Tatai Waterfall

Tatai Waterfall — Quick Facts

What is it?

nature — Kayak Through the Cardamoms to a Jungle Waterfall

Where?

Koh Kong , Cambodia

Entry Fee

No formal entry fee; guided kayak or boat trips from riverside lodges typically cost $5–15 per person

Opening Hours

Daylight excursions

Time Needed

Half day

Best Time

Dry season for a calm, swimmable pool; wet season for maximum flow and drama

Don't Miss

Paddling the final stretch through a narrowing jungle channel to swim beneath the falls

What to See at Tatai Waterfall

The River Paddle

Most visits begin not at the falls but on the water — a kayak or longtail boat trip along the Tatai River from one of its riverside eco-lodges, drifting beneath limestone cliffs draped in rainforest. The approach is as much the experience as the destination.

The falls themselves are a broad, multi-tiered cascade with a swimmable pool at the base — most powerful and photogenic in the wet season, calmer and more swimmable once the dry season sets in.

The Eco-Lodge River

A handful of lodges — including Rainbow Lodge and a floating lodge run by 4 Rivers — sit directly on the riverbank, some of the most atmospheric overnight stays in Cambodia, with night kayaking and mangrove wildlife-spotting on offer beyond the waterfall trip itself.

How to Get to Tatai Waterfall

The river and its lodges sit off the main coastal road, roughly 30–45 minutes from Koh Kong town by road, followed by a short boat transfer.

From Koh Kong town: Arrange transport and a boat/kayak trip through any riverside lodge
From Sihanoukville: Around 2.5–3 hours by road, often combined with a Koh Kong/Cardamoms overnight trip
Self-drive: Possible by motorbike to a lodge dock, then onward by boat or kayak

Best Time to Visit

Visit in the wet season (roughly May–October) for the falls at their most dramatic, or the dry season for calmer water that’s easier and safer to swim in.

Practical Information

No standard entrance ticket — costs are bundled into lodge activities or independent boat hire
Bring reef-safe sunscreen and insect repellent for the river and surrounding jungle
Non-lodge guests can usually still arrange a paddle/boat trip to the falls for a small surcharge
Currents pick up after heavy rain — ask lodge staff about conditions before swimming

Nearby Attractions

Botum Sakor National Park and the Chi Phat eco-trekking village are both within range for travelers basing themselves in the Tatai/Koh Kong area for a longer Cardamom Mountains itinerary.