A day underwater in Cambodia: Top 7 stunning dive sites

For years, Cambodia has been renowned worldwide for its ancient Khmer culture, with historical temples and ruins that attract tourists from all over the globe. However, what many don’t realize is that Cambodia’s beautiful islands are just as incredible, offering stunning, uncrowded beaches and vibrant underwater ecosystems that rival any famous dive destination. 

While Thailand often takes the spotlight for diving in Southeast Asia, Cambodia is quickly gaining recognition for its undiscovered treasures like the Koh Sdach Archipelago, Koh Rong, and Condor Reef. This guide will help you discover the best diving spots in Cambodia, how to get there, the costs involved, and important things to keep in mind for a safe and enjoyable diving experience.

Written by Preetika Narula (Local Expert)Updated on 17-02-2025

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1. Koh Ta Kiev

Koh Ta Kiev is the largest of a small group of islands located about 10 kilometers south of Otres Beach, Sihanoukville. This rustic, untouched island is an ideal destination for those looking to disconnect and enjoy an off-the-grid island adventure. The island provides a tranquil haven with impeccable beaches, glistening waters, and a wonderfully laid-back vibe. 

It is a great place for beginners to try free diving. The calm, current-free waters and gently sloping seabed make it easy to gradually increase depth.

Things to Keep in Mind:

• There are only a few bungalow accommodations on the island, located to the north and south of Long Beach. Despite its small size, it still offers some diversity in places to stay but never feels overcrowded.
• Nak’s Shack is the main hub for food and drinks on the island. The atmosphere here is extremely relaxed, making it the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the view.
• Dive shops in Koh Ta Kiev offer rentals of everything from fins and masks to weight belts. Shops, especially those linked to dive schools, are conveniently located near beaches and offer well-maintained, high-quality equipment.
• Since there are no scheduled boats after dark, it’s best to plan your trip during the day. Once the boats leave, the island becomes incredibly quiet and serene, offering the perfect environment for watching the sunset.

How to Get There: 

Getting to Koh Ta Kiev is a simple yet informal process. From Otres Beach, you’ll need to catch a boat, which can be found along the beach. There’s no official jetty, so you’ll wade into the water to board. These boats typically depart once a day, making it a unique and laid-back experience. The boat ride takes around an hour, and once you arrive, you’ll land right on Long Beach, where the bungalows are situated.

Average Prices: 

• Diving costs $45-$65 USD for two dives, including equipment.
• Day tours start at $10-$15 USD, including equipment and boat ride.

2. Koh Rong & Koh Rong Sanloem

About 25 kilometers from Sihanoukville is Koh Rong, the second-largest island in Cambodia, which is situated in the Gulf of Thailand. Just south lies Koh Rong Samloem. Both islands are well-known for their flawless beauty and are excellent places to dive and snorkel. They provide scuba divers the perfect getaway with more than 23 gorgeous beaches, upfront turquoise waters, and a plethora of marine life.

>>> Read more: 

• 8 things in Koh Rong Samloem that locals want you to know
• What Makes Koh Rong Cambodia a Must-Visit Island?

Victoria's Secret Garden is well known for its varied marine life, colorful coral reefs, and serene ambiance. Starfish, scorpionfish, stingrays, pufferfish, moray eels, and occasionally bamboo sharks are among the creatures that divers may come across. Koh Rong Samloem is well-known for its serene seas and unspoiled marine environments, which provide excellent visibility and the opportunity to spot seahorses and tiny reef sharks.

Things to Keep in Mind:

• While the diving is excellent, visibility can vary. On clear days, you’ll enjoy exceptional underwater experiences, but during some seasons, murky waters can be common.
• Be mindful of marine life, especially when diving. Respecting the reef and the creatures around you ensures that the underwater environment remains healthy and pristine for future divers.
• Though Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem are becoming more popular, they still retain a rustic charm. However, some areas can be crowded with tourists, especially around the main beaches.

How to Get There:

Getting to Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem is straightforward from Sihanoukville. Speedboats are the main mode of transport, and several boat companies offer daily services from Ochheuteal (Serendipity) Pier in Sihanoukville. The trip takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the weather. You can book your tickets through various tour operators.

For those who prefer a more relaxed journey, traditional boats also operate, though these take longer (about 1.5 to 2.5 hours) and are less comfortable.

Average Price:

• Diving trips cost $40-$60 USD for two dives, including equipment.
• Snorkeling tours start at $10-$15 USD, including equipment and boat ride.
• Private charters start at $70 USD per day.

3. Koh Koun

Koh Kon, meaning "Child Island" in Khmer, is a small, uninhabited island situated between the larger islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem. According to Khmer legend, it was created by the father island Koh Rong and the mother island Koh Rong Samloem. This small island is surrounded by vibrant coral reefs and offers several prime diving and snorkeling spots, making it a must-visit for underwater enthusiasts.

The northern side of the island is home to a great fringe reef located in the recently established Marine Park, where you can dive to depths of up to 14 meters. It’s a great place to spot a variety of Cambodian fish species, and if you’re lucky, you might even find a nudibranch. The west and south of the island provide excellent dive sites with vibrant marine life and the perfect conditions for both day and night diving.

Things to Keep in Mind:

• The water visibility ranges from 5 to 25 meters, but is usually around 10 meters. The best conditions are generally in the shallower areas.
• The waters around Koh Kon are teeming with marine life, including parrotfish, boxfish, sea bass, snappers, and sweetlips. In the shallower areas, you can find moray eels, electric blue-spotted stingrays, bamboo and cat sharks, and even seahorses, especially during night dives.
• The southern site is particularly popular for night dives, where you can see electric blue-spotted stingrays and various species of eels, as well as cat sharks.

How to Get There:

By boat, Koh Kon is roughly one and a half to two hours from Sihanoukville. There aren't many direct ferry connections to Koh Kon because it's a smaller island, but you may plan private boat trips from Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem or look for tours that include Koh Kon with neighboring dive sites. The boat voyage is comparatively brief and provides a serene and picturesque way to reach this undiscovered diving location.

Average Price:

• Snorkeling around Koh Kon costs $69 per adult, exploring shallow areas with marine life.
• Diving is $100 per person for guided dives, with night diving costing more.

4. Koh Prins

Koh Prins is a secluded island 3 hours southwest of Koh Rong Samloem and about 5–6 hours from the mainland. The major island, Koh Prins, offers sandy beaches and a fishing community; Koh Moan, often known as Chicken Island, has rocky beaches and trees; and the tiny Naked Island is a rocky outcrop. Some of Cambodia's best diving is found on Koh Prins, which is well-known for its immaculate dive locations. 

A wide variety of marine life can be found in the seas, including the uncommon whale sharks that can be seen in December and May. Its isolation increases the exclusivity of diving here.

Things to Keep in Mind:

• The visibility in Koh Prins can range from 10 to 30 meters, with the best conditions generally around 20 meters. However, depending on weather and water conditions, visibility can fluctuate.
• Koh Prins is a fantastic destination for night diving. At sites like the Anemone Garden, you can spot electric blue-spotted stingrays, moray eels, and bamboo sharks after dark.
• Koh Prins' remote location means it’s an exclusive dive destination. There are limited services on the island, so be prepared with everything you need, including snacks, sunscreen, and a book for relaxation between dives.

How to Get There: 

By boat, Koh Prins is roughly five to six hours from Sihanoukville. Numerous diving companies that provide liveaboard vacations serve the island. Transportation from Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem, where you can board a speedboat to Koh Prins, is usually included in these excursions. Be ready for a full day of travel to get to this remote dive location because the trip is somewhat lengthy. 

Average Price:

• Day trip diving to Koh Prins costs around $380 USD for 5 dives, including equipment and meals.
• Snorkeling on a 2-day liveaboard trip is about $170 USD.
• Dive computer rental is $10 USD per day, and underwater camera rental is $15 USD per day.

5. Kep Archipelago

The Kep Archipelago is located off the southern coast of Cambodia, near the border with Vietnam. It covers about 113 square kilometers and includes several small islands surrounded by tropical forests. 

The archipelago is situated just southwest of Vietnam’s Kien Giang province, making it easily accessible for those traveling from the Vietnamese coast. This region is known for its tranquil waters and once featured some of Southeast Asia's most exquisite seagrass meadows, home to endangered species like Irrawaddy dolphins, dugongs, giant clams, and seahorses.

Things to Keep in Mind:

• The archipelago is home to rare species like Irrawaddy dolphins and dugongs, that’s why you should keep a safe distance to avoid disturbing them.
• With their shallow reefs that are home to seahorses and nudibranchs, Koh Seh and Koh Angkrong are perfect for novices and macro photographers. 

How to Get to Kep:

• By Bus: From Phnom Penh, take Route 3 to Kampot, then switch to Route 33 to reach Kep. The journey takes around 4 hours.
• From Kampot to Kep, tuk tuks and motodops are available, with a travel time of 30-45 minutes. A bus ride takes around 45 minutes.
• By Boat: Boats to Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island) leave from Kep Beach. The Crab Shuttle to Kampot takes about 2.5 hours, with daily departures.

Average Price: ~ $50 - $60

6. Condor Reef

Condor Reef, located about 20 miles north of Botum Sakor National Park, is considered one of the best dive sites in Cambodia. It’s often referred to as the Middle of Nowhere Reef due to its remote location, which contributes to its pristine diving conditions. 

Accessible via a boat ride, Condor Reef is renowned for its excellent visibility (ranging from 10-30 meters, with an average of 20 meters) and stunning underwater architecture. The reef is made up of large rectangular rocks, creating terraces, mini-walls, and even a natural archway, which has intrigued divers and treasure hunters alike. The site is also famous for encounters with sharks, whale sharks, and pelagic fish.

Things to Keep in Mind:

• The visibility at Condor Reef is excellent, ranging from 10 to 30 meters, with an average of 20 meters. The reef spans depths from 10 meters to 40 meters, making it suitable for experienced divers.
• It’s home to reef sharks, turtles, and frequently visited by whale sharks. You can also encounter moray eels, barracudas, and a variety of fish species. The reef is historically significant, with relics from ancient Chinese junks that sank in the area. Though most cargo has been salvaged, remnants like porcelain, the remains of a junk, and undetonated bombshells can still be seen.
• Located about 90 minutes by boat from the mainland, the reef is considered an exclusive dive site, so be prepared for a bumpy ride.

How to Get There: 

Condor Reef is best accessed via boat from Koh Rong or Sihanoukville, with the ride taking approximately 90 minutes. Dive operators typically offer trips to the reef, and the dive schedule is often decided the day before based on weather conditions. Booking in advance is recommended as the site is exclusive and relatively remote.

Average Price:

• Single Dive: $55 USD
• Two Dives: $90 USD (the most popular package)
• Four Dives: $155 USD (Two-day dive trip)
• Six Dives: $215 USD (Three-day dive trip)
• Refresher Dive: If you haven’t dived in six months or more, a refresher dive costs $15 USD. This includes a briefing and practice dive in a shallower bay before heading to the reef.

7. Koh Sdach Archipelago

The Koh Sdach Archipelago is a collection of 12 islands located in the Gulf of Thailand, around 1.5 km (1 mi) off the coast of Botum Sakor national park, in the Kiri Sakor district in Koh Kong province. The islands are ideal for underwater research since they are secluded and mostly uninhabited, providing a tranquil getaway from busy tourist destinations. Diverse marine species, such as eels, rays, scorpionfish, lionfish, and more, can be found here. These underwater explorations are beautifully framed by the colorful coral reefs.

If you want a more sedate experience with fewer people, think about going from May to October, which is the shoulder season. While there may be occasional rain, you’ll have the islands almost all to yourself.

Things to Keep in Mind:

• Koh Sdach is a treasure trove of marine biodiversity. You can expect to encounter parrotfish, butterflyfish, sea turtles, and even giant clams. The coral reefs around the islands are particularly rich and thriving.
• The visibility around the archipelago can range from 10 meters to 40 meters, depending on the season and dive site. 
• The archipelago offers dive sites suitable for all levels of divers, but some of the best dive sites require an advanced level of certification. 

How to Get There: 

The easiest way to reach Koh Sdach is to take a bus from Phnom Penh to Koh Sdach Port, which takes around 5 hours via National Road 4 and National Road 44. From the port, you’ll take a 15-minute boat ride to the island. 

Once on the island, you can explore the local fishing village, enjoy the pristine beaches, and participate in various water activities like fishing, swimming, and of course, diving.

Average Price:

• A single dive in Koh Sdach costs $60 USD, including equipment, boat ride, and guide. 
• The Learn to Dive - Dorm course (6 days/5 nights) for beginners, including 4 dives, costs $300 USD.

Best time to dive in Cambodia

The best time to dive in Cambodia is between November and May, during the dry season. This period offers calm waters, clear skies, and excellent visibility, with water temperatures around 28°C (82°F).

The chilly months (November to February) and hot months (March to May) of the dry season have temperatures between 21°C and 40°C (70°F and 104°F). With visibility between 10 and 30 meters, the warmer months still offer excellent diving conditions, but the cooler months are more comfortable. (Learn more about: Best Time to Visit Cambodia)

Why is it good?

• The dry season is the best for clear visibility, particularly from November to May, which is perfect for exploring shallow reefs and marine life.
• The water temperature remains comfortable year-round, averaging 28°C (82°F), making it ideal for both snorkeling and scuba diving.
• Whale sharks are more commonly spotted between December and May, adding extra excitement to the diving experience.
• Many of Cambodia’s dive sites are shallow, making them perfect for beginner divers, with calmer seas and excellent visibility.

Our final words

If you’re someone who loves the serene, unspoiled beauty, without the hustle and bustle, yet still wants affordable costs and plenty of recreational activities, then diving in Cambodia will surely leave you in awe. So, could Cambodia be your next destination for an unforgettable underwater adventure? Let us know!

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