This is the South Coast chapter from Lonely Planet’s Cambodia guidebook.

Cambodia’s coastline is tiny compared with Thailand, but it remains practically deserted save for a clutch of fabulously diverse coastal towns: Koh Kong (the cowboy border town), Sihanoukville (the brash temptress)¸ Kampot (the suave French colonialist) and Kep (the faded monarch). Around these cities you won’t find much besides jungle, a few truly idyllic islands and long stretches of powdery sand marred only by your footprints. Small resort owners have established little colonies of coolness on patches of paradise along the coastline, while inland legitimate ecotourism initiatives tempt adventurous and responsible travellers.

• Kick back in quiet Kampot, a charming river town with some of Cambodia’s best-preserved French architecture
• Party on Ocheutteal Beach, one of southeast Asia’s top backpacker spots
• Drift idly among the magical southern islands, home to low-key resorts and lonely white beaches
• maps
• Explore the pristine rainforests, mangrove-lined rivers and remote waterfalls of the Koh Kong Conservation Corridor, now opening up to ecotourism
• transport
• Soak up the sun on Sihanoukville’s mellow Otres Beach, where exertion consists of yet another cocktail run
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Koh Kong Province, the Southern Islands, Koh Sdach Archipelago, Koh Rong & Koh Rong Samloem, Koh Russei, Koh Ta Kiev, Koh Thmei, Kompong Som Province, Sihanoukville, Kampot Province, Bokor National Park, Kep, Takeo Province