A Cambodian Lake Adventure: Exploring Tonle Sap Lake with Kids

Located in Southeast Asia, Tonle Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Cambodia. Although not as well-known as the Angkor temple complex, this lake is a great place to explore with kids while in Cambodia. In this blog post, we’ll show you why you should be adding a stop to explore Tonle Sap with your kids.

Cambodia and the Tonle Sap Lake

Cambodia is a country located in Southeast Asia, known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning temples (like unmissable Angkor Wat which we also highly recommend visiting with your kids), and bustling cities. The country is bordered by Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, and is home to a diverse population of around 16 million people.

One of the most significant geographical features of Cambodia is the huge Tonle Sap Lake. It’s located in the central region of the country and covers roughly 4 times the area of Singapore!

What makes the Tonle Sap Lake so special?

The Tonle Sap Lake is a freshwater lake. It is the largest lake in Southeast Asia, and plays an important role in the ecology of the region. The lake is fed by the Tonle Sap River, which flows from the Mekong River. The lake is known for its vibrant ecosystem, including a large diversity of fish and a wide variety of birdlife.

During the wet season, the Tonle Sap River reverses its flow and drains into the Mekong River. This inflow of fresh water helps to maintain a healthy ecosystem in the Mekong Delta. The lake supports a thriving bird population, and is a popular destination for birdwatching.

In addition to its ecological importance, the Tonle Sap Lake is also significant for cultural reasons. It is traditionally seen as a symbol of Cambodian identity, and plays an important role in Cambodian mythology. The lake is also a popular tourist destination, and attracts visitors from all over the world.

Because of the large fluctuations of the water level in the lake and river, most houses are either floating or built high above the ground. They are painted in bright colors and make interesting and different sights like no other places we have been.

The flooding brings nutrients, creating a rich ecosystem and supporting a thriving fishing industry. However, the lake is also vulnerable to climate change, pollution, and unsustainable fishing practices. Despite these challenges, Tonle Sap Lake remains a fascinating and vital ecosystem worth exploring for its biodiversity and cultural significance.

The Tonle Sap lake is an important source of livelihood for the people who live in the surrounding areas and an interesting place to visit as a family. Despite facing many challenges, the communities around Tonle Sap have adapted to life on and around the lake, and continue to thrive in this unique and beautiful part of Cambodia.

Getting there from Siem Reap

Getting to Tonle Sap Lake from Siem Reap is relatively easy, as it is only around 10 miles/15 kilometers away from the city. The most common way to get there is by taking a tuk-tuk or taxi from Siem Reap. Many hotels and guesthouses in Siem Reap offer organized tours to Tonle Sap, which often include a visit to the nearby floating villages.

On the way to the lake you will pass by villages with simple houses in the woods as well as beautiful lush green rice fields full of workers tending their crops. We found that even getting to Tonle Sap was well worth the trip because of the interesting sights on the way.

Once at the lake, you can take a boat tour to explore the floating villages and experience the unique way of life of the people who live on the lake. The boat tours usually take around two to three hours and provide a fascinating insight into the daily lives of the locals.

Visiting Tonle Sap Lake as a tourist

As mentioned, a popular attraction when visited Tonle Sap is the floating villages, where you can observe daily life and traditional fishing practices of the locals who live on the water. A boat tour on the lake, allows you to explore the lake’s diverse ecosystem and see various species of birds, fish, and other wildlife.

The Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary, located by the lake, is a popular destination for bird watchers. You can also visit the nearby flooded forests, which are home to many unique plant and animal species.

You can also taste the delicious seafood cuisine of the region, such as freshwater fish, prawns, and crabs, at the floating restaurants.

The Floating Villages

One of the most popular attractions at Tonle Sap Lake are the floating villages. These villages are home to Cambodian fishermen and their families. When visiting a floating village, you can take a boat tour to see how the villagers live. Many boat tours also include stops at different sites around the lake. This is a great activity for kids because they can learn about how other people live and see a different way of life.

Our verdict of visiting Tonle Sap lake with our kids

As a half-day trip from Siem Reap, we loved visiting Tonle Sap lake with our kids. It was the perfect escape from the heat and busy life of the city. Our whole family enjoyed cruising the canals and watching daily life unfold in the villages with colourful houses on poles. We were equally fascinated by the floating villages and restaurants on the big lake. To us it was certainly worth a visit while we were in Siem Reap, even though our main reason to come there in the first place was the amazing Angkor Wat.

Final words

There are many different activities that you can do when visiting Tonle Sap with your kids on your Cambodia trip. From taking a boat tour to visiting a wildlife sanctuary, there’s something for everyone. For our family it was the perfect refreshing getaway from Siem Reap when visiting Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples. We think you would find it worth it to go, too!

If your family enjoys life on the water, you should also consider a trip on a live aboard boat in UNESCO classified Halong Bay in Vietnam.