Ao Nang Beach
Krabi, Thailand
Emerald Pool, Krabi
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Photo: Maksym Kozlenko, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Foreigners ≈ 400 baht, children ≈ 200, cash
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Hours
- Daily, roughly 8:30–17:00
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 2 h 30 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Trail
- ≈ 1.4 km on a boardwalk through the forest
- Blue Pool
- Further along the trail; no swimming
- Hot Spring Waterfall
- ≈ 10 km away; separate ticket ≈ 200 baht
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - From Ao Nang
- ≈ 71 km, about 1 h 20 min
Key facts
Sa MorakotThai for 'emerald pool'
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travel guidesSpring-fedunderground springs keep the water clear all year
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travel guides≈ 1.4 kmof boardwalk through the forest from the car park to the pool
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travel guidesBlue PoolSa Nam Phut — further along the trail, no swimming
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travel guides≈ 71 kmby road from Ao Nang, ≈ 57 km from Krabi Town
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OSRM≈ 400 bahtentry for foreign adults
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travel guidesHot Spring WaterfallNam Tok Ron — warm springs about 10 km away
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travel guidesSanctuaryKhao Pra–Bang Khram, Thung Tieo forest
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travel guidesWhat is the Emerald Pool?
The Emerald Pool (Sa Morakot) is a small pool of turquoise-green water in the Thung Tieo forest, in Khlong Thom district in the southeast of Krabi province. Underground springs feed it, so the water is clear, and its colour shifts from emerald to blue with the sun.
The pool lies in the forest of the Khao Pra–Bang Khram sanctuary. A boardwalk of about 1.4 km leads to it from the car park under the trees, and beyond the pool the trail continues to the Blue Pool (Sa Nam Phut) — the water there is even brighter, but swimming isn't allowed.
How the pool works
At the entrance are a ticket office, parking, toilets and a café. Entry is paid: according to guides, about 400 baht per foreign adult and 200 per child; older sources say 200 baht — check on the spot. It's open roughly 8:30 to 17:00.
You can swim in the Emerald Pool itself: the bottom is soft and the water cool. There are changing areas. The Blue Pool is for photos only: going into the water is forbidden. Keep soap and sunscreen out of the water — it keeps the spring clean.
What to see and do
- Swimming in the Emerald Pool.
- The boardwalk through tropical forest.
- The Blue Pool — vivid blue water, photos only.
- Small streams and pools along the trail.
- The Hot Spring Waterfall — warm springs about 10 km away.
- Birds and butterflies in the forest early in the morning.
How to get to the Emerald Pool
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- On a Krabi jungle tour — hotel pick-up, the Emerald Pool and Hot Spring Waterfall in a day.
- By taxi with waiting time — ≈ 71 km from Ao Nang (about 1 h 20 min) or ≈ 57 km from Krabi Town (about an hour).
- By car or scooter — southeast on the highway to Khlong Thom, then follow the signs.
- The Hot Spring Waterfall — about 10 km away, easy to add on the way back.
- There's no convenient public transport to the pool.
Emerald Pool or Hot Spring Waterfall
| Emerald Poolyou are here | Cool, spring-fed | A forest pool | Yes | ≈ 400 baht |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Spring Waterfall | Warm, mineral springs | Cascades in the forest | Yes, in warm pools | ≈ 200 baht, separate |
How long do you need?
Allow 2–2.5 hours for the Emerald and Blue Pools: walk the trail, swim and visit the Blue Pool. With the Hot Spring Waterfall and the drive from Ao Nang, it's a full day.
Many tours also add Tiger Cave Temple — the day is then packed but long.
Is the Emerald Pool worth visiting?
Yes: swimming in turquoise spring water in the middle of the jungle, with warm springs nearby, makes a good day away from the sea.
The YesGo take: the drive is long and the pool is packed by midday. Arrive at opening or choose an early tour. Entry for foreigners costs much more than for locals — budget for it.
Before you go: checklist
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You are ready for the visit
Krabi's nature: compare and choose
Krabi beaches, islands and pools rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Ao Nang Beach | 41 | 2 h | Free | 50.5 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phra Nang Beach | 37 | 2 h | Free | 48.3 km |
| Railay Beach | 36 | 3 h | Free | 48.5 km |
| Koh Tup and Chicken Island | 27 | 2 h | park fee ≈ 400 baht; boat extra | 50.4 km |
| Koh Poda | 25 | 3 h | park fee ≈ 400 baht; longtail ≈ 300 | 50.9 km |
| Khao Phanom Bencha National Park | 22 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ 200 baht | 51.8 km |
| Than Bok Khorani National Park | 22 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ 300 baht; kayaking extra | 78.1 km |
| Emerald Poolyou are here | 20 | 2 h 30 min | ≈ 400 baht; Hot Spring Waterfall ≈ 200 | — |
| Koh Hong | 16 | 4 h | park fee ≈ 300 baht; tour extra | 67.2 km |
Krabi's jungle in a day
The Emerald Pool in the morning, Tiger Cave Temple on the way back, and Ao Nang Beach in the evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Emerald Poolyou are here2 h 30 min · ≈ 400 baht; Hot Spring Waterfall ≈ 200
- 759 min walk from the previous stopTiger Cave Temple2 h · free
- 266 min walk from the previous stopAo Nang Beach2 h · free; longtail to Railay ≈ 100 baht
3 places · about 23 h 35 min with walks · 1025 min on foot in total
How to do it right
- At the gate by 8:30 — the pool is almost empty.
- No soap or sunscreen in the water — keep the spring clean.
- The Blue Pool is for photos only.
- Add the Hot Spring Waterfall on the way back.
- On the way: Tiger Cave Temple.
Questions
How do I get to the Emerald Pool?
On a tour or by taxi: ≈ 71 km from Ao Nang, ≈ 57 km from Krabi Town.
How much is entry?
About 400 baht for foreign adults and 200 for children, in cash (according to guides).
Can you swim?
Yes, in the Emerald Pool; not in the Blue Pool.
How far is the walk to the pool?
About 1.4 km on a boardwalk through the forest.
What is the Hot Spring Waterfall?
Cascades of warm spring water about 10 km from the pool, with separate entry.
When is the best time to arrive?
At opening, around 8:30, before the tour coaches.
How long do you need?
2–2.5 hours for the pools, a full day with the waterfall and drive.
Is it good for children?
Yes, the trail is flat and the pool is shallow near the edge.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- Travel guides (Thai Holiday Guide, Pickyourtrail, We Seek Travel, Solo Sophie and others) — pools, trail, entry, hours, swimming, Hot Spring Waterfall (unofficial)
- Wikidata Q136933367 and OSM — coordinates; OSRM — road distances
- YesGo general facts for Thailand — payment, transport
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