The Irrawaddy dolphins who prefer the brackish waters of the Mekong are the pride of Kratie. Unlike the bottle-nosed dolphins that westerners commonly think of when they hear the word dolphin, Irrawaddy dolphins are shy and do not typically swim close to boats.
Boats are available at the Dolphin Pools in Kampee, just north of Kratie, where the guides know just where the dolphins like to swim and follow precautions by turning off the engines and manually steering the boats once inside their habitat. Likewise, a hush falls over the crew and the guests onboard as everyone scans the waters for a glimpse of these amazing creatures.
While the habitat the dolphins live in is fragile and tourism can have a negative impact on the sustainability of the area, the positive side of going to the pools is it helps encourage responsible fishing practices and the money that the sight earns from your visit goes to conservation and local education in the community.
Getting There
[The Mekong Discovery Trail] has great itineraries that are self guided and are especially good for planning a cycling trip to see the dolphins. Also, motos and tuk tuks are available for cheap near town and everyone knows where to take you.
Need to Know
- What it is: A serene pool off of the Mekong just north of Kratie where the Irrawaddy dolphins like to frequent at various times of the day.
- When to go: Go early in the morning or later in the afternoon (anytime after 3pm is ok). Better in the dry season, when the river level is much lower.
- Nearest town: Kampee Village about 20 miles north of Kratie and 290 km northeast of Phnom Penh with very well-paved roads. Buses usually take about 4 hours from Phnom Penh.
- Don’t miss: Dolphins swimming in pairs although they are bashful about swimming too close.
- Trivia: These dolphins can also be found in nearby Myanmar
- Open Hours: From 6:30 morning to just after sundown.
- Entrance fee: The fee to the dolphin pools and/or the boats which get you closer is $7.00. The cost is the same no matter where you chose to watch from. The boat fare is $4 for a 30 km ride.