At Song Saa Private Island, we consider this proof that regeneration is possible. As the country’s only luxury resort with marine conservation at its core, we’ve worked since 2006 to give these reefs the space they need to regenerate.
Our private island escape now lies within Cambodia’s first Marine Protected Area, which we helped establish, and the coral bloom – observed regularly by our in-house conservation team – is one of our proudest successes.
Whether you’re a diver, snorkeller or curious soul seeking sustainable ocean tourism, our reef-friendly resort offers the chance to engage with Cambodia’s healthiest reefs steps from your oceanfront villa. And for those who wish to support ocean conservation further, there are plenty of ways to get involved during your stay.
While basking beside your private plunge pool at our Cambodia eco resort, you may spot a kingfisher torpedoing into the shallows or our resident pink-and-green pigeons raiding the palm trees. But the real spectacle begins underwater.
Surrounding our luxury resort in Cambodia, the house reef is a thriving marine sanctuary. When our founder Melita Koulmandas purchased the island in 2006, the surrounding reefs were severely degraded. Through the work of the Song Saa Foundation, we’ve helped establish the country’s first no-take zone, restored mangrove forests and worked with local chiefs to inspire community-led ocean stewardship.
Today, our eco resort reef protection zone is a natural city of towers, ledges and crevices that offer shelter and breeding grounds to countless marine creatures. As you float over our house reef you’ll spot encrusted scorpion fish, comical pufferfish and dazzling parrot fish to name just a few of our colourful neighbours.
You can explore the reef any time during your stay but we highly recommend booking a 45-minute snorkelling session with one of the marine biologists from the Song Saa Foundation for deeper insight.
As a luxury resort with marine conservation at its core, reef regeneration is one of the keystones of our missions. “The best thing you can do for a reef is leave it alone.” says Claire Ogg, programme manager of the Song Saa Foundation. “By protecting it, you give it the space to regenerate. We ask all our guests to use reef-friendly products during their stay and opt for rash vests rather than sun cream where possible.”
Having been protected for decades, the reef is once again home to high structural and genetic diversity, a rare distinction in this part of the world. Boulder-like porites spp corals dominate the seascape, interspersed with delicate branches of Acropora spp and sculptural Pavona spp to form a thriving, complex ecosystem.
But climate stressors such as warming sea temperatures remain a global threat. Following a major global bleaching event in 2019, our marine team began developing a coral nursery designed to strengthen the resilience of our reefs. Fragments from bleaching-resistant colonies across the archipelago were brought into our reserve and cultivated on artificial frames in shallow water.
Fragments from bleaching-resistant colonies across the archipelago were brought to our no-take zone and cultivated on artificial frames. These genetically diverse survivors are helping to rebuild a stronger, more climate-resilient reef. Guests can visit the nursery during a guided snorkelling trip, with the fee directly contributing to our reef-friendly resort’s conservation work.
Beyond our island, we monitor biodiversity at 20 reef sites throughout the Koh Rong Archipelago. This data, collected annually, is shared with Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment and used to evaluate the effectiveness of marine protection measures.
We also invest in local capacity building, training divers throughout the archipelago to support marine conservation in Cambodia by collecting data.
Mangroves fringe our private island in Cambodia and their intricate roots offer a vital refuge for juvenile fish, who shelter from predators before venturing out to the reefs.
Seagrass beds play a key role in carbon sequestration and are essential for biodiversity, which is why the Song Saa Foundation actively protects them. Our team maps and monitors these valuable meadows using GPS and underwater surveys. The data is compiled into technical reports that are shared with government agencies, partners and community members.
For us, local ownership of the marine environment is crucial – how can we love something we’re completely disconnected from? – Community fishery officers are dedicated volunteers elected by their own villages to patrol the waters around the archipelago reporting illegal fishing. We’ve teamed up with this existing community resource by training them in seagrass data collection and are working towards empowering them to train others in their village. Our vision is for marine conservation in Cambodia to be in the hands of those who depend on the sea the most.
At our sustainability centre on Koh Rong, Sala Song Saa, we run English classes with an environment theme five days a week. Through interactive lessons on coral bleaching, biodiversity and ocean health, we aim to nurture not just knowledge but critical thinking and leadership skills in local children. At our reef-friendly resort, we feel that true regeneration means not just restoring ecosystems but giving people the tools to thrive alongside them.
From paddling around the island’s mangroves by kayak armed with a snorkel for impromptu dips or experiencing the magic of swimming in bioluminescence beneath the full moon, our marine adventures have been thoughtfully curated to deepen your connection with nature. Wether you’re a conservation enthusiast or dipping your toes into sustainable ocean tourism for the first time, our resident marine biologists are here to help you get the most from your trip – and perhaps more importantly, to give back while you’re here.
After a day spent connecting with the coral, you’ll return to a seafood-sensitive dinner under the stars and a peaceful evening at your oceanfront villa.
Ready to experience life on our private island? Koh Rong is calling. Book your stay and become part of this extraordinary place’s regenerative story.
