Kratie Irrawaddy Dolphins
Also known as: Kampi dolphin pool, Mekong dolphins
One of the last wild Mekong Irrawaddy dolphin pools, from small paddle boats
The encounter
Species / spectacle: Mekong subpopulation of Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), shy and non-acrobatic surfacing to breathe; roughly a few dozen animals remain in the reach.
How you see it: boat
Typical duration: About 1 to 1.5 hours on the water, plus short transfer from Kratie; often a half-day outing overall.
When to go
Dry season roughly Dec-May gives calmer, lower water and easier sightings; viewing runs year round.
High most months at the resident Kampi pool; slightly harder in high-water wet months Jun-Oct (Confirm.).
Best time of day: Early morning and late afternoon are calmest with best light and most surface activity.
Lower dry-season water concentrates dolphins in the pool for closer, more reliable surfacing.
Sightings are seasonal probabilities, not promises - even in peak season nature does its own thing.
Who it suits
Difficulty (1-5): 1 (none)
Physical demand: Minimal exertion; sit in a small wooden or motor boat. Suitable for most ages with basic mobility to board a low boat.
Accessibility & group fit: Good for families and mixed-ability groups; boats are small so passengers board from a riverbank pier. Not wheelchair adapted.
Options for a mixed group: Boats seat only a handful of people each, so larger parties are split across several boats leaving together.
Permits & responsible travel
Regulation / permits / fees: Ticketed site with per-person entry plus boat hire; fees around 7-10 USD range reported and payable at the booth (Confirm.).
Guide / crew: Licensed local boatman required; no independent boating. Naturalist guides optional from Kratie tour desks.
Keep noise and speed down, do not chase or feed dolphins, and support gill-net-free conservation efforts; choose operators respecting distance rules.
Permits, fees and quotas change - confirm before booking.
Safety & hazards
River currents, sun and heat exposure; wear the provided life jacket. Encounter success depends on wild animals so sightings are not guaranteed.
Weather / conditions: Strong midday sun and heat; wet-season river currents and rain squalls can shorten trips.
Basic; nearest hospital in Kratie town. No dedicated river rescue - carry own first aid.
Getting there & staying
Access logistics: Reach Kratie by road or bus from Phnom Penh or Stung Treng, then tuk-tuk or moto about 15 km north to the Kampi ticket pier.
Accommodation / camping: Guesthouses and small hotels in Kratie town and on nearby Koh Trong island; no camping at the viewing site.
Gear / water / connectivity: Bring sun protection, water and a hat; mobile coverage generally available near Kratie, patchier on the river.
Facilities: Basic ticket booth, parking and simple riverside stalls; limited restrooms.
Crowds / solitude: Can be busy midday with tour groups; early or late trips are quieter.
Operators & guiding
Nearby operators / hubs: Kratie town guesthouses, tuk-tuk drivers and CBET Kampi community boats; WWF-Cambodia active in the area.
Guided trips / outfitters: Local Kratie tour desks and community boat associations arrange trips; book on arrival.
Operators change - confirm current licensing before you book.
Live conditions & sources
Recent sightings and today's conditions are a runtime layer - check the sources: https://www.wwf.org.kh/our_work/diving_into_the_mekong_irrawaddy_river_dolphins/ ; https://www.tourismcambodia.com/travelguides/provinces/kratie/what-to-see/117_irrawaddy-dolphins.htm
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand wildlife report. Coordinates are approximate.