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Day and
overnight trips to nearby islands, snorkeling and
scuba
diving and Ream National Park tours are probably the most
popular off-the-beach activities out of
Sihanouk Ville these
days but there are lots of other local fun and adventure
possibilities as well - jet skis, water skiing, kayaking,
ocean fishing, nature walks and river trips in
Ream and
Kirirom National Parks, countryside tours to little fishing
villages and secluded beaches, an afternoon at the
waterfall, overnighters to Bokor Hill Station,
Kep, Kampot
and more. Listed below are details on just a few of the
possible activities. Ask the listed tour operators for more
destinations. Also see Kampot and
Kep Points of Interest. |
Island and Boat Trips
Boating: Islands,
scuba, fishing, sailing, party trips and more There are
several nearby islands with good snorkeling waters and white sand
beaches - within a 40-minute to 2 hour boat trip. A couple of nearby islands have rustic beachfront bungalows,
restaurants and bars making it possible to stay overnight. See Island
Accommodations listings below. If you just want a day
trip, you can get a tourist boat right off of the beach or, easier and a
bit more reliable, arrange it through your guesthouse or tour operator.
Prices start at around $6-$10. The standard tour will take you to one to
three islands for snorkeling, swimming, lunch and drinking.
Sailing Cambodia
Sailing Cambodia runs unique 45’
racing yacht - the Cygnet - offering daytrips, overnight and weeklong
charters to the outer islands. Day trips to the nearby islands for
snorkeling, swimming and picnicking.
Tel: 016-450964, 011-390083
E-mail: sailcambodia@yahoo.com
Website:
www.sailcambodia.info
Fishing
Excursions
For the fishermen, there are lots of angling
opportunities in the waters around the local islands. The best fishing
is in the dry season when the weather is fair. A large variety of game
species inhabit the local waters including the prized barracuda. Many
tour operators offer fishing trips and a couple specialize in it. Check the Tour Operator listings
below.
Tradewinds Charters/Sihanoukville Fishing
Brian at the
Fisherman’s Den Sports Bar
is offering fishing and other kinds of boat trips on their 54 foot
Western-style fishing boat with shower, toilet, wet bar, all gear, etc.
Brian reports that they recently caught a Black Marlin. Tel: 012-702478.
Tel: +(855) (0)12-702478.
E-mail: nzbrian@camintel.com
Water Sports
A few places offering water sports equipment
rental (jet skies, hobie-cats, kayaks, etc.) including
Sokha Beach
Resort and
Otres Nautica.
Otres Nautica
Affordable sailing club.
Otres Nautica rents catamarans (Hobie wave), Lasers, Lookout 16,
sailing boats, ‘sit on top’ sea-kayaks for 1, 2 or 3 people. Beginners
and experts welcome. Fun for all the family. Located on Otres Beach.
Tel: +(855) (0)92-230065
E-mail: otres.nautica@yahoo.com
Island Accommodations
Most of the nearby islands (island
map) are completely undeveloped and almost
deserted, offering beautiful scenery and secluded tropical beaches.
It's only been over the past couple of years that basic accommodations on some of the islands
has become
available, including on Koh Russei (Bamboo Island), Koh Ta Kiev and
Koh Rung Samloem. There are just a few places out there right now
but that will probably change rather quickly over the next few
years. With the exception of
the luxury development on
Koh Dek Koul, most of the island accommodations are rustic
bungalows and very basic guesthouse rooms. There's always a
restaurant/bar, offering food, drink, music and a place to hang, but
there is usually not much else on the islands. Most islands with
accommodations lie within a 20 minute to 1 hour boat trip of
Sihanoukville and most of the bungalows either run regular boats to
the island or will assist in arranging a boat for you.
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BimBamboo Bungalows
Range: $10 - $12 Bungalows
with a fantastic beachfront view on Koh Russei (Bamboo Island.) All have private
bathroom with shower. There’s a cool bar with relaxed vibe open all
day long. Arrangements for transportation and trips by private boat.
Tel: +(855) (0)17-500485
Website: www.bamboo-island.com
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Eco Sea Dive Resort
Room $20. Basic rooms on Koh Rung
Samloem at $49 including transportation, 5 meals, snorkeling, Chill
out place. Four bungalows, located close to a diving site, marine
activities available, diving, snorkeling. Book at
Eco Sea Dive.
Tel: +(855) (0)12-606646
Website:
www.ecoseadive.com |
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Koh Dek Koul - Mirax Resort
Range: $300 - $3000 Completely
unique private luxury resort on Koh Dek Koul Island very near
Sihanoukville. Opulent suites, fine dining, luxurious spa
facilities.
Tel: +(855) (0)12-966503
Website: www.miraxresort.com
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Lazy Beach
Range $15 Charming wooden
beachside bungalows on the island Koh Rung Samloem, all with large
double bed, en suite bathroom and balcony overlooking the ocean.
Laid back restaurant/bar with full international menu. Good
snorkeling and scuba diving sites. Fishing, jungle walks. Book at
Seahorse Guesthouse near the Golden Lions.
Tel: +(855) (0)16-214211, +(855) (0)17-456536
Website:
www.lazybeachcambodia.com
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Koh Ru Bungalows
Range: $10
Bar Ru (on
Ochheuteal Beach) runs boat trips to Koh Russei (Bamboo Island)
where they also have rustic beachside bungalows and a
bar/restaurant on a quiet tropical island beach.
Tel: +(855) (0)12-388860
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Ream
National Park
Ream
National Park, officially called Preah Sihanouk National Park, the park has become known as “Ream” because it is in the Ream commune. The park was established in 1993, inaugurated in March 1995, and encompasses 21,000 hectares of coastal area including sandy beaches, mangrove forests, the Prek Tuk Sap estuary, off-shore coral reefs and two islands (Koh Thmei and Koh Ses). Macaques, sun bear, dolphins, over 155 species of birds, and other animals may be seen by visitors. The park also contains rarely glimpsed species such as mouse deer and pangolin and there has long been rumor of a tiger, but no confirmed sightings. Park facilities are not fully developed so it is best to arrange a guided tour such as a jungle walk or a boat trip at the Park Office (located 18 km north of Sihanoukville, 500m off Route 4 on Airport Road, opposite the entrance to the airport). The office is open 7 days per week 7AM to 5PM and there are usually several guides of varying linguistic skill levels on hand. Park Office phone:
+(855) (0)12-875096.
Several guesthouses in Sihanoukville as well
as tour operators can arrange transportation and tours of the park.
There are set programs offered by the Park though itineraries are flexible and can be tailored to individual or group needs. Prices may vary.
Boat trip on the Prek Tuk River: ~6 hours - Different options include trips to fishing villages (Koh Kchong Village), secluded beaches (Koh Sampouch), or up and down the river viewing wildlife. $25 for 1 to 4 persons, $5 for each extra person plus $5 for a guide.
Boat trip to Koh Thmei: ½-1 day - $25-$30 for 1 to 4 persons, $5 for each extra person plus $5 for a guide. Beaches, snorkeling (bring your own equipment), a bit of fishing village sightseeing o the way.
Boat trip to Koh Ses: 1 day - $40 for 1 to 4 persons, $5 for each extra person, plus $5 for a guide. Beaches, snorkeling (bring your own equipment), a bit of fishing village sightseeing o the way.
Meditation Mountain Walk: Guided walk. 2-3 hours - Lowland forest. Panoramic view. Reputed ideal meditation spot. $2/person/hour.
O Toul Creek Walk: Guided walk. 2-4 hours - Lowland evergreen forest. Panoramic view. $2/person/hour.
Ream Beach: Narrow beach, accessible by road Lowland forest. Sometimes there are very basic guesthouse rooms available on the beach for $5. Contact park ranger at the Park Office
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Bokor
Hill Station
Bokor Hill Station
(near Kampot) is a mountain top collection
of buildings (hotel, casino, church, a royal residence, etc.),
constructed by French authorities in the early 1920s as a compliment to
the already popular Kep resort area. Referred to by one author as ‘the
eeriest place in the world’, Bokor lives up to its reputation. In its
time, Bokor was an elegant getaway for French officials and foreign
visitors to old Indochina. But years of neglect have left ghostly ruins
- vestiges of a different age, often enshrouded in fog and clouds. One
thing that the years have not changed is the absolutely spectacular view
of the coast and the
cool (sometimes cold) mountain air. Wild elephants and other jungle
animal are sometimes seen. Small guesthouse on top with $5 rooms, good
toilets and very few other services. If you are going to stay on Bokor,
take food as the guesthouse has little to offer except instant noodle
soup. Bring warm clothes.
News:
In January 2008, Bokor Hill Station was closed to visitors as work
began on a new development project, including refurbishing the
casino and hotel and the addition of a new hotel complex. Since the
beginning of the project, access to the Hill Station has been
irregular. As we went to press (August 08), access was limited to
those who went as part of a tour group or with a tour guide. Access
rules may change again, perhaps allowing visitors individual access
once again. Check with your guesthouse for the latest information.
Regular all day tours up the mountain run about $15/pax plus a $5
park admission fee and includes transport, guide, lunch and some
also include a sunset boat ride back to town. Tour operators can
also organize jungle trekking and overnights on the mountain. One
immediate benefit of the development project has been the
improvement of the road up the mountain, drastically reducing travel
times. The Park Office and turn-off to the Hill Station is 37km west
of Kampot. See
Kampot page for more.
Tour Operators: Boats,
Island trips, Equipment Rental
In addition to the tour operators and
dive shops, most of the hotels and guesthouses in Sihanouk Ville and
even several of the restaurants and bars (especially the beach bars)
arrange boat trips and island picnics, trips to the waterfalls, the
national parks and Bokor Hill Station. Bear in mind that different
operators offer different levels of expertise, types of boats, quality
of equipment and service, etc. Shop around for the tour operator that
best fits your requirements.
Ana Travel Agency
Air ticketing specialists. Bus, boat, taxi
and tours arranged to Kampot, Kep, Bokor, Ream, waterfalls and islands.
Full visa services. Flight change and reconfirmation. Currency and
travelers cheques exchanged. Western management. Located
downtown at Ana Internet and the road
to Serendipity Beach.
Visa/MC
Tel: Mick +(855) (0)12-372018 or Ana +(855) (0)12-915301
E-mail:
anainternetandtravel@yahoo.com
Website:
www.anainternet.com
Chez Mari-yan
Guesthouse
Offering daytrips/picnic trips to Koh Rong Samlem.
Tel: +(855) (0)12-828003
Eco-Trek Tours Cambodia
One stop tour shop. Full range of tours and tour booking. Boat trips,
diving, guided walking, waterfall, cultural, National Park and Bokor
trips. Flight tickets. Visas. Contact at
Mick and Craig’s Restaurant.
Tel: +(855) (0)12-727740
Mottah Cambodia Travel
Travel and tour agent. Air, bus and ferry tickets. Hotel reservations.
Transportation of all sorts, bicycles, cars, vans. Tour arrangements.
Cargo services. Visa services. Currency/T/C exchange.
Located at 193Eo, Ekareach St., downtown.
Tel: +(855) (0)12-996604
E-mail: info_mottah@yahoo.com
Website:
www.mottah.com
Sailing Cambodia
Sailing Cambodia runs unique 45’ racing yacht - the Cygnet -
offering daytrips, overnight and weeklong charters to the outer islands.
Day trips to the nearby islands for for snorkeling, swimming and
picnicking. Snorkeling gear provided.
Tel: +(855) (0)16-450964, +(855) (0)11-390083
E-mail: sailcambodia@yahoo.com
Sea Dragon Travel
Travel and tour agent. Air, bus and ferry
tickets. Flight change and reconfirmation. Hotel reservations.
Transportation of all sorts, bicycles, cars, jeep, vans. Tour
arrangements - Bokor, island trips, National Parks, fishing, trekking,
cycling, diving, etc. Visa services. On 23 Tola Rd. near
Ochheuteal Beach, next to the
Golden Sand Hotel.
Tel: +(855) (0)12-226357
Website:
www.seadragontravel.com
Seahorse Travel
Travel and tour agent. Air, bus and ferry
tickets. Hotel reservations. Transportation of all sorts, bicycles,
electric bicycles, cars, vans for rent. Tour arrangements - Bokor,
Island trips, National Parks, fishing, etc. Visa services. Inexpensive
Cambodian restaurant. Bungalows. On the road to
Serendipity Beach.
Tel: +(855) (0)34-934325, +(855)
(0)12-597161
E-mail: Phatphear@yahoo.com
Sokun Travel
Travel and tour agent. Air, bus and ferry
tickets. Transportation of all sorts, bicycles, cars, vans for rent.
Tour arrangements - Bokor, Island trips, National Parks, fishing, etc.
Visa services Cambodian visa extensions, Vietnam visas. Good seafood
restaurant. On the road to Serendipity Beach.
Tel: +(855) (0)12-965079
Utopia Information Centre
Travel and tour agent. . Air, bus and ferry
tickets. Motorcycles, bicycles, electric bikes, cars, jeep, vans for
rent. Tour arrangements - Bokor, Island trips, National Parks, fishing,
etc. Visa services. Good seafood restaurant. On the road to
Serendipity Beach.
Tel: +(855) (0)15-502063
Tradewinds Charters/Sihanoukville Fishing
Fisherman’s Den Sports Bar offers
fishing and boat trips on their 54 foot Western-style fishing boat with
shower, toilet, wet bar, all gear, etc. Day trips from $20/pax.
Charters, tours, thrice weekly island trips. If booking from outside the
country, they can help you arrange accommodations and other
requirements. Located downtown. Tel: +(855) (0)12-702478
E-mail: nzbrian@camintel.com
Last updated 08/08
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