Sihanoukville guide

Sihanoukville town is nothing extraordinary, it’s a busy local hub with a large market and a slightly grimy feel to it. I’m not sure why most backpackers stop here, maybe its to find a beach the likes of which have long since been overrun in neighbouring Thailand or maybe just because its on the way to somewhere else. On the surface it seems like a city struggling to become a modern holiday destination, running before it can walk and not paying attention to the things that matter:- like keeping the beaches clean or preserving the beach-front from concrete buildings. But anyone willing to look a little deeper will find a little slice of paradise just around the corner.

What Sihanoukville does best is party… There’s no disputing that! Between the Golden Lion round-about and the beach there’s a stretch of bars all offering cheap alcohol and a lively night. Backpacker bars are everywhere, full moon parties on the beach, casinos and even nightclubs. It’s the kind of place that people only leave because they’re scared they’re turning into an alcoholic.

But that’s not all Sihanoukville has to offer, granted the main stretch of sand (Serendipity beach) is far from paradise, but Sihanoukville has FIVE beaches. Most backpackers never stray far from the bars or Serendipity beach and that’s where they go wrong. Otres beach is only 5 minutes up the road and its as white and clean as any beach in Thailand, most times I’ve been there I’ve had the whole beach to myself. Dotted with small beach shack restaurants its idyllic and peaceful. For the slightly more adventurous, the islands just off the cost (Bamboo Island) have a range of simple bungalows on offer and ooze deserted tropical Island charm.

Highlights:

• Otres beach

  The cleanest, quietest and most under developed beach on mainland Sihanoukville, my personal favourite! Lots of small beach shack restaurants and small bungalows along the sand.

• Koh Rong (Monkey Island)

  Monkey Island Cambodia is a stunning Island 2 hours off the coast of Sihanoukville, deserted Island paradise. 23 stunning white white beaches, crystal clear water filled with phosphorescence which glows at night when disturbed. (like the film “The Beach”) and despite the lack of 24hr electricity… It’s comparable to the best beaches in the world… Cambodia’s best kept secret and by far the best Island getaway!

• Kbal Chhay Waterfalls

  A 30 minute ride outside of Sihanoukville these waterfalls are pretty spectacular – ranging between 4-6 meters, it’s well worth a day trip out and there’s plenty of food sellers and stalls to make sure you don’t go hungry.

• Backpacker bars

  Any number of the backpacker bars in town or along the beach act as great hubs to meet/party with other backpackers. There is a great “backpacker  scene” in Sihanoukville if that’s what you’re after. Highlights are: Monkey Republic.
  Sessions.

• All night parties on the beach

  Just about every night there’s a party down on Serendipity beach that goes all night long. Warm up in one of the backpacker bars then head down to the beach to dance the night away.

• Cabbage Garden

  A little known gem of a restaurant… Cabbage Garden is the best Khmer restaurant in town. Always lively and packed with locals they serve up a great menu of traditional food, very approachable and all the menus have some sort of English in them.

• Market

  Forget the Khao San road, if you want real bargains then this is the place to re-stock that backpack. Recently renovations have robbed it of it’s charm but if you can’t buy it there…. You probably can’t buy it anywhere!

Getting there and away:

Phnom Penh

• Sorya Transport
• Mekong Express
• GST Express

Buses run hourly between Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh (duration 3 – 4 Hours). The first bus leaves at 7:00 am; the last bus leaves at 2;45 pm. All buses arrive and depart from the bust station near the market, tickets can be bought from the bus station, travel agents or most guest houses.

• Price: $4 – $10

Thailand

• Rith Mony
• Bun Thou
• Virak Buntham Express

Minibuses run daily to/from the border with Thailand – Koh Kong/Hat Lek (duration 5 Hours). Leaving at 8:30 am… or when full. Buses depart from the bus station but hotel/guest house pick ups can be arranged (a Tuk Tuk or moto will take you to the bus station) but it’s normally cheaper to arrange this yourself. Some travel agents/guest houses offer joint Bus-Boat tickets to Koh Chang, Thailand.

• Price: $8 – $12 (to border)