This is another very well known all day trip based on Krabi.
There are three sites, all fairly close together and about 40 minutes by car south of Krabi city. They are illustrated on a number of overhead signs on major roads around the city.
Emerald Pool
You park in an ample car park and walk down through some stalls and restaurants to the park entrance. Tourists will need to pay a Bt 300 entrance fee. Then there is an anticlockwise 800 m boardwalk to the Emerald Pool, which passes the Crystal Pool. All the time water is flowing over the limestone rocks beside you, as you walk through rain forest.
We recommend that you continue your walk another 600 m to…
Blue Pool
This is smaller than the Emerald Pool, and swimming is not allowed. It is a really bright blue if the sky is blue, and the sandy base bubbles up where the water, which is warm, comes up. Beautiful to see.
Then walk back down to the Emerald Pool and relax in the water. It is a good depth for swimming or standing, and very popular. The water flows through it continuously and has a greenish colour. Best way to return to the car park is by the wide gravel path which leads from the toilets/changing rooms area.
Hot Waterfall
A short distance away is this site, again with ample car parking, and a booth to collect the park fee. You then walk along an elevated concrete path alongside the flowing hot water, to a point at the end where the water flows down to the river through a series of rock pools. This means that you can sit in the warm water, but not swim. There is a food court, but better food is available near…
Saline Hot Spring
At this site the saline water bubbles up from underground at a temperature of about 44 C. It is therefore therapeutic, and they have constructed various pools so that you can bathe as the water flows through and cools down. The highest temperature is not available for bathing, but even in the hottest pool you are not recommended to bathe for more than 5 minutes before retiring to a cooler pool. Scoops are available to splash hot water over yourself, and Thai massages are available on site. The nearby Mahutsachan Café has an excellent menu.