Attractions information
Irrawaddy Dolphins
The Irrawaddy Dolphin is one of the most endangered in the world. Their preferred waterways are the coasts estuaries & rivers throughout South East Asia and Northern Australia.
They like the warm shallow coastal waters and sometimes they are found in rivers as far as 1,300 km inland from the sea.
In the Bang Pakong River in Thailand, Irrawaddy Dolphins appear each November and stay until February searching for food, a mate and to give birth to their calves. They follow the pla duk talae or eel catfish into the estuary and it is their main source of food for the next few months.
They are shy and will not swim alongside boats or humans, and when scared can dive underwater for twelve minutes. They are slow to surface and rarely make any splash with their tail to let you know they are there. This reclusive behaviour makes it difficult to count exactly how many dolphins are present.
The dolphins have a special way of eating catfish to avoid injury from the spiny catfish whiskers. One dolphin will seize the fish from the front, holding the head of the fish in the front of its mouth. A second dolphin will then start eating the fish from the tail end. They take it in turns doing this so that all can get their fill of fish.
Catfish heads bobbing in the water is a good sign that the dolphins are around.
Irrawaddy Dolphins Tour (Code:1107)
Pick a day and people
THB 11,800.00
THB 12,500.00
THB 14,700.00
THB 18,400.00
THB 19,600.00
THB 21,500.00
THB 22,700.00
THB 25,200.00
THB 28,000.00
THB 30,500.00
THB 33,000.00
THB 36,000.00
This tour is not designed for cruise ship passengers. Exclusive cruise ship tours are available from Klong Toey Port and Laem Chabang Port.
From November to February each year, the murky waters in the estuary of the Bang Pakong River play host to the Irrawaddy dolphin. They come to give birth to their calves and you can see them early in the morning while they are feeding on the eel catfish.
Do you want your tailor-made tour?
A tailor-made tour is the best kind of independent travel itinerary, designed and arranged just for you and your needs.
All events and activities are part of your very personal, privately guided tour.
Just ask us and we will be happy to make your tour an unforgettable experience. We have been doing this for 25 years and the quality of tailor made tours has never changed.
Why is a private tour a better choice?
With a private tour, you have the freedom to choose what you want to do and when you want to do it. There is much more room for flexibility and changes to your itinerary at every step of the way because you don't have to consider the needs of other travelers. The flexibility and freedom to make the most of your time is the reason why so many people choose to take a private tour rather than a group tour.Tour Programme
06:00 - Pick up from hotel
We'll pick you up from your hotel. Please wait in the lobby.
07:30 - Arrive Bang Pakong River
It's about an hour and a half drive to the river from Bangkok. Take a jacket because the morning breeze is cold on the boat.
08:00 - Boat Trip to River Estuary
Morning is the best time because the water is calmer and the dolphins feed in the morning. This is a nature tour so we cannot guarantee that you will actually see these dolphins. However, every time we have been we have seen them.Read More >
12:00 - Lunch at Pla Loma Restaurant
We'll have lunch once the boat gets back to shore. Take a snack with you if you think you can't last the distance!
13:00 - Return to your hotel
Around 1:00pm we'll start back to Bangkok.
14:30 - Arrive at your hotel
You can expect to be back at your hotel around 4:30pm.
Important Information
This is a nature tour, so we cannot guarantee that you will see these dolphins. Unlike other dolphins, Irrawaddy Dolphins are shy and will not swim alongside boats or humans, and when scared can dive underwater for 12 minutes. So patience is required, but the rewards are wonderful.