Emerald Pool in Krabi is a natural swimming pool hidden amidst a lush green forest. Located in Klong Thom District, the pool is rich in minerals, giving the crystal-clear waters an emerald hue.
If you only have one day in Krabi, this is the first place you would want to add to your itinerary, especially when staying in Ao Nang. Since it is far away from the beach area and Krabi Town, it is easier to explore it first and then move towards the commercial hub.
All about the Emerald Pool in Krabi
Here is what you can experience when visiting the Emerald Pool in Krabi:
Entrance
At the entrance of the National Park, you will find the ticket counter and a big board that states: Welcome to Emerald Pool.
After you buy your ticket as you walk inside the gate, you will find a narrow water stream flowing by. Here is where you begin the 800-meter journey through the forest to reach the pool area.
Hiking through greenery
The short hike is no less than magic because you’re greeted with insects chirping throughout the way. The rainforest is home to hundreds of plant species and you might be accompanied by butterflies as you walk.
Exploring the rainforest
If it is your first time inside a rainforest, the ecosystem will surprise you.
For starters, a narrow strip of road filled with sand and gravel has directions on the way to lead you to the pool. The route is slightly inclined and might make you feel like you’re walking uphill.
You will find nameplates added to some of the trees to identify and learn about them. The constant chirping of insects keep getting louder and gives you the essence of feeling connected to nature.
Reaching the Emerald Pool area
As soon as you’re near the Emerald Pool you will find washrooms to change your clothes. There is a narrow wooden walkway with water flowing underneath to lead you closer to the pool. On the way, there is a kiosk that sells food and beverages and can seat 4-5 people.
Once you locate the pool from afar, you will find shimmering turquoise water with mangrove trees at the backdrop. Many of their roots go deep into the waters creating one of the most pristine conjunctions you’d find in Krabi.
Safety measures
Since the swimming pool is natural and not artificially created keeping safety standards in mind, swimmers must maintain caution. The limestone rocks are slippery so while entering the pool, you have to be careful. The pool is 1.5 to 2 meters deep and 20 meters wide, and non-swimmers can float by the sides instead of going deep in.
Exploring the Blue Pool
After you’re done swimming at the Emerald Pool, it is time for a 15-minute walk that leads you to the Blue Pool. The hike takes you through the jungle and brings you to these luminous waters that can be seen but not touched!
Yes! Unlike the Emerald Pool, you cannot swim in the Blue Pool. The bottom of the pool comprises quicksand making the temperature of the water extremely hot. It fluctuates between 30 and 50 degrees Celsius, so people can only experience the beauty from afar.
It is interesting to note that the water that flows into the Emerald Pool comes from the Blue Pool. But by the time it reaches the Emerald Pool, it cools down and makes it accessible for swimming.
If you don’t have enough time, you can skip exploring the Blue Pool and move to your next place to visit. The pool is not accessible to visitors between May and October as Gurney’s Pitta birds breed here during this time. As they are endangered beings, the National Park offers complete protection from human intervention.
Emerald Pool opening hours and cost
The nature reserve opens up by 8:30 am every day and closes at 4:30 pm. So, you can access the Emerald Pool during this time.
Between October and May, you can visit Blue Pool between 10 am and 3 pm. So, the best time to visit this place is when you can access both pools (10 am to 3 pm).
The entry fee at Emerald Pool is 400 Baht for adults and 200 Baht for children.
What to eat at Emerald Pool?
There are a few places to eat within the premises, but more options outside the National Park. You can stop at a tiny shop for lunch after you’re done with your swimming sesh!
Note that it is forbidden to take food instead the park and you might have to pay a fine worth 500 Baht if caught.
One more thing that isn’t allowed in the National Park is drones. You can carry your smartphone and keep them in a rented locker while you are swimming in the pool. They will charge 20 Baht for each locker you need.
How to go from Ao Nang to Emerald Pool?
Emerald Pool is located inside a National Park and the best way to reach is to book a private car. Reserving a taxi prior to your trip is crucial to making the most of your day in Krabi.
The National Park is one hour away from Krabi Town, and it is cost-effective to book a taxi for 5-6 hours. While a round-trip would cost 2,000 Baht, if you want to add more places to visit the charges could increase.
After exploring the Emerald and Blue Pool, you can visit the Saline Hot Spring Khlong Thom before heading back to Krabi Town. So, it is best to book a guided tour for the day instead of only booking the car to bring you to National Park and taking you back to hotel.
You can also rent a bike from Krabi Town for 200 Baht per day. You have to purchase fuel worth 80 Baht separately to travel from Krabi Town to Emerald Pool and back. Parking charges for the car are around 30 Baht and for the bike, it is 20 Baht.
Here’s how we did it!
When I visited Krabi with my sister in September 2023, we flew from Bangkok to Krabi via flight and reached at 9 am. We pre-booked a car from Klook, and that helped us connect with our driver Veena. Instead of heading to our hotel, we went straight to the Emerald Pool, which was 45 minutes away from the airport.
The cab was booked for 5-6 hours and we explored Hot Springs and White Temple after swimming at Emerald Pool. Finally, our trip ended near Ao Nang Beach and we checked in to our hotel in the afternoon. You can WhatsApp Veena at +66 84-507-2873 if you want to book her cab services when in Krabi.
Where to stay in Krabi?
I wouldn’t recommend you to stay near the Emerald Pool because the main city is one hour away. This is where you will ideally want to be because the night market, shopping hub, restaurants, beach, and massage places are all in Krabi Town.
If you’re looking for a party vibe, you should stay in Krabi Town and if you’re looking for a romantic getaway you should stay near Ao Nang Beach. Check out what to expect across both options:
Krabi Town
If you like being in a crowded area filled with places to eat, shop, and blend into the local culture, this is the perfect place to be. Krabi Town is famous for its night market that is set up every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday between 5 pm and 10 pm. Here there are stalls filled with merchandise of all kinds and plenty of things to eat. From souvenirs like fridge magnets to t-shirts with Thailand written on them, from tasting the iconic banana pancake to trying cocktails as cheap as 100 Baht, the night market is a vibe!
Ao Nang
Ao Nang opens you to the most surreal side of Krabi. It is a popular place where tourists want to stay as there are plenty of beach-facing hotels. The place is also filled with restaurants of different cuisines, Thai spa places, and shopping places. We stayed at the Vacation Village Hotel in Ao Nang, and the in-house restaurant was beach-facing.
Happy swimming!
You can’t skip the Emerald Pool when in Krabi because it is one of the most incredible places to visit. It is one of the rarest natural waterbodies with therapeutic properties that soothe our skin and create a relaxing experience.
It is best to have at least 2-3 hours at hand when visiting the National Park as there is a lot to see. But if you have limited time, you might not want to go extensive and explore the Emerald Pool while leaving the Blue Pool.
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