Sponge Garden

Sponge Garden is a beginner-friendly dive site near Koh Rong Samloem, Cambodia, where an impressive assemblage of sponge species creates a unique underwater garden at 14 meters depth. Barrel sponges, tube sponges, vase sponges, and encrusting varieties grow in remarkable density on the rocky substrate, forming the site's defining character. These ancient filter-feeders range in color from deep purple and bright orange to pale yellow, creating a vivid palette against the blue water. The sponge structures provide microhabitat for a rich community of small creatures — tiny gobies perch on sponge rims, nudibranchs feed on encrusting species, and shrimp hide within the sponge interiors. Between the sponge formations, hard corals add structural diversity, and schools of tropical fish add movement. Sponge Garden offers a distinctly different diving aesthetic from coral-dominated sites, showcasing an often-overlooked aspect of Indo-Pacific marine biodiversity.