Many of the dive sites around Cambodia are as yet completely undived. New ones are found virtually every week. There is a lot of hard and soft coral, the usual collection of reef fishes and an enormous variety of macro-life. The diving around the islands closer to shore (2 hours) reflects this and tends to be fairly shallow (10-15 m max).
Further out there are deeper pinnacles, wrecks and a greater number of pelagics and larger fish.
Although not known as a top dive destination the waters around the Cambodian
coast line are now becoming one of the world's newest diving destinations
which have yet to be explored properly for diving. After a 40 year period of
virtual isolation from the outside world the Cambodian government has made a
decision to allow limited, environmentally conscious tourism development in
the islands. Although diving is a recent development in Cambodia, the Koh
S'dach Archipelago offers some splendid diving and untouched coral reefs.
The best Diving sites:
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Corner Bar
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Koh Tang Virgin Reef
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Koh S'dach Archipelago
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Condor Reef
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Shark Island
The best time to dive the Koh Sdach Archipelago is November and May. The peak season is from January until Mid April. The second week of July brings in the monsoon season and for this reason our diving is sometimes limited due to the weather in the months of July/August/September.
August and September too are wet months and although diving in these months come with their own charm; generally these months offer slightly reduced visibility and rougher seas than the peak periods.
With water temperatures not dropping below 27°C and averaging 29°C, diving here is extremely comfortable and enjoyable to learn. Visibility in our surrounding waters can vary from 10m-40m depending on the site and the season. Currents can range from nothing to strong and are completely dependent on the dive site and the tides.
There are dive sites suited for all levels of divers; however some of the best ones require an advanced level of certification.
Existing dive sites have proven to amaze and thrill divers of all levels; however there are areas of undiscovered and un-dived waters which hold much more to be explored.
A two tank dive trip in the archipelago ranges from $55 for local dives to $85 for its premier sites, including equipment rental, dive guide, lunch and drinks.
Condor Reef is one of the best diving spot in Cambodia :
30m+ visibility at 10-40m depth, an unusual natural
“architecture”, the scenery is presenting huge rectangle
rocs which seem to have been built, terraces, mini walls and
1 arch… This reef has been the place where different ships
sunk. Professional divers, treasure hunters, located a few
ship wrecks that have now been all salvaged but a few pieces
remain a huge anchor and skeleton remains of a ship lie of
the eastern side of the site.
Though flora is quiet rare,
you will see Reef sharks, Turtles, a lot of Moray Eels and
Whale Sharks frequently visit the area. Not to be missed if
weather conditions allow this trip.
