The area is divided into four main beaches, each separated from the other as much by character as the rocky points between. The layout of all the beaches is basically the same: a sandy shoreline next to a wider grassy area, bounded by a road.

There are miles of beaches around Sihanoukville and about 5 km of these are easily accessible from town.

Except for a few restaurants, businesses are on the far side of the road. Every beach has at least one restaurant with fresh seafood and cold drinks, and most beaches have several smaller vendors as well. The vendors beach chairs for rent and cold drinks at the ready. Most of them shut down by sunset, but the permanent restaurants stay open well into the night.

Sokha Beach: No doubt the most popular beach, Sokha has almost everything. Bungalows (Hotel Sokha) are close by the restaurant is a stone's throw from the ocean and there's even some sporting equipment available. The beach is long enough to let you get away from the crowds and wide enough so there's plenty of sand left come high tide.

Sokha's one-km of beach is bounded by rocky points which snorkelers find inviting. It is paralleled by a palm lined road and a string of bungalows. Trees dot the line between sad and grass offering refuge from the sun. Restaurant Sokha and tennis courts are at the far end.

For the adventurous, it is possible to hike around the rocky point between Sokha and O Chheu Teal to view the tide pools and rock formations. It's best to go at low tide.

O Chheu Teal Beach: O Chheu Teal has more hotels but is not as heavily used as the other beaches. Its three kms of shoreline are largely undeveloped and untouristed. But this is the lure of O Chheu Teal...privacy. If this beach has a weakness, it's the lack of shade trees...but not to worry. At the west end of the beach road are a few hotels and a restaurant. Right there on the beach are countless grass umbrellas that let you escape the sun. East of this is a residential block and then 2 kms of empty beach.

Though this is a popular beach with weekenders, it is often less crowded than other beaches.

Independence has Sokha's length, but the sandy area is much narrower, making it best when the tide is low. It is wider and more tourist toward the northwest end, near the only restaurant and a small fresh water lake (which is rumored to contain crocodiles). The southeast end offers more privacy but no services. The grassy area between the sand and road is a palm-lined park complete with manicured gardens, walkways, benches and statues.

Victory Beach

Bungalow Village - Tel: (034) 933-875

Victory is really two beaches divided by a rocky point and a small hill. The southern beach is lightly developed with a single restaurant (Hawaii Seaview) and little else but sand, trees and view. The northern beach is park at one end and thriving port district at the other. Victory is a beach with a bit of everything.

At over two km, Victory is quite long, and like Independence the sandy area is narrow, making low tide the best time. A picturesque little fishing camp sits at the rocky point between the northern and southern beaches. North of the camp there are more beach-goers, a park and several businesses, including the P.O. and Bungalow Village, Sam's and Mealy Chenda guest houses. From here you can watch the big ships at the port, To the south it is still possible to find a private spot with a view of Koh Pos.

Beach Sports

If the basic inner tuber is your cup of tea, you're in luck. Tubes can be rented from small vendors along most of the beaches. They cost about 1000 Riel for the day but make sure to agree on price first. The equipment for snorkeling around the rocks or doing some fishing off the beach is a bit scarcer. All of the sports outfitters in Sihanoukville (Pegasus, Naga Dive and Condor) have equipment for rent and some hotels have equipment for their guests.

Even more Beaches

Beaches abound in the Sihanoukville area and some people have been venturing to the more distant beaches. These beaches are generally frequented only by fisherman and offer a special atmosphere of unspoiled beauty and privacy. But they are also quite isolated, so be informed and take appropriate precautions.

O Tres Beach

Is the next beach southeast of O Chheu Teal. It is the twin sister of O Chheu Teal, but is almost completely deserted. A single road traces the beach's 3km to a police post at the far end. O Tres can be reach's by hiking around the rocks at the end of O Chheu Teal or: 1) Take O Moouy St. southeast from town about 4 km to a fork and turn right. At the next opportunity take a left. 2km to the beach. 2) Take 1 Kanda St. almost to the end of O Chheu Teal. Turn left and cross a small wood bridge over the Creek O Chheu Teal. Turn right at the next opportunity. 2 km to the beach.

Ream Beach

Near the Ream Navel Base, is more heavily trafficked by fisherman than O Tres but can still be rather quiet. Take Route 4 north to the road next to the airport. Turn right, go 12km to the ocean. Turn right.

Depot Road Beaches:  

Lie just off the road that runs between the Fishing Port and the oil depot to the north of town. This road is about 10km long and there are several small beaches along the way . Most are quite narrow and the water is shallow and very warm. Take the Fishing Port Road north, well past the port and look to the left for small beaches.

Have you had your fill of the beach? Sihanoukville's sports outfitters can get you off the beach, out to the islands, under the water and into the air ...all in the same day if you like. Scuba, island-hopping, fishing and even avionics can all be arranged. Chez Claude/Pegasus, Naga dive and Condor Dive & Survey offer a variety of recreational services. Which outfitter you choose depends on the type of activity and the availability of the outfitter and equipment. Try to make advanced reservations for excursions and equipment rental.

Sports Outfitters

Chez Claude/Pegasus

Claude has been roaming these waters since 1992 and has offered scuba, fishing and island picnics since 1994. Recently he teamed up with Bernard to form Sports Pegasus. Sports Pegasus offers a wide variety of services including fishing, scuba and snorkeling excursions and equipment rental, island tours and picnicing, sail-boarding and they even have a para-motor and an ultra-light aircraft.

Condor Dive and Survey

The unique Condor boat has become a minor landmark this last year in its semi-permanent position off Victory beach. Steve, who runs Condor, has spent some time studying the reefs in the area. If he is not on the boat, Steve can be found at Pet's Pub, his restaurant/pub in town. During the day he can sometimes be found at the Hawaii Seaview near the boat. Condor offers general boating and diving services including is land excursions/picnics, scuba snorkeling, fishing and more. Tel: 034-320169 Fax: 034 933 635.

Naga Dive

In Phnom Penh, Naga Dive runs swimming instruction and PADI scuba courses at the Olympic Swimming Pool. The open water dive is done in Sihanoukville where Naga Dive also offers scuba and island excursions. Their main office is at their dive shop at the Olympic Swimming Pool in Phnom Penh. In Sihanoukville Naga Dive offers equipment rental and excursions at the Chhné Molop Chrey Restaurant on victory beach near the City Hall. Phnom Penh Tel: 023-365 102, Fax: 023-427 238 Sihanoukville Tel: 034-933 708.