Why go
Sihanoukville is not the town it was a decade ago. Large-scale construction, much of it tied to casino development, has reshaped the skyline and the pace of the place, and its own beaches now draw fewer travellers than they once did. What has stayed constant is its position within [Cambodia](destinations/cambodia): this is still the mainland port from which speedboats and ferries run out to Cambodia’s two best-known islands, [Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem](destinations/koh-thansur).
Most itineraries now treat the town itself as a short stopover rather than a destination — enough time to catch a boat out and, on the way back, a night before an onward flight or bus. Otres Beach, on the quieter southern edge of town, is the one stretch that still functions as a beach in its own right, with a run of low-key beach bars set back from the sand. Travellers with extra days sometimes push on west to [Kampot](destinations/bokor-kampot) instead, trading the port town for a quieter riverside stop.
Things to do
Catching the island ferry
Speedboats and slower ferries to Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem leave from piers near the town centre, with the crossing taking anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours depending on the boat and the island pier used. Most travellers pass through Sihanoukville only long enough to make this connection.
Otres Beach
South of the main town, Otres Beach has kept more of a low-rise, laid-back character than the rest of Sihanoukville, with beach bars and simple guesthouses set along the sand rather than tower blocks. It is the better choice if you want a night by the sea on the mainland before or after the islands.
Ream National Park
A short drive from town, Ream protects a stretch of mangrove coastline and small offshore islets. Boat trips through the mangrove channels and a walk on one of the park’s short trails make an easy half-day away from the port itself.
Watching a working port town change
For travellers who remember an earlier, quieter Sihanoukville, or who have simply read about it, the town today is a striking case study in how fast a coastline can be rebuilt. Whole blocks of construction sit alongside older fishing infrastructure, and the contrast is, in its own way, worth seeing even if it is not conventionally scenic.
When to go
The dry season, November to April, gives the calmest seas for the island crossing and the most reliable ferry schedules. December through February is the most comfortable stretch for temperature, while March and April turn hot and humid.
From May to October, the wet season brings choppier crossings and occasional cancelled sailings during storms, along with heavier afternoon rain on the mainland. Boats still run through most of the wet season, but schedules are less predictable.
Getting there and around
Sihanouk International Airport handles domestic and a growing number of regional flights. By road, Sihanoukville is roughly four hours from [Phnom Penh](destinations/phnom-penh) on a paved highway, and buses run the route daily.
Within town, tuk-tuks cover short distances easily; the port area and Otres Beach sit a short ride apart. For the islands, ferry tickets are sold at the piers or through hotels, with departure points varying by operator.
Tours that include the Cambodian coast
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