Diving atBack Door (Cambodia)
Back Door offers a shallow reef profile, generally staying between 5 and 15 meters / 16 and 49 feet. This accessibility suits various certification levels, providing ample bottom time for exploration. Divers descend via a mooring line into a gentle sandy expanse, transitioning to a compact reef. Forgiving depths support comfortable macro and reef observations without demanding advanced depth proficiencies.
Tonight's objective overview for Back Door shows an air temperature of 30°C. The measured surface conditions include wave heights around 0.1 m. This environmental data is logged for the close of the day.
Dive Site Location & Key Facts
Everything you need to know about this dive site.
Dive Site Overview
The underwater topography at Back Door unfolds as a substantial reef system, tracing its path from M’pai Bay village along the north-western side of Koh Rong Sanloem island. Divers initiate their exploration with a boat trip to a designated mooring buoy, then make a controlled line descent into the water, typically encountering depths between 5 and 15 meters / 16 and 49 feet.
The shallower reaches of the reef are marked by impressive large boulders, providing structure and hiding spots for marine life. Moving deeper, these give way to more concentrated coral formations, creating a richer tapestry for observation. A distinctive cliff-like overhang forms a natural landmark, offering both shelter and a point of interest for divers to investigate, often attracting schooling fish.
This compact reef area also integrates a unique concrete block section. This man-made structure has become well-established, frequently covered with vibrant gorgonian corals and acting as a magnet for various schooling fish.
Adjacent to this, the surrounding reef sections boast a diverse array of hard and soft corals, contributing to the site's overall biodiversity. The site’s varied contours encourage a relaxed pace of diving.
This allows ample time for appreciating the different structural elements and carefully searching for the smaller, intricate marine life. Given its expansive nature, Back Door supports multiple dives, with new features and creatures often discovered on successive visits. The clear, easy-to-navigate routes further facilitate unhurried and rewarding underwater exploration.
Back Door
Conditions are Good
Best Dive Window
Optimal conditions expected
Current conditions near Back Door show 30° air, 30° sea temperature, 0.3 m waves, and 22 km/h wind. Forecast data is refreshed regularly to ensure accuracy.
Best Time to Dive
Visibility at Back Door is not consistently reported and can vary considerably, ranging from 5 to 25 meters / 16 to 82 feet depending on the month and local conditions. Optimal diving is generally found during the drier season from January through April, and again in December, when dive scores are excellent. During these months, average air temperatures range comfortably from 27°C to 29°C / 81°F to 84°F, and rainfall is minimal, typically less than 3 mm per month. These conditions often coincide with calmer sea states and reduced wave heights, generally below 0.5 meters / 1.6 feet. While visibility tends to improve in calmer conditions, specific reports suggest peaks from February to April and in September, contrasting with lower visibility in January, October, and November. The monsoon season from May to November brings increased rain and wave heights, potentially impacting underwater clarity, although moderate conditions can still be expected in certain months like May, June, August, and October.
PEAK SEASON SCORE
Scores combine air & water temps, waves, wind & rainfall for overall conditions.
BEST MONTHS TO DIVE
Monthly records compiled from satellite and marine observation nodes over the last 3 years. Data provided by Open-Meteo and MET Norway.
Dive Experience & Conditions
Current dynamics at Back Door are typically mild, with reports indicating little to slight current. While some accounts suggest variations up to 1-2 knots, divers can generally anticipate calm conditions that support leisurely exploration. Entry is straightforward, requiring a boat trip to a mooring buoy followed by a line descent, making it accessible even for less experienced divers. Underwater, water temperature is reliably warm, fluctuating between 26-30°C / 79-86°F. Such inviting temperatures often eliminate the need for thick wetsuits. A shallow boat dive profile characterizes the site, maintaining depths between 5 and 14 meters / 16 and 46 feet. It's a compact reef experience that benefits from easy pacing and meticulous buoyancy control, especially over the delicate coral areas.
Dive Difficulty & Safety Guidelines
Diving here is generally straightforward, but maintaining good buoyancy control is essential to protect the healthy coral structures. Extreme hazards are not consistently reported for this site. Divers should plan their entry and exit using the mooring buoy and descent line for a controlled start and ascent. It's advisable to keep a steady hover above sandy patches and the reef, preventing accidental contact. Due to the reef's compact nature, local operator support is the normal setup, ensuring knowledgeable guidance and site management. Planning with a local dive center is recommended to ensure familiarity with daily conditions and any localized guidelines.
Recommended Equipment
Current and surface separation risk. Local briefing strongly recommended.
- Dive Computer
- DSMB
- Reel / Spool
This gear list is based on verified equipment signals for Back Door, Cambodia. Always confirm final gear choices with your dive operator, guide, or liveaboard.
Recommended Dive Suit
Conditions in the coming days are expected to stay within a similar temperature range.
Factors such as dive duration, depth, and activity level can influence how warm a diver feels underwater.
Dive skin or rash guard typically balances flexibility and thermal protection in these temperatures. A hood or vest is suggested for sensitive divers due to surface winds. Divers preparing to enter the water at Back Door will likely find temperatures around 30°C (87°F) today. Surface air temperatures are resting at 30°C (86°F).
Emergency & Medical Support
Essential information to help you plan your dive trip to Back Door.
Hyperbaric chambers are a critical part of dive safety infrastructure. Availability varies significantly by region, and not all dive areas have immediate access.
Before diving, it's recommended to:
- confirm nearest medical facilities
- check emergency procedures with local dive operators
- ensure dive insurance covers evacuation if required
Divers Alert Network
Diving emergency assistance available through DAN World.
+1-919-684-9111- 24/7 emergency hotline
- Diving medical assistance
- Evacuation coordination
Emergency contacts are provided for reference. Always verify local emergency services before diving.
Marine Life at Back Door
Upon descending, divers often first notice schooling fish gathered around reef structures and the concrete block. Keep an eye out for pufferfish, a common sight moving through the corals. A great variety of marine life inhabits this site, including stingrays, sometimes seen resting on the sandy bottom or gliding over the reef. Lucky divers might spot cobias and barracudas, particularly near the cliff-like overhangs. Smaller creatures like nudibranchs, pipefish, and various shrimp are also present, rewarding careful observation among the healthy coral.
Dive Sites Near Back Door
View all dive sites in CambodiaDiscover more underwater gems in this area.
Dive Centers Near Back Door
Working Hours
Today: 08:00 - 18:00
Scuba Nation Diving Centre Cambodia
Watersports Cambodia Dive Centre
Koh Rong Dive Center
Cambodia Diving Group
Blue Lagoon Divers Cambodia
Khmer Dive Group
Freedom Dive Center
Nearest Airports
Nearest airports to help plan travel to this dive area.
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Search Flights on ExpediaFrequently Asked Questions
Is Back Door a boat or shore dive?
It's exclusively a boat dive. Access involves a short ride to a mooring buoy, followed by a controlled descent down a line.
How deep is Back Door?
The site features a shallow profile, with reported depths ranging from 5 to 15 meters / 16 to 49 feet. This depth range makes it suitable for divers of varying experience levels.
What current conditions should I expect?
Current at Back Door is generally mild, typically described as little to slight. While some reports mention up to 1-2 knots, divers can usually anticipate calm conditions ideal for relaxed exploration.
What marine life can I typically see?
Divers commonly encounter schooling fish, pufferfish, and sometimes stingrays. The reef also hosts cobias, barracudas, various shrimp, nudibranchs, and clownfish.
Is Back Door suitable for beginners?
Yes, its shallow depth profile and generally mild current make it very suitable for beginner and open water certified divers. The site's easy boat access and line descent simplify the experience.
What makes the entry at Back Door easy?
Entry simplifies by using a boat to reach a mooring buoy, allowing for a controlled line descent. Such a method avoids challenging shore entries and provides a direct route to the dive site.
What's the best time to dive for good visibility?
Optimal conditions for visibility are often found during the dry season, from January to April and in December, which generally means calmer seas. Specific reports indicate good visibility peaks from February to April and in September.
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Back Door
Conditions are Good
Best Dive Window
Optimal conditions expected
Current conditions near Back Door show 30° air, 30° sea temperature, 0.3 m waves, and 22 km/h wind. Forecast data is refreshed regularly to ensure accuracy.