Krabi province is known for its islands and beautiful beaches, but another spot is gaining popularity as a swimming destination: Emerald Lake (Sra Morakot in Thai). This natural pool, about 50 kilometers from Krabi or Ao Nang, owes its name to its crystal-clear, emerald-green water. From the parking area, two paths lead to Emerald Lake: the main road, which continues directly past the ticket office, and the hiking trail. The latter is located just to the right after the entrance. It is 1.4 km long and considerably more scenic than the wide path that leads directly from the entrance to the pool. Besides Emerald Lake, which is sometimes also called that, there is another pool, Sra Kaew, and the magnificent Blue Pool, 600 meters beyond Emerald Lake. Don't miss it! It would be a shame to come here and miss the intense, natural blue color of the Blue Pool.

Entrance fee: 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child. Parking: 20 THB for scooters, 30 THB for motorcycles, and 40 THB for cars. Open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Try not to arrive too late after opening, as busloads of tourists often arrive around midday and just before closing. The Krabi Emerald Pool is particularly busy on weekends, as many locals visit on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

There are no regular buses or songthaews that run from Krabi Town or Ao Nang to Emerald Lake. You can either book a tour with one of the many tour operators that offer it as part of their excursion program, rent a scooter (international permit required for 200 THB/day), or ask a tuk-tuk driver to take you to Emerald Lake, wait for you in the parking lot, and bring you back. Emerald Lake is easy to find by car: follow Route 4 towards Trang and after about 30 km, turn onto Route 4081. After 200 m, turn right onto Route 4021. Emerald Lake is well signposted at the end of this route.

Emerald Pool is a temple, and when visiting a temple in Thailand there are some rules to follow: appropriate clothing (knees and shoulders should be covered), remove shoes when entering the building, be quiet, do not hug or kiss, do not point your feet at the Buddha statue, do not smoke.

How to get there

How do you get to Emerald Pool? There are no direct local buses or songthaews from Krabi Town or Ao Nang to Emerald Pool. You can either book a tour with one of the many tour operators that offer trips there, rent a scooter (international permit required for 200 THB/day), or ask a tuk-tuk driver to take you to Emerald Pool, wait for you in the parking lot, and bring you back. By car, Emerald Pool is easy to find: Follow Route 4 towards Trang and after about 30 km, turn onto Route 4081. After 200 m, turn right onto Route 4021. Emerald Pool is well signposted at the end of this road.