Corner Bar

Corner Bar is the deepest dive site in the Koh Rong Samloem area, descending to 16 metres along the island's western coast in Cambodia's Gulf of Thailand. This advanced-level site earns its rating through a combination of greater depth, stronger currents, and more exposed conditions than the sheltered eastern bays. The name evokes the site's position at a prominent bend in the island's coastline, where the reef structure turns a corner and the seafloor drops away more steeply than elsewhere around the island. This geographical feature creates a natural funnel for current, which accelerates around the headland and brings nutrient-rich water sweeping across the reef. The deeper sections of Corner Bar reveal some of the best soft coral growth in the Koh Rong archipelago. Large gorgonian sea fans spread their lacework branches perpendicular to the current, their vibrant reds and oranges standing out against the blue water background. Barrel sponges of impressive size anchor themselves to the rocky substrate, while black coral bushes add darker accents to the reef's colour palette. The current-swept environment attracts larger pelagic species that are rarely seen at the shallower sites. Schools of bigeye trevally occasionally form impressive baitballs near the point, and reef sharks have been sighted by fortunate divers during early morning descents. Blue-spotted stingrays are common residents, often found resting on the sandy patches between coral formations. The wall-like drop-off on the outer edge of the corner provides excellent opportunities for observing layered reef zonation, from the sunlit coral gardens in the shallows to the deeper sections where sponges and soft corals dominate. This vertical relief also creates thermoclines that are occasionally noticeable as divers descend, with cooler water below indicating upwelling from deeper channels. Corner Bar is best attempted during the dry season from November to April, and divers should plan their visit around slack tide for the most comfortable conditions.