For a number of reasons – marketing, Leonardo DiCaprio in The Beach, geographic jackpot, and just plain luck – Thailand is what people think about when they hear Southeast Asian beaches. But if you pan that Google Map to the left… bit more… bit more… you’ll see Cambodia, Southeast Asia’s biggest upcoming beach destination.

When people hear Cambodia it’s easy to think of its status as one of the poorest countries in Asia, the horrors of the Khmer Rouge, or the dusty roads that lead to the magnificent Khmer ruins of Angkor Wat. But in recent years tourists and enterprising Cambodians alike have woken up to the fact that, along with gems and timber, one of Cambodia’s richest natural resources is its magnificent beaches.

A few – such as Sihanoukville – have been ‘discovered’ and (over) developed, but there remains plenty of areas where you can walk, swim, eat, drink, and relax on a stretch of sand that goes on for miles. Here are a few worth checking out:

Ko Thmei
Get here quick, because this type of bucolic isolation won’t last long. From its deserted beaches you can almost see the developers on the mainland pacing back and forth, wringing their hands while they wait for the inevitable groundbreaking of the first resort. But until then, Ko Thmei offers the type of getaway that jaded travelers remember fondly over beers – wooden huts, dinners cooked on the beach, and the possibility of half the day going by without ever seeing another soul.

Kep
On the mainland just a short drive from Ko Thmei sits this one-syllable has-been of a town, and we say that with all love. Kep used to be the place for swanky beachside getaways from Phnom Penh before the whole shop went to hell when the Khmer Rouge showed up. These days the crumbling mansions and overgrown buildings are a reminder of an almost-was that never came, but things are getting busier every year. Kep heaves on weekends and holidays with locals who come to gorge on fresh seafood. The one notable beach is nice, the water is warm, and the town floats along at a pace that will suit even the most laid back traveler. And if Kep gets too hectic, you can head offshore to…

…Kaoh Tonsay (Rabbit Island)
Shade your eyes from the sun in Kep and you’ll see Kaoh Tonsay jutting up out of the water. Putt yourself across the waves and you’ll find a perfect place to get away from… well, everything… including mains electricity and hot showers. Stilted huts are the primary accommodation type here, which offer a mosquito net and a fan. What, you wanted room service? The water’s warm, the food is great, and you can explore the island to your heart’s content in a day. Or five, if you go at the pace we prefer – that is, in between naps, snacks, and beer.

Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary
Okay, these next two aren’t really beaches but they’re on the water, and each provides a unique and as-yet-unspoilt getaway from more crowded destinations. Pream Krasaop sits just a stone’s throw away from the border of the Thai province of Trat. It’s a swamp, to be honest, but a very important one. Nearly 240sq.km, the fragile mangrove ecosystem holds a zoo’s worth of birds, fish, and shellfish, much of them visible from a fantastic elevated pathway network over a kilometer long. It’s a protected area, but Cambodia is Cambodia, and the pressure from developers and big industry (including the dredging of sand, which goes to Singapore for their big projects) can’t be held off forever.

Tatai
A bit further inland from Peam Krasaop sits this jungle oasis. Most visitors come to photograph and swim in the broad, shallow waterfall and the pools at its bottom, but the natural splendor of the surrounding area – as jungle as jungle gets – can’t be overlooked. Indeed, two of our favorite places to stay at are nearby; the Four Rivers Floating Lodge and the Rainbow Lodge. Both are built with a keen eye to sensitivities of the local environment, use natural products and services, and offer a fantastic way to experience this area while knowing that your visit is having as little negative impact as possible.

Song Saa Private Island
If you’re past your beach-bumming days and are looking for something (a lot) more luxurious, the two lodges mentioned above are great retreats, as is Song Saa, a private island resort set among an archipelago of tropical islands with old-growth rainforests reaching down to white sand beaches. Not sure how they managed this, but Song Saa is the first to develop a private island while setting new standards for sustainability, community development and luxury accommodation in the still undiscovered Koh Rong Archipelago, a mere 35 minutes by speedboat from Sihanoukville.

With offices and our own team of travel specialists based in Cambodia, trained in history, geography and sustainability, we are the go-to travel planners for all your Cambodian dreams. Enquire here.

The post Cambodia’s Coast first appeared on Smiling Albino.

Cambodia’s been firmly on the travel scene now for about a decade. It’s not so long ago the Khmer Rouge finally lost their grip on the western part of the country, allowing Siem Reap, the jumping-off point for the stunning temples of Angkor, to safely attract tourists. Since then things have really taken off with more than two million visitors per year making their way to the area, according to government stats. Despite these numbers, venture outside Siem Reap or the capital Phnom Penh and it’s almost like entering another country entirely.

This is a boon for travelers who like getting there before the masses, charting new territory and setting where travel will go. The best part, there’s still time to hit a large swath of locales in this kingdom on the move before things really take off. Be it mountainous hilltribe communities, the Mekong River which passes through a large chunk of the country, hundreds of Khmer stone temples scattered across the nation or its largely undiscovered tropical south.

Few people think of Cambodia as a destination for the sea and beach, but not for long. Its southern reaches are idyllically situated along the Gulf of Thailand, with long silky beaches, lots of tropical coastline, and more open stretches than resorts and developments, something that’s surely set to change in the coming decade. We’ve become particularly enamored with four spots and recommend making them a firm part of your next holiday before everyone heads there too!

Kep
A former favorite of French and Khmer elite who came here for some respite from the capital in pre-Khmer Rouge times, today Kep is sleepy and extremely quiet. Abandoned, bullet-ridden art deco villas from war-time dot the hillsides, while locals do their day-to-day thing at an extremely leisurely pace, tropical winds blow off the Gulf of Thailand and delectable crab is served-up almost everywhere. The beaches aren’t very good, but ocean views abound, Rabbit Island and its inviting beaches are a short boat ride away and there’s a very comfy resort, Knai Bang Chatt – perfect for two or three nights of relaxing goodness.

Kampot
About 45 minutes west of Kep by car is this very charming riverside town that’s most famous for its aromatic pepper. While seeing how it’s grown is of moderate interest, Kampot’s main drag is perfect for strolling and features some stylish shops, tasty restaurants, neat bars and The Rusty Keyhole, which arguably serves-up the best ribs you’ll have anywhere. Another highlight is hiring a boat to take you up-river to escape it all and enjoy a dip in its crystal clear waters. Renting a bicycle and pedaling communities south of town that farm salt is a neat way to get up-close-and-personal with locals and nearby Bokor Mountain towers above, rising to 1,077m, offering an exotic backdrop and a good spot for hiking.

Song Saa Private Island
Some big-dreaming Australians leased two tiny islands southwest of Sihanoukville, currently Cambodia’s only real beach town, and have created a world-class beach escape. Forget Fantasy Island, this is the real deal. Guests are whisked by luxury speedboat 45 minutes from the mainland to an out-of-this-world tropical experience where every need is anticipated and indulged. All Jungle and Over Water Villas feature a private pool, 24-hour room service and all the food and drink you can put away at this all-in resort. While the price tag is in a world of its own, it’s totally worth it.

4 Rivers Floating Lodge
Nestled along the Tatai River just 30 minutes from the Thai border in Cambodia’s southwest is this gem of a property. Twelve permanent tents are anchored along the edge of the river, a few kilometers from the nearest road, providing a delightfully unique and deeply relaxing travel experience. Working with local communities 4 Rivers turns-out tasty food, provides deluxe accommodations, offers kayaking, jungle trekking and trips to waterfalls, all while employing and benefitting locals. This is pretty close to a perfect eco-tourism business and definitely one for the bucket list.

Handy Links

• Kep/Rabbit Island photo gallery
• Kampot photo gallery
• Song Saa Private Island and 4 Rivers Floating Lodge photo gallery 
• Podcast with Song Saa Private Island
• Podcast with 4 Rivers Floating Lodge

The post Southern Cambodia’s Emerging Hotspots first appeared on Smiling Albino.