Follow ALTB on Facebook
Follow ALTB on Twitter
Follow ALTB on Google+
Find Paul on LinkedIn
Cambodia has long been a destination known for its rich cultural heritage and extraordinary history. However, most visitors to the country are unaware of the beautiful coastal region of Sihanoukville & Ream that lies just 220 km from Phnom Penh. One of the most unspoiled coastlines anywhere in South East Asia, Sihanoukville & Ream is an up and coming destination for those who are looking for the next big thing.
The coastline of Sihanoukville & Ream boasts a wide range of impressive beaches, each distinct and unrivalled in comparison to the beaches of popular tourist destinations like Thailand and Bali. Located on the beautiful coastline of Sihanoukville, Sokha Beach and Independence Beach are blissfully peaceful, with stretches of soft white sand just waiting for visitors to mark their footprints. Further East, discover Occheuteal Beach, backed by a row of casuarina trees. Stretching for 4 km, visitors can make the most of the water sports available here such as banana boating and jet skiing. Ream lies 18 km East of Sihanoukville, a charming fishing village with beautiful, long beaches that border Ream National Park, a stunning 150 sq km of primary forest and 60 sq km of marine habitat.
The area is also famous for its crystal clear waters and abundant marine life. An extraordinary diving destination, Song Saa Island is paving the way for eco-friendly tourism in the country and encouraging marine wildlife protection in the region through a dedicated marine biology team who founded the first private marine protected area in the country. Opening there in 2011 will be Song Saa Island Resort, an ultra-luxurious and intimate collection of villas aimed to cater to the area’s growing beach tourism.
We’ve been to Cambodia several times but so far only to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.
I predict that places like Cambodia will become more popular. Thailand used to be very popular but, with all their political problems, you can’t blame people for being wary of visiting now.
What Cambodia lacks in infrastructure, it easily makes up for by the charm of the people. I’d recommend Cambodia to anyone and would certainly be keen to go back.
By the way, Angkor Wat is huge! You have to go to really appreciate how large the place is.
Comment by Kay McMahon — September 6, 2010 @ 1:38 pm
As a luxury tour operator we are eagerly awaiting the opening of Song Saa Island Resort as currently the beach hotel choices are extremely limited for the luxury market – The Sokha Beach Resort bills itself as 5 star (but in all honesty it is no more than an average 3 star when comparing to Thai standards.
There are a whole host of new (ish) non beach properties that are now catering for the more discerning traveller (small boutique rather than out and out luxury – the type of place most luxury travellers like to discover) around Cambodge (as the French call it – a kind of appropriate name) such as Four Rivers Eco Lodge near Koh Kong, La Villa in Battamabng, Sala Koh Trong near Kratie, Terres Rouge in Rattanakiri – and Knai Bang Chatt in Kep to name but a few.
When a truly great beach resort opens there will be really no need to finish the beach section of holidays over the border in Thailand – thus further developing this friendly and beautiful country.
Comment by Nick P — September 10, 2010 @ 1:25 am
I just hear the name of the Angkor Wat from my friend.He visit Angkor Wat last year and refer me to go there.I have a desire to travel Cambodia for visiting it but don’t have knowledge of other places there .The post gives the awesome knowledge about the other tourist places. This makes me to travel to Cambodia and the other tourist places there such as Sihanoukville & Ream. Thanks for this informative stuff.
Comment by location espagne — October 5, 2010 @ 8:17 am
I think Cambodia is potentially going to be the next big thing in luxury travel, it seems to be getting featured now on a regular basis and it is certainly up there on my dream list.
Comment by irene — January 23, 2011 @ 6:13 pm
That’s really interesting to hear about the beaches I wasn’t aware of that, I know quite a few movies have been filmed there and it always looks beautiful and that made me want to go. I know somebody who went, they said similar things about the infrastructure, they had to fly to get to different parts, don’t think it dampened the adventure though!
Comment by Emily M — January 31, 2011 @ 6:53 am