Introduction
Among palm trees and casuarinas, a jumble of ramshackle buildings and smart hotels identifies Cambodia's best-known and most-developed beach resort, Sihanoukville.
Named after the former king, Sihanouk, this busy coastal town is popular with water sports enthusiasts and others who come to enjoy lazy days by the sea followed by spectacular sunsets off Lamherkay Beach and Victory Beach.
To escape the crowds it's best to take a day trip to the 20 or so palm-fringed offshore islands. Some are uninhabited, others populated by small fishing and farming communities.
The coral reefs near the islands are perfect for snorkelling, with grouper fish, angelfish, seahorses, lionfish, stingrays and reef sharks regularly seen here. Baby whale sharks and various types of dolphin are also sighted from time to time.
