Emerald Pool, known in Thailand as Sa Morakot, is one of those places you absolutely have to visit when exploring the Krabi province. Tucked away in the jungle of the Than Bok Khorani National Park, this pool stuns visitors with its intense green color—hence the “emerald” name. This unique feature comes from the minerals in the underground limestone springs that feed it.
Here is how to organize a trip to the Emerald Pool with kids.
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How to Get to the Emerald Pool from Krabi & Koh Lanta
If you’re traveling the route between Koh Lanta and Krabi (or vice versa), it’s hard to miss the signs pointing you toward the Emerald Pool. It’s about 40 km from both locations. We haven’t heard of any public transport that drops you right at the gate, so your best bets are joining an organized tour, renting a scooter, or driving your own car.
Swimming in the Emerald Pool (Sa Morakot)
The Emerald Pool is actually a collection of three pools, but it’s worth knowing that you can only swim in one of them—the main one. It’s a popular spot for both Thais and tourists, so here’s a pro tip: try to get here late in the afternoon to avoid the biggest crowds.
The water in Emerald Pool gets its signature light green hue from underground limestone springs. The temperature is pleasantly cool. Even though it’s a natural pool without much human interference (no tiled stairs or handrails here), it’s easy enough to swim in freely. The entire area around the Emerald Pool is basically a giant playground, especially for creative kids. Our trio spent their time either soaking in the water or sliding down the little streams surrounding the pool.
Exploring the Jungle: Blue Pool and Crystal Pool
The Emerald Pool is just one part of a larger complex of natural pools, which also includes the Blue Pool and the Crystal Pool.
For those looking for hidden corners and a bit of quiet, the Blue Pool is located nearby. You can only admire this one from behind a barrier, but the short walk through the jungle is definitely worth it. For our Polish readers—it reminds us a bit of the Blue Springs in Tomaszów Mazowiecki (Poland), though on a much grander scale.
The third one—or actually the first one you’ll see on your way—is the Crystal Pool. Unlike the Emerald Pool, the water here has a clearer, almost diamond-like quality, highlighting its natural beauty and purity.
All three pools are very well marked, so getting lost is pretty much impossible. You reach the Crystal and Emerald pools partly via a wooden boardwalk cutting through the wetlands. The path to the Blue Pool, however, is a natural trail that really fires up the imagination with its pure jungle vibes and lush vegetation.
Krabi Hot Springs and the Famous Hot Waterfall (Khlong Thom)
Just a 15-minute drive from the Emerald Pool, you’ll find another attraction. This one borders on the abstract, considering the weather: natural hot springs and an equally hot waterfall.
We arrived an hour and a half before closing, and there were still quite a few tourists. Our first thought? A Thai version of Iceland. It was hard to wrap our heads around sitting in water that’s 35°C (95°F) while “warming our buns,” so to speak, when it was already 31°C (88°F) outside. Just remember, you can’t sit in these natural hot springs for too long. We tapped out after 20 minutes.
The kids, on the other hand, had a blast. The natural slide formed by the warm waterfall became an instant hit. Honestly, the adults had pretty good fun there too.
Emerald Pool & Hot Springs Itinerary: Can You Do Both in One Day?
It’s worth setting aside a full day for both spots—the pool complex and the hot springs. You can hit the trail to the pools in the morning, then take a lunch break. There’s a decent selection of eateries right before the pool entrance, or you can eat near the parking lot of the hot springs before heading onto the short trail (it’s a 10-15 minute walk on asphalt or a wooden jungle walkway) to the thermal water.
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