Overview
A wild sulfur spring with a real waterfall
The Sulphur Waters of Nokalakevi (often linked with the name Dedamoka) sit in Samegrelo, near the Nokalakevi museum-reserve area. This is a natural spring, not a managed bath. Hot, sulfurous water bursts from the riverbank, builds pale travertine deposits, and spills down into the Tekhuri River.
What makes this spot different from many “hot springs in Georgia” listings is how exposed and changeable it is. The spring is right on a working river with cold water, current, and seasonal shifts. You don’t soak in a tidy pool, you pick your place on the rocks where hot and cold mix to a tolerable temperature.
What to expect on the ground
No changing rooms, no toilets, no lifeguard, and no formal rules posted. You’re visiting a riverside spring with uneven footing and very hot water at the source. Done well, it’s a memorable, simple soak paired with Nokalakevi fortress. Done poorly, it’s an uncomfortable scramble in flip-flops.
Location & Access
Where it is
The Sulphur Waters of Nokalakevi are in Samegrelo (Senaki municipality), close to the Nokalakevi museum-reserve area. Most visitors approach via western Georgia roads between Kutaisi and the Black Sea side of the region.
Getting there
You’ll typically drive, then do a short but steep walk down to the river. The final approach can involve rough ground and slick rock near the waterline. If it has rained recently, expect mud and a higher, faster river.
Seasonality
Listings describe this as an all-season place, but conditions matter more than the calendar. Warm months are easiest for changing, drying off, and dealing with wet footing. In winter, the contrast between air and water is intense, and the rocks can be icy in shade.
What to bring
Swimsuit, a towel, and shoes with grip (not smooth sandals). Pack drinking water, a dry bag for electronics, and a trash bag. There are no services at the spring, so you bring what you need and you take it back out.
Suitability & Accessibility
Nokalakevi’s sulphur waters are best for confident day-trippers who like natural sites and can handle uneven river terrain. It pairs well with a fortress visit and is most enjoyable when you have flexibility to walk away if the river looks sketchy.
Families
Families can do this with older kids who listen well, but it’s not a relaxed “let them splash” situation. The water at the source can be extremely hot, and the river is real, with current. Keep kids within arm’s reach and pick calmer eddies, not the main flow.
Mobility realities
This is not accessible for wheelchairs, and it’s tough for anyone who struggles with steep paths, loose rock, or getting in and out of water without handrails. If you need stable steps and a controlled pool edge, choose a managed bathhouse in Tbilisi instead.
Expectations vs reality
People show up expecting a natural “pool”. What you actually get is a hot cascade and mixed-temperature puddles along the riverbed. You’ll probably shift positions a few times to find the right balance of hot and cold.
Safety & Etiquette
Hot-water burns are the main risk
The spring emerges very hot. Do not put your body under the main flow without testing first. Start by wetting a hand or forearm, then ease in where hot water has already mixed with river water.
River safety
Watch river level and speed. After heavy rain upstream, the Tekhuri can rise and move faster than it looks. Skip the soak if water is high, brown, or pushing hard against rocks. Avoid alcohol here, your footing and judgment matter.
Footing and rock
Travertine and algae-slick stone can be slippery. Wear shoes with grip, move slowly, and keep your entry and exit points simple. This is not a place to jump from rocks or climb wet cliffs for a photo.
Etiquette and leave-no-trace
Keep soap and shampoo out of the river. Don’t chip travertine, it’s fragile. Pack out all trash, including cigarette ends and food scraps. If someone is already using the best soaking spot, give them space and wait your turn.
Privacy
This is an open riverside area. Wear what you’d wear at a public swimming hole and be considerate with photos, especially if other people are changing or soaking nearby.
FAQs
Is there an entrance fee?
The spring itself is an informal natural site with no ticket booth. If you also visit the nearby Nokalakevi museum-reserve/fortress, that site may have its own ticketing and hours.
How do you reach the water?
Most people drive close, then walk down to the river on a short, steep path. Expect uneven ground and wet rock at the bottom.
Are there facilities like toilets or changing rooms?
No. Bring what you need, including water, a towel, and a bag to carry out trash. Plan to change discreetly at your car.
Is it safe year-round?
Conditions change with rain and river level. Warm months are easiest, but any season can be unsafe if the river is high or the rocks are slick.
How hot is it?
The source can be extremely hot. Most people soak where hot and cold water mix, and adjust position until it feels comfortable.