Full Day City Tour with A Boat Trip to 2 Islands

Sihanoukville’s best feature is offshore. This seven-hour boat day trades the city’s traffic and construction for fishing lines, warm water, a quiet beach, and lunch cooked beside the sea. You also get a short look at local life before and after the boat trip, with floating houses, Phsar Leu market, and Wat Leu Pagoda.

I like the mix of sea time and city sights, and I like that the guide may grill the day’s catch along with squid, shrimp, chicken, beef, bread, salad, and fruit. The main caution is that private boat does not always mean private tour. Several bookings were run as group trips of six to twelve people, and some departures did not visit both advertised islands.

Key points to know before you book

• Fishing can become part of lunch: You may catch fish from the boat, then enjoy a substantial BBQ with seafood, meat, salad, bread, and fruit.
• The island plan needs confirming: Koh Chalous and Koh Takeiv are advertised, but actual stops can change with conditions or the day’s operation.
• Sothy has earned strong praise: He is described as friendly, attentive, and fluent in English, with one German-speaking guide available on request.
• The boat is a working-style vessel: One outing used a traditional 40-foot wooden fishing boat powered by two car engines, not a polished resort cruiser.
• City sightseeing is brief but useful: A fishing village, Phsar Leu market, and Wat Leu Pagoda add cultural context to the beach day.
• The $110 price covers a lot: Transport, guide, boat, activities, drinks, lunch, safety gear, and city stops are included, but the private-tour wording deserves clarification.

Why this seven-hour day works

This is not simply a beach transfer. The appeal is the change of pace. You begin at Sihanoukville’s port, see working coastal life, spend several hours on the water, then return to town for a market and pagoda.

I like that balance. A boat-only trip can leave you knowing little about the place you visited. Here, the fishing village and floating houses give you a quick look at how people live and work along the coast. The final stop at Wat Leu gives you a broad view over Sihanoukville, so you can put the town’s busy development into perspective.

The day is also built for people who want activity without a packed schedule. You can fish, snorkel, swim, and walk on the beach, but there is plenty of sitting, eating, and looking out over the water.

At the same time, this is not a luxury cruise. You should expect a basic wooden fishing boat, salt water, sun, and practical rather than polished facilities. That can be part of the charm, but it matters if you prefer air-conditioned transport and carefully timed stops.

Meeting at Gate 1 and seeing coastal Sihanoukville

If you arrive by ship, meet the guide outside the main port gate 1. A free shuttle bus runs from the ship to gate 1, and the guide waits with a sign showing your name.

That arrangement is simple, but allow enough time to leave the ship and reach the gate. The advertised return is by 4:00 PM, making this a shore excursion designed around a port schedule. Still, you should confirm the day’s timing before you leave the ship, especially if your vessel has strict boarding rules.

The first sightseeing stop is a fishing village with floating houses. This is one of the more useful parts of the day because it shows Sihanoukville beyond beaches and resort construction. You may see the practical side of coastal life before heading out to sea.

The route then continues to Otres pier. From there, you board the boat for the island portion. Transport is included, so you do not need to arrange a separate taxi from the port.

What the fishing boat is really like

One particularly detailed outing used a traditional wooden fishing vessel about 40 feet long, powered by two car engines. That description tells you what to expect: a working boat adapted for sightseeing, rather than a purpose-built yacht.

For some people, this is exactly the right setting. You are closer to the sea, the equipment, and the fishing process. The guide can explain the activity as the boat heads offshore, and fishing becomes more than a staged photo stop.

For others, the boat may feel basic. Bring sunscreen, a hat, a towel, and a change of clothes. The supplied lifejackets and first-aid kits are important comforts, but you should still prepare for spray, heat, and wet footwear.

The tour includes unlimited drinks on the boat, with soft drinks, mineral water, and beer listed with the BBQ meal. There is an inconsistency in the supplied information: the rules also say alcohol is not allowed. Ask the operator what drinks are permitted on your departure instead of assuming beer will be served.

Fishing and snorkeling near Koh Chalous

Koh Chalous is presented as the first island stop, where you can snorkel and fish from the boat. The fishing is done by line, and one recent trip produced enough fish to add to the meal later in the day.

Fishing is a good fit for this trip because it gives you something to do while moving between islands. You do not need to be an expert. The crew explains the basics, and the pace is casual.

Snorkeling is more dependent on conditions. One guide tried several locations so a participant who was having trouble seeing coral and fish could have a better look. That shows useful flexibility, but it also tells you not to expect a fixed underwater site with guaranteed visibility.

Snorkeling gear is provided, and you may bring your own if you prefer. Non-swimmers should not book this activity. Even if you plan to stay on the boat, the tour is built around water activities, and the operator specifically lists non-swimmers and people prone to seasickness among those for whom it is not suitable.

Koh Takeiv and the beach lunch

The advertised second island is Koh Takeiv, described as having a beautiful sandy beach for swimming and relaxation. The planned departure from Koh Takeiv is around 1:30 PM, with arrival at Otres pier at about 2:20 PM.

The beach is the main reward for the boat ride. You can swim, sit on the sand, and dry off before lunch. One account describes a quiet half-mile beach with very few people, fine sand, and exceptionally clean water. Conditions and crowd levels can vary, but the stop is intended to feel slower and more secluded than the mainland.

Lunch is generous by shore-excursion standards. The BBQ includes squid, shrimp, chicken, beef, bread, salad, and fresh fruit. Fish caught during the outing may also become part of the meal, depending on the catch. Drinks include soft drinks and mineral water, with beer listed as well, though you should clarify the alcohol rule first.

A guide named Sothy has been singled out for grilling food himself and helping people enjoy the meal. He is also described as attentive during snorkeling, answering questions, and making adjustments when someone was not seeing much in the water.

There are limits to the beach setup. Changing facilities have been described as less than ideal, so bring a towel and spare clothes and keep your expectations practical. This is a remote-style beach lunch, not a restaurant with private changing rooms.

The important question: are both islands guaranteed?

This is the biggest point to settle before paying $110. The experience is advertised as a private boat trip to Koh Chalous and Koh Takeiv, but several bookings were described as group outings. Groups of six and ten to twelve people were reported, and two accounts said only one of the two promised islands was visited.

That does not automatically make the day poor. Weather, sea conditions, timing, or local operating decisions can affect a boat route. But the difference between a private trip and a shared boat is important, especially at this price.

Ask these questions before booking:

• Will our party have an exclusive boat?
• How many people are expected on the boat?
• Are both Koh Chalous and Koh Takeiv planned for this date?
• What happens if one island is skipped?
• Is beer available, given the stated no-alcohol rule?

Get the answers in writing if the private boat is the main reason you are booking. The strong experiences came from both small groups and private-style service, but the wording needs to be precise.

Phsar Leu market after the sea

After the boat returns to Otres pier, the tour heads back into town for Phsar Leu local market. This is a short stop for souvenirs and a chance to see a more ordinary side of Sihanoukville.

Do not expect a long shopping session. The market is included as a quick cultural stop after the beach, and personal expenses are not covered. Bring cash if you plan to buy something.

The market also gives the day a better rhythm. After several hours of sun and salt water, you get a change of scene before the final temple visit. Wear shoes that handle walking comfortably, as the tour includes a moderate amount of walking across several stops.

Wat Leu Pagoda and the final view

Wat Leu Pagoda is the last major stop. Its main value here is the view over Sihanoukville and the surrounding area. It is a good place to look back at the route you have taken, from the port and city to the sea beyond.

Dress comfortably and respectfully for the pagoda. The supplied instructions call for suitable walking clothes and shoes, and a hat and sunscreen are essential for the outdoor parts of the day.

This is not a full temple tour, so keep your expectations in line. The stop is primarily about the pagoda and the panoramic view, not a long lesson in Cambodian religious history. Still, it adds a useful sense of place to an outing otherwise focused on swimming and food.

What the $110 price includes

At $110 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a beach. The value comes from the number of separate services bundled into one day:

• Port-area transportation
• A guide
• Boat transport
• Snorkeling and fishing
• Lifejackets and first-aid kits
• Unlimited boat drinks
• Beach BBQ lunch
• Fishing village and floating-house visit
• Phsar Leu market
• Wat Leu Pagoda

If you want only a few hours on the sand, the price may feel high. If you want a guide, food, transport, equipment, city sightseeing, and a boat day without arranging each piece yourself, the package is more reasonable.

The rating of 4.3 from 10 ratings suggests a generally good but not perfectly consistent experience. The strongest outings had attentive guiding, small groups, good food, and a lovely beach. The weaker outings centered on the mismatch between private wording and shared groups, plus missing one of the two islands.

Guide quality and group atmosphere

The guide can shape this day more than any single stop. Sothy is the name most often connected with the better-organized outings. He is described as speaking excellent English, explaining the route, answering questions, helping with snorkeling, and taking an active role in preparing lunch.

English is the standard guide language. German may be available upon request, but confirm this when booking rather than assuming it.

The group size also changes the feel. A six-person outing can feel friendly and easy to manage. A group of ten to twelve may be less personal, especially when boarding, fishing, changing, and getting onto the beach.

The phrase private boat should therefore be treated as a question, not a guarantee. If you are traveling as a couple or family and want a boat just for your party, confirm the arrangement directly.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this day if you want a broad taste of Sihanoukville in one outing. It suits people who enjoy simple boats, casual fishing, beach swimming, and a large outdoor lunch more than people looking for a polished resort excursion.

It is especially useful for cruise passengers because the route begins and ends near the main port and returns by about 4:00 PM. The city stops mean you do not spend the entire shore visit offshore.

You should think twice if you are prone to seasickness, do not swim, have food allergies, or dislike basic changing facilities. The activity is also not suitable for babies under one year or children under 90 centimeters. People with altitude sickness are listed as unsuitable as well, though altitude is not a central feature of this coastal outing.

Pack:

• Hat and sunscreen
• Swimwear and beachwear
• Towel and a change of clothes
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Camera
• Snacks
• Cash for personal purchases

Smoking, littering, alcohol, and drugs are listed as not allowed. Because beer is also listed among the included drinks, confirm the current rule before departure.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a full day with variety: fishing village, wooden boat, snorkeling, fishing, beach, BBQ, market, and pagoda. The food, guide attention, and island beach can make the $110 worthwhile, particularly when the group is small and both island stops operate as planned.

Do not book without clarification if the words private boat and two islands are essential to you. Ask about group size, the exact route, and the alcohol policy first. If the operator confirms a shared boat or a single island, decide if the beach, BBQ, and city stops still justify the cost.

The best version of this experience is a friendly, hands-on coastal day led by a guide such as Sothy. It is not flawless, but it offers more contact with local life and the sea than a simple transfer to a crowded beach.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

The guide waits outside the main port gate 1 with a sign showing your name. A free shuttle bus takes you from your ship to gate 1.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts seven hours. The planned return to the ship is by 4:00 PM.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The advertised route includes Koh Chalous and Koh Takeiv. Confirm both stops before booking because the route may not always include both islands.

Is the boat private?

The experience is advertised with a private boat, but some outings operated as shared group trips of six to twelve people. Confirm the group arrangement directly before booking.

Are snorkeling and fishing included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, fishing activities, lifejackets, and first-aid kits are included.

What food is served?

The beach BBQ includes squid, shrimp, chicken, beef, bread, salad, and fresh fruit. Fish caught during the outing may also be prepared, depending on the catch.

Is the tour suitable for non-swimmers or young children?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for non-swimmers, babies under one year, and children under 90 centimeters. People prone to seasickness and those with food allergies should also avoid it.