Stung Hav BeachCambodia Beach Guide
Wild, protected coast where Cambodia's forest meets the sea
About
Stretching roughly 1,204 metres along the Gulf of Thailand inside Ream National Park, this beach pairs white sand with turquoise water and an intact coastal forest that presses right to the shoreline. Near-zero development means no beach bars, no sun-lounger rows — just the sound of birds and the occasional rustle of wildlife moving through the trees. It sits within a wildlife corridor and a restricted-access zone lies nearby, so the atmosphere is genuinely remote. The vibe is wild in the truest sense: you arrive, you breathe, and the rest of Sihanoukville feels very far away.
How to get there
From Sihanoukville city centre, the drive takes around 35 minutes by car or motorbike — daily access is possible along this route, though no formal parking exists at the end of the track, so expect to leave your motorbike where the path runs out. Ferry options are also available, including services operated by Buvasea and VET Express. A Ream National Park entry fee of 5 USD applies; pay it and keep your ticket, as rangers do check.
Who it's for
For couples
For couples who want genuine solitude — not the performative kind — this empty stretch of white sand inside a national park delivers it. The coastal forest, the quiet water, and the near-total absence of other visitors make it an unusually private place to spend a day together.
For families
Families with young children should weigh the logistics carefully: there is no lifeguard, no on-site food or water, and access is remote with no paved road. Older children comfortable with nature walks and self-sufficient day trips will get more from the Ream National Park wildlife experience than toddlers will.
Our take
There is no lifeguard here, the access track can be impassable in the wet season, and parts of the surrounding coastline carry access restrictions tied to naval base activity — check all of this before you go, not after. With that said, for travellers who do their homework and visit between November and April, this is one of the genuinely undeveloped stretches of Cambodian coast left: white sand, turquoise water, a forest that functions as a wildlife corridor, and almost nobody else around. The 5 USD Ream National Park entry is not a formality — rangers patrol, rules are enforced, and that is precisely why the place still looks the way it does. Carry water, carry food, tell someone your plan. If you want a beach that rewards preparation over convenience, this one earns the effort.
What to do
The beach sits at the doorstep of Ream National Park itself, a coastal national park renowned for its mangroves, dolphins, and diverse birdlife — exploring the park is the main event here. A snorkelling site lies roughly 9.4 km away for those willing to venture further along the coast. For a change of scene, Otres Beach is about 12 km away, and the large island of Koh Rong — with its own white sand beaches — is reachable by ferry from Sihanoukville, around 25 km out.
The tree line where the intact coastal forest meets the white sand is the standout frame — shoot back towards the forest with the turquoise Gulf behind you for a composition that looks unlike any developed beach.
The waterline at low tide, with its clean white sand and zero infrastructure visible in either direction along the full length of the beach, is the second strong shot. Early morning, before any haze, gives the truest turquoise read on the water.
Where to eat
There are no restaurants on the beach itself, so pack everything you need before you leave town. The nearest options are back towards Sihanoukville: Chiem Chen serves regional Khmer food about 2.1 km away, and Carpe Diem Otres Italian Restaurant is a further 100 metres or so down the road at 2.2 km. Bake and Bake and Khmer Noodle are also within 2.2 km if you want to grab something on the way out.
Where to stay
The closest options are Sea Breeze Resort at 0.7 km and Polowai White Sand Villa House at 0.9 km, both within easy reach of the park entrance. Sahaa Beach Resort is another option just 1 km away. Confirm availability before booking anything in the immediate area.
Photography
The most compelling shots come from the forest-meets-sand interface at the tree line, where the intact coastal backdrop frames the turquoise water with no built structures in sight — early morning light is cleanest before any haze builds. The waterline itself, with its white sand curving against the Gulf of Thailand and zero development on the horizon, rewards a wide-angle composition at golden hour.
Good to know
National park regulations apply throughout — no camping without a permit, and removing any flora or fauna is strictly prohibited. There is no lifeguard on duty, and the beach's remote location means you must carry your own water and supplies; do not rely on finding anything on-site. Parts of the Ream coastline may be subject to restricted access due to the operational naval base expansion nearby — verify the current situation locally before you set out. Avoid June, July, August, and September: monsoon season makes access tracks impassable and the seas rough.
Map
Nearby places
Chiem Chen
Carpe Diem Otres Italian Restaurant
Bake and Bake
Khmer Noodle
In my Dream 2
Spayhiti (closed)
Sunset Lounge (closed)
Sea Breeze Resort
Polowai White Sand Villa House
Sahaa Beach Resort
Things to see around Tumnup Rolok
Ream National Park
Coastal national park with mangroves, dolphins, and diverse birdlife
Otres Beach
Popular backpacker beach with casuarina tree backdrop
Koh Rong Island
Large island with white sand beaches accessible by ferry from Sihanoukville
Frequently asked
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.
Other beaches in the region
More beaches in Gulf of Thailand
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Photo credits
Sources and licenses for the photos shown above.
- Photo 1 — Kent Kruhoeffer · source · CC BY-ND 2.0
- Photo 2 — bamml82 · source · CC BY 2.0
- Photo 3 — jipe7 · source · CC BY-ND 2.0
- Photo 4 — jipe7 · source · CC BY-ND 2.0