
Emerald Lake and Blue Lake, Krabi: A Day Trip from Phuket
By the PhuketGO tour desk on Phuket — we book and run these trips every week · Updated 28 September 2026
The Emerald lake in Krabi's forest is warm mineral water you can swim in; the Blue lake next to it glows turquoise and is for photographs only. From Phuket, our Secrets of Krabi day reaches both in the morning, by road, with hot springs and the Tiger Cave temple later.
Tours and prices in Thai baht
| Tour | Duration | Adult | Child 4–9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secrets of Krabi: hot springs, jungle lakes and the Tiger Cave temple | One day, 05:00–17:40 | 2,500 ฿ | 2,300 ฿ |
| Krabi tropical paradise: four islands in one day | One day, 09:00–18:30 | 2,300 ฿ | 2,000 ฿ |
Prices come straight from our booking system. Children under four join free on most trips — each tour page says so.
Can you swim in the Emerald lake?
Yes — that is the point of the stop. At 09:30 on Secrets of Krabi you swim in warm mineral water, which the card calls a natural spa. Towels for swimming are included. Torn between Phi Phi and the four Krabi islands for a single day? Phi Phi or Krabi islands from Phuket compares the start times, the swimming and the park fees. Whether the whole Secrets of Krabi day is worth the early start is weighed on is the Secrets of Krabi day trip worth it.
The Blue lake, at 10:10, is different: a viewing and photo stop only, no swimming. The guide shows which is which before anyone jumps in.
Take your time in the water — the lakes come early in the day, and the programme moves on to the hot waterfall at 10:50.
How do I get there from Phuket?
By minibus around Phang Nga Bay to mainland Krabi. Pickup is between 05:00 and 06:00 — early, because the forest stops come first, while it is cooler. At 09:00 you start with a walk through old rainforest in Bang Khram forest park, and the lakes follow.
No boat at all on this day, so it runs when the sea is rough and island trips are cancelled. If it's Krabi's islands you're after rather than its lakes, can you reach the Krabi islands by speedboat from Phuket covers the boat day.
What else is on the day?
At 10:50 a hot waterfall running out of the jungle and natural thermal baths in the forest. At 11:40 a traditional Thai lunch at a local café. At 13:20 the Tiger Cave temple — 1,260 steps to the summit, optional, with a cave monastery below. At 16:00 an elephant to feed (100 ฿ on the spot) and at 17:00 the Klong singing cave, where stalactites hold a note. Back at the hotel around 17:40. Whether the twelve-hour Avatar world day is worth it is weighed on is the Avatar world tour worth it.
Included: transfer, guide, insurance, national park fees, Bang Khram tickets, the thermal springs, cave tickets, lunch, drinking water and towels.
It is a full day, but the pace is easy between stops.
What should I bring?
Swimwear and a towel (one is provided too), sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, comfortable trainers for the steps, water shoes for the cave, and clothes that cover shoulders and knees for the temple. Some cash for the small extras — the elephant feeding, a temple offering of 50 ฿.
Swimwear under your clothes saves a change at the lake.
How long is the walk to the lakes?
The day starts with a walk through old rainforest in Bang Khram forest park at nine, and the lakes follow within the park. The card lists comfortable trainers in the bring list — wear them for the walk and switch to sandals at the water.
Water shoes help in the singing cave later in the day, which the card also recommends.
Is it good for children?
For older children, yes: warm swimming, no swell, an elephant to feed in the afternoon. The early pickup and the long day are the hard part, and the Tiger Cave steps are steep. The child price applies from 4 to 9. Want elephants without a ride? Elephant beach, Samet Nangshe and Mantra Spa: is it worth it covers that day.
What is the hot waterfall?
The next stop after the lakes, at 10:50: a waterfall that runs hot straight out of the jungle, with natural thermal baths in the forest around it. Access to the thermal springs is included. Swimming is at the Emerald lake and the hot springs; the Blue lake stays a photo stop. For what the Cheow Lan lake day gives you and what it costs in driving time, see is the Cheow Lan lake day trip from Phuket worth it.
After that, lunch at a local café at 11:40 — traditional Thai food.
What languages and group size?
Groups go up to forty people. Every tour in our catalogue runs with an English-speaking guide. If you need English on the day, ask in the chat before booking. The route can change with the weather, and times are approximate.
When is the best season?
Any. The day does not depend on the sea, so it runs through the rainy months too, and the forest is at its greenest after rain. Only the weather on the day can shift the route or the timings. October in particular is covered on Phuket tours in October.
Who is this day for?
Anyone tired of boats, anyone who gets seasick, families with older children who like warm water more than waves. It is a long day with an early start, so it is less suited to toddlers.
Prefer Krabi's islands? Krabi tropical paradise goes by boat to four of them. Both are compared on Krabi tours. The island day itself is laid out on Krabi four islands tour from Phuket. The Khao Lak safari and the Avatar world day are compared stop by stop on Khao Lak safari or Avatar world from Phuket. If you'd rather spend the day on the Krabi islands, how to book the Krabi four islands tour covers what to send us. The island half of the province is weighed on Krabi four islands or Hong island from Phuket.
The tours on this page
Questions people ask
Can you swim in the Emerald lake in Krabi?
Yes. It is warm mineral water, and swimming is part of our Secrets of Krabi day.
Can you swim in the Blue lake?
No. It is a viewing and photo stop only.
How far is the Emerald lake from Phuket?
Our day trip picks up between 05:00 and 06:00 and starts in the Krabi forest at 09:00.
Is the Emerald lake trip good in bad weather?
Yes. There are no boats on this day, so it runs when island trips are cancelled.
Are towels provided?
Yes, towels for swimming are included.
What else does the day include?
Hot springs, a hot waterfall, lunch, the Tiger Cave temple, an elephant and a singing cave.
How much is the Emerald Pool and hot springs tour from Phuket, and is hotel pickup included?
The Secrets of Krabi price is in the table on this page, in baht. Hotel transfer both ways is included: pickup is between 05:00 and 06:00, and you're back at the hotel around 17:40. If your area carries a transfer surcharge, we name it in the chat before you pay.
Are Emerald Pool and hot springs entrance fees included in the tour price?
Yes, on Secrets of Krabi: the card lists national park entrance fees, the Bang Khram park tickets, access to the thermal springs and the cave tickets as included. Feeding the elephant and the temple offering are paid on the spot.
Tell us your dates
Send the trip you like, your dates and your hotel. We confirm the pickup time and how the sea looks for that day. Payment is agreed in the chat after the booking is confirmed: by card, bank transfer or USDT.