Cambodia's diving is concentrated entirely within the Sihanoukville region, across the islands and reefs of the Koh Rong Archipelago. The site mix ranges from shallow beginner reefs like Nudibranch Heaven and Barracuda Point to deep drift dives and the wall-and-wreck combination at Condor Reef. Boulder-strewn shallows, cliff-like overhangs, and submerged pinnacles such as Pineapple Rock give the topography real variety. Nudibranchs are a defining feature: the Varicose Wart Slug, Jorunna Nudibranch, and Blue Dragon are consistently observed across the archipelago. Green Sea Turtle and Bluespotted Fantail Ray appear regularly, and the Pink Skunk Clownfish is ubiquitous. Water stays warm year-round, with the clearest, calmest conditions drawing most divers between November and March. All sites are boat-accessed, served by a solid spread of local operators.
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Monthly water temperature across Cambodia's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water temperature stays consistently warm throughout the year, with a slight peak in the warmer months of April and May. The best diving conditions, with calmer seas and more reliable visibility, fall between November and March, aligning with the dry season. The monsoon months of July through September bring rougher surface conditions and reduced visibility, making deeper or more exposed sites like Lighthouse and Back Door better suited to the shoulder periods around the season's edges.
21 operators
Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Water temperature around Cambodia ranges from about 29°C in January to 31°C in April, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
With water around 29–31°C, a rash guard or 3mm shorty works in Cambodia year-round.
Fin maps 54 sites in Cambodia (52 scuba diving sites and 7 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
Nudibranchs are a highlight, with the Varicose Wart Slug, Jorunna Nudibranch, and Blue Dragon observed consistently across the archipelago. The Pink Skunk Clownfish and Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse are present at virtually every reef. Green Sea Turtle and Bluespotted Fantail Ray appear regularly, and White Eyed Moray, Striped Eel Catfish, and Copperband Butterflyfish round out a diverse cast.
A large proportion of Cambodia's sites are rated beginner level, including shallow reefs such as Nudibranch Heaven, Vietnamese Bay, East Reef, and Barracuda Point. These sites feature mild currents and modest depths, making them well suited to newly certified divers building confidence in warm water. Intermediate and advanced options like Back Door and Lighthouse are available for those wanting more challenge.
All dive sites in the region are boat-accessed, with no shore-entry options listed. Operators based in Sihanoukville run day trips and liveaboard-style excursions out to the Koh Rong Archipelago. A range of dive centres, including Scuba Nation Diving Centre Cambodia, Koh Rong Dive Center, and Cambodia Diving Group, organise these departures.
The islands offer considerable variety in a compact area. Koh Rong Samloem alone hosts everything from the ultra-shallow East Reef to the deep drift at Lighthouse, the deepest site in the archipelago. Koh Prins adds a wall-and-wreck combination at Condor Reef, while submerged pinnacles like Pineapple Rock provide a different structural experience entirely. Sites within the Koh Rong Archipelago designated as conservation zones, such as Middle Tree, are managed primarily for research.
