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 The waters off of Sihanouk Ville and the
nearby islands offer some wonderful
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 sing rays, moray eels,
dolphins and even whales. Experienced divers report that the variety and
concentration of marine life along the reefs is some of the best they've
seen. Top notch dive sites can be found around the islands such as
Koh Rung Samloem and Koh Kon within a two hour boat trip of
town, making for an easy day trip, but the very best sites around Koh
Tang, Koh Prins, Condor Reef are 4-6 hours out. To help arrange your
diving excursion, there are now a several dive centers in Sihanoukville,
including authorized PADI dive centers. Most can organize, outfit and
lead almost any sort of diving excursion from snorkeling trips and
introductory scuba dives for beginners to fully outfitted multi-day
scuba expeditions for experienced divers. Sihanoukville dive centers
offer many services including daily dive trips and specialized trips,
introductory dives, PADI dive courses, advanced dive courses, scuba
equipment and more.
The waters off Sihanouk Ville are warm (consistently between 27-31C) and
 though visibility can be quite variable during the height of the monsoon
season due to weather and runoff, in the diving season from October to
June it ranges from 10-25 meters even at nearby islands such as Koh
Rung Samloem - better at more distant sites like 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. Though a guide can take you to some of the best diving
spots there is a lot to be discovered as much of the area has yet to be
thoroughly explored. Most of the islands have uninhabited sandy beaches
where divers can picnic, swim and relax between dives. The follow are
some of the more popular diving islands.
(Underwater photos courtesy of
Scuba Nation)
Koh Rung Samloem - Koh Rung Samloem is the nicest island
within daytrip distance, taking about 2 hours one way. It harbors a
small fishing village, three major beaches and several minor beaches
almost entirely uninhabited, including some very nice, sheltered beaches
on the north side near Koh Kon. Rocky reefs around both islands
host a variety of marine life in both 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 - Koh Kon (‘Baby Island’) is, as the name implies,
a small island sitting just off the north tip of Koh Rung 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 scuba diving
waters in the area lie 4-8 hours to the southwest, around Koh Tang,
Koh Prins and Poulo Wai. The distance normally requires at
least a night's stay. The area has rocky reefs, depths of 15-40m and
much better visibility than reefs closer to shore ranging from 10-30
meters and usually around 15 meters. Koh Prins has two shipwrecks
to the northwest at 30-40m. Koh Tang is a favorite destination of many
divers. 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 page 6.) 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
particularly good visibility.
Scuba Outfitters / Dive Centers
Chez Claude Claude has provided scuba and fishing trips since
1994. He offers high quality, high-end services scuba and adventure
trips.
Tel: +(855) (0)12-824870
The Dive Shop Full service
PADI Dive Center 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. All new Mares equipment. Located on the road to
Serendipity Beach near the Golden Lions. Tel: +(855) (0)12-1615517,
+(855) (0)16-214007
E-mail:
info@DiveShopCambodia.com
Website: www.DiveShopCambodia.com
EcoSea Dive
Cambodia's only year-round dive center offering authorized PADI and SSI
Dive Courses at affordable prices in many languages. EcoSea
provides daily fun dives, adventure live aboards, and $20 snorkeling on
our very safe, custom dive boat. Beachside accommodation for divers and
snorkelers on Koh Rung Samloem. Two office locations: town center at 225
Ekareach and on the road to Serendipity Beach.
Tel: +(855) (0)12-654104, +(855) (0)12-606646 (Japanese spoken)
E-mail: ecoseadive@gmail.com
Website:
www.ecoseadive.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 a full range of PADI courses from
beginner to instructor. Flexibility is the key: you can do training
sessions while ding sight-seeing in Phnom Penh, then finish with a live
aboard on the only custom made diving boat in Cambodia. Offices at
Mohachai Guesthouse on Serendipity Beach Road, and in Phnom Penh at
#18Eo, Sothearos (FCC area).
Contact Gerard and Vicky at +(855) (0)12-604680 / +(855) (0)12-715785
E-mail: scubanation@yahoo.com
Website:
www.divecambodia.com
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