Weather in Tonle Sap

About Tonle Sap

Tonle Sap Lake's floating villages drift on the world's most volatile inland water body, where water levels fluctuate 10 meters seasonally—entire communities rise and fall with tidal precision. These villages represent adaptation to environmental extremes few places on Earth experience.

Country

Cambodia

Best months to visit

January, February, December

Currency

KHM

Language

Khmer, English

Things to do in Tonle Sap

Floating village boat tours at different seasons Fish farm and crocodile farm visits School and medical clinic tours showing adaptation Local family homestays on fishing boats Photographer's access to village daily life Comparison tours: wet vs dry season water levels

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

Recommended

January

29C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

February

31C

Hot and humid, with occasional showers.

March

33C

Hot and humid, with some rainy days.

April

33C

Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.

May

32C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

June

31C

Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.

July

31C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

August

31C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

September

30C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

October

30C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

November

30C

Hot and humid, with some rainy days.

Recommended

December

29C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

Tonle Sap's floating villages — Chong Kneas, Kampong Phluk and Kampong Khleang — sit a short drive from Siem Reap but feel like another country entirely, with stilt houses, floating schools and even floating pig pens rising and sinking with the lake's huge seasonal swings. Boat trips here are touristy in places, but Kampong Khleang's flooded forest channels and the sheer scale of Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake make it a worthwhile half-day add-on to the temples.

Best areas to stay in Tonle Sap

Chong Kneas

The closest floating village to Siem Reap, easy to reach but busier and more set up for tour groups.

Kampong Phluk

A stilt village set among flooded mangrove forest, with houses raised high above the water on tall wooden stilts.

Kampong Khleang

The largest and most authentic of the floating communities, with a long boat channel through forest before opening onto the lake.

Siem Reap Town

The usual base for visits, with hotels, restaurants and tour operators arranging transport and boats to the lake.

Getting to Tonle Sap

✈

Flights

Fly into Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport, well connected to Bangkok, Singapore and other regional hubs.

⏱

From London

~14-16 hours from London with one connection, typically via Bangkok or Singapore.

🚕

Getting around

Tuk-tuks and taxis from Siem Reap cover the road portion; boats (often shared) handle the village visit itself.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit the Tonle Sap floating villages?

Visit in the wet season (roughly June to November) when the lake is at its fullest and houses appear to float; in the dry season many stilt houses sit on dry ground and the lake recedes dramatically.

How do I get to the floating villages from Siem Reap?

Most visitors hire a tuk-tuk or taxi for the 30-45 minute drive to Chong Kneas, Kampong Phluk or Kampong Khleang, then take a boat tour from the jetty.

Which floating village is best to visit?

Kampong Khleang is generally considered the most authentic and least touristy, with a longer boat ride through flooded forest; Chong Kneas is closest but more commercialised.

Are the floating village boat tours worth the cost?

Prices can feel high for what's offered at Chong Kneas, so it pays to book through a reputable operator or your guesthouse and confirm the price upfront, including any 'donation' stops.

What else can I combine with a floating village visit?

Many people pair it with a sunset boat ride on the lake, or combine it with a relaxed afternoon after a morning at Angkor Wat or Angkor Thom.

Traveler reviews

★★★★☆

Kampong Khleang was a great contrast to the temples — the boat ride through the flooded forest before reaching the open lake was beautiful, and it felt much less staged than I expected.

Harriet S. · September 2024

★★★☆☆

Chong Kneas was easy to get to but a bit of a hard sell with the souvenir and 'donation' stops. Still glad I saw the floating houses, just go in with realistic expectations.

Marco D. · July 2023

★★★★☆

We went at sunset and the light over the lake was gorgeous. Worth doing as a relaxed half-day after a busy morning at the temples.

Priya N. · November 2024