Sihanoukville

Sihanoukville is a beach town on Cambodia's southern coast, used as a base for mainland beaches and boat trips to offshore islands such as Koh Rong.

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Sihanoukville is a coastal city in southern Cambodia, on the Gulf of Thailand, about 230 kilometers southwest of Phnom Penh by road. It is the country's main seaport and the usual base for the beaches on the mainland coast and for boats to the islands offshore, including Koh Rong. Most people come for the sea and the seafood, and the town moves at a slower pace than Phnom Penh or Siem Reap.

Development has grown quickly along parts of the coast, so the beach you pick shapes your trip. Some stretches are quiet, while others have more bars and construction. The dry season, roughly November to March, is the most reliable time for swimming and boat trips. Plan three to four days for the beaches and one island visit, and add nights if you want a second island.

Sihanoukville in five

Get the Cambodian e-visa before you travelMost visitors apply for an e-visa on the official Cambodian e-visa site before the flight, or get a visa on arrival. Print or save the approval, since airlines may ask for it at check-in.Visas and entry
Carry clean US dollar notesMany prices in Sihanoukville are quoted in US dollars, and change often comes back in riel. Bring crisp notes, since shops and exchangers refuse torn or marked bills.Money and costs
Book the bus from Phnom Penh a day aheadThe road from Phnom Penh takes about 4 to 5 hours. Buy the ticket from the operator or a station counter the day before, especially around public holidays.Getting around
Set up an eSIM and download offline mapsRide apps and maps need data, and signal can drop on the roads to the quieter beaches. Download the map of the area before you leave town.Phones and eSIM
Pack for the wet seasonHeavy rain is common from about May to October, and sea conditions can cancel island boats. Pack a light rain jacket and a dry bag for your phone and cash.

Things to do in Sihanoukville

See all attractions in Sihanoukville

a palm tree on a beach with a sunset in the background

Sight · SihanoukvilleOtres Beach

Beach · SihanoukvilleOtres Beach

Beach · SihanoukvilleIndependence Beach

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to SihanoukvillePut the places you like in Sihanoukville on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Riel (KHR); US dollars widely accepted
Entry: E-visa or visa on arrival for most passports; apply on the official e-visa site Read more
Emergency: 117 police, 118 fire, 119 ambulance
Tipping: Appreciated, not expected
Time: UTC+7, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Dry, calm seas
FebruaryRain15 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Dry, calm seas
MarchRain21 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Hot, dry
AprilRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Hot, Khmer New Year
MayRain30 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Rains start
JuneRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Rainy season
JulyRain30 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low26°Rainy, rough seas
AugustRain30 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Rainy season
SeptemberRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Rainy, rough seas
OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Rains ease
NovemberRain22 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Dry, calmer seas
DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Dry, holidays

Average daily high and low in Sihanoukville, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Sihanoukville

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 32°
Humidity: 92%
Wind: 7 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Sihanoukville

07:58 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+7

Today31°24°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed31°24°95%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 95%.
Thu30°25°95%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 95%.
Fri30°23°92%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 92%.
Sat31°23°85%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 85%.
Sun31°24°82%Sunday: Rain. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 82%.

Updated 07:54 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 4,107 KHR

Amount

Converted to

KHR · Cambodian Riel

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Before you go to Sihanoukville

eSIM for CambodiaData and offline maps on the roadRead the guide

Travel insurance for CambodiaCover for boat trips and scooter fallsRead the guide

Money and cardsDollars, riel and ATM limitsRead the guide

Stays in SihanoukvilleBeach guesthouses and town hotelsRead the guide

Rules for Sihanoukville, checked

Carry your passport with a valid Cambodian e-visa or arrival visa. Check the official e-visa site before you book flights.
Drug offences carry heavy penalties in Cambodia. Do not carry any drugs, even small amounts, and do not accept packages from strangers.
Cover shoulders and knees at pagodas and remove your shoes before you enter a temple or shrine.
Check export rules with the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts before you buy antiques or stone carvings to take home.

Plan around Sihanoukville

All of Cambodia

Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Cambodia trip

Read the guide Visas and entry

E-visa, arrival visa and the rules to check before you book

Read the guide Getting around

Buses from Phnom Penh and moving between town and the beaches

Read the guide Dollars, riel and cards

What to carry, where to change money and what to pay in cash

Read the guide Where to stay

Beach and town stays, from guesthouses to hotels

Read the guide Phones and eSIM

Mobile data and offline maps for the road to the coast

Read the guide

Sihanoukville FAQ

Is Sihanoukville worth visiting?

Yes for beaches and boat trips to the islands, including Koh Rong. Pick a beach by how far you want to be from town, since the town and the outer beaches feel very different.

How do you get from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville?

By bus or minivan from Phnom Penh, in about 4 to 5 hours by road. Check current operators and departure times before you travel, since schedules change.

Do you need a visa for Cambodia?

Most visitors need an e-visa or can get a visa on arrival. Apply through the official e-visa site and check the current rules before you book.

What is the best time to visit Sihanoukville?

November to March is drier with calmer seas. The rainy season from about May to October brings heavy rain and rough seas, which can cancel island boats.

How many days do you need in Sihanoukville?

Two to three nights covers a beach stay and one boat trip to an island. Add a night if you want to visit Kampot as well.

Is Sihanoukville or Kampot better?

Sihanoukville suits beaches and island boats. Kampot is quieter, with a river setting and pepper farms, so choose it for a slower trip.