Last Tree

Last Tree is an advanced dive site on the western coast of Koh Rong Samloem, Cambodia, where the island's fringing reef meets the open waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Descending to 13 metres, this site presents more challenging conditions than the sheltered eastern sites, with stronger currents and more exposed surface conditions that demand confident diving skills. The site's intriguing name refers to a prominent lone tree on the headland above, which serves as a natural landmark for boat captains navigating to the dive site. Below the waterline, the landscape is equally distinctive, with a series of rocky ridges running perpendicular to the shore, creating natural channels where current funnels between formations. These current channels are the site's main attraction, as the water movement concentrates marine life along the ridges. Soft corals and sea fans orient themselves to face the flow, their polyps extended to capture passing plankton. The rocky ridges support encrusting sponges in vivid yellows and purples, while crinoids perch on prominent coral outcrops with their feathery arms spread wide. The enhanced water flow brings larger fish to Last Tree. Schools of trevally occasionally sweep through, and solitary barracuda patrol the reef edges. Cuttlefish are regular inhabitants, their remarkable colour-changing abilities providing endless fascination as they hover over the coral rubble zones. Lionfish station themselves beneath overhangs, their ornate fins fanned out as they wait for prey to drift within striking distance. Diving here requires careful planning around tidal movements. Slack tide offers the calmest conditions, while incoming and outgoing tides can produce currents that make the site unsuitable for less experienced divers. The reward for timing it right is a dive site with noticeably more action than the calmer bay sites. Last Tree is best dived during the dry season from November to May, when visibility peaks and surface conditions allow comfortable boat access to this more exposed stretch of coastline.