The short answer
Emerald Pool (Sa Morakot): what visitors should know first
Worth a half-day inland trip if you like forest and a warm swim, and you have a car. Arrive near opening time, bring cash, a change of clothes and water shoes, and swim only in the pool where it is allowed.
Useful facts
Emerald Pool (Sa Morakot) facts at a glance
- Location
- Khao Phra-Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary, Khlong Thom district
- Access
- About 45 minutes by car from Krabi Town; no regular public transport
- Trail
- About 800 m boardwalk from the car park; longer forest trail to a second pool
- Swimming
- Allowed only in the main Sa Morakot pool; other pools are look-only
- Payment
- Cash at the gate; check the current fee
Why it matters
Why Emerald Pool (Sa Morakot) is worth your time
The Emerald Pool is one of the few places in Krabi where inland nature, rather than beach and boat, is the main event. The site sits within the Khao Phra-Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary, a large block of forest that Wikipedia notes receives more than 2,000 mm of rain a year, which explains the lush setting.
The warm spring water, the green colour and the shaded forest make it a useful alternative on days when the sea is rough or you want a break from the coast. It also gives families and older visitors a gentler walk than the temple stairways or waterfall treks.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Sa Morakot pool
The main emerald-green pool is shaded and fed by warm springs, with shallow areas for wading.
- 02
The forest boardwalk
An 800-metre walk through shaded forest is flat and gives a taste of Krabi's inland rainforest.
- 03
Quiet early hours
Go at opening time to see the pool before tour groups arrive.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Allow about 45 minutes to an hour by car from Krabi Town, since there is no regular public transport. Most visitors hire a car, take a day-tour van or join an excursion that also stops at nearby sites. Bring cash because tickets are bought at the gate.
From the car park an 800-metre boardwalk leads through shaded forest. The first pool, Sa Kaeo, is look-only. The main pool, Sa Morakot, is the one people swim in: it is fed by warm springs and shaded through most of the day. A second look-only pool, Sa Namphut, lies roughly 600 metres further along the trail. Swim only in the pool where it is permitted.
Arrive near opening time. Tour groups usually fill the main pool by mid-morning and the water gets crowded. Bring water shoes, a towel, a change of clothes and sunscreen, since the first pool has little shade. Outside food is restricted at some sites, so eat before or after.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Bring cash for the gate fee
- Carry water shoes, a towel and a change of clothes
- Swim only in the main pool and follow the signs
- Arrive near opening time to avoid tour crowds
- Check the weather; the site may close in heavy rain
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Khlong Thom district, inland south of Krabi Town
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 hours on site; half a day with the drive
- Best time
- Arrive near opening time; November to March is driest
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- A boardwalk of about 800 metres leads from the car park, which is flat but long for some. The pool floor is uneven and slippery, so wading is easiest with water shoes and a handrail or a companion's arm.
- Tickets and access
- Entry is paid in cash at the gate. Reports put foreign adult tickets near 400 baht and children near 200, but check the current rate on arrival. Opening hours are usually daytime only; the site can close in heavy rain.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Emerald Pool (Sa Morakot)
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
A boardwalk of about 800 metres leads from the car park, which is flat but long for some. The pool floor is uneven and slippery, so wading is easiest with water shoes and a handrail or a companion's arm.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Can you swim in the Emerald Pool?
Only in the main pool, Sa Morakot. The other pools are for looking, according to the Thai Holiday Guide page.
How do I get there without a tour?
There is no scheduled public transport. Most visitors use a rented car, a motorbike or a day-tour van.
Is it suitable for seniors?
The boardwalk is flat, but the pool floor is uneven. Go early, take it slowly and bring water shoes.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
