Sihanoukville, the coastal town of Cambodia has many reasons why for the last decade tourist numbers have increased year on year. Great weather from October to June, excellent beaches and very reasonably priced. However there is one attraction of Sihanoukville which is overlooked by many backpackers and beach lovers. Kbal Chhay Waterfall is a lush, tropical and seemingly unspoiled area which appears to have gone unnoticed by the hoards of tourists flocking to Sihanoukville.
One reason may be that Kbal Chhay Waterfall is not the easiest place to find, nor is it sign posted as a typical tourist attraction would be.
How to Get There
The waterfall is approximately 16 kilometers out of town. Head towards Route 4, the road in and out of Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh. This national main road may only be two lanes wide however can be incredibly busy with a large number of container trucks bound for the port of Sihanoukvile and therefore a little dangerous. Seven kilometers along Route 4, past gas stations and a shoe factory you will see a left turn with a large and very faded billboard. This long and seemingly endless red dirt road leads to Kbal Chhay Waterfall. The dirt track is about 9 kilometers long and has some amazing photographic opportunities along the way.
If you are feeling daring hire a scooter for the day to drive out to the waterfall yourself. Scooter hire in Sihanoukville costs around $4-5 USD for 24 hours of use and includes a helmet. However it is not legal to drive in Cambodia without a full driving license, the possibility of being stopped is minimal but should you be stopped as a tourist be polite to police and you will only incur a small fine (no more than $5 USD)
If you are not feeling so steady on 2 wheels opt for a tuk tuk. A metal carriage hooked onto the back of a motorbike. To drive out to Kbal Chhay Waterfall and have your driver wait until you are ready to return should cost a total of $20 USD for a round trip regardless of how many people you have in the tuk tuk. However prices in high tourist season can rise to $10 USD per person for a round trip. This will allow you as much time as you wish at the waterfall. It is essential you have your driver wait for you. The waterfall is a long way from civilization as us tourists know it and virtually impossible to return back to town, unless you want to walk through the night!
Along this dirt road is a wooden cabin posing as a ticket office, here you just need to give $1 per person to continue towards the waterfall.
Once you reach Kbal Chhay Waterfall, cross the very basic and rickety bridge and walk along until you find wooden steps leading down to the pools of the waterfall and the waterfall's drop off. A few meters lower than you walked is a haven of wilderness. Smooth boulders to sit and picnic on, fast flowing crystal clear waters and tranquil pools to swim in. It is a heavenly and hidden paradise.
Even though not many tourists have yet discovered this idyllic and spectacular waterfall, the locals are well aware of its presence and often visit on Sundays and during the Water Festival. The water levels change constantly throughout the year. During the months of November to June when tourism is at it's height and temperatures soar the water levels are lower and not so ferocious. During the months of July to October, which is aptly named rainy season the water swells and covers all of the previously exposed boulders. Many people will discourage visiting the waterfall at certain times of the year, however these different stages are all worth seeing and a great sight, no matter what time of year.
However as with most places in Cambodia there are the occasional hawkers, trying to sell fruit and snacks and some cooler boxes selling soft drinks and cans of beer. There is also some litter which is still a problem in Cambodia. However these two small issues are easily out weighed by the sheer vastness and powerfull force of the crystal clear water and the beauty of this natural wonder.
Chloe Batrick - Chloe is from the UK but has spent the last few years travelling spending alot of her time in South East Asia and lived in Cambodia for ...
