Mekong dolphins

Irrawaddy dolphins at Kampi, Kratie

A quiet early morning on the Mekong

Wildlife and conservationType

In short

A small population of Irrawaddy dolphins survives in a deep stretch of the Mekong at Kampi, north of Kratie. They are river dolphins - blunt-headed, undemonstrative, and they surface briefly rather than leap. Boats are limited and run on engines cut near the pool, and the population remains critically small, which is precisely why the rules exist.

Checked

September 2026

Part of Wildlife

At a glance

Visiting

Where: Kampi, about 15 km north of Kratie town
Best time: Early morning or late afternoon, when the water is calm
Time needed: A couple of hours including the boat
What to expect: Brief surfacings at distance - this is not a display
How to behave: Stay in the boat, keep noise down, accept the operator keeping distance

Questions travellers ask

Am I guaranteed to see them?

No, though sightings are common in the right hours. Anyone promising a guarantee is not running it properly.

Is it ethical?

Boat tourism here funds local livelihoods that once depended on fishing the same stretch. Choose an operator that keeps its distance and cuts the engine.