Krabi isn't only sea and islands. Inland to the southeast, deep in the rainforest, lie a natural turquoise pool called the Emerald Pool, a seasonal Blue Pool, and a warm spring that tumbles into stone basins you can soak in. It's about an hour by road from Ao Nang — an easy day trip away from the coast and into the trees.
Most people come to Krabi for the sea — Railay, the longtail boats, lazing on the sand at Ao Nang — and that's a fine trip. But if you have a spare day and fancy a change of scene, head inland. Krabi has a big swathe of tropical rainforest in its interior, around Khlong Thom district and the Khao Phanom Bencha range, and it hides a natural turquoise spring-fed pool and an underground hot spring.
This page walks you through the three spots people usually combine into one day: the Emerald Pool (Sa Morakot), the star of the show; the Blue Pool, beautiful but unreliably open; and the hot-spring waterfall, where you can soak and unwind. We're honest about each one — how to get there, roughly what entry costs, which spot you need to check on before you go, and how to pace the day so you see it all without wearing yourself out. Before you set off, our guide to getting around Krabi will help you plan.
Three spots in the Khlong Thom rainforest you can do together in a day — with an honest note on which is open all year and which you have to hope for.
If you only do one stop, make it the Emerald Pool. It's a natural pool in the tropical rainforest of Khlong Thom district, fed by an underground spring so clear you can see the sandy bottom, with a striking turquoise-green colour that comes from the minerals and the light filtering through the canopy. Locals call it Sa Morakot.
From the car park you walk a boardwalk and forest path for a while before you reach the pool — shady and cool the whole way. At the pool you can wade in and swim within the marked area; the water is pleasantly cool. Be honest with yourself about timing: on busy days the water can be cloudier and the swimming area packed, so the earliest start gets you clearer water and fewer people. And remember — no sunscreen or soap in the pool.
About 600–800 metres further into the forest from the Emerald Pool is the Blue Pool, a small spring whose deep, vivid blue looks almost unreal. The colour comes from minerals in the water welling up from underground, lit by the sun, and it's a spot a lot of people come specifically to photograph.
Two honest warnings up front. First, you can't swim in the Blue Pool — it's look-only. Second, and more important, its opening is unreliable: the sanctuary often closes the Blue Pool in the rainy season (roughly May–Oct) because the trail gets slippery and the water level shifts, and in some years it stays shut longer to let the area recover. If you've set your heart on the Blue Pool, check with the sanctuary office, or ask your driver or guide before you leave, so you aren't disappointed.
About 10–15 km from the Emerald Pool are the hot springs, the spot people like to finish on after a day in the forest. A warm underground stream tumbles down over the rocks, which it has worn into smooth, rounded basins — like a set of natural jacuzzis you can sit and soak in.
The water is around 35–40°C, warm and easy rather than scalding, and a soak is wonderful for tired muscles, especially after the walk at the Emerald Pool. Be honest about the hazards: some rocks are slippery with algae, so watch your step, and don't soak too long — 10–15 minutes at a time, then a rest, and drink plenty of water. If you have a heart condition or high blood pressure, take care and check with a doctor first. There's a cool stream below to dip into and cool off between soaks.
All three sit in the same area, so most people fold them into one comfortable day. A plan that works: leave Ao Nang or Krabi Town early, around 8.00 am, drive about an hour to reach the Emerald Pool mid-morning, walk in to swim, then continue on foot to the Blue Pool if it's open that day.
In the afternoon, drive on another 20–30 minutes to soak at the hot springs and ease your legs before heading back, reaching your hotel by early evening. If you have the time and want more, you can add Tiger Cave Temple, which is on the way back towards town — or, for the following day, see our other day trips from Krabi.
Sort out the transport — the Emerald Pool and hot springs are deep in the forest in Khlong Thom district, with no public bus or songthaew to the gate. The easiest option is a day tour with hotel pick-up (usually the Emerald Pool plus the hot springs, sometimes with Tiger Cave Temple or a boat trip added). For more flexibility, rent a car or hire a car-and-driver for the day. Self-driving means Highway 4 south towards Khlong Thom, then a turn into the sanctuary road — about an hour from Ao Nang in all.
Check what's actually open: the Emerald Pool runs nearly all year, but the Blue Pool's opening is unreliable — it's often closed in the rainy season and in some years shut for longer to let the area recover. If the Blue Pool is the reason you're going, call the Khao Pra–Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary office, or ask your guide or driver, every time. Entry is charged separately for the Emerald Pool and the hot springs, and the figures change periodically, so checking on arrival is the surest way to know.
What to wear and bring: wear shoes you can walk a trail in and that grip, because there's a dirt-and-boardwalk path to the pool and the rocks around the hot springs are slippery. Pack a swimsuit, a change of clothes, a towel, drinking water and insect repellent. Don't use sunscreen or soap in the pool — it keeps the water clear — and take your litter out with you. In the rainy season (May–Oct) the paths are slippery and the water can cloud, so tread carefully and be ready for some spots to be closed. Reading our best time to visit Krabi alongside this will make planning easier.