Activities in South Coast
-
A
Scuba Nation Diving Center
The only PADI five-star dive centre in Cambodia. Highly professional, multilingual instructors with first-class equipment offer classes in English, Swedish, French and Dutch.
reviewed
-
group tour
One of the most popular ways to visit Bokor is with a group tour, organised through one of the guesthouses in Kampot. Many concentrate on the old French hill station, so if you'd like to spend the day hiking through the rainforest make sure the itinerary is clear ahead of time.
In Kampot, Sok Lim Tours is a reliable outfit whose Bokor excursions (around US$10 plus park fee) include a sunset river cruise on the way back. The company also offers two-day jungle treks (around US$50 per person). Wild Orchid Adventure Tours, based at the Orchid Guesthouse, and Long Villa Tours (012 626698), based at Long Villa Guesthouse, are also good bets. Now that Sokimex has started buildin…
reviewed
-
kickboxing
Traditional Khmer kickboxing - similar to Thailand's Muay Thai, which Khmers insist is in fact Cambodian - is especially popular in Krong Koh Kong, and many of the country's top boxers, including the national champion, Eh Phouthong, hail from here.
Matches are sometimes held in Krong Koh Kong on Saturday nights, especially in the dry season. The hugely enthusiastic crowds include quite a few women and the provincial governor who, it is said, never misses a match. Locals are joined by Thai punters from across the border.
For details on times, ask someone to translate what's being said when you see an old pickup driving around town with its loudspeakers blaring.
reviewed
-
Trekking
The truly intrepid can hire guides for the trek from Thma Bang north to Kravanh which takes at least a week, or from Chamnar (linked to Thma Bang by road) over the mountains to Kravanh, a five-day affair. These treks are possible only in the dry season. An easier option is the three-day hike from Chumnoab, east of Thma Bang, eastwards to Roleak Kang Cheung, linked to Kompong Speu by road.
Between the two is Knong Krapeur (1000m), set amid high-elevation grassland and pines. Inhabited five centuries ago, the area is known for its giant ceramic funeral jars, still filled with human bones.
reviewed
-
jungle walks
Fascinating jungle walks led by rangers - most, but not all, speak English - are easy to arrange (hiking unaccompanied is not allowed) at the park headquarters. A two- to three-hour walk from the Keng Kong Recreation Site (9.5km south of the park's HQ) to the Andoung Tuek Cascades costs around US$6 per person. Pond swimming is possible during the wet season.
A five- or six-hour hike into the park's mountainous interior costs around US$2 per hour per participant. It's best (but not obligatory) to call ahead. The income generated goes to help protect the park.
reviewed
-
Diving & Snorkelling
The reefs around Sihanoukville are rich in corals, sponges and all sorts of sea life, from eels to anemones and stingrays to dolphins. Some of the best diving is around Koh Tang and Koh Prins, which require an overnight trip, though there's also decent diving closer in near Koh Tas (Koh Kaong Kang) and Koh Rung Samloem (two hours one-way).
Excellent snorkelling locales include coral-rich Koh Khteah, about 2km off Otres Beach.
reviewed
-
Dolphin watching
In the coconut-shaded fishers' village of Thmor Thom - reachable by boat - the national park has a ranger post known as Dolphin Station because, from November to March, you can often see dolphins in the morning and evening. Two-hour dolphin-watching boat trips costs around US$20 for up to four people.
reviewed
-
boat excursion
Kampot's riverside location makes it an excellent place to begin a boat excursion, either to scenic areas upstream or - at around 17:00, when the fishing boats head out to sea - downstream. Enquire at your guesthouse or ask around along the river. You should be able to arrange a seaworthy vessel.
reviewed
-
snorkelling
Ream National Park's territory includes two islands with some fine snorkelling, Koh Thmei and - just off Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island - Koh Seh. In the dry season, if it's not too windy, you can get out there by wooden motorboat from the Prek Toeuk Sap ranger station.
reviewed
-
B
Traditional Khmer Cookery
Teaches traditional culinary techniques in daily classes with a maximum of eight participants. Special requests (eg veggie) are happily accommodated. Cooking is done on a shaded, rain-proof terrace with plenty of counter space. Book a day ahead.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
beach
The best nearby beach is on the eastern (ie city centre) side of Stung Koh Poi about 4km south of the bridge at the tip of the peninsula. You can get there along the river on foot or by moto; by car you have to loop around to the east.
reviewed
-
boat trips
Ranger-led boat trips on the Prek Toeuk Sap Estuary and its mangrove channels are another option. You can often spot monkeys, dolphins and lots of birds - in addition to sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling (equipment hire costs around US$2).
reviewed
-
C
EcoSea Dive
Although Cambodia's diving isn't as spectacular as its Asian neighbours (dynamite fishing having blown the coral to smithereens), there are still some nice spots to explore. EcoSea Dive is a reputable company offering PADI courses.
reviewed
-
strolling
Kampot's most enjoyable activity is strolling along streets that evoke days long gone. Blocks lined with decrepit French-era shops can be found in the triangle delineated by 7 Makara St, the Central Roundabout and the post office.
reviewed
-
Dam Diving
Although Cambodia's diving isn't as spectacular as its Asian neighbours (dynamite fishing having blown the coral to smithereens), there are still some nice spots to explore. Dam Diving is a reputable company offering PADI courses.
reviewed
-
D
Centre de Fitness et de Boxe Asiatique
The French-run Centre de Fitness et de Boxe Asiatique is a fully outfitted fitness club with 165 machines, free weights, late-afternoon aerobics and Khmer and Thai boxing classes (per class around US$4, personal coaching US$6).
reviewed
-
Frogman
Although Cambodia's diving isn't as spectacular as its Asian neighbours (dynamite fishing having blown the coral to smithereens), there are still some nice spots to explore. Frogman is a reputable company offering PADI courses.
reviewed
-
snorkelling
There are some fine coral reefs - excellent for diving or snorkelling - around some of the nearby islands. This is a good place to hire a boat to explore the wonderful beaches along the west coast of Botum Sakor National Park.
reviewed
-
Irrawaddy Dolphin watching
Endangered Irrawaddy dolphins can sometimes be seen early in the morning (06:30 or 07:00) around the entrance to the Stung Koh Poi estuary, and occasionally the gentle marine mammals even swim upriver to the Krong Koh Kong.
reviewed
-
Hiking
Hiking has a lot of potential at Bokor but as yet there is little in the way of organised trekking. The park charges around US$20 for the services of a ranger who will be experienced but won't necessarily speak English.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Otres Nautica
With so much water around, boating and fishing are two activities bound to feature. Otres Nautica is a sailing club that operates from Otres beach. It has Hobie Wave catamarans, kayaks and sailing boats.
reviewed
-
Map Water Sports
With so much water around, boating and fishing are two activities bound to feature. Map Water Sports takes people out on boat and fishing tours and also offers jet-skiing and water-skiing.
reviewed
-
Dive Inn
From October to July, the Dive Inn runs all-day snorkelling trips to Koh Kong Island (US$25 per person, minimum eight participants).
reviewed
-
Resort 2000
Across the estuary from town and about 2km south of the bridge, Resort 2000 has a grassy beach area and eating options that are popular with Khmers.
reviewed
-
Sauna Garden Bar
Can arrange day trips into the jungle and, for those willing to rough it, two- and three-day camping expeditions into the Cardamom Mountains.
reviewed
