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View all Krabi toursEmerald Pool, Hot Spring Waterfall and Jungle ATV Ride in Krabi
Trade the beach for Krabi's interior: a swim in the famous Emerald Pool, warm mineral cascades at the hot spring, and an ATV run through rainforest tracks.
Highlights
- Swim in the clear, spring-fed Emerald Pool
- Soak in warm mineral cascades at the hot spring waterfall
- Ride an ATV along rainforest and plantation tracks
- Short forest boardwalk through Khlong Thom reserve
- Thai lunch and hotel transfers included
Full description
Inland Krabi is a different province altogether. An hour east of the coast the limestone gives way to rainforest, and the water that filters through it comes out in two very different places: a spring-fed pool the colour of green glass, and a set of warm mineral cascades that have carved themselves into smooth stone bowls.
The Emerald Pool sits at the end of a short boardwalk through the Khlong Thom forest reserve. It is shallow, startlingly clear and cool enough to be refreshing after the walk in. The hot spring waterfall is the opposite experience: water at around body temperature running over rock ledges shaped like natural bathtubs.
Between the two, an ATV session takes you along rubber-plantation tracks and forest trails. Riding is on easy terrain with a guide leading, so it suits beginners, and lunch is included in the day.
Tour Itinerary
The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
Hotel pickup
Air-conditioned transfer inland towards the Khlong Thom district.
ATV jungle ride
Safety briefing, then a guided ride along forest and rubber-plantation tracks.
Emerald Pool
Short boardwalk through the forest to the spring-fed pool, with time to swim.
Lunch
Thai lunch at a local restaurant near the reserve.
Hot Spring Waterfall
Soak in the warm mineral pools carved into the rock ledges.
Return to hotel
Drive back to the coast with hotel drop-off.
Detailed Itinerary
The van collects you around 08:00 for the drive inland, which takes a little over an hour as the road climbs away from the coast. The ATV session comes first, starting with a briefing and a few practice laps before the group heads out onto the trails behind the plantations.
By late morning you reach the Emerald Pool. A boardwalk leads through the forest to the water, and there is enough time for a proper swim rather than a quick dip. Lunch follows at a local restaurant nearby.
The afternoon is spent at the hot spring waterfall, where warm water runs down a series of rock terraces that you can sit in. Most people combine a soak here with a cool rinse in the stream below. The drive back to the coast leaves around 15:15.
Includes
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Air-conditioned transport
- English-speaking guide
- ATV ride with instruction and helmet
- Thai lunch
- Drinking water
- Insurance
Excludes
- Emerald Pool and hot spring entrance fees
- Towels
- ATV upgrade to a longer route
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
Important information
Meeting point
Hotel pickup in Ao Nang, Krabi Town or Klong Muang
Know before you go
- Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts
About this activity
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Traveler Reviews
The Emerald Pool really is that translucent jade colour, fed by a mineral spring so the water is a comfortable warm rather than cold. The hot spring waterfall afterwards is a series of smooth rock basins around 35 to 40 degrees and you sit in them like natural bathtubs. Doing the pool first and the hot spring second is the right order.
The ATV section was an hour through rubber plantation and rainforest tracks and we came back covered in mud, which was exactly the point. Full briefing and a helmet before you set off, and the guide rode at the front setting the pace. Bring clothes you do not care about.
A good break from boats. Emerald Pool has a short forest boardwalk in from the car park with the Blue Pool nearby, though you cannot swim in that one. The hot spring is small so go early or you queue for a basin.
Three good stops, but the drive between them is long and the total road time is close to two and a half hours. The ATV was great fun and the emerald pool was beautiful. Just know you spend a fair chunk of the day in the minivan.
I expected the hot spring to be lukewarm and it is properly warm, almost too warm after a few minutes. The contrast with the cool Emerald Pool earlier was the best part of the day. Changing rooms at both sites but bring your own towel.
Our guide was excellent on the plants along the boardwalk and pointed out a hornbill in the canopy. ATV was single rider with an option to go double for kids. Lunch was included and served at a local place near the hot spring.
The Emerald Pool has a rope you hold at the edge and the bottom is white sand, which is why it glows like that. Everything ran to schedule and the driver was careful. Seven hours felt full but not rushed.
Great combination and good value for three activities. The Emerald Pool was busy by the time we arrived at around eleven, so an earlier slot would help. The ATV and hot spring were both quiet.