Koh Veal

Koh Veal is an intermediate dive site in Cambodia's outer islands, further offshore from Sihanoukville where clearer waters and stronger currents support more diverse marine ecosystems. The reef around this small island descends to 30 meters over rocky terrain colonized by impressive barrel sponges, gorgonian fans, and healthy hard coral formations. The offshore position brings regular pelagic visitors — schools of barracuda, trevally, and cobia patrol the deeper water, while bamboo sharks and whitetip reef sharks rest on the sandy bottom. The coral diversity is notably richer than inshore sites, with table corals, branching formations, and soft corals creating a layered habitat. Eagle rays are spotted seasonally, and whale sharks have been reported during plankton-rich periods. Koh Veal represents Cambodia's frontier diving — the offshore sites that reward the longer boat journey with encounters and reef health rarely found closer to the mainland.