Diving in Cambodia: The Best Sites
From snorkeling at Koh Rong to deeper dives at Condor Reef, Cambodia reveals diverse underwater worlds—reefs, wrecks, seahorses, rays and turquoise waters waiting to be explored.
August 3, 2023
Wondering where to dive in Cambodia? It's time to discover the country's best natural underwater sites! Whether snorkeling or scuba diving, the ocean floor can be explored with a dive club or independently in freediving (fins, mask and snorkel)—here are 10 spots for unforgettable underwater adventures and immersive experiences!
1. Koh Rong: The Essential Island for Diving in Cambodia
Cambodia's second-largest island, Koh Rong is located in Sihanoukville Province. It's home to the Back Door dive site, celebrated for its vast rocky areas ideal for observing marine life. You'll spot Cobias (also called "black salmon"). Koh Rong is perfect for scuba diving and snorkeling alike.
2. Koh Kon: The Island of Octopuses and Seahorses
Koh Kon brims with aquatic wonders. During your underwater exploration, you'll have the chance to spot several octopus and seahorse species, as well as nudibranchs and the fearsome stonefish.
3. Koh Rong Samloem: The Perfect Island for Snorkeling in Cambodia
The island of Koh Rong Samloem is a magical destination for freediving enthusiasts. Just offshore, it's not uncommon to spot rays, seahorses and unusual starfish species—Protoreaster nodosus, better known as the "horned starfish"! These creatures are found in shallow waters.
4. Koh Tang: The Island Where You'll Admire Nudibranchs
Located on Cambodia's southwestern coast, Koh Tang is renowned for its coral reefs and crystal-clear waters perfect for surface diving. Genuinely wild, this part of the country is home to exceptional aquatic fauna. During your dive, you'll encounter lionfish, barracudas, large rays and nudibranchs—splendid sea slugs, celebrated for their vibrant bodies!
5. Koh Sdach Archipelago: The Most Untamed Spot
Comprised of 12 islands, the Koh Sdach Archipelago is prized for its coral banks. During your maritime expedition, you'll feel like you have the world to yourself. Indeed, these islets are uninhabited! Thanks to their wild heritage, the archipelago shelters incredible biodiversity. Want to dive? Contact a dive center and join one of their excursions.
6. Condor Reef: The Dive Site for Exploring Maritime Wrecks
About 30 km south of Koh Sdach, you'll find Condor Reef, considered one of Cambodia's premier scuba diving destinations. Why? The junk wrecks scattered throughout its depths!
For many years, it was common to find porcelain and gold here (many of these treasures are now displayed in Phnom Penh's National Museum). The site is an incredible underwater playground where you can explore shipwreck carcasses—and the spot to observe reef sharks.
7. Koh Prins: The Small Archipelago of Chicken Island
Koh Prins consists of three islets (including the eponymous Koh Prins, "the main island," and Koh Moan, nicknamed "Chicken Island" because of the rooster's head shape carved into its cliffs).
This small archipelago is known for its abundance of marine flora and fauna. You'll have the chance to admire schools of trevally, cuttlefish, sea anemones, plus moray eels and stingrays!
8. Koh Ta Kiev: The Lost Island With Turquoise Waters
Renowned for its shores, which rank among Cambodia's most beautiful beaches, Koh Ta Kiev is highly favored by diving enthusiasts. Why? Its proximity to Ream National Park, which grants it exceptionally rich underwater environments! An ideal site for snorkeling.
9. Koh Thas: The Perfect Island for Introducing Children to Diving
Featuring a splendid coral reef and shallow water, Koh Thas is a small island ideal for freediving and introducing children to snorkeling. It's also renowned for its sea anemones and numerous fish species, including magnificent vibrant parrotfish and the imposing Lutjanus vivanus!
10. Shark Island: Koh Tao's Shark Island
Situated 800 meters south of Koh Tao, Shark Island is known for its whale sharks, hammerhead sharks and leopard sharks inhabiting the deeper waters. It's a steep island more suited to scuba diving—and experienced divers. How to get there? You can take a boat or rent a kayak!
| When to Dive in Cambodia? With its tropical climate, Cambodia enjoys pleasant temperatures year-round. So you can enjoy diving or snorkeling in any season! Note that the country has two seasons: a rainy season (May to October) and a dry season (November to April). |
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Audrey Denjean
Audrey DENJEANWeb SEO writer, Audrey Denjean places her writing at the service of English-speaking travelers. Through her blog articles, she explores what defines a country's essence—its iconic sites, cuisine, traditions, history. Her goal? To convey far more than tourist information, but to describe an atmosphere, share anecdotes that make each country unique and inspire readers, after every piece, to explore the world.
