Discover Paradise: Cambodia's Top 10 Beaches

Cambodia is the perfect destination for a dream beach holiday. With its stunning coastline and paradise islands, you'll find spectacular scenery and crystal-clear waters to relax and refresh. In this article, let’s discover the 10 best beaches in Cambodia with our complete guide and enjoy our tips for an unforgettable trip.
 

Written by Huan NGUYENUpdated on 30-07-2024

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1. Otres Beach (Sihanoukville)

Sihanoukville is a place you can't miss when you think about a beach holiday in Cambodia. Whereas the Serendipity and Ochheuteal beaches are busy, Otres Beach is serene and relaxing. It is a quiet escape located just south of the main resorts in Sihanoukville. With fine sand and clear blue sea will combine in perfect settings, giving one relaxation in nature. 

There are also activities for the adventurous—kayaking and windsurfing. Be sure to visit the Otres Night Market, which is open every Saturday night until Sunday morning. The market is indeed lively; it is an atmosphere where one can become deeply rooted in the local culture as much energy emanates from the beach bars.

>>> Learn more about: Sihanoukville

2. Hawaii Beach (Sihanoukville)

If you want to get away from the crowded tourist beaches of Sihanoukville, Hawaii Beach is a place you shouldn't miss. This beach is mostly frequented by local families, allowing you to enjoy a bona fide and genuine, warm vibe from the local community.

In addition to swimming in clear, temperate water, you can also enjoy delicious seafood from the crab huts that line the beach and relax on sun loungers while sipping a fresh coconut.

 >>>> ✨ Discover the allure of Sihanoukville, one of the captivating destinations featured in our Vietnam-Cambodia 14-day itinerary.✨✨

3. Coral Beach, Koh Ta Kiev Island (Sihanoukville)

You probably have never heard of this beach compared to Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem, but it is another island that lovers of natural beauty in Cambodia must visit. Still unspoiled and virgin, it has many dream beaches, among which Coral Beach stands out as one of the most beautiful

Upon arriving at the beach, you will immediately notice the rustic bamboo tents and the many colorful boats, which add to the island's charm. The beach itself is made up of fine sand, and the crystal-clear water invites you to take a swim. Snorkeling and coral watching are must-do activities on this beautiful beach.

>>>> Read more: 

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4. Lonely Beach (Koh Rong)

Lonely Beach was judged the most beautiful beach in 2021 and is located to the north of Koh Rong—an ideal location for someone who just wants to be away from the world and one with nature. Renting a small boat from residents is the only way to get there, or take a boat from Sihanoukville, which will take around 2–3 hours from Koh Rong Island. 

Lonely Beach—it becomes lonelier with fine white sand, green palm trees, and crystal clear seawater. With the wind, the bungalows and dormitories outdoors are cooled. It is no wonder that many tourists come here to stay for a while and then leave a few months later.

5. Long Set Beach (Koh Rong)

Also known as 4K Beach due to its 4 km length, Long Set Beach is a pretty wild place. This beach lies on Koh Rong Island, located off the southwest coast of Cambodia. One can reach it by boat from Sihanoukville or other surrounding islands. The color of the sea here is incredibly transparent and deep blue; thus, it is suitable for diving. 

While getting there is a bit of a struggle, the beach will definitely be worth every bit of it. Here you can see bioluminescent plankton, which shine so rarely in those places where there is little light pollution. Do not forget to hike through the green forest or to the kayaks to get maximum impressions.

6. Sok San Beach (Koh Rong)

Do not miss Sok San Beach when you travel to Cambodia in 2024. With its kilometers of fine sand, rich vegetation, and turquoise waters, this is the dream beach for a relaxing vacation. It's considered one of the best places on the Cambodian coast to recharge your batteries. 

Prices of the accommodation and services are friendly so that you can relax, sunbathe, and generally take it easy on your vacation. Don't miss the spectacular sunset from the terrace of your comfortable beach bungalow—you are in paradise here and will not want to leave.

7. Lazy Beach (Koh Rong Samloem)

Lazy Beach is a top destination for tourists looking for a quiet, comfortable place close to nature. Although the name suggests otherwise, this beach is more suitable for active or sporty travelers, as getting there requires a 40-minute hike through the island's dense rainforest. 

The path is quite uneven, so to make the walk more comfortable, it is highly recommended to minimize luggage and wear sports shoes. Visitors can take a ferry to Saracen Bay and then continue their trek to this peaceful and scenic beach. 

The clear water and golden sands make it ideal for water activities like snorkeling, boating, and fishing. You can hang out at the beach until the evening, watching the deep pink sun dip into the horizon. 

8. Saracen Bay Beach (Koh Rong Samloem)

Saracen Bay Beach is one of the three main beaches on the island of Koh Rong Samloem. With its graceful curve of white sand stretching along the east coast of the island for 3 km, it is considered the most beautiful crescent-shaped bay. This beach will enchant you with its beauty, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that the sand is as white as snow. Swings have been installed to enjoy the sea view. This beach is ideal for a romantic couple's stay on Saracen Bay.

9. Beaches on Koh Sdach Island (Koh Kong)

Koh Sdach, a 12-island archipelago in the province of Koh Kong, is everyone's dream destination—nobody there except you and the wild beaches. In fact, the southern archipelago's beaches are nearly deserted, offering you an authentic experience of raw, untouched Cambodian nature.

Surrounded by crystal clear waters and breathtaking natural landscapes, you can enjoy peace and tranquility, accompanied by exotic flora and fauna. Koh Sdach is a must-see destination for travelers looking for adventure and discovering Cambodia's beaches.

>>> Read more: Koh Rong Cambodia a Must-Visit Island?

10. Beaches on Rabbit Island (Kep)

Located 5 km from the city of Kep, it is about a 20-minute boat trip to Koh Tonsay, which is also Rabbit Island. It's pretty unexplored, and here you can easily savor that quiet atmosphere with wide, shallow beaches and rich marine life. You can stay there for the whole day or spend the night as well; the rooms provided by locals are quite affordable at only 5–20 USD per bungalow per night. Local restaurants serve tasty traditional food at a good price. A real haven of peace for lovers of swimming and unspoiled nature.

When Is the Best Time to Visit the Beaches in Cambodia?

Cambodia has two seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. The average temperature is 26.7°C and easily exceeds 30°C, making it a great place for beach holidays. 

If you want to visit the beach in Cambodia, you can go from November to March. This period is cool and sunny with less rainfall. 

Mid-November offers an opportunity to witness the unique Bom Chaul Chnam Water Festival or local boat races. April is celebrated as the traditional Khmer New Year, featuring a few unique festivals. Of course, during peak season, the area will be crowded. 

Of course, the high season is crowded. If you prefer peace, consider traveling between May and October. Even though it is the rainy season, the tropical climate ensures sunny weather almost all year round.

>>> Read now: Visiting Cambodia in October

Practical tips for enjoying Cambodia's beaches

To have a safe trip to the beach, you should not ignore our tips below:

• Book Transportation in Advance: Cambodia's beautiful beaches are often outside of cities, so plan your travel ahead of time. Journeys from the mainland to the islands also need preparation. Contact your hotel for help with booking services or book in advance on reputable websites.
• Must Bring: Sunscreen, wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, insect repellent, towel, swimsuit, swimming goggles, waterproof phone bag, etc.
• Prepare Medicines: The beaches in Cambodia are remote and lack medical services, so bring essential medicines.
• Currency: Bring US dollars for accommodation costs and riels for small transactions below one US dollar.

Cambodia offers more than pagodas and traditional culture: stunning, pristine beaches of scenic beauty. You'll feel like you're in paradise as you discover the calm blue sea that borders the pure white sand. Explore these beaches and you may find interesting things, and you might not even want to leave!

>>> Explore more: Best time to visit Cambodia

>>> Discover more useful information about Cambodia travel:

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• Cambodian Cuisine
• How to Say “Hello” in Cambodian