How to Visit the Hot Stream Waterfall (Krabi Hot Springs)

Last Updated on 16th March 2026 by Charlotte Nadeau

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Mineral-rich thermal water has been cascading into glistening rock pools for centuries. The Krabi Hot Springs are a natural, jacuzzi-like network of pools nestled deep in the jungle within the Klong Thom district, offering a relaxing retreat into nature while exploring the southern region of Thailand. Best visited in the morning for a peaceful dip, here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Hot Stream Waterfall.

At first, I was sceptical as to whether I would enjoy this attraction or not, as I had read that it can get significantly overcrowded, especially later in the day. Luckily, as we had access to our own car, we were able to leave Krabi fairly early in the morning to reach the hot stream for opening time.

Warning: a few places in the area name themselves as the Krabi Hot Springs. The place you want to visit is marked on Google maps as ‘KhongThomNuea Hot Stream Waterfall Krabi’. The spot is also often referred to as Namtok Ron Hot Spring.

What is the Hot Stream Waterfall?

The Hot Stream Waterfall, also known as the Krabi Hot Springs, is a series of natural thermal pools filled with mineral-rich water heated by volcanic chambers deep underground. The water is naturally heated by geothermal springs and can reach around 35–40°C (95–104°F), creating a relaxing, spa-like setting for those soaking in the warm pools.

This relaxing atmosphere is further enhanced by the fact that Krabi Hot Springs is nestled deep in the jungle in the Khlong Thom District. Thanks to the natural minerals in the water, many people believe it has therapeutic properties!

The main star of the show is the waterfall hot stream itself, from which the pools take their name; it’s here that the majority of visitors will flock to, enjoying the fresh water cascading down the smooth limestone rocks.

Activities at the Hot Stream Waterfall

The waterfalls: Of course, the main activity while visiting is to soak up the therapeutic streams of the Hot Stream Waterfall. Depending on what time you visit, you’ll find that just below the main hot stream is the busiest area, but well worth a quick soak under for the full experience.

Other baths: There are several other smaller pools which the hot streams run into. In fact, the pools are all of varying temperatures, so you can take a dip in each one and find out which suits you best to relax in.

The river: The falls flow into a small freshwater stream that runs through the jungle of Khlong Thom District. Wandering along the river offers a peaceful moment away from the springs and allows you to soak up the beauty of the surrounding natural scenery.

Walking the jungle path: There are several paths interwoven in the jungle from which to explore. Wander the paths and spy out local wildlife, but be sure to stick to the path for safety.

How to visit Krabi Hot Springs

Be sure to visit the Hot Stream Waterfall in Khlong Thom Nuea, as this is the official site of the Krabi Hot Springs. The opening hours are typically from 8 – 8:30 am until 6 pm daily, and the best time to visit is as early as possible so you can arrive before the tour buses and avoid the crowds. We actually arrived at the opening and were able to enjoy the waterfalls entirely to ourselves for around 15-20 minutes, a very worthwhile experience!

In terms of getting to the springs, there are a few options:

You can easily combine a visit to the Krabi Hot Springs with a trip to the nearby and equally mesmerising Emerald Pool. There are quite a few tour options available

• Ao Nang: Hot Spring, Emerald Pool & Tiger Cave Temple Tour (full day) – On this tour, you get to experience Krabi Hot Springs, Emerald Pool, and the Tiger Cave Temple, with lunch included. It’s a full-day tour of 9 hours. Book your tickets here.
• Krabi: Tiger Cave Temple, Emerald Pool and Hot Springs Tour (full day) – Similar to the tour above, except this offers a more intimate experience with a smaller group size. It’s one of the number one-selling tours through GetYourGuide. Book your tickets here.
• Krabi: Private Round-trip Taxi to Emerald Pool and Hot Spring (full day) – You can book your private car for the day through GetYourGuide, like this one, which offers a taxi service that drives to both pools. This is ideal if there are three or more in your group. Book your tickets here.
• Vehicle and Driver at your disposal (8 Hours) – As this tour suggests, you can book a driver and simply ask them where to take you/what time, allowing for flexibility between the various sights. This is ideal for groups of 4 or more. Book your tickets here.

Or you can opt to take a taxi or tuk-tuk ride from Krabi town or Ao Nang itself. The pools are located just over an hour away. You’ll need to book your driver for either a half-day or a full-day trip (typically costing around 1,500 and 2,000 THB). Be sure to negotiate the price up front with your driver before setting off.

We personally rented a car at the airport for our entire stay in Krabi, as it gave us greater flexibility in getting around and allowed us to visit places like the Krabi Hot Springs, the Mud Crabs Sculpture or Tiger Cave Temple, with ease and flexibility, and to avoid the peak busy times.

On arrival, you’ll see a small hut displaying “entrance fee”; it’s here that you’ll see the list of prices, which are noted as 200 THB for foreign adults and 100 THB for foreign children. There are also public toilets, and a small are where you can purchase drinks or snacks.

When there, be sure to stay hydrated. Because the water is so hot, you are recommended to spend a maximum of around 15 minutes in the water to avoid getting too hot and too dehydrated. Also, be careful when climbing rocks in the pools, as they can be really slippery!

What to bring to the hot stream waterfall

Swimwear – Once you see them, you’ll want to soak in the warm pools, so bring a swimsuit to enjoy the natural hot baths. There are basic changing rooms/toilets located near the entrance, but for ease, I recommend wearing your swimsuit to the springs.

Drinking water – The hot springs and humid jungle heat can make you feel dehydrated really quickly, so be sure to bring plenty of water.

Towel – You’ll want to bring your own towel to dry yourself after the pools.

Water shoes or flipflops – This is mainly personal preference, but I highly recommend bringing some kind of water shoe, as the rocks are mainly slippery and smooth, but there are small pebbles/sharper bits that are sore on bare feet.

Cash – As with much of Thailand, it’s always best to carry cash on you. Bring small Thai baht notes for the entrance fee; there are also typically some small stalls selling water and snacks (however, these tend to be overpriced so I recommend bringing enough food and drink with you to avoid the extra cost).

Sun protection and mosquito repellent – The jungle area is mostly shaded, but I still recommend bringing extra sun protection for when walking around. As the jungle is warm and humid, unfortunately, it is also the perfect habitat for hungry mosquitoes. So, I certainly recommend bringing something to repel them! (That being said, I didn’t notice a huge amount when visiting in the early hours of the morning)

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