Emerald Pool and Hot Springs Sidetrip

There is so much to see and enjoy around Krabi town other than the classic beach getaways of Koh Phi Phi and Railay.

This past Sunday, a few volunteers and staff alike were excited to experience the unusual natural wonder of the emerald pool, a turquoise water jungle sanctuary that can be reached by foot from the parking lot of a particularly beautiful national park that lies about 20 minutes outside of Krabi town.

After spending a copious amount of time enjoying a good swim and observing countless tourists fealessly jump into the quiet crystal water of the pool, we headed back to the van, 2 km down the jungle track.
The area surrounding Krabi is truly unique in that many areas of the surrounding jungle contain water springs that boil up through the ground and form hot water pools of various temperatures and chemical compositions. Some of these are said to have healing properties.
The particular hot spring that we ventured to, after a delicious Thai lunch, originates from a warm stream in the lowland forest of Khao Nor Juji which is supposedly Thailand's last piece of virgin and fertile forest.

About a 10 minute walk down a forest path we came upon the much anticipated hot springs. This place was incredible, hot water was rising from several springs and flowing through a forest until it tumbled down a bluff into a large deep pool. Over the course of hundreds of years, the minerals dissolved in the water have naturally formed about a dozen pools the size of jacuzzis enriched with 40 degree mineral water. Our lengthy soak was a perfect end to an amazing day.

Written by: Meghan Luck, 6 week Teaching Children Volunteer who has now signed onto the TEFL program for next expedition.

Emerald Pool and Hot Springs Sidetrip