For years, Sihanoukville was the crown jewel on Cambodia’s coastline. In recent years, that’s changed. The city skyline is now dotted with half-finished skyrises, and many streets are glorified building sites. The beaches—in the city, at least—can be dirty. However, there are a few saving graces. Whether you're just passing through on a visit to the islands or staying a while, the best things to do in Sihanoukville include visiting Otres Beach, Sokha Beach, and Independence Beach, along with snorkeling, fishing, and taking island-hopping boat trips.
The best time to visit Sihanoukville is between December and April, when the weather is at its best. This period is also the peak tourist season in Cambodia. The shoulder months of November and May are usually quieter and still have pleasant weather, but the monsoon months, June to October, are best avoided. The storms at that time are quite impressive, and the waves can be strong enough to cancel ferries out to the islands, and the roads and infrastructure are prone to flooding.
The easiest way to get around Sihanoukville is by tuk-tuk or taxi. Apps—like Grab—make ordering tuk-tuks and taxis easy. If you’re planning on heading out to the islands, tuk-tuks can take you from the bus station to the jetty, where fast ferries to Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem leave multiple times a day, or to Otres, where you can hop on a long boat to Ream or Koh ta Kiev.
Sihanoukville has changed a lot in the last decade, but while most visitors head to Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem for the beach vibes that they used to get on the mainland, the lesser-visited island of Koh ta Kiev has a lot of the barefoot beach character of years gone by. Visitors can go on island-hopping and snorkeling day trips or spend the night in one of the rustic accommodation options, although they’re a little more castaway than luxury.
