Cambodia · KH

Ochheuteal Beach

Ochheuteal Beach is Sihanoukville's main and most popular beach — a long, narrow, gold-sand strip on the Gulf of Thailand fronted by a continuous line of hotels, beach bars and seafood restaurants. Locals and travelers once called it UNTAC Beach, and its northern shoulder is the well-known Serendipity Beach. It is the city's lively social shoreline: think sunset barbecues, grass umbrellas, ice-cold drinks and a steady buzz of beach vendors. It's an easy, low-key stop to eat, drink and watch the sun melt into the sea, and the ferry pier at its eastern end makes it a natural base for hopping out to the islands. Worth knowing up front: heavy development along the frontage in recent years has changed the beach's character and affected the water, so Ochheuteal is now better enjoyed for its atmosphere and food than for a swim.