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.
Evening condition tracking at Back Door features an air temperature of 29.3°C. We have recorded wave heights measuring 0.46m during this period. These figures outline the environmental parameters currently present.
Dive Site Coordinates
10.6211, 103.2895
Dive Site Characteristics
Key Dive Site Facts
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.
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 27.2°C to 29.1°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 0.45 meters / 1.5 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.
Climate Historical Averages
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
No verified equipment items yet.
Verified equipment recommendations for this dive site are being reviewed and may be added as additional source checks are completed.
Recommended Dive Suit
Comfort levels can also depend on how active a diver is during the dive.
The water around Back Door is currently holding at approximately 31°C (88°F), setting the tone for today's dives. Surface air temperatures are resting at 29°C (85°F). When water temperatures fall within this range, many divers dive comfortably with dive skin or rash guard. A hood or vest is suggested for sensitive divers due to surface winds.
Weather projections show fairly stable environmental conditions ahead.
Conditions last reviewed: 18:00 using the latest environmental data.
Dive Logistics & Preparation
Hyperbaric Chamber
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Entry Requirements
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Currency
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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.
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Frequently 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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