A slow-paced colonial river town on the Mekong, Kratie draws river cruisers for one thing above all — the chance to see critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphins just upstream, while the French-shuttered riverfront and car-free island life fill out a deeply unhurried day.
River cruise ships anchor mid-river; tenders ferry passengers to the concrete steps along Kratie's riverfront promenade.
💡 Pro move: This port is exclusively for river cruise ships (AmaWaterways, Avalon, Scenic, Pandaw, Aqua Expeditions, Heritage Line). Ocean-going ships do not call here.
There is no dedicated cruise terminal; passengers tender ashore to the town riverfront.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| AmaWaterways, Avalon, Scenic, Emerald | Kratie Riverfront Promenade, central town📍 | Tendered |
| Pandaw, Aqua Expeditions, Heritage Line | Kratie Riverfront Promenade or Koh Trong Island bank📍 | Tendered |
Kratie's headline excursion is the Kampi dolphin boat tour; Koh Trong Island cycling and the French colonial town fill out a full day.
Tuk-tuk 15km north to the Kampi pool, then board a small motorized boat with a local captain who cuts the engine near the deep-pool habitat. Roughly 100–110 critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphins remain in the Cambodian Mekong — sightings are nearly guaranteed as they surface to breathe.
Find Mekong dolphin tours →A 5-minute ferry from the promenade ($1) drops you on this car-free river island. Rent a bicycle ($2–$3) and pedal the 9km loop past wooden stilt houses, pomelo orchards, rice paddies, and a floating Vietnamese community temple. Dry-season (Nov–May) exposes a vast white-sand beach at the island's northern tip.
Find Koh Trong island tours →The riverfront promenade and French Quarter behind it preserve yellow-and-blue shuttered colonial buildings largely untouched by the Khmer Rouge era. Visit Phsar Kratie (the central market), pick up kralan bamboo sticky rice from street vendors, and explore Wat Rokakandal — an ornately stenciled 19th-century wooden temple 3km south.
Find Kratie walking tours →An 11km tuk-tuk ride north (often combined with the dolphin tour) brings you to a forested hill topped by a colorful Buddhist temple complex. Climb the staircase flanked by monk statues for panoramic Mekong views over the countryside.
Find Phnom Sambok tours →A longer 36km excursion north to Wat Sorsor Muoy Roy (the 100 Pillar Pagoda) — a vast modern temple built on the site of a former royal capital with 16th-century origins. Inside, the Conservation International turtle centre protects the extremely rare Cantor's Giant Softshell Turtle, a species almost never seen elsewhere.
Find Sambor temple tours →Kratie's flat riverfront is entirely walkable; the town's highlights are all within a short stroll of the tender landing.
From the tender landing steps, walk south along the Mekong promenade past colonial facades to the central market, then loop back through the old French Quarter streets to see the shuttered yellow buildings and the Governor's Residence.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Head south on the riverside road from the promenade for 3km to reach one of Cambodia's oldest wooden temples. The low-traffic road passes fishing villages and river views. A tuk-tuk is also an option.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Kratie, Kratie Province, Cambodia (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 91°F / 33°C | 72°F / 22°C | 2 | 6:21 AM | 5:49 PM |
| Feb | 93°F / 34°C | 73°F / 23°C | 1 | 6:18 AM | 6:02 PM |
| Mar | 95°F / 35°C | 77°F / 25°C | 5 | 6:03 AM | 6:06 PM |
| Apr | 93°F / 34°C | 78°F / 26°C | 13 | 5:44 AM | 6:08 PM |
| May | 91°F / 33°C | 79°F / 26°C | 24 | 5:31 AM | 6:13 PM |
| Jun | 89°F / 32°C | 77°F / 25°C | 25 | 5:30 AM | 6:21 PM |
| Jul | 87°F / 31°C | 77°F / 25°C | 28 | 5:38 AM | 6:25 PM |
| Aug | 87°F / 31°C | 77°F / 25°C | 28 | 5:44 AM | 6:16 PM |
| Sep | 86°F / 30°C | 76°F / 24°C | 28 | 5:45 AM | 5:56 PM |
| Oct | 86°F / 30°C | 75°F / 24°C | 23 | 5:46 AM | 5:37 PM |
| Nov | 87°F / 31°C | 75°F / 24°C | 11 | 5:53 AM | 5:26 PM |
| Dec | 88°F / 31°C | 73°F / 23°C | 4 | 6:09 AM | 5:32 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Kratie, Kratie Province, Cambodia. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
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