Situated approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours off the mainland, and located to the south of the smaller island of Koh Kon, Koh Rong Samloem is inhabited by local fishermen who live in a tiny village located on the island’s north end. This village is comprised of about 25 huts, and while there are a few other huts scattered across the island, it is an extremely quiet and secluded place to visit. There are lovely beaches to relax on during surface intervals, and the diving is amazing. While Cambodia’s dive operators travel to a variety of dive sites around the island, some are better than others; here are five favorites.
Nudibranch Heaven
Featuring maximum depth at just 10 meters, and home to several nudibranch species, Nudibranch Heaven offers the opportunity for relaxation and lots of bottom time. The reef here is lovely, and beautifully lit from above, with hard and soft coral sheltering an abundance of tropical fish, including fairy basslets, lots of lyretail wrasse and other wrasse species, and clouds of anthia, butterfly fish, and others. In addition, you can find puffer fish, moray eels, cuttlefish, and octopus here, along with schooling parrotfish and damsels. Watch for blue spotted rays and the occasional passing eagle ray.
Cobia Point
An incredible site where you can swim with huge cobia, also known as kingfish, Cobia Point features maximum depth at an easy 18 meters. Besides the cobia, which can grow to be as large as two meters long, the site is home to lots of tropical species and crustaceans that can be found all along the wall, which is swathed in a rich and colorful blanket of hard and soft coral. Don’t be afraid of the cobia, though they are large and even bear a slight resemblance to sharks, they are not aggressive; in fact, they are curious and often come right up to divers. As there is a current here and the dive is often done as a drift, this site is reserved for divers with experience.
Rocky Bay
A wonderful site for all divers, and completely sheltered from outside weather conditions, Rocky Bay features maximum depth at just 10 meters. Home to an abundance of macro life, including nudibranchs, shrimp, crabs, and gobies, it features a splendid coral garden where you can find a rainbow of tropical fish and lots of juvenile pelagics.
Sponge Garden
Named for the enormous barrel sponges that decorate the reef, Sponge Garden features a fantastic little drop-off that starts in the shallows and drops to a depth of 10 meters before the reef slopes to meet the seabed at a depth of 17 meters. The marine life is both abundant and splendid here, with schooling goatfish in bright yellow that create a living curtain, groups of large parrotfish, and sleek barracuda on patrol. Along edges of the reef, you’ll find cobia, while closer in there are tropical fish, nudibranchs, and crustaceans galore. If you like taking underwater video, this is an excellent place to do it!
Two Tone Garden
An excellent site day or night, Two Tone Garden offers a reef close to shore that drops to a depth of 12 meters, where huge coral bommies swirling with life await. Further out, the reef rises up slightly, and the landscape changes to pink, thanks to the many anemones that live along the sunlit expanse. Whip coral is here in abundance too, creating an otherworldly vista that you’ve got to see to believe. Everywhere you look, there is life. While tropical fish, crustaceans, and nudibranchs are here in abundance, there are also larger animals in residence, including rays and the occasional visiting cobia.
Visibility at Koh Rong Samloem ranges from 5 to 25 meters; however the average is ten meters. If you hope to dive here, be sure to plan in advance and research your options. Cambodia is a developing country with many different types of accommodations ranging from just a few dollars to thousands of dollars per night. The people are hospitable, and there are lots to see and do topside. Dive operators offer lessons and rentals; be prepared for a wonderful experience.