Scuba diving locations in Cambodia:

• Koh Rung Samloem is the nicest island within daytrip distance, around two hours from the mainland and south of Koh Kon, but is a much bigger island comprising 3 major beaches and several other minor ones. Rocky reefs host a variety of marine life in both shallow waters and at depths up to 18 meters, with the best diving and visibility on the west side.

• Koh Kon, meaning "Baby Island" is, as the name implies, a small island sitting just off the north tip of Koh Rung Samloem. Rocky, coral encrusted outcrops on the west and south sides of the island provide home to a variety of corals and marine life.

• Koh Tang, lying 4 to 5 hours to the southwest, has rocky reefs, depths of 15 to 40m and much better visibility than reefs closer to shore.

When to scuba dive in Cambodia:

The water temperature hovers around 29°C all year. The best time to dive the Koh S'dach Archipelago is from November until May. July brings in the monsoon season and so until September often offers slightly reduced visibility and rougher.

Local standards for gear:

The best scuba diving spots in Cambodia:

• Off Koh Tang, Explosion Reef is an off-shore reef formation made up of fields of staghorn coral to the north which give way to coral bommies and rock outcroppings further south. The staghorn coral acts as a nursery and "explodes" with the dazzling colours of juvenile fish and marine life. Keep your eyes out for the only trigger fish in the area.
• Also off Koh Tang, the Three Bears gets its name from the formation of caves in the cliff by the shore.
• In Koh Rong Somloem, Nudibranch Heaven features many different types of nudibranch, cuttlefish, pufferfish, moray eels and small octopus. Several types of rays are often to be found here as well as schools of damsel and parrot fish.
• Cobia Point tends to attract a lot of cobia (kingfish) which grow up to 2m long and resemble grey reef sharks. They are very curious and often hang around the divers.
• Koh Kon South has coral reef from the shore which gradually goes deeper to a maximum of 14m. This is a great spot for a night dive with electric blue-spotted stingrays amongst moray eels, and bamboo and cat sharks.

The best snorkeling spots in Cambodia:

Snorkelling on Koh Rong is excellent, an island off Cambodia's south coast. In the coral bay south of Monkey Island near the village pier you'll find yellow boxfish, rabbitfish, bluespotted ribbontail rays, goatfish and grouper making their homes there.

Fun scuba Facts:

Country data:

Administrative details

• Currency: Riel (KHR), U.S. dollar (USD)
• Population: is about 15,000,000 (2011)
• Time Zone: (GMT+7)
• Main languages spoken: Khmer ## Diveable overseas territories:

Khmer scuba diving federations:

Local diving laws and regulations (and PADI-equivalent certifications):