Full Day City Tour with A Boat Trip to 2 Islands

Sihanoukville’s best feature here is the mix of city life and open water. You start with a fishing village, floating houses, and a pagoda, then head out on a traditional 40-foot fishing boat, sometimes described as powered by two car engines. Fishing from the boat before lunch gives the day a real local touch.

I like the freshly cooked beach BBQ, with squid, shrimp, chicken, beef, rice, bread, and fruit. I also like the simple rhythm of the trip: local sights first, then snorkeling, fishing, swimming, and cold drinks on the water. One caution: the tour is sold as a private boat trip, but the group arrangement and island stops may not always match the description, so confirm those details before booking.

Key points to know before you go

• A traditional fishing boat adds local character: One account describes a 40-foot vessel powered by two car engines, with line fishing out at sea before lunch.
• The day combines coast and city: You visit a fishing village, floating homes, Phsar Leu Market, and Wat Leu Pagoda as well as the islands.
• The beach lunch is a major part of the value: BBQ squid, shrimp, chicken, beef, bread, rice, fruit, beer, soft drinks, and water are included.
• Swimming and snorkeling are central activities: Gear and lifejackets are provided, but the tour is not suitable for non-swimmers.
• The timing matters for cruise passengers: You should return to the ship by about 4:00 PM, with the boat due back at Otres Pier around 2:20 PM.
• Clarify the private-tour wording: The trip is advertised as private, but one account describes a group outing and only one island visit.

A seven-hour day split between Sihanoukville and the sea

This is not just a beach transfer. It is a full day built around two very different sides of Sihanoukville Province.

The first part takes you through local life. You meet the guide outside the main port gate 1, where the guide holds a sign with your name. If you arrive by cruise ship, a free shuttle bus takes you from the ship to gate 1, followed by a walk of about five minutes to the meeting point.

From there, transportation takes you toward a fishing village and floating houses. These stops matter because they show how people live and work along the coast, rather than giving you only the polished beach version of Sihanoukville. The visit is fairly brief, but it gives the day some local context before you head toward the water.

You then travel to Otres Pier for the boat. The day’s schedule leaves little room for delay, so keep your belongings ready and wear clothes that can handle sand, salt water, and a little walking.

The fishing boat ride to Koh Chalous

The boat trip is the heart of the outing. The tour information calls it a private boat ride, while a detailed account describes a traditional 40-foot fishing vessel with two car engines. That detail tells you what kind of day this is: practical and local, not a sleek luxury cruise.

You can fish from the boat and snorkel during the sea portion. Fishing is more than a spare activity here. One account describes catching enough fish to contribute to the later meal, which gives the lunch a pleasant connection to the water around you. Catching anything is never guaranteed, of course, but the activity adds more interest than simply sitting on a boat.

Unlimited drinks are included while you are on the boat. The stated choices include soft drinks, beer, and mineral water. You still need to bring sunscreen, and a hat is especially useful because shade may not cover every seat.

Koh Chalous is listed as the first island stop. The emphasis is on snorkeling and fishing rather than a long beach stay. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, although you can bring your own if you prefer. Lifejackets and first-aid kits are also provided.

The sea conditions will affect how comfortable this part feels. The outing is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, and that warning is worth taking seriously. If boats usually trouble you, sit where you can get fresh air, avoid a heavy meal before departure, and consider whether a full day on the water is a wise choice.

Koh Takeiv, swimming, and time on the sand

After snorkeling and fishing, the boat continues to Koh Takeiv. This island is presented as the main beach stop, with clear water and sandy shore for swimming and rest.

You can expect a relaxed beach break rather than a tightly scheduled list of activities. Swim, sit on the sand, take photographs, or simply cool off after the boat ride. One short account praised the swimming, while another description of the beach calls it a quiet stretch of sand. The exact level of seclusion can change, so do not book this expecting a guaranteed deserted island.

The island stop is also where the schedule becomes important. The listed departure from Koh Takeiv is 1:30 PM, with arrival at Otres Pier around 2:20 PM. That leaves a limited window for swimming and lunch, especially if the boat runs late or the sea is rough.

Bring swimwear, a towel, and a complete change of clothes. A cold face towel is included and should be welcome after time in the sun. Pack your camera in a waterproof bag or other protection, since this is a wet, sandy day.

The beach BBQ with seafood, meat, and fruit

Lunch is served on the beach and is included in the $110 price. The menu lists squid, shrimp, chicken, beef, bread, rice, and fresh fruit. Beer, soft drinks, and mineral water are also included, along with the drinks served on the boat.

I see this meal as one of the stronger parts of the package. You do not need to find a restaurant between the boat and the afternoon city stops, and the food fits the setting. Eating grilled seafood beside the water feels more connected to the coastal character of the area than a standard restaurant lunch.

If you have food allergies, this is not the right tour according to the supplied conditions. The food is not presented as a customized allergy-safe menu, so do not assume substitutions will be available. People who do not eat seafood should also ask about the menu before paying, since squid and shrimp are central to the advertised BBQ.

The lunch also makes the fishing element more memorable. If fish are caught during the outing, they may become part of the meal, though this should not be treated as a promise. The tour includes the listed BBQ regardless.

Returning to Sihanoukville by way of Phsar Leu Market

Once you leave Koh Takeiv, the boat returns to Otres Pier. From there, the city portion continues with a visit to Phsar Leu local market.

This is your chance to buy souvenirs and see ordinary commercial life in Sihanoukville. The market stop is not a major sightseeing monument, and that is part of its usefulness. You can browse local goods, pick up a small reminder of Cambodia, or simply observe the rhythm of shopping after a morning at sea.

Bring cash for personal purchases. Personal expenses are not included, and the supplied information specifically recommends cash. Keep your spending time under control, because the final pagoda stop and return to the ship are tied to a fairly firm afternoon schedule.

The market may feel less exciting after the islands if you want a full day of beach time. For me, though, the change of scene helps make this a city-and-coast tour rather than just another island excursion.

Wat Leu Pagoda and the view over town

The last major stop is Wat Leu Pagoda. The stated purpose is to see the view over Sihanoukville, so this is more about the setting and outlook than a long temple visit.

Wear comfortable shoes. The day includes a moderate amount of walking, and the pagoda stop may involve uneven surfaces or steps. A hat and sunscreen remain useful even after the boat portion.

The pagoda gives you a final look at the town from above before returning to the port. It also adds a cultural stop to a day that could otherwise be dominated by swimming and food. Dress respectfully when visiting, and follow the guide’s directions around the religious site.

The expected return to the ship is by 4:00 PM. Cruise passengers should treat this timing as important rather than casual. Delays at sea, traffic, or a slow return from the market can reduce your margin, so tell the guide clearly if you have a strict ship departure time.

What the $110 price really covers

At $110 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a beach. The value comes from the number of separate services bundled together: transportation, a guide, the boat, snorkeling and fishing, lifejackets, a first-aid kit, drinks, lunch, the market, and the pagoda.

You are paying for convenience as much as for the islands. Without a package, you would need to arrange port pickup, transport to Otres Pier, a boat, food, equipment, and a way back to the ship. For a cruise passenger with only one day in Sihanoukville, that coordination has real value.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a quiet beach and do not care about the market, fishing village, or pagoda. It is also less attractive if the private boat promise is important to you and the actual outing is shared with a group.

The most important value question is what kind of private experience you expect. A private boat may mean a boat reserved for your booking, but the available information includes a direct account describing a group tour. Ask whether the boat, guide, and full itinerary are exclusive to your party before you commit.

Guide, language, and practical comfort

The listed live guide language is English, with English or German available upon request. A guide named Sothy has been associated with the outing. Since guide assignments can change, you should confirm the language and guide when booking if those details matter to you.

The guide’s role covers the port meeting, local stops, boat transfer, activities, and return timing. This is useful on a day with several moving parts, especially when the boat leaves and returns at set times.

The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, people with food allergies, people prone to seasickness, or people with altitude sickness. The altitude warning seems less relevant to a coastal island trip, but it is part of the stated restrictions and should not be ignored if it applies to you.

Children under 3 feet, or 90 centimeters, and babies under one year are not accepted. Smoking, drugs, alcohol brought outside the tour, and littering are not allowed. Alcohol supplied with the meal and on the boat is included, but the rules still prohibit bringing or using drugs and smoking.

Pack a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, beachwear, a towel, spare clothes, a camera, snacks, and cash. Comfortable walking shoes work better than flip-flops for the village, market, and pagoda. Snorkeling gear is supplied, but your own mask may fit better if you already have one.

The biggest question: two islands or one?

The itinerary promises Koh Chalous and Koh Takeiv. That is a strong selling point, but you should confirm it directly because one account describes seeing only one island and says the beach could be reached by swimming from the boat.

This may reflect changing sea conditions, timing, boat operations, or a difference between the advertised plan and the actual day. It does not mean the trip will always skip an island. It does mean you should not treat the two-island route as guaranteed unless the operator confirms the plan for your date.

The same issue applies to the word private. The package describes a private boat trip, while one account says the outing was shared. Get clear answers about group size, boat exclusivity, both island stops, and the lunch timing.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking make it easier to keep plans flexible. Those policies help, but they do not replace checking the important operational details.

Who should book this Sihanoukville tour?

I would recommend this outing to cruise passengers and first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to Sihanoukville in one day. You get local sights, a fishing village, two proposed islands, water activities, lunch, and a pagoda without arranging each piece yourself.

It suits confident swimmers who enjoy a full schedule and do not mind spending several hours on a working-style fishing boat. Seafood lovers should be particularly happy with the BBQ menu.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet, carefully controlled private charter, dislike boats, or need a guaranteed allergy-safe meal. I would also hesitate if your main goal is a long, unhurried beach stay, since the island portion is tied to a return schedule.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want variety and value from one shore day. The combination of fishing, snorkeling, a beach BBQ, Phsar Leu Market, and Wat Leu Pagoda gives you more context than a simple island transfer.

Before paying, confirm four details: the exact group size, whether both Koh Chalous and Koh Takeiv will be visited, whether the boat is exclusive to your party, and the guide language. If those answers suit you, the $110 package can be a practical way to see both the coast and the town in seven hours.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about seven hours. The stated schedule has the boat leaving Koh Takeiv at 1:30 PM, reaching Otres Pier around 2:20 PM, and returning you to the ship by about 4:00 PM.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet the guide outside the main port gate 1. The guide will hold a sign with your name. Cruise passengers can use the free shuttle bus from the ship to gate 1, then walk about five minutes to the meeting point.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The planned route includes Koh Chalous and Koh Takeiv. Because one account describes visiting only one island, confirm the exact route before booking.

Is the boat trip private?

The tour is described as a private boat trip, but the available information also includes an account describing a group outing. Ask the operator to confirm whether the boat is exclusive to your party.

What food is included?

The beach BBQ includes squid, shrimp, chicken, beef, bread, rice, and fresh fruit. Soft drinks, beer, and mineral water are also included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, lifejackets, and first-aid kits are provided. You may bring your own snorkeling equipment if you prefer.

Is this tour suitable for non-swimmers?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for non-swimmers. Swimming and snorkeling are important parts of the island portion.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, beachwear, a towel, a change of clothes, a camera, snacks, comfortable walking shoes, and cash for personal expenses or souvenirs.