After a few days of island hopping, this is the perfect change of pace: a day trip into the interior of Khlong Thom, where you swim in an emerald-green natural pool in the middle of the forest and then warm up in hot springs that flow into the river like natural jacuzzis. In this guide, you’ll find out what to expect and how to stay ahead of the crowds.
Tip: This article is part of our larger guide to the best excursions in Krabi. Read that guide too for the other top excursions and practical tips!
At a Glance
Price: from ± 800 THB p.p. (half day), ± 1,200–1,500 THB p.p. (full day with Tiger Cave Temple)
Duration: 4–5 hours (half day) or a full day (combination tour)
Departure: Ao Nang or Klong Muang; also drivable yourself
Best for: a change from islands and beaches, also good with children
Krabi Excursion: Tiger Cave Temple, Emerald Pool and Hot Springs Tour
4,094 travellers rate this excursion 4.8/5
(GetYourGuide.com)
What Are the Emerald Pool and the Hot Springs?
Both are located in Khlong Thom district, about 45 minutes to an hour’s drive southeast of Ao Nang, and are almost always combined into a single day trip:
- Emerald Pool (Sa Morakot): a natural pool in Thung Teao Forest Natural Park, fed by mineral-rich springs that give the water its characteristic green colour. You reach it via a flat forest walk of about 20 to 30 minutes through one of the last remaining stretches of lowland rainforest in Thailand.
- Blue Pool: a few hundred metres past the Emerald Pool lies this bright blue spring pool. Swimming isn’t allowed here (the bottom is unstable), but the almost unnaturally blue colour makes the extra walk worthwhile.
- Hot Spring Waterfall (Namtok Ron): a hot spring that flows into the cool river via limestone cascades. The natural pools, at around 35 to 40 degrees, are just big enough to lie in; the contrast of a dip in the river afterwards is wonderful.
What Can You Expect from a Day Trip?
Organised tours pick you up in the morning in Ao Nang or Klong Muang and combine both spots into a half or full day, often rounded out with the Tiger Cave Temple or lunch at a local restaurant. Going it alone works too: with a rental car, you can get there in a bit under an hour from Ao Nang, and you can arrive before the tour groups do.
Practical Tips
- Go early. The Emerald Pool is at its most beautiful (and clearest) in the early morning, before the first tour groups arrive around 10:00. Anyone driving themselves has a big advantage here.
- Factor in two separate entrance fees. The Emerald Pool (including Blue Pool) costs about 400 THB per adult, the Hot Spring Waterfall an additional 200 THB or so; children pay half price. With tours, this is sometimes included in the price and sometimes not; check when booking.
- Wear shoes that can get wet. The paths are easy to walk but slippery around the pools; water shoes are ideal.
- Wear your swimwear underneath from the start. Changing facilities are limited, and on this trip you switch between walking and swimming several times.
Prices and Duration
Half-day tours start at around 800 THB per person, full-day combinations with the Tiger Cave Temple or extra stops cost 1,200 to 1,500 THB, including transfer and guide. Expect 4 to 5 hours for the half-day version and a full day for the combination tours.
Anyone who really wants to experience the interior can even stay overnight: right by the hot springs is the special hot spring resort Wareerak, which we cover in our guide to wellness & spa hotels in Krabi.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Emerald Pool & Hot Springs
Can you swim in the Emerald Pool?
Yes, swimming in the Emerald Pool is allowed and wonderfully refreshing. Only in the Blue Pool further along is it not allowed; that one is purely for looking at.
Are the Emerald Pool and Hot Springs suitable for children?
Yes, this is one of the most child-friendly day trips in Krabi: flat walking paths, shallow swimming water and the hot spring pools are a treat for children. Just keep hold of their hand at the Hot Springs, though, on the slippery rocks.
What’s the best time of year for this day trip?
You can do it all year round. In the rainy season (May through October), the forest is at its greenest and the pools are fuller; after heavy rain, the water in the Emerald Pool can temporarily become murkier.
Can you combine the Emerald Pool with the Tiger Cave Temple?
Yes, that’s the most-booked combination: the temple lies on the route between Ao Nang and Khlong Thom. Keep in mind that the temple has 1,260 steps; save your energy, or skip the top and visit only the temple complex at the bottom.
Conclusion
The Emerald Pool and the Hot Springs reveal a side of Krabi that many beachgoers miss out on: rainforest, spring water and hot spring baths instead of boats and beaches. Go early, bring cash for the entrance fees, and combine the trip with the Tiger Cave Temple for the most complete day in the interior.
Krabi Excursion: Tiger Cave Temple, Emerald Pool and Hot Springs Tour
4,094 travellers rate this excursion 4.8/5
(GetYourGuide.com)
