What is Sihanoukville's primary function in Cambodia?

Sihanoukville is Cambodia's main coastal port city on the Gulf of Thailand, serving dual roles as a maritime commercial hub and beach tourism destination. It functions as the capital of Preah Sihanouk Province and handles significant shipping and cargo operations connecting Cambodia to regional and international trade routes.

What natural features define Sihanoukville's geography?

The city occupies an elevated peninsula in southwestern Cambodia, featuring an extensive coastline with multiple beaches. Ream National Park borders the city to the east, protecting mangrove ecosystems. The mangrove-lined Ou Trojak Jet river connects inland to Otres Beach. Several sparsely inhabited islands under Sihanoukville's administration lie in the surrounding waters.

What is the best time to visit Sihanoukville?

The dry season from November to March is ideal for beach and water activities, with lower rainfall and calmer sea conditions. February and March are the warmest months. The monsoon season from May to October brings heavier rainfall and rougher waters, though accommodation and activities remain available year-round.

What islands are accessible from Sihanoukville?

Several sparsely inhabited islands fall under Sihanoukville's administrative jurisdiction in the Gulf of Thailand. These islands offer isolated beach experiences and are accessible via ferry services from the port. Island-based accommodation is available on select islands for visitors seeking more remote coastal settings.

How does Ream National Park relate to Sihanoukville?

Ream National Park is located to the east of Sihanoukville, forming a natural boundary of the city's coastal area. The park protects mangrove wetlands, marine habitats, and coastal ecosystems. Its proximity makes it a natural destination for visitors interested in environmental and wildlife experiences adjacent to the city.

Sihanoukville: Cambodia's Gateway Coastal City

Sihanoukville, also known as Kampong Saom or Preah Sihanouk, is Cambodia's primary coastal port city located on the Gulf of Thailand in the southwestern part of the country. The city sits on an elevated peninsula and serves as the capital of Preah Sihanouk Province. With a population of approximately 73,036, Sihanoukville functions as a major maritime hub and beach destination. The city features an extensive coastline dotted with beaches and is bordered by Ream National Park to the east, which protects coastal mangrove ecosystems. The Ou Trojak Jet river, lined with mangroves, flows from Otres Pagoda to the sea at Otres Beach. Several sparsely inhabited islands fall under Sihanoukville's administrative jurisdiction, making it a multi-island maritime region. The city sits in the Asia/Phnom_Penh timezone and operates as a key transportation gateway for both regional and international travel.

Updated 2026-05-04 · Source: GeoNames, Wikipedia

Image: Wikimedia Commons contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikipedia

Population: 73K
Climate: tropical monsoon
Best months: Jan–Mar, Nov–Dec

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Asia/Phnom_Penh

Sihanoukville: Cambodia's Gateway Coastal City: 10.609, 103.530Open in OpenStreetMap ↗

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Quick facts

Sihanoukville is Cambodia's primary coastal port city located on the Gulf of Thailand.
The city sits on an elevated peninsula in the southwestern region of Cambodia.
Sihanoukville serves as the capital of Preah Sihanouk Province.
The population of Sihanoukville is approximately 73,036 residents.
Ream National Park protects coastal ecosystems directly east of Sihanoukville.
The mangrove-lined Ou Trojak Jet river flows from Otres Pagoda to the sea.
Several sparsely inhabited islands fall under Sihanoukville's administrative jurisdiction.
The dry season from November to March provides optimal beach and maritime conditions.
The southwest monsoon season from May to October brings increased rainfall to the region.
Sihanoukville functions as both a maritime commercial hub and beach tourism destination.

Geography & Coastal Setting

Sihanoukville occupies a strategic position on an elevated peninsula jutting into the Gulf of Thailand in southwestern Cambodia. The city's geography is defined by its extensive coastline, featuring multiple beaches and coastal areas. To the east, Ream National Park protects a significant portion of the region's natural ecosystems, including mangrove wetlands and marine habitats. The Ou Trojak Jet river, distinguished by its mangrove-lined banks, connects Otres Pagoda inland to the coastal waters at Otres. The surrounding waters contain several islands administered by Sihanoukville, though most remain sparsely populated. This geography makes the city both a functional port and a beach-oriented destination, with natural features that support both commercial maritime activity and tourism.

Population: 73,036
Coordinates: 10.61°N, 103.53°E
Region: Preah Sihanouk Province
Gulf: Gulf of Thailand

Economy & Port Operations

As Cambodia's principal coastal port city, Sihanoukville serves a vital role in the country's maritime economy. The port handles commercial shipping and cargo operations that connect Cambodia to regional and international trade routes. Beyond port functions, the city has developed as a tourism-oriented economy, with beaches and island access drawing both regional and international visitors. The administrative capital status of Preah Sihanouk Province further anchors the city's economic importance. The combination of maritime commerce, fishing operations, and growing tourism infrastructure has shaped the city's development as a multi-functional coastal hub.

Primary Function: Coastal port & tourism gateway
Province Capital: Preah Sihanouk Province

Best Areas to Stay

Sihanoukville's accommodation options cluster around its main beaches and coastal zones. Otres Beach, at the mouth of the Ou Trojak Jet river, offers a quieter alternative to the city center's busier areas. The peninsula's elevated topography provides varied vantage points for waterfront development. Island-based accommodation is available on the sparsely inhabited islands under Sihanoukville's jurisdiction, offering more isolated beach experiences. The city center provides urban amenities and market access, while the beachfront areas offer direct coastal access and water-based activities. Proximity to Ream National Park's coastal areas makes the eastern portions appealing for nature-oriented visitors.

Main Beach District: Otres Beach area
Park Proximity: Ream National Park (east)

Getting There

Sihanoukville's role as Cambodia's primary maritime gateway means access is available via air, road, and sea. Phnom Penh International Airport serves as the nearest major air hub, with overland connections via Cambodia's highway network. The port itself accommodates both passenger and cargo vessels, with ferry services connecting to regional ports and the sparsely inhabited islands. Overland routes connect Sihanoukville to other major Cambodian cities and Thai border crossings. The elevated peninsula location provides natural harbor advantages for maritime transport.

Region: Southwestern Cambodia
Nearest Major City: Phnom Penh

Best Time to Visit

Sihanoukville's coastal location on the Gulf of Thailand subjects it to monsoonal weather patterns typical of Southeast Asia. The region experiences distinct wet and dry seasons. November through March generally represents the drier, cooler period when beach activities and water-based tourism are most feasible. May through October encompasses the southwest monsoon season with heavier rainfall and rougher sea conditions. February and March tend to be the warmest months. The transition months of April and October present moderate conditions. Weather patterns significantly influence port operations, island accessibility, and beach usability, making seasonal timing important for planning maritime and coastal activities.

Dry Season: November–March
Wet Season: May–October

Frequently asked questions

What is Sihanoukville's primary function in Cambodia?: Sihanoukville is Cambodia's main coastal port city on the Gulf of Thailand, serving dual roles as a maritime commercial hub and beach tourism destination. It functions as the capital of Preah Sihanouk Province and handles significant shipping and cargo operations connecting Cambodia to regional and international trade routes.
What natural features define Sihanoukville's geography?: The city occupies an elevated peninsula in southwestern Cambodia, featuring an extensive coastline with multiple beaches. Ream National Park borders the city to the east, protecting mangrove ecosystems. The mangrove-lined Ou Trojak Jet river connects inland to Otres Beach. Several sparsely inhabited islands under Sihanoukville's administration lie in the surrounding waters.
What is the best time to visit Sihanoukville?: The dry season from November to March is ideal for beach and water activities, with lower rainfall and calmer sea conditions. February and March are the warmest months. The monsoon season from May to October brings heavier rainfall and rougher waters, though accommodation and activities remain available year-round.
What islands are accessible from Sihanoukville?: Several sparsely inhabited islands fall under Sihanoukville's administrative jurisdiction in the Gulf of Thailand. These islands offer isolated beach experiences and are accessible via ferry services from the port. Island-based accommodation is available on select islands for visitors seeking more remote coastal settings.
How does Ream National Park relate to Sihanoukville?: Ream National Park is located to the east of Sihanoukville, forming a natural boundary of the city's coastal area. The park protects mangrove wetlands, marine habitats, and coastal ecosystems. Its proximity makes it a natural destination for visitors interested in environmental and wildlife experiences adjacent to the city.

More about Sihanoukville: Cambodia's Gateway Coastal City

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Sources & methodology

Geographic data from GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Narrative sourced from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) and structured by Claude. Map by © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). See the methodology and sources registry for full attribution and update cadence.

This page last refreshed 2026-05-04.

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