Kampi Dolphin Pool

Kampi Dolphin Pool — Quick Facts

What is it?

nature — Cambodia's Best Chance to See a Wild Irrawaddy Dolphin

Where?

Kratie , Cambodia

Entry Fee

Boat trips around $9–10 per person (for 2 people), discounted for groups of 3 or more; children around $5

Opening Hours

Daytime trips, around 60 minutes (dry season) or 90 minutes (wet season, higher water)

Time Needed

1.5–2 hours including travel from Kratie town

Best Time

December to May (dry season) for calmer water and more reliable sightings; early morning or late afternoon for best light

Don't Miss

Watching dolphins surface in open water at one of the most densely populated pools left on the river

What to See at Kampi Dolphin Pool

Wild Irrawaddy Dolphins

The Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is one of the world’s most endangered river dolphin species. The Kampi pool’s deep water makes it a reliable surfacing spot — wooden boats idle nearby while dolphins come and go, occasionally surfacing close enough for an unmistakable, unforgettable sighting.

A Recovering Population

Population counts here are tracked closely by conservation groups: numbers fell to roughly 89 individuals around 2020 after decades of decline, but have since risen — passing 105 by 2023 and topping 110 by 2025, with new calves reported most years. It remains a fragile, actively monitored population rather than a guaranteed wildlife spectacle, but the recovery trend is genuinely encouraging.

The Village of Kampi

The small riverside village of Kampi serves as the boat departure point — a low-key, unhurried contrast to more developed wildlife-tourism sites elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

How to Get to Kampi Dolphin Pool

Kampi is about 15km north of Kratie town.

By tuk-tuk or moto: 20–30 minutes from Kratie town to the boat dock
By bicycle: A flat, manageable ride for travelers who’d rather cycle the riverside road themselves

Best Time to Visit

Visit in the dry season (December–May) for calmer water and the best sighting odds, ideally early morning or late afternoon when dolphin activity tends to be higher and the light is best for photos.

Practical Information

Boat trips cost around $9–10 per person for two people, with per-person rates dropping for larger groups
Trip length varies seasonally — shorter in the dry season’s calmer, lower water, longer when water levels are higher
Boats are wooden and basic; bring a hat and sun protection as there’s little shade on the water
Sightings are likely but not guaranteed — this is wild, free-ranging wildlife, not a managed enclosure

Nearby Attractions

Koh Trong Island and Kratie town’s colonial architecture are both close by, and the Mekong Discovery Trail’s southern end starts from the same town.