Cambodia

Cambodia is famous for its seahorse population, with several species commonly found in the seagrass beds and shallow reefs around the islands.

Seahorses

While not guaranteed, these gentle giants are seasonal visitors to the offshore sites like Koh Tang between November and May.

Whale Sharks

Large schools of barracuda are a common sight circling the pinnacles and deeper reefs of the outer islands.

Barracuda

Underwater photographers will find a fantastic variety of colorful nudibranchs across most of Cambodia's dive sites.

Nudibranchs

Cambodia is a rising star in the Southeast Asian scuba diving scene, offering a refreshing and uncrowded alternative to its more developed neighbors. While most travelers associate the country with the magnificent temples of Angkor Wat, its coastal waters and offshore islands harbor a surprising wealth of marine life and pristine coral reefs. The diving in Cambodia is primarily centered around the coastal city of Sihanoukville and its various island archipelagos, such as Koh Rong, Koh Rong Samloem, and the more remote Koh Tang and Poulo Wai. These islands offer a range of underwater experiences, from shallow, colorful fringing reefs perfect for beginners to deeper offshore sites that attract larger pelagics and feature dramatic topography. The coral health in Cambodia is remarkably good, with extensive fields of hard and soft corals providing habitat for an array of tropical fish, seahorses, and nudibranchs. The relaxed pace of life, affordable prices, and the genuine warmth of the local people make Cambodia an attractive destination for divers seeking adventure off the beaten path. Whether you are looking for a few days of diving as part of a larger cultural journey or an intensive island-hopping expedition, Cambodia's underwater world offers a unique and authentic experience that continues to surprise and delight those who make the journey to its shores.

The liveaboard scene in Cambodia is small but growing, primarily focusing on expeditions to the remote outer islands like Koh Tang and Poulo Wai. These trips usually depart from Sihanoukville and last between 3 to 5 days, offering divers a chance to explore sites that are difficult to reach on day trips. Because these islands are far from the mainland, a liveaboard is the best way to maximize your time on the healthy reefs and experience the best visibility Cambodia has to offer. Most vessels are comfortable and cater to smaller groups, providing a personalized and adventurous experience.

The Royal Sands Koh Rong

One Resort

Song Saa Private Island

Inland and freshwater diving in Cambodia centres on the Siem Reap Quarry, a flooded stone quarry near the Angkor Wat temple complex used primarily for PADI trai...

Inland & Freshwater Diving

Kep and Kampot represent Cambodia's quieter southern diving frontier, offering unique macro diving and brackish-water exploration in an area better known for it...

Kep & Kampot

Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem are Cambodia's premier island diving destinations, offering ten distinct dive sites across both islands with exceptional variety f...

Koh Rong & Koh Rong Samloem

Koh Tang and the outer islands represent Cambodia's most advanced and adventurous diving, featuring eight world-class sites in the open waters of the Gulf of Th...

Koh Tang & Outer Islands

Sihanoukville serves as the primary diving hub for Cambodia, offering easy access to a diverse collection of coastal and nearshore reef sites within 10 to 20 mi...

Sihanoukville – Coastal & Nearshore Reefs

Big Drop-Off (Koh Tang)

Cobia Point

Coral Garden (Koh Rong)

Dolphin Reef (Koh Tang)

Kampot River Mouth

Kep Reefs

Koh Khteah (Chiva Reef)

Koh Poulo Wai

Koh Preus (Harbour Reef)

Koh Toch

Koh Trangol

Lazy Beach

Long Set Beach

Mayaguez Wreck

Mellow Point

Nudibranch Heaven

Prins Pinnacle

Prins Wall

Shark Island

Siem Reap Quarry

Sihanoukville Harbour Wrecks

Sunset Beach

The Caves (Koh Rong)

The Steps (Koh Tang)

Three Bears

Tonlé Sap (Mekong Basin)

Treasure Island Wreck

Volkswagen Reef

Traveling within Cambodia has become increasingly convenient. For long distances, domestic flights connect major cities, while a network of buses and private taxis links the coast with the interior. To reach the diving islands, regular fast ferries depart from Sihanoukville. Within cities and towns, tuk-tuks are the most popular and iconic way to get around, while renting a scooter is a common choice for independent travelers in coastal areas like Kampot or Kep.

Liveaboard Diving in Cambodia

Experience Overview

Featured Operators

Remote Reach

Booking Advice

Where to Stay in Cambodia