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Everything You Need to Know about the Emerald Pool in Krabi
- Where is the Emerald Pool in Krabi?
- Things to Know
- Best Time to Visit Emerald Pool Krabi
- How to Get to Emerald Pool Krabi
- What to See and Do in and Near Emerald Pool Krabi
- Stop by Hot Stream Krabi
- Watch out for local fauna and flora at the Emerald Pool’s hiking trail
- Check out the Crystal Pool
- Enjoy swimming in the Emerald Pool’s cool water
- Visit the Hermit Shrine
- Admire the park’s large Tetrameles Nudiflora trees
- Hike to the Blue Pool
- Where to Eat in and Near Emerald Pool Krabi
- Ruen Morakot
- Khaonor Coffee
- TAN Hostel x Cafe
- Where to Stay in and Near Emerald Pool Krabi
- Family Tree Hotel
- TAN Hostel x Cafe
- Garden House Resort
- Where to Eat in and Near Emerald Pool Krabi
- Ruen Morakot
- Khaonor Coffee
- TAN Hostel x Cafe
- FAQs about Emerald Pool Krabi
The Emerald Pool in Krabi, or Sa Morakot, is a natural marvel straight out of the pages of a fairy tale book. A unique mineral-rich pool mostly known for its distinct emerald sheen or, on much rarer occasions, a magical turquoise gleam.
Tucked away in a lush forest park, a visit to this hidden gem offers more than just eye candy. The Emerald Pool trail is packed, from diverse fauna and flora to captivating streams, century-old trees, and even more gem-like pools.
And whether you take the shorter grubby trail or the longer scenic path, the magical vibes remain!
Where is the Emerald Pool in Krabi?
Emerald Pool Krabi is inside Thung Teao Forest Natural Park. It’s along the park’s main hiking trail, between the Crystal Pool and the Blue Pool.
Things to Know
Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Daily)
Admission Cost: 400 baht (Adults), 200 baht (Kids)
Best Time to Visit Emerald Pool Krabi
The best time to visit Emerald Pool Krabi is anytime between November and April. During this time, the province enjoys a dry season, perfect for hiking and jungle exploration.
It’s also the best time to enjoy the clear and cool water of the Emerald Pool. You can visit the pool anytime during the day since its jungle trails remain shaded and cool thanks to the numerous large trees within the park.
Also, you don’t want to visit it during the rainy season because the water can be muddy and less impressive-looking. The Blue Pool is also closed during this time for the annual bird breeding season.
How to Get to Emerald Pool Krabi
Emerald Pool Day Tour: The most convenient way to get to Emerald Pool Krabi is to book a private or group day tour. It can be a tour specific to the Emerald Pool or one that includes it in their itinerary.
With a guided tour, you’ll have access to a shuttle service that will take you directly to the entrance to the Emerald Pool. This also covers your tour guide, entrance fee, and return trip to your hotel.
Day tours can be booked via travel agencies like GetYourGuide, Viator, and Klook. Depending on your chosen tour, you may need to travel to a meet-up point or the agency may send a pick-up service to your hotel.
Taxi: You can find taxis in the streets of Krabi Town or Ao Nang, but you can also book them via the Grab or Bolt app so they can pick you up anywhere in the province.
Booking apps will provide you with a fixed rate. Meanwhile, taxis you stop in the street will have more flexible rates since you can negotiate the fare with the driver.
Or you can book a private taxi for a guaranteed ride back to your hotel. You might even find a taxi driver who can be your guide.
Tuk-tuk: Tuk-tuks are everywhere in Krabi Town and Ao Nang, and you can ask the drivers to take you to the Emerald Pool.
Tuk-tuk drivers typically ask for the same rate as taxi drivers. If you can speak Thai, we recommend asking locals how much they pay on average so you have a solid baseline when negotiating your fare.
Rental Vehicle: With a driver’s license and an International Driving Permit, you can also self-drive a rental vehicle to get to Emerald Pool Krabi. Motorbikes and scooters are ideal options since you’ll drive through narrow rural roads.
They’re also cheaper to rent. From Krabi Town, you must drive through Highway 4 until you reach Khlong Thom Tai Town. From there, take road 4021 and turn right to the rural road to Thung Teao Forest Natural Park’s hot spring.
You should find road signs pointing to Emerald Pool along the way. Other options include booking a local guide who can ride with you or asking locals for directions the old-fashioned way.
What to See and Do in and Near Emerald Pool Krabi
Stop by Hot Stream Krabi
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Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 75 660 781
Admission Costs: 200 baht
Hot Stream Krabi is a popular stopover along the way to Emerald Pool Krabi. This mineral hot spring is also a mini waterfall so you can enjoy its gentle stream while you’re taking a relaxing dip.
It’s also worth noting that it’s within Thung Teao Forest Natural Park’s borders. However, it has a separate admission fee, so the ticket here won’t give you access to the Emerald Pool.
Its mineral content is mostly fluoride but there are small amounts of nitrogen, lead, and copper as well. This hot spring is usually crowded during the afternoon, so be sure to swing by earlier.
Watch out for local fauna and flora at the Emerald Pool’s hiking trail
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The park’s entrance is a trailhead, so you must traverse it to reach the famous Emerald Pool. After a short walk from the entrance, you must choose between two divergent paths leading to the pool.
These paths are straightforward so they should be a breeze even for beginners. The shorter route on the left is an 800-meter dirt and gravel road through the park’s lush forest, perfect if you love to observe local fauna and flora.
The longer route on the right has a 1000-meter concrete road that takes you through lines of bamboo and natural streams. Take this picturesque route if you plan to shoot nature and Instagram photos.
Check out the Crystal Pool
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The Crystal Pool, also known as Sa Kaew or Glass Pool, is the first attraction along Emerald Pool’s hiking trail. This crystal-clear pool is also the largest in the park: 45 meters in length, 35 meters in width, and up to 3 meters in depth.
Its water originates from the streams of the Emerald Pool. However, visitors aren’t allowed to swim here, so you’re stuck observing or taking photos of its clear waters.
Most people only stop here for a quick photo so it’s a great place to be if you want to watch nature in peace and avoid the huge crowds in the Emerald Pool.
Enjoy swimming in the Emerald Pool’s cool water
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The Emerald Pool Krabi is the highlight of Thung Teao Forest Natural Park, so it also draws the largest crowd. It’s also the only pool where visitors can swim, so it’s the place to be if you want to cool down.
Just be careful with the slippery algae growing on the wet rocks as they can be slippery.
If you don’t want to get your whole body wet, it’s also fun to dip your toes in the cool water and soak in the lively atmosphere.
In case you didn’t know, this 500-square-meter pool gets its iconic emerald sheen due to temperature changes in the water. Sometimes, it also takes a turquoise coloration.
Visit the Hermit Shrine
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Hermit Shrine is a small temple 183 meters from the Emerald Pool, so it’s only a short 2-minute walk. It’s a fun place to visit with numerous elephant and tiger statues on display, perfect for families with small children.
The shrine also has a few monk statues, a wall painting, and a censer for burning incense sticks. It’s a sacred place where local worshippers pray and pay their respects, so you must observe Thai temple etiquette while you’re there.
That means you need to wear something over your swimwear, especially when monks come here to pray or do their chants.
Admire the park’s large Tetrameles Nudiflora trees
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Thung Teao Forest Natural Park is a nature reserve known for its numerous Tetrameles Nudiflora trees. These large deciduous tropical trees can grow up to 45 meters tall and 10 meters wide which is why the Emerald Pool trail is mostly shaded and cool.
You’ll find the park’s largest Tetrameles Nudiflora tree along the trail between the Emerald and Blue pools. It’s over 100 years old so it’s also one of the oldest trees within the park’s borders.
Visitors can take photos at the tree’s base. Just don’t attempt to climb it.
Hike to the Blue Pool
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The Blue Pool is another highlight of the Thung Teao Forest Natural Park, and it’s definitely worth the 10-minute hike from Emerald Pool Krabi. Its waters boast a crystalline blue color which gives it a more mysterious and supernatural vibe.
It’s also surrounded by a dense thicket, so seeing it makes you feel like you’ve stumbled upon a magical lake. This naturally occurring spring was created due to heated waters emerging to the surface.
Unfortunately, you can’t swim here because the water temperature is between 30 and 50 degrees Celsius, and the bottom of the pool is quicksand. This is actually where the water from the Crystal Pool and Emerald Pool comes from!
Where to Eat in and Near Emerald Pool Krabi
Ruen Morakot
Media from ruenmorakotshop_krabi
Address: 9/17 Moo 2
Phone: +66 89 972 7194
Pricing: ฿ – ฿฿
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Daily)
Ruen Morakot is a budget-friendly restaurant right next to Thung Teao Forest Natural Park’s entrance. It’s the perfect food spot to visit before and after your excursion to the Emerald Pool.
Their massive menu consists of classic Thai dishes, Western-style fast food, fresh coffee, and tea. They also have a buffet set with tom yum kai, massaman curry, stir-fried chicken, stir-fried veggies, vegetable fried rice, mixed fruits, steamed rice, and water.
It only set us back 150 baht, so it’s definitely a great value for your money. If you’re not a fan of Thai food, their chicken burger and club sandwich are excellent options.
Khaonor Coffee
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Address: 7/8 Moo 2
Phone: +66 88 111 9613
Pricing: ฿ – ฿฿
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Saturday – Thursday)
Khaonor Coffee is a coffee shop near the entrance to Emerald Pool Krabi, so it’s a great rest stop before your adventure. It’s particularly a fan favorite among our sweet-toothed staffers.
In fact, we like the delicious cakes they serve. They’re also too pretty to eat which is why they’re a big hit among Instagram fanatics.
Plus, they go well with their selection of iced coffees and lattes. But my top pick is their strawberry smoothie which is a great way to end the Emerald Pool trip.
TAN Hostel x Cafe
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Address: 249/5 Moo 2, Ban Ao Nang
Phone: +66 81 566 3695
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Daily)
If you’re looking for a solid breakfast spot before your trip to Emerald Pool Krabi, TAN Hostel x Cafe is an excellent option.
Their modern and casual cafe offers a wide range of Western-style breakfast and brunch dishes, perfect if you like excellent variety. Think grilled sandwiches, smoothie bowls, burgers, salads, soups, pasta, and more.
However, its biggest draw is its all-day breakfast and brunch sets. Our top pick is their full breakfast set, which includes Italian sausages, eggs, bacon, mushrooms, potatoes, tomatoes, and toast.
Where to Stay in and Near Emerald Pool Krabi
Family Tree Hotel
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Address: 6 Maharaj 2 Alley, Pak Nam Subdistrict
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Contact Number: +66 75 612 562
Website: https://familytree.hotels-krabi.com/en/
Pricing: ฿ – ฿฿
Family Tree Hotel is a charming boutique hotel known for its modern and artsy interiors. It’s located in Krabi Town, so it’s a convenient accommodation if you plan an excursion to the famous Emerald Pool in Thung Teao Forest Natural Park.
Though their rooms aren’t large, they provide several basic amenities: a cloth rack, a flatscreen TV, chairs, an en-suite bathroom and shower, and a dressing table with a ceramic sink and faucet.
We also like the thick and soft mattresses they put on their beds. There’s also a trendy cafe on the ground floor and it’s widely popular among sweet-toothed guests.
TAN Hostel x Cafe
Media from tanhostelxcafe
Address: 249/5 Moo 2, Ban Ao Nang
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 11 a.m. (Check-out)
Contact Number: +66 81 566 3695
Website: https://linktr.ee/tan59/
Pricing: ฿
TAN Hostel x Cafe is a great option if you prefer Ao Nang over Krabi Town. It’s a lot farther to the Emerald Pool but it shouldn’t be an issue if you’re booking a day tour or hiring a taxi.
This hostel and cafe is particularly a solid option for backpackers who don’t want to burn a hole in their wallet. Sure the dorm-style rooms are small, but they’re clean and the bunkbeds are comfy.
They have common spaces where guests can hang out which is great if you like to make new friends. This includes a communal balcony, a lounge area with books and guitars, and a small kitchen with a microwave.
Garden House Resort
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Address: 23, 218 Khlong Thom Tai Subdistrict
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Contact Number: +66 32 899 998
Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100051937335397
Pricing: ฿
Garden House Resort, also known as Bannaisuan Resort or Baan Suan Fah, is the best budget option for backpackers and travelers. It’s also in Khlong Thom District, so you’re only a 23-minute drive to Emerald Pool Krabi.
For a cheap daily rate, you get a sizable minimalist room with a twin-sized bed and the option for additional bedding. There’s also air conditioning, an electric kettle, instant coffee, and an en-suite bathroom.
They only have bungalow-style rooms, so each guest gets their designated parking space. And though located on the main road, it’s in a quiet tree-lined neighborhood so your stay will be peaceful.
Where to Eat in and Near Emerald Pool Krabi
Ruen Morakot
Media from ruenmorakotshop_krabi
Address: 9/17 Moo 2, Khlong Thom Nuea Subdistrict
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 89 972 7194
Website: http://ruenmorakotkrabi.com/
Pricing: ฿ – ฿฿
Ruen Morakot is a budget-friendly restaurant right next to Thung Teao Forest Natural Park’s entrance. It’s the perfect food spot to visit before and after your excursion to the Emerald Pool.
Their massive menu consists of classic Thai dishes, Western-style fast food, fresh coffee, and tea. They also have a buffet set with tom yum kai, massaman curry, stir-fried chicken, stir-fried veggies, vegetable fried rice, mixed fruits, steamed rice, and water.
It only set us back 150 baht, so it’s definitely a great value for your money. If you’re not a fan of Thai food, their chicken burger and club sandwich are excellent options.
Khaonor Coffee
Media credit: kantima_daa
Address: 7/8 Moo 2, Khlong Thom Nuea Subdistrict
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Saturday – Thursday)
Contact Number: +66 88 111 9613
Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100047550684413
Pricing: ฿ – ฿฿
Khaonor Coffee is a coffee shop near the entrance to Emerald Pool Krabi, so it’s a great rest stop before your adventure. It’s particularly a fan favorite among our sweet-toothed staffers.
In fact, we like the delicious cakes they serve. They’re also too pretty to eat which is why they’re a big hit among Instagram fanatics.
Plus, they go well with their selection of iced coffees and lattes. But my top pick is their strawberry smoothie which is a great way to end the Emerald Pool trip.
TAN Hostel x Cafe
Media from tanhostelxcafe
Address: 249/5 Moo 2, Ban Ao Nang
Operating Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 81 566 3695
Website: https://linktr.ee/tan59/
Pricing: ฿฿
If you’re looking for a solid breakfast spot before your trip to Emerald Pool Krabi, TAN Hostel x Cafe is an excellent option. Their modern and casual cafe offers a wide range of Western-style breakfast and brunch dishes, perfect if you like excellent variety.
Think grilled sandwiches, smoothie bowls, burgers, salads, soups, pasta, and more. However, its biggest draw is its all-day breakfast and brunch sets.
Our top pick is their full breakfast set. This filling set includes Italian sausages, eggs, bacon, mushrooms, potatoes, tomatoes, and toast.
