The Emerald Pool, known in Thailand as Sa Morakot, is one of those places you absolutely cannot miss while in the Krabi province. Tucked away in the jungle of the Than Bok Khorani National Park, this pool is famous for its strikingly vibrant green water. It gets its unique “emerald” glow from minerals in the underground limestone springs that feed it.
If you are looking for more tips on what to do in Krabi and Koh Lanta, head over to our main guide: Thailand with Kids. In the meantime, here is how to organize a trip to the Emerald Pool with your little ones.
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Getting to the Emerald Pool
If you are traveling between Koh Lanta and Krabi (or vice versa), it’s hard to miss the signs pointing toward the Emerald Pool. It’s roughly 40 km from both locations. However, as far as we know, there is no public transport that will take you there. Your best bets are an organized tour, a scooter, or—our preferred choice—your own car.
Taking a Dip in the Emerald Pool
The Emerald Pool complex actually consists of three different pools, but keep in mind that you can only swim in the main one. It’s a favorite spot for both locals and tourists alike. To avoid the midday rush, we recommend arriving in the late afternoon—it’s much more peaceful then.
The water comes from underground limestone springs, giving it that signature light green tint. The temperature is perfectly refreshing. Even though it’s a natural pool without modern “upgrades” like stairs or railings, it’s very easy to swim in. For kids with a bit of imagination, the whole area is a giant playground. Our three spent their time either soaking in the pool or sliding down the tiny natural streams nearby.
Exploring the Emerald Pool Complex
The Emerald Pool is just one part of a larger network of natural springs, which also includes the Blue Pool and the Crystal Pool.
For those seeking a quieter, more “hidden” spot, follow the trail to the Blue Pool. You can’t swim in this one—you can only admire it from behind a railing—but the short jungle trek is totally worth it. It actually reminded us of the Blue Springs in Tomaszów Mazowiecki, Poland, though on a much grander scale.
The first pool you’ll likely encounter on your way is the Crystal Pool. Unlike the Emerald Pool, the water here is crystal clear, almost diamond-like, highlighting the untouched purity of the area.
All three pools are well-marked, making it nearly impossible to get lost. The path to the Crystal and Emerald pools is partly a boardwalk over the wetlands, while the trail to the Blue Pool is more of a natural jungle path that really lets your imagination run wild with the lush greenery.
Krabi’s Hot Springs and Waterfall
Just a 15-minute drive from the Emerald Pool, you’ll find another attraction that feels a bit surreal given the tropical weather: natural hot springs and a hot waterfall.
We arrived about an hour and a half before closing, and there were still quite a few people there. Our first thought? “Thai Iceland.” It was hard to believe we were sitting in $35^\circ\text{C}$ water, “toasting our butts,” when it was $31^\circ\text{C}$ outside! Fair warning: you can’t stay in these natural hot tubs for too long. We tapped out after 20 minutes.
The kids, however, had the time of their lives. The natural “slide” formed by the warm waterfall was a total hit (and honestly, the adults were having just as much fun).
Both attractions in one day
You should definitely set aside a full day for both the pool complex and the hot springs. A good plan is to hit the Emerald Pool trails in the morning, followed by lunch. There is a decent selection of local eateries right before the pool entrance, or you can grab a bite near the parking lot by the hot springs (which is just a 10-15 minute walk via a paved road or a jungle boardwalk).
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