Koh Rong Dive Center

Koh Rong Archipelago, Cambodia

The team at Koh Rong Dive Center are the people we always point new divers towards in Cambodia. They’re a PADI 5-Star shop, which means a solid standard of instruction, but what we really love is their calm approach. They don’t rush you. You’ll find them right on Koh Rong’s main pier, which is handy for day trips out to sites around the archipelago. They run two boats, a fast day boat and a slower, bigger island hopper. We’d suggest the bigger boat for a more relaxed ride, especially if you’re prone to seasickness. The diving here is often about the smaller stuff – nudibranchs on the reefs at Koh Rong Samloem, or tiny pipefish hiding in the seagrass beds closer to Koh Rong. Don’t expect ripping currents or dramatic drop-offs; this is gentle, warm-water diving, perfect for getting comfortable with your buoyancy. They’re particularly good with discovery dives and open water courses. If you’re already certified, ask them about the night dives off Police Beach – we’ve had some cracking bioluminescence experiences there, like swimming through a cloud of underwater stars. They also do trips to sites further afield, but we think their sweet spot is definitely those first few dives.