INDULGE IN ECO LUXURY & HELP SAVE OCEANS TOO

SONG SAA

One of the most beautiful places to experience the ocean is a place that is committed to keeping our oceans beautiful. Song Saa is more than just an eco-friendly resort. It is a center for ocean conservation and education as well as a major supporter of indigenous communities that live at the edges of the sea.

The award-winning resort spans the two private “sweetheart” islands of Koh Bong and Koh Ouen in Cambodia’s pristine Koh Rong Archipelago. It is at the center of a self-made marine reserve that measures over 1 million square meters.

Beyond the snorkeling, diving, and other watersports you might expect at an island resort, Song Saa offers an incredible night time bioluminescence swim that will enchant you beyond belief.

Kayaking through the mangroves is very trippy too. Take a nature safari on Koh Rong where you will see rare bird species and a series of breathtaking waterfalls. Or just hang out by the crystal clear turquoise ocean edge.

With philanthropy at its core, the Song Saa Resort established the Song Saa Foundation (SSF) which is committed to protecting the ocean habitats and marine life in its home of the Koh Rong Archipelago and all along the Cambodian coastline for future generations to appreciate.

SSF focuses on the impacts of climate change on local environment and local communities. It supports projects that aim to preserve coral, sea turtles, mangroves and seagrass meadows.

If you want to learn more about the ocean and how to help restore its health, Song Saa has a team of marine biologists on staff, recycling and waste initiatives in place, and sustainability projects in nearby villages that can inspire you.

The Song Saa Collective goes beyond sustainable tourism by providing guests with the opportunity to actively take part in, and facilitate, community and conservation projects. Take one of its 4-day philanthropic tours, known as the Journeys of Change  and you’ll work alongside expert conservationists and fellow tour members to promote a sustainable future for the people and places of the Koh Rong Archipelago. Proceeds get funneled right back into SSF initiatives.

You can even offset the carbon dioxide and greenhouse gasses produced on your travel to Song Saa with its local ‘blue carbon” systems.

SSF also has important initiatives that are focused on restoring and growing mangrove forests. Mangrove forests are highly efficient carbon sinks, they provide important buffer from storm erosion, and they are part of vital ecosystems that include thousands of species of marine life. SSF programs plant and sustains thousands of mangrove saplings each year.

And, with dry seasons getting longer and rainy seasons getting shorter, there is an ever increasing lack of fresh water. And warmer temperatures negatively impact the health of local coral reef systems. SSF has established new coral reefs to help replace those killed or damaged.

SFF partners with local and international organizations across a range of platforms, including community fishery committees who oversee the management and governance of designated village fishing areas; not-for-profit organizations including the globally acclaimed conservation body, Fauna & Flora International.

The success SSF efforts and the Song Saa Marine Reserve has been remarkable, with fish stocks and corals steadily recovering. Take a ride on Song Saa’s Boat of Hope, a traditional Cambodian sailing vessel, to see the difference the SSF initiatives are making for the Archipelago and the surrounding ocean.

Learn more about Song Saa in our story: Beautiful Places to Celebrate Mothers

Read more about Ocean Glory all this week on Beautiful Now.

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact Daily Fix posts.

Want more stories like this? Sign up for our weekly BN Newsletter, Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr. Join our BeautifulNow Community and connect with the most beautiful things happening in the world right now!

Do you have amazing photos? Enter them in this week’s BN Photo Competition. We run new creative competitions every week! Now, it’s even easier to enter with the new BeautifulNow App!

Plus check out the rest of our App’s beautiful features. It’s free to download here.

IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: Courtesy of Song Saa Resort. Man practicing yoga at the Song Saa Resort. Song Saa Private Island. Koh Bong & Koh Ouen, Cambodia.
2. Image: Courtesy of Song Saa Resort. "Song Saa Private Island - Facing West to Koh Rong.” Song Saa Private Island. Koh Bong & Koh Ouen, Cambodia.
3. Image: Courtesy of Koh Rong Island. Glowing bioluminescent plankton in the water at Koh Rong Archipelago. Koh Bong & Koh Ouen, Cambodia.
4. Image: Courtesy of Song Saa Resort. Guests relaxing on the beach at the Song Saa Resort. Song Saa Private Island. Koh Bong & Koh Ouen, Cambodia.
5. Courtesy of Vladi Private Islands. “Song Saa Private Island.” Song Saa Private Island. Koh Bong & Koh Ouen, Cambodia.
6. Image: Courtesy of Koh Rong Island. Beautiful glass bottle on beach. Koh Rong Archipelago.  Koh Bong & Koh Ouen, Cambodia.
7. Image: Courtesy of Song Saa Resort. A boat sailing on the water at Song Saa Resort. Song Saa Private Island. Koh Bong & Koh Ouen, Cambodia.
8. Image: Courtesy of Song Saa Resort. A beautiful view of a pool and the ocean at Song Saa Resort. Song Saa Private Island. Koh Bong & Koh Ouen, Cambodia.
9. Image: by Jutta M. Jenning. “Stille-Silence.” Mangrove forest. Cambodia.
10. Image: Courtesy of Song Saa Foundation. A boy rows down the river. Koh Bong & Koh Ouen, Cambodia.
11. Image: by Justin Mott. “Christian and Sarah's Wedding at Song Saa Private Island Resort.” Koh Bong & Koh Ouen, Cambodia.
12. Image: Courtesy of Song Saa Resort. An amazing view of the ocean and a pool at the Song Saa Resort. Song Saa Private Island. Koh Bong & Koh Ouen Cambodia.
13. Image: Courtesy of Song Saa Resort. A beautiful & relaxing view of the ocean at Song Saa Resort. Song Saa Private Island. Koh Bong & Koh Ouen, Cambodia.
14. Image: Courtesy of Song Saa Resort. A beautiful room overlooking the water. Song Saa Private Island. Koh Bong & Koh Ouen, Cambodia.
15. Image: by BN App - Download now!
16. Image: Courtesy of Song Saa Resort. A beautiful view of the water and a bridge at Song Saa Resort. Song Saa Private Island. Koh Bong & Koh Ouen, Cambodia.