Serendipity / Ochheuteal
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| Beautiful Beach in Sihanouville |
Victory
Located at the north end of town, Victory beach has a handful of businesses serving up cold drinks and meals. It is quiet than other areas with calm, shallow waters for swimming.
Otres
Located south of Ochheuteal beach, Otres is less busy than Ochheuteal and offers bungalows, restaurants, windsurfing and a sailing club. The beach is breezy with a nice view of the islands. A few hawkers walk the beach but it is generally quiet and peaceful. It is best to head back to town before nightfall, or take a trusted moto-taxi driver, as the road is very quiet.
Independence
The beach was cleared for development of a resort in 2008 but there is a small patch in front of Sea breeze Hotel that is open to the public. The beach is quiet and great for swimming.
Hawaii
A popular weekend hangout for Khmer families, this beach between Independence and Victory has a few beach shacks and is quiet on weekdays. It is also the site of the new bridge to Koh Pos Island.
Sokha
Located between Independence and Ochheuteal beaches, Sokha beach is reserved for guests of the Sokha Beach Resort. There is a small stretch open to the public where locals gather in the evenings. Non-guests of the resort can use the private beach for $1.50/day (weekdays). It is a pleasant escape from the sellers and crowds on Ochheuteal.
Ream National Park
Located 23km from Sihanoukville, Ream has beaches that are quiet with nice views of the islands. Past the airport, there is a quiet beach lined with coconut trees that is a good place to spend a few hours. Further on, past the oil storage facility in the center of the park, is a beautiful beach that was the filming location for French-Khmer director Rithy Pahn’s 2008 film Un barrage contre le pacifique.
Dealing with hawkers and kids
Many Cambodians earn a living by selling to tourists on the beach. No doubt when you are relaxing on the beach you will be asked repeatedly if you’d like a massage, to buy fruit, bracelets or books, or for money. If you would rather be left alone, a polite but firm “no, thank you” is usually sufficient. As soon as you express any interest in what is being sold, he/she will sit beside you and try to get you to buy. You will often be asked to “promise to buy later”. Please do not buy from children or adults using children to beg. This encourages children to stay on the beach and not attend school.
