Last updated on May 17th, 2026 at 05:37 am
Kratie is absolutely the place to go to see Irrawaddy dolphins! Its safe, its friendly, its a chill town with a few other things to do, and most of all you are more than likely to see the dolphins here – its almost guaranteed.
And there are a few other things to do when you’re in Kratie. The dolphins are of course the number one attraction, but there is an impressive temple or two, and island to go biking on, a night market, chill cafes, and lovely riverside sunsets. Its also a good place for a bit of pampering! So let me give you the low down on this little town.
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Plan for your trip
Flights – use skyscanner or booking.com to find and book your flight – I often find the same flight for a lot cheaper than booking direct with the airline!
Insurance – Use EKTA or SafetyWing. TBH I usually use EKTA – they accept any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling – which is perfect for me!
Accommodation – use booking.com or for a hostel – Hostelworld. I use both.
Internet – buy a yesim eSim or Airalo before you go. I use both depending on where I am going.
Buses, trains, ferries – 12Go is always my first option for buses, ferries and trains
Car rental – use DiscoverCars – they are my ‘go-to’ car rental site
Hiking – I use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – it means you know exactly where you are on the trail and makes getting lost a lot harder!!
Tours and Activities – book with Viator, GetYourGuide, or Eatwith.
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How to get to Kratie
If you really just want to see the dolphins then this 2-day Kratie dolphin tour from Siem Reap will be enough for you and make it very easy to get there!
If you want to go independently then it is a case of buses or a private transfer. I got a bus from Senmonorom to Kratie and then a bus from Kratie to Phnom Penh – I booked it all on 12go and it was very easy. I recommend you do the same!
There are private transfer options on 12go but there is also this interesting sounding private transfer tour – Exploring from Phnom Penh to Kratie which has a stop in Kampong Cham where you can visit the Spider and Insect Food market, and the Nokor Bachey Temple amongst other things.
The best things to do in Kratie – for a fun and chill time!
The main drawcard is of course the Mekong river and its Irrawaddy dolphins, but I found there was more to it than that, and I really could have stopped for a week to just chill. A great place for a short spell if you are a digital nomad too! These are the best things to do in Kratie – especially for the outdoor types like me!
1. Of course – you want to see the Irrawaddy Dolphins!
In the wet season the chance of seeing the Irrawaddy dolphins in Kratie is about 99%, and its not much lower in the dry season. In the dry season usually the weather is the reason you would miss out – mostly from wind causing waves on the river making it difficult to get around and to see the dolphins.
I went on a kayak tour – this one with guide Borey. It was absolutely the best tour. Borey spoke great English and knew lots about the dolphins so you get to learn a lot too. It does involve kayaking quite a few kms (the river is very wide) but that was a big bonus for me. You also get to stop at a sandbank / island in the Mekong for snacks and a swim. I swam the last part back to shore as well – he is very flexible!
Note – Borey was at pains to tell us (six in the group) that there was nothing to worry about if the dolphins got close and even though they can’t see much, they had never hit a kayak. WEll now he has to tell you that – except once. One came up right beside me and bashed into my kayak. Borey was absolutely genuine in that he sid that was the first time in 10 years!! Lucky old me!
If you don’t want to kayak you can get a tuk tuk to a place about 14 Km north of the town where boats will take you across to see the dolphins. It was closed for the afternoon when I was there so check with your hotel and probably go in the morning!
This Dolphin Sunset Tour with Mekong Adventure tuk tuk tour will take in more than just the dolphins and is another option for those not wanting to kayak. You do things like visit local traditional brick craftsmen, head up a mountain for the views and see the dolphins as well.
2. Swim in the Mekong!!
I did – and lived to tell the tale! It is brown but that’s sediment, although I wouldn’t have risked it with any open cuts as there is no doubt pollution from fertilisers in the river. But it was an experience!!
If you are game, the easiest way to do this is on the kayak dolphin tour, or from Kaoh Trong Island!
3. Bike around Kaoh Trong Island and go on a homestay
I just loved this. There is a ferry that takes you across to the island (just ask your hotel). It only leaves when there are enough passengers so be patient.
When you arrive its easy to hire a bike just where you get off the ferry – there will be someone there with a bike or two. Then its up to you.
I loved doing this so much – just cycling around looking at the fields and farming, eating in a very local restaurant / cafe and chatting to anyone that would and could – that I went back for a homestay! Ther eis nothing particularly special about it, but maybe thats part of what makes it special. It is just a very relaxing place with the Mekong river all around you!
I recommend Pomelo Homestay, but I’m sure others like Arun Mekong Guesthouse are good too.
4. Visit the Phnom Sambok Pagoda
If you like monkeys this is yet another temple / monkey duo! But really it is a pretty cool relatively modern pagoda and temple with great views from a 360 walk around the complex on a hilltop. There is plenty to see apart from the large resting buddha – you could spend hours looking at the details of it all. There are a lot of steps so you also get a bit of a work out.
There’s also a Vipassana center here if you’re into meditation. Its a very peaceful place as it stands and not frequented by many tourists so you get a chance to interact with any locals that may come to visit or just to sit and enjoy the peace and birdsong and butterflies!
5. Check out the golden Wat Bothom Rangsei and Wat Rokar Kandal Temple
There are plenty of pogodas and temples in the Kratie area, but I will mention these two quite different Wats as they were both interesting in their own rights.
Wat Bothom Rangsei is a very golden and stunning modern monastery and pagoda / temple on the outskirts of Kratie township. It does actually catch the sun when its shining and glitter away under it! It contains lots of stupas and statues and is worth a visit.
On the other side of the town is Wat Rokar Kandal on the other hand is worth visiting as it is one of the few wooden built pagodas or wats in Cambodia. It is quite stunning when you look closely and think how it was made.
The roof has beautiful and ornate decoration and is also made from wood. Inside you will see some lovely gold stencilling on the columns.
7. Walk over and check out the bridge to nowhere!
Its a long, new, and costly “bridge to nowhere really” (my name for it) which was built of course by the Chinese and pretty much goes nowhere – yet! You can see it at the south end of Kratie and its a pleasant walk to get there.
Its official name is the Cambodia-China Mekong-Kratie Friendship Bridge, and it should one day make the connection to Siam Reap much easier. At the moment it is helpful to locals who no longer have to get the ferry to cross the river! It is quite impressive (1761 meters long, and the third longest bridge in Cambodia) mainly watching the massive Mekong flow under and around it! ITs a nice (and popular with the locals) sunset spot too!
6. Watch the sunset from the Sorya cafe or from a walk along the Mekong!
There is a wide footpath along the town frontage on the Mekong. Its relaxing walking along with the river at your side. Definitely nice at sunset – even though I wasn’t there for a great one I could imagine they could be amazing!
You will find some good restaurants in the town, but the very chill atmosphere and views over the Mekong River at Sorya Cafe make it a great place to eat , drink and if you time it right … witness Kratie’s best sunset views.
A few other options for meals that I tried because of their high ratings are the:
8. Have a hair wash and head massage
This may sound mad, but I paid a dollar or two for a hair wash and head massage at a local salon – and it was fab-u-los!! I definitely needed google translate and there was much astonishment when I walked in, but as I said, it was fabulous! I went back and had my nails etc done too. Just a nice treat when you are having a bit of a chill time.
Kratie 2 and 3 day itinerary
This is a place I could easily just hang out in doing not much and relaxing. If you are staying somewhere nice you probably could too – you know those times when you just want to stop for a bit!!
Day 1
Kayak tour to see the Irrawaddy dolphins, visit the Phnom Sambok Pagoda. Enjoy the sunset from a riverside stroll or the Sorya cafe balcony.
Day 2
Take the ferry to Kaoh Trong Island and bike around exploring for the day or half day. Visit the golden Bothom Rangsei Pagoda and / or the Wat Rokar Kandal Temple. Get a head massage and hair wash to chill, or enjoy a meal at one of the local restaurants.
Day 3 or arrival or departure day
Explore the town, hire a scooter for a couple of hours and check out the countryside, or go back for more dolphin time on a boat trip. Enjoy a last meal watching the world go by at the Sorya cafe.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is Kratie worth visiting at all?
A: Absolutely – for the dolphins, but also to be in a very relaxed place with no hassles at all. And there are a few other things to see and do. It feels very untouristed and authentic.
Q: When is the best time to visit Kratie?
A: For me – the wet season, because it is better for seeing the dolphins. It really didn’t rain much at all. But I guess if you got heavy downpours you would want a bit of extra time.
Q: How many days should I spend in Kratie?
A: If you want a very relaxed place to chill for a while, then as long as you like. Otherwise I would say 2-3 days to give you time on the island, with the dolphins and to see other local sights.
Q: Whats the accommodation like in Kratie?
A: There are not a huge number of options, but there are some great places to stay- see below.
Where to stay in Kratie
There is one place that suits all budgets and styles and it is excellent! The Sorya Guesthouse has everything from standard to luxury rooms and even a backpackers dorm (which is huge and has three large beds only!)
As well as the great range of options it also organises dolphin kayak tours and has the cafe overlooking the river and Kaoh Trong Island too which is your perfect sunset and any time of day spot!
One other popular option that I should mention to be fair is the Discover Kratie Homestay which is also very popular!
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