Full Day City Tour with A Boat Trip to 2 Islands

Sihanoukville is at its best from the water, and this day gives you a useful mix of sea time and local sights. You fish from a traditional wooden boat, snorkel near Koh Chalous, swim at Koh Takeiv, and eat a grilled lunch on the sand. Guide Sothy has earned especially warm praise for his care, English, and hands-on cooking.

I like the fresh seafood BBQ, with squid, shrimp, chicken, beef, bread, salad, and fruit, and I like the way the tour adds a fishing village, market, and pagoda instead of making the whole day a beach stop. The main caution is important: the boat may not be truly private, and some departures have visited only one of the two advertised islands.

Key points at a glance

• Traditional fishing boat: Some departures use a roughly 40-foot wooden boat powered by two car engines.
• Fishing and snorkeling: Gear, lifejackets, and fishing activities are included.
• Beach BBQ: Expect grilled squid, shrimp, chicken, beef, bread, salad, fruit, soft drinks, beer, and water.
• Useful shore visits: See floating houses, shop at Phsar Leu market, and visit Wat Leu Pagoda.
• Small-group reality: Some departures have had 6 people, while others had 10 to 12.
• Cruise-friendly timing: Meet at main port gate 1 and return to your ship around 4:00 PM.

A sea day with more than just a beach stop

At $110 per person, this is not a bare-bones island transfer. You are paying for transport, a guide, a boat trip, snorkeling and fishing, drinks, lunch, and a short city tour. That can be good value if you are arriving by cruise ship and want one organized day that covers both Sihanoukville and the nearby islands.

I especially like the balance. The morning starts with Cambodian coastal life, not a straight rush to the beach. You see a fishing village and floating houses before heading to Otres pier, then return to town for a local market and Wat Leu Pagoda. It gives you a glimpse of how people live and work here, even if the city portion is fairly brief.

The weak point is the wording around private travel. The experience is described as a private boat trip, but some departures have operated with 10 to 12 people. Other groups have been as small as six. If having the boat entirely to yourself matters, ask for confirmation before booking.

Meeting your guide at port gate 1

If you are coming from a cruise ship, take the free shuttle from the ship to main port gate 1. Your guide will wait outside the gate with a sign showing your name. This is a practical system, but give yourself enough time to find the correct gate and identify the sign.

The guide is listed as English-speaking, with German available upon request. Sothy is the guide name that comes up most often in the supplied experience details. He has been praised for clear English, answering questions, helping with snorkeling, and grilling lunch himself. Those small details matter on a boat day, where a patient guide can make the difference between a relaxed outing and a confusing one.

Transportation is included. The exact vehicle is not fixed in the tour details, although one departure used a private tuk-tuk pickup from a hotel. If you are boarding from a ship, expect the port shuttle first, followed by road transport toward the fishing village and Otres pier.

Fishing village and floating houses

The first stop introduces the coastal side of Sihanoukville. You visit a fishing village and see floating houses before reaching the pier. This is not a long cultural program, but it adds context to the seafood you will later eat on the beach.

I find this stop worthwhile because it connects the sea excursion to daily life. Fishing is not just a holiday activity here. It supports local families, supplies markets, and shapes the food on the lunch table. Keep your camera ready, but be respectful around working areas and homes.

The visit is also a reminder that this is a working coastal province, not only a resort zone. Conditions can be basic, and the stop may feel less polished than a formal attraction. That is part of its value, but travelers looking for a carefully staged cultural visit should set their expectations lower.

From Otres pier to Koh Chalous

At Otres pier, you board the boat for Koh Chalous. The boat used on some departures has been described as a traditional wooden fishing vessel about 40 feet long, with two car engines. That is a more local experience than a sleek speedboat, and it may also mean a noisier, slower ride.

Once out on the water, the schedule makes room for fishing and snorkeling. Fishing is done from the boat, with equipment and instruction included. One particularly good feature is that any fish caught may become part of lunch, depending on the catch and the crew’s preparation.

Snorkeling conditions can change with weather, water clarity, and the chosen location. One guide reportedly tried several spots so a participant could find fish and coral more easily. That is the kind of practical attention I value, but you should not treat the outing as a specialist snorkeling trip. The attraction is the whole day, not guaranteed marine life.

Snorkeling gear, lifejackets, and first-aid kits are included. You may bring your own mask and snorkel if you prefer a better fit. Put on sunscreen before boarding, and keep your hat and camera protected from spray.

Koh Takeiv, swimming, and time on the sand

After the water activities, the boat continues to Koh Takeiv. The advertised plan includes a beach stop with time for swimming and relaxation. The sand has been described as clean and quiet on some departures, with few people around. That is likely to be the most restful part of the day.

The schedule gives an approximate departure from Koh Takeiv at 1:30 PM, with arrival at Otres pier around 2:20 PM. That leaves a useful block for lunch, swimming, and sitting on the beach, but this is not an all-day island stay. Boat conditions and group pace can affect the exact timing.

Here is where the itinerary needs a careful reading. The tour promises Koh Chalous and Koh Takeiv, yet some departures have visited only one island. In another case, the beach was viewed from the boat, with the option to swim toward it. If seeing both named islands is essential, ask the provider to confirm the current route and what happens if weather or sea conditions change.

The beach BBQ is a real part of the value

Lunch is served on the beach and includes squid, shrimp, chicken, beef, bread, salad, and fresh fruit. Soft drinks, beer, and mineral water are listed as available, with unlimited drinks on the boat. This is more substantial than the usual packed sandwich that comes with a boat trip.

The meal also has a social advantage. A beach BBQ slows the day down. You are not simply stepping ashore for a quick photograph before racing to the next stop. The guide or crew may handle the grilling, and Sothy has been specifically praised for cooking and for making sure people were comfortable.

Food allergies are listed among the reasons this activity may not suit you. Take that seriously. The menu contains seafood and meat, and no alternative meal is promised. Tell the provider about dietary needs before you go, but do not assume a full substitute will be available.

There is also a small inconsistency worth clarifying. Beer is included in the food and drink description, while the rules say alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Follow the rules given to you on the day and ask the operator what drinks are permitted. Soft drinks and mineral water are clearly part of the offer.

Returning to Sihanoukville for the local market

After leaving Koh Takeiv, the boat is scheduled to reach Otres pier around 2:20 PM. The road portion then continues to Phsar Leu local market, where you can shop for souvenirs.

Phsar Leu is useful for a short, practical visit. You can look for small gifts and get a sense of everyday shopping in Sihanoukville. Do not expect a long guided market tour. The purpose here is to browse, buy something, and see a less resort-focused side of town.

Bring cash. Personal expenses are not included, and the tour specifically recommends cash for shopping. You may also want cash for any small purchase or unexpected expense during the day. Keep valuables secure and remember that market visits work best when you allow time to look without rushing.

Wat Leu Pagoda and the final view

The last major stop is Wat Leu Pagoda, set on high ground with panoramic views across Sihanoukville. This is a good finish after the boat trip because it lets you look back over the town and coast from above.

Wear comfortable shoes. The tour includes a moderate amount of walking, and the pagoda visit may involve uneven surfaces or steps. Dress respectfully for a religious site, and bring a cover-up if you have spent the afternoon in swimwear.

The pagoda is not a long temple circuit. Its appeal is the setting and the view, along with the chance to see a Cambodian religious site. If you have already visited many temples in Cambodia, this stop may feel brief. If Sihanoukville is your only Cambodian port, it adds useful local context.

The planned return to the ship is around 4:00 PM. That timing is designed for a cruise stop, but you should still confirm the day’s schedule and avoid wandering off during the final stop. A port excursion should leave a margin for traffic and delays.

What the $110 price really covers

The $110 cost makes the most sense for someone who wants a full package. Transport, guide service, boat travel, snorkeling, fishing, safety equipment, a cold face towel, drinks, lunch, market access, and the pagoda visit are included. Buying each part separately would take more planning and could easily add up.

The value is strongest when you care about variety. You get a fishing village, open water, two possible island stops, a BBQ, a market, and a hilltop view in seven hours. The price is less attractive if your only goal is to sit on a beach, since a simpler beach transfer could cost less.

Group size is the key factor. A six-person departure can feel personal and easy to manage. A 10 to 12-person boat is still workable, but fishing gear, swimming time, and seating become less flexible. Do not rely on the word private alone. Ask whether private means your own vehicle, your own boat, or simply a reserved booking within a small group.

The tour allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and offers reserve-now, pay-later booking. Those terms are useful if your port schedule is still changing.

Who should book this day

I would recommend it to you if you want an active coastal day with several kinds of stops. It suits confident swimmers, people who enjoy simple local boats, seafood, and a flexible group atmosphere. It is also a sensible choice for cruise passengers who want a planned return to the ship.

It is less suitable for non-swimmers, people prone to seasickness, or anyone with serious food allergies. The activity is also not intended for babies under one year or children under 90 centimeters. Altitude sickness is listed as a restriction, although altitude is not the main feature of this coastal trip.

Pack swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes, beachwear, a hat, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, a camera, snacks, and cash. Smoking, littering, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed under the stated rules. Keep the day light and practical. You will be moving between a port, a road vehicle, a wooden boat, a beach, a market, and a pagoda.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want Sihanoukville in several snapshots rather than one long beach stop. The best parts are the traditional boat, fishing, the seafood BBQ, the quiet island beach, and the chance to finish with a market and pagoda. Sothy appears to be a particularly caring guide when he is assigned to the group.

Before paying, confirm two things: the actual group size and whether both Koh Chalous and Koh Takeiv will be visited. If the operator can give you a clear answer and you are comfortable with a basic wooden boat, the $110 package offers a useful and varied day. If you need a genuinely private boat or a guaranteed two-island itinerary, look for written confirmation first.

FAQ

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet the guide outside the main port gate 1. The guide will hold a sign with your name. If you arrive by ship, take the free shuttle bus from the ship to gate 1.

How long does the activity last?

The listed duration is seven hours. The planned return to your ship is around 4:00 PM.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The advertised route includes Koh Chalous and Koh Takeiv. Actual island stops can vary, and some departures have visited only one island, so confirm the route before booking.

Is the boat private?

The experience is advertised with a private boat trip, but some departures have operated as group tours with 10 to 12 people. Other departures have had six people. Ask the provider to clarify the arrangement for your date.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, along with lifejackets and first-aid kits. You may bring your own equipment if you prefer.

What food is served for lunch?

The beach BBQ includes squid, shrimp, chicken, beef, bread, salad, and fresh fruit. Soft drinks, beer, and mineral water are listed among the available drinks.

Can people with food allergies join?

Food allergies are listed as a reason the activity may not be suitable. The menu includes seafood and meat, and a special alternative is not promised, so ask the provider before booking.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, beachwear, a towel, a change of clothes, sunscreen, comfortable clothes and shoes, a camera, snacks, and cash.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.