Skip to main content
    CambodiaKingdom of Wonders
    Sign In
    1. HomeHome
    2. Destinations
    3. Best Waterfalls of Cambodia
    Last verified: April 2026by Local Travel Writers · Cambodia Destination Experts
    Best Waterfalls of Cambodia — Complete Guide 2026
    Cambodia's best waterfalls ranked: Bou Sra (Mondulkiri), Tatai (Koh Kong), Phnom Kulen (Siem Reap), Ka Chanh (Ratanakiri), Kbal Chhay (Sihanoukville), Popokvil (Kampot). Entry fees, access, swimming info.

    What are the best waterfalls in Cambodia?

    Cambodia's best waterfalls are found in its highland provinces. Bou Sra in Mondulkiri is the largest and most dramatic. Ka Chanh, Chha Ong, and Kachang in Ratanakiri offer jungle waterfalls with swimming. Phnom Kulen near Siem Reap combines a sacred waterfall with an ancient hilltop temple complex. Tatai in Koh Kong and Popokvil on Bokor Mountain round out the top picks.

    • Bou Sra (Mondulkiri) — Cambodia's largest, two-tier 25m fall
    • Ka Chanh (Ratanakiri) — jungle waterfall with excellent swimming pool
    • Phnom Kulen (Siem Reap) — sacred mountain waterfall near Angkor
    • Tatai (Koh Kong) — wild Cardamom waterfall accessible by boat
    • Chha Ong (Ratanakiri) — multi-tier forest waterfall
    • Popokvil (Kampot/Bokor) — cool mountain atmosphere in Bokor NP

    Cambodia Waterfalls Overview

    Cambodia's waterfall scene is concentrated in its highland provinces — Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, and the Cardamom Mountains of Koh Kong. The country's relatively flat central plains have few falls, but the eastern highlands (where highland rivers drop off plateau edges) and the Cardamom range (where rivers cascade through untouched rainforest) produce some of Southeast Asia's most dramatic cascades.

    Most waterfalls require a journey — they're not near the main tourist hubs of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. But the reward is waterfall visits combined with some of Cambodia's most spectacular landscapes: elephant territory in Mondulkiri, volcanic crater lakes in Ratanakiri, and pristine rainforest in the Cardamoms.

    Wet Season Advice

    Waterfall power peaks July–October but trails get slippery and rivers run fast. Always wear grip shoes, never swim alone during heavy rain, and avoid slippery rocks near falls after rainfall. The ideal balance of flow and safety is October–November (wet season winding down) and May–June (onset of rains).

    Mondulkiri Waterfalls

    Mondulkiri province in eastern Cambodia is the country's most sparsely populated and wildest province — highland plateau, elephant habitat, and Bunong indigenous villages. The waterfalls here are dramatic and remote.

    Bou Sra Waterfall

    Cambodia's Largest
    Two-tier, 25m upper / 10m lower

    Cambodia's most powerful and impressive waterfall — a two-tier cascade on the Sen Monorom River, dropping first 25 metres into a churning pool, then a further 10 metres. The surrounding jungle is Bunong indigenous territory and part of Mondulkiri's elephant habitat. Swimming is possible in the lower pool (calmer water) but not in the turbulent upper pool.

    Location43 km southeast of Sen Monorom, Mondulkiri Province
    Entry Fee$2–3 per person
    SwimmingLower pool — Yes; upper pool — No (too powerful)
    Best SeasonAug–Nov (peak flow); Dec–May (easier access)
    Getting there: Motorbike from Sen Monorom ($8–12/day rental, 1.5 hrs). Or tour from Sen Monorom $20–35/person. Bring: Swimwear, towel, grip shoes, insect repellent.

    Ratanakiri Waterfalls

    Ratanakiri province in Cambodia's far northeast is famous for Yeak Laom volcanic crater lake, indigenous villages, and jungle trekking. Three main waterfalls within day-trip distance of Banlung (the provincial capital) offer excellent swimming.

    Ka Chanh Waterfall

    Best Swimming
    Year-round flow

    A beautiful, lush waterfall on the outskirts of Banlung, set in jungle with a deep swimming pool at the base. Ka Chanh flows year-round (unlike some dry-season failures nearby) making it reliable. The surrounding forest is excellent for bird watching — multiple hornbill species have been spotted in the canopy.

    Location7 km from Banlung town
    Entry Fee$2 per person
    SwimmingExcellent — deep pool
    Getting ThereMotorbike or tuk-tuk from Banlung ($3–5)

    Chha Ong Waterfall

    Multi-tier
    Jungle Setting

    A multi-tier waterfall in dense jungle setting, 11 km from Banlung. The series of cascades runs through a rocky jungle canyon — you can scramble up the rocks between tiers in dry season. The lower pool is swimmable and cooled by constant mist. A local guide is recommended to find the upper tiers safely.

    Location11 km northeast of Banlung
    Entry Fee$2–3 per person
    SwimmingLower tier — Yes
    Best SeasonSep–Nov (peak flow, still accessible)

    Kachang Waterfall

    Scenic
    Less Visited

    Slightly further from Banlung than Ka Chanh, Kachang is a single-drop waterfall in a particularly photogenic setting — the fall hits a wide flat rock and fans out before dropping into a shallow pool. Less visited than Ka Chanh, meaning you often have it to yourself. Swimming in the fan section possible in lower flow conditions.

    Location10 km from Banlung
    Entry Fee$2 per person
    Best combined withKa Chanh + Yeak Laom lake day trip

    Siem Reap Region — Phnom Kulen

    Phnom Kulen Waterfall

    Sacred Mountain
    20m cascade
    48 km from Siem Reap

    The most accessible major waterfall from Siem Reap, located on the sacred Phnom Kulen plateau — the birthplace of the Khmer Empire. A 20-metre cascade feeds a wide, shallow pool popular with Cambodian families on weekends. The surrounding plateau also has a famous reclining Buddha, the River of 1,000 Lingas (carved riverbed), and ancient Khmer ruins.

    Location48 km northeast of Siem Reap
    Entry Fee$20 per person (includes full plateau access)
    SwimmingYes — wide shallow pool
    Getting TherePrivate car/tuk-tuk from Siem Reap $35–50 round trip, or join a tour $25–40

    Phnom Kulen Access

    The plateau road is controlled — vehicles must pass through a checkpoint. Motorbikes are not permitted (safety reasons on the steep road). Only cars and minibuses. The entry fee ($20) is steep but covers access to multiple sites on the plateau. Budget a full day — it's worth it.

    Kampot, Koh Kong & South Cambodia

    Kbal Chhay Waterfall

    Near Sihanoukville
    Easiest Access

    The most accessible waterfall from Sihanoukville, 16 km northwest of the city. A series of cascades and rock pools perfect for swimming, popular with Cambodian families and city day-trippers. Gets crowded on weekends and Cambodian public holidays but remains quiet mid-week. Best visited after the rains (October–December) for good water flow.

    Location16 km northwest of Sihanoukville
    Entry Fee$3 per person
    SwimmingYes — multiple pools
    Getting ThereTuk-tuk from SHV $8–12 round trip; motorbike $3 rental

    Tatai Waterfall (Cardamom Mountains)

    Most Remote
    Koh Kong Province
    Accessible by boat

    Located deep in the Cardamom Mountains along the Tatai River, this waterfall is one of Cambodia's most dramatic — particularly in wet season when the river roars through the Cardamom rainforest. The unique feature: access is partly by boat up the Tatai River, making the journey itself an adventure. Local eco-lodges near Tatai village arrange tours combining boat trips, kayaking, and the waterfall.

    LocationTatai village, Koh Kong Province (186 km from SHV)
    Entry FeeNone formal; guide recommended ($20–30)
    SwimmingYes in dry season; dangerous in peak wet season
    Best TourRainbow Lodge or Cardamom Tented Camp arrange full-day tours $35–60

    Popokvil Waterfall (Bokor Mountain)

    Cool Mountain Climate
    Near Kampot

    Located inside Bokor National Park on the misty Bokor Plateau above Kampot, Popokvil (also spelled Popokville) is a two-tier waterfall at 1,080 metres elevation. The cool mountain air (15–20°C even in dry season) makes this a refreshing escape from the coast. Combined naturally with the ghost-town ruins of old Bokor Hill Station and the new casino resort complex on the plateau.

    LocationBokor National Park, 40 km from Kampot
    Entry Fee~$5 (Bokor NP entry); road toll applies
    SwimmingLimited — shallow pools only
    Getting ThereMotorbike from Kampot 1.5 hrs ($10–15 rental) or tour $20–30

    Romanear Waterfall (Cardamom Range)

    Adventure Access
    Very Remote

    One of the more remote Cardamom waterfalls, requiring a guided jungle trek of 2–4 hours to reach. Located in a part of the Cardamoms with significant wildlife — gibbons, hornbills, and wild pigs are commonly heard. Very few tourists visit. The fall itself drops into a pristine swimming hole. Arrange through Chi Phat community-based ecotourism centre (Koh Kong province).

    AccessChi Phat village; CBET office arranges guides
    Guide cost$20–30/day (mandatory)
    Best forAdventure trekkers; wildlife enthusiasts

    Best Season to Visit Cambodia Waterfalls

    SeasonMonthsWater FlowTrail ConditionsSwimming
    Peak wetJul–SepSpectacularMuddy, difficultRisky (strong currents)
    Late wetOct–NovExcellentManageableGood
    Cool dryDec–FebGood–ModerateBest conditionsExcellent
    Hot dryMar–MayLowEasyGood (smaller pools)
    Early wetMay–JunBuilding upModerateGood

    Waterfalls Comparison Table

    WaterfallProvinceSizeEntrySwimmingGuide Needed
    Bou SraMondulkiriMassive (25m)$2–3Lower pool onlyOptional
    Ka ChanhRatanakiriMedium$2Yes (deep pool)Optional
    Chha OngRatanakiriMulti-tier$2–3Lower tierRecommended
    KachangRatanakiriMedium$2Yes (shallow fan)Optional
    Phnom KulenSiem ReapLarge (20m)$20 (plateau)YesNo
    Kbal ChhaySihanoukvilleSmall–Medium$3YesNo
    TataiKoh KongLargeFree (guide $20–30)Dry season onlyYes
    PopokvilKampot/BokorMedium (two-tier)~$5 (NP entry)LimitedNo
    RomanearKoh KongMediumGuide $20–30YesYes (mandatory)

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Bou Sra Waterfall in Mondulkiri is Cambodia's largest and most dramatic — a two-tier fall dropping 25 metres into a jungle pool, surrounded by dense elephant country. For raw power during wet season, the Tatai Waterfall in Koh Kong province is exceptional. For the most accessible impressive fall, Phnom Kulen Waterfall near Siem Reap is hard to beat.

    Related Cambodia Guides

    Visa Guide

    Tourist, business & e-visa options

    Travel Costs

    Budget breakdown & price guide

    Daily Budget

    $25-200/day cost guide

    Safety & Laws

    Stay safe in Cambodia

    Tools & Experiences

    Trip Generator

    Build a custom Cambodia itinerary

    100 Experiences

    Cambodia bucket list tracker

    Travel Quiz

    What kind of traveler are you?

    Rankings

    Best beaches, temples & more

    Share this page

    Book This Experience

    Powered by GetYourGuide — we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Get Cambodia Travel Updates

    Visa changes, travel tips, and destination guides delivered to your inbox.

    No spam, unsubscribe anytime. We respect your privacy.

    On This Page

    • Overview
    • Mondulkiri Waterfalls
    • Ratanakiri Waterfalls
    • Siem Reap Region
    • Kampot, Koh Kong & South
    • Best Season to Visit
    • Waterfalls Comparison
    • FAQ

    Data Sources & Official References

    Ministry of Tourism, CambodiaGeneral Department of ImmigrationWorld Bank Open Data
    CambodiaKingdom of Wonders

    The most comprehensive and trusted destination guide for Cambodia. Built for travelers, expats, and researchers.

    Get Travel Updates

    Contact Us

    Visas

    • Tourist Visa
    • E-Visa
    • Visa on Arrival
    • Business Visa
    • Visa Extensions
    • By Nationality

    Destinations

    • Phnom Penh
    • Siem Reap
    • Sihanoukville
    • Kampot
    • Koh Rong
    • Battambang

    Travel Info

    • Daily Budget
    • Best Time to Visit
    • Safety Guide
    • Scam Awareness
    • Packing List
    • Getting Around
    • SIM Cards
    • FAQs

    Living in Cambodia

    • Expat Guide
    • Digital Nomads
    • Cost of Living
    • Healthcare
    • Working
    • Housing

    Tools & Resources

    • Packing List Generator
    • Currency Converter
    • Cost Calculator
    • Volunteering
    • Charities
    • Cambodia Songs
    • Khmer Phrases

    Community

    • Photo Gallery
    • Travel Stories
    • Community Tips
    • Blog

    Legal Services

    • Legal Services Hub
    • Visa Legal Services
    • Work Permits
    • Real Estate Law
    • CM2H Golden Visa
    • Citizenship by Investment
    • Company Registration
    • Corporate Banking & Tax
    • Business Legal Advice

    © 2026 Cambodia Kingdom of Wonders. All rights reserved.

    About UsEditorial StandardsDisclosureDisclaimerPrivacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSitemap

    We use cookies and local storage for site functionality (saving preferences, trip plans). No tracking or advertising cookies. See our Privacy Policy.