Cambodia’s coastline runs along the Gulf of Thailand, a warm and sheltered sea studded with islands that receive a fraction of the attention given to Thailand’s better-known destinations. A motor yacht here moves efficiently between Koh Rong, Koh Rong Sanloem, the Koh Sdach Archipelago, and the more remote outer islands of the Cardamom coast. The South East Asian fleet covers everything from sleek modern flybridge cruisers to larger expedition-style motor yachts, with vessels redeploying seasonally between the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. Charter rates run from around 44,000 euros per week at the entry end to over 500,000 euros for the largest vessels. An advance provisioning allowance of roughly 30 percent covers fuel, provisions, crew gratuity, and the minimal port fees in Cambodian waters. The best season runs from November through April, when the northeast monsoon brings dry, settled conditions across the Gulf of Thailand. Sihanoukville is the primary departure point for Cambodian island charters. The most scenic routes head southwest into the Koh Sdach Archipelago, a cluster of 64 islands with almost no tourist infrastructure. Koh Tang, 185 kilometres offshore, is one of the most remote dive destinations in mainland Southeast Asian waters, its reefs largely undisturbed by regular traffic. Closer in, Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem offer long beaches and calm bays for anchoring. A motor yacht gives you the speed and range to combine all of these in a single week, moving between deep-water dive sites and sheltered island bays without sacrificing time.
