Asia

Laos

A country with no sea, where the last Mekong dolphin on the Lao side died in 2022.

Story only

Story only, for now. We love learning about this place and its ocean, so we share its story here and do not sell trips yet. Checked by Ocean Calling on 6 Oct 2026. Sources: Death of last river dolphin in Laos rings alarm bells for Mekong population, Mongabay; Laos travel advice, UK FCDO.

Why: Laos has no coastline, so the ocean story here is really a river story. The last Irrawaddy dolphin on the Lao side of the Mekong died in February 2022, after the small group fell from 17 in 1993 because of gill nets, dams and fewer fish. About 89 of these dolphins still live in a 180 km stretch of the Mekong in Cambodia, where river guards and net bans protect them, and we simply share their story and never run dolphin trips.

⚠️ Official travel advice is a separate question, and it differs by passport. EU citizens or US citizens may be advised against travelling there, so please check your own government’s website before you plan.

🧭 Travel advice, checked 30 Sep 2026. The UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Xaisomboun province, and asks for extra caution in Bokeo Province near the Myanmar and Thai borders. It also warns of unexploded ordnance in rural areas. Sources: UK FCDO travel advice, Laos Advice differs by passport: check your own government before you plan.

Why Laos

Around 118 of these dolphins still live downstream in Cambodia, where river guards protect them.

Conservation-led. Ocean Calling guests never chase, touch or bait animals.

When to go

Nov-Feb. Timing changes by place and by animal, so check each place below.

We share this place as a story so you can learn. There is no Ocean Calling trip.

Our ethics check

Can we travel here ethically?

Story only

We tell the story. We do not sell a trip here.

Checked 6 Oct 2026. Places change, so we look again every year.

Sources for this check

The story

Where in Laos

We share these places as stories and research notes. We do not offer or sell trips here.

Si Phan Don and the Khone Falls

Story only

The Mekong islands where the Lao dolphins lived. Today there are no dolphins on the Lao side.

When: Nov-Feb. This is an education story only, and we do not offer trips here. There are no dolphins left on the Lao side. We do not suggest swimming in the Mekong around Khong Island, because health services warn of a water parasite.

Curious?

Why this is a story, not a trip

Read our ethics check above. If you would like to talk about it, Rocío is happy to explain.

Ask Rocío Back to the Ocean Atlas

For partners

Based in Laos?

We are always happy to hear from exceptional local operators, accommodation, conservation organisations and destination experts in Laos. If your work fits responsible, small-group ocean travel, we would love to learn more.

Partner with Ocean Calling

7-day freediving course in Coron, Palawan

CHF 1,480

See the trip →