong Island Travel near the Golden Lions and on Koh Rong Island.

Located in Koh Rong Island Travel near the Golden Lions and on Koh Rong Island.

Tel: +(855)(0)34-934744
Website: http://kohrong-divecenter.com

Scuba Nation PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center

The pioneers of diving in Cambodia, providing comprehensive diving and snorkeling services, day trips, live-aboards, nitrox and the full range of PADI courses from beginner to Instructor. Flexibility is key: You can do training sessions in Phnom Penh or Sihanouk Ville, then finish with a live-aboard on a custom-made dive boats in Cambodia.

Phnom Penh Head Office:
#1818Eo, Sothearos Boulevard, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Mobile: +(855)(0)12-715785

Phone/Fax: +(855)(0)23-211850
Sihanouk Ville Serendipity Beach Office:

Mohachai guesthouse, serendipity beach road, Sihanouk Ville, Cambodia.

Mobile:+(855)(0)12-604680

Phone: +(855)(0)34-933700

E-mail: info@divecambodia.com
Website: www.divecambodia.com