Tonle Sap Lake: Exploring the floating communities of Cambodia

Communities around the lake include both floating houses, which sit directly on the water, and stilt houses, which are raised high above the ground to stay above seasonal floods. Chong Kneas is known for its floating homes, Kampong Khleang is larger in scale, and Prek Toal is often associated with nature and wildlife excursions. Kampong Phluk, meanwhile, stands out for its long rows of tall stilt houses lining the waterways.

In Kampong Phluk, houses, shops, pagodas and community buildings all respond to the changing seasons. When the water is high, boats move between the houses; when it recedes, the tall stilts, paths and stretches of land beneath the village gradually come back into view.

A Kampong Phluk stilt houses tour normally takes travellers through the village by boat before continuing towards the flooded forest and the wider lake. Along the way, fishing boats, small docks and daily activities provide a closer look at life in one of the best-known communities around Tonle Sap.

Cruise through Kampong Phluk stilt houses

Cruising through Kampong Phluk is one of the signature experiences at Tonle Sap Lake. From the boat, travellers pass rows of elevated wooden houses, small landing points and community buildings stretching along both sides of the waterway.

The village looks noticeably different depending on the season. During the high-water period, the lake rises close to the main living areas of many houses, and boats become an important way to move around. In the dry season, the water retreats and exposes the tall supporting stilts underneath, making the unusual architecture of Kampong Phluk much easier to appreciate.

Daily life continues around the boat throughout the journey. Fishing vessels move between small docks, residents travel along the waterway and local activities unfold between houses, shops and community spaces. These scenes give travellers a clear sense of how the village has adapted to Tonle Sap’s changing water levels.

Explore the flooded forest

Beyond the stilt-house village, the journey can continue into the flooded forest between Kampong Phluk and the open lake. When water levels are high enough, smaller boats navigate narrow channels between trees rising directly from the water, creating a much greener and quieter setting than the village behind.

As the boat moves farther into the forest, houses and docks gradually disappear. In their place are winding waterways, submerged vegetation and dense clusters of trees that form natural passages through the water.

The slower pace makes this one of the most peaceful parts of the trip. Access depends on the actual water level, however, so the route through the flooded forest can vary from one season to another.

Observe everyday life along Tonle Sap

Some of the most interesting moments on Tonle Sap come from simply watching daily life unfold along the water. Travellers may pass fishing boats, small cargo vessels, landing points in front of homes and local trading activity taking place beside the lake.

In Kampong Phluk, homes sit alongside shops, pagodas and community buildings. The way people move around also changes with the seasons: boats become more important as the water rises, while paths and dry ground gradually return when the lake recedes.

These everyday scenes show Tonle Sap as more than a natural attraction. The lake remains closely connected to transport, fishing, trade and community life, giving visitors a more grounded view of how people live around the water.

Cruise onto the open waters of Tonle Sap

After passing through Kampong Phluk and the flooded forest, the boat gradually leaves the village behind and heads towards the open waters of Tonle Sap. Houses and small docks fade into the distance, while the horizon opens across a much wider stretch of water.

The change in scenery makes the scale of the lake easier to appreciate. Compared with the narrow channels around the village, the open water feels broader, quieter and more spacious.

Afternoon departures often include time on the lake around sunset. When the weather is clear, the late-day light reflects softly across the water, creating a calm final stretch before the boat returns to shore.

• Prioritise local services: Choose tours that work with local guides, boat drivers and community-based services.
• Choose smaller groups: Smaller or moderately sized groups create less disruption in residential areas and often allow for a more detailed introduction to the destination.
• Respect private spaces: Ask before taking close-up photographs of residents, and never enter homes or private areas without permission.
• Do not treat children as attractions: Schools, orphanages and local children should not be included as entertainment or sightseeing stops.
• Avoid giving gifts directly to children: Money, sweets and other gifts can create unintended problems and should not be handed out casually during a village visit.
• Consider animal welfare: Avoid stops involving captive wildlife when operators cannot clearly explain their conservation purpose or welfare standards.
• Reduce environmental impact: Limit single-use plastics and never leave rubbish on the lake or in the flooded forest.
• Check how the community benefits: Responsible operators should be able to explain how local residents participate in or receive income from tourism.