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Top 4 Waterfalls to See While in Phuket
The best waterfalls in Phuket may not be massive, but they’re as spellbinding as the jaw-dropping, postcard-perfect beaches of the region. In hindsight, they offer new adventures to contrast those on the beachfront — perhaps even surpass them.
Best of all, you don’t have to break a sweat as we’re presenting the most enchanting waterfalls in Phuket. Check out our list if you’re looking for a relaxing time away from the hustle and bustle of crowded beaches.
Bang Pae Waterfall
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Location: Khao Phra Thaeo Nat’l Park, Pa Klok, Thalang, Phuket
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (daily)
Contact: 076 527 282
Admission Fee: 200 baht (tourists), 100 baht (kids), 20 baht (locals)
Nearby Hotspots: Phuket Town (24 km), Patong Beach (30 km), Kata Beach (37 km)
By far, Bang Pae Waterfall is the most famous waterfall in Phuket—for a reason. The waters beautifully cascade down from a 16.7 meter-high cliff to a stream about 524 meters long, the perfect spot for everyone to taste the waters, dip, and swim.
Bang Pae is a precious jewel shining in the middle of the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park. As this is a forest, you’ll likely bump into wild animals, from porcupines and wild boars, enjoying the waters and feeding in and around the thick foliage.
Note this national reserve has caught much attention because of the Gibbon Rehabilitation Center, a project to return domesticated monkeys to the wild. You can do tons of exploring here but expect locals on weekends and admission fees.
Pro Tip:
You can bring the biggest 4×4 SUV for large groups since the parking space is pretty big—just don’t forget to pay the parking fee.
Be ready with extra money and a packed lunch. Since Bang Pae Waterfall is inside a protected park, you’re bound to pay an entrance fee designed to be higher for tourists than the locals.
How to Get to Bang Pae Waterfall
If you travel from Phuket Town, follow the route to Phuket International Airport (HKT) and turn right once you reach Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Si Sunthon Monument.
Approximately 9 kilometers ahead, you’ll find a Bang Pae sign on your left-hand side.
You must follow this short path to the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park entrance. After paying the admission fee and parking your vehicle, walk to Bang Pae Waterfall.
If your starting point is Phuket International Airport, drive to Phuket Town following the Thep Krassati route and turn left on Highway 4027. The Bang Pae sign will be on your right-hand side instead.
Nearby Attractions
Here’s one important attraction to while at Bang Pae Waterfall that’s highly recommended.
Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre
Media from chefdean
Address: 104/3 Moo 3 Pa Klok, Talang, Phuket 83110 Thailand
Open Hours: 9am to 4pm (daily)
Contact: 088 590 9714
The Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre inside Khao Phra Thaeo National Park is a conservation project to protect gibbons in captivity. You can book a visit to this rehabilitation center and join the learning programs.
Here, you can learn how to protect Phuket’s rainforests and wild gibbons. But it’s for a price: a visit here costs 1000 baht for adults and 700 baht for children, with private group visits donning a price tag of 10,000 baht for up to 12 people.
Pro Tip:
Book your visit in advance, at least 4 hours before, to save 100 baht. Note: The 2.5-hour learning program is extensive but costs approximately 4,500 baht per guest.
Kathu Waterfall
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Location: Soi Namtok Krathu, Kathu, Phuket
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
Admission Fee: Free
Nearby Hotspots: Patong Beach (9 km), Phuket Town (13 km), Kata Beach (19 km)
If you’re itching for a free visit, visiting Kathu Waterfall is the place to go. What’s more, you’re in for a treat as this 3-tiered cascade, with steps up to 130 meters, can be the most enchanting.
Although smaller, the Kathu Waterfall looks stunning during rainy seasons when the surrounding greenery is lush and the streaming water is more vigorous. Just observe caution and be aware of the terrain on your visit.
The first tier is safe for everyone, and children can take a dip there and wade in its 3 dams. While the second level is relaxing, complete with tables and benches, the final level isn’t for kids as it requires hiking through a dirt trail and climbing through rocks.
However, finding Kathu Waterfall could be a tall order. To zero in on this famous cascade, head to the parking zone’s right side, beyond the tiny bridge and tall staircase and come face to face with one of nature’s best falling waters.
Pro Tip:
Unless you’re seeking a challenge, we only recommend going up to the second level. It’s where most Kathu Waterfalls visitors go for a picnic and hang out.
The top level is a paradise for nature trailblazers and birdwatchers, especially those who want to witness the activities of wild birds firsthand.
How to Get to Kathu Waterfall
Kathu Waterfall is approximately 10 minutes from Patong Beach or Phuket Town, so traveling there is quick. The best option is to hire a taxi or tuk-tuk, which should cost between 300 and 400 baht.
As Kathu is basically halfway between Phuket Town and Patong Beach, both give you a good start. From Phuket Town, follow the Vichitsongkram Road – Highway 4024 – Phra Phuket Kaeo Road route to reach Soin Namtok Krathu Street.
From Patong Beach, rent a car or motorbike and follow Highway 4029 and Highway 4020 to reach Soi Namtok Krathu Street. Kathu Waterfall is at the end of this street.
Nearby Attractions
The area around Kathu Waterfall has some fun attractions we recommend visiting while you’re here.
Phuket Wake Park
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Website: https://phuketwakepark.com/
Address: 7 112 Kathu, Kathu District, Phuket 83120, Thailand
Operating Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (daily)
Contact: 089 873 0187
Dubbed Asia’s best, Phuket Wake Park is a cable ski wakeboarding place near Kathu Waterfall. Although wakeboarding is a bit pricey, both locals and tourists come in droves to get a piece of the action.
They charge 750 baht, 950 baht, and 1400 baht for a 1-hour, 2-hour, and 4-hour session, respectively, while kid prices range between 450 and 700 baht. To get more value out of your money, pay 1600 baht for a whole-day session instead.
Flying Hanuman
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Website: https://flyinghanuman.com/
Address: 89/16, ซอย น้ำตกกระทู้ Kathu District, Phuket 83120, Thailand
Open Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (daily)
Contact: +66 81 979 2332
You can say Flying Hanuman is zipline on steroids. If you’re keen on getting an adrenaline boost, this zipline course over the dense Katyforest in Kathu should be on top of your list—the ride of a lifetime should be worth every penny.
Book three different adventure courses with varying numbers of platforms and duration. They charge 3490 baht for the 42-platform course, 2650 baht for the 28-platform course, and 1990 baht for the 12-platform course.
Ton Ao Yon Waterfall
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Location: Wichit, Mueang District, Phuket
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
Admission Fee: Free
Nearby Hotspots: Ao Yon Beach (1.4 km), Kao Khad Viewpoint (3 km), Phuket Town (12 km)
Ton Ao Yon Waterfall may be an underrated destination overshadowed by more popular waterfalls in Phuket. But this makes the cascades an excellent place to visit since you can have it for yourself most of the time.
Getting to the top of this waterfall is an uphill climb as the pathways are rather misleading, not to mention infested with sharp rocks. But it’s definitely worth it, as tons of drop pools just large enough for bathing await you and the whole gang.
As it stays under the radar mostly, this waterfall can be as pristine as ever, preserved in its natural state. Plus, the place is an Instagram haven with an army of tropical trees casting jaw-dropping magical reflections on the waters below.
If you’re a nature lover, your journey to Ton Ao Yon can be most liberating. Just be friendly both to locals and to wild animals along the way.
Pro Tip:
Bring comfortable hiking shoes, as you’ll need to climb through rocky points. Wearing proper shoes can help keep you balanced while walking on slippery slopes.
How to Get to Tan Ao Yon Waterfall
Ton Ao Yon Waterfall is a short, 17-kilometer ride from Phuket Town, so you can choose from many transportation options. For instance, you can board a songthaew or tuk-tuk to Cape Panwa and take another ride to Ao Yon Beach.
Although the waterfall is within walking distance from Ao Yon Beach, the identical paths can confuse first-time visitors. Don’t worry; you can ask for directions, and most locals will be happy to point you in the right one.
Remember: the path to Ton Ao Yon Waterfall is littered with similar paths leading to various places. Worse, you’ll come across a local village and bump into buffaloes before reaching the place, but following a little stream can guide you.
Nearby Attractions
Since the area near Ton Ao Yon Waterfall has many beaches, there are a series of options to grab your attention and stop by during your visit. However, there is one unique attraction we strongly recommend you try while you’re nearby.
Tarzan Adventure Phuket
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tarzanphuket/
Address: Ao Yon Khaokhad Road, Wichit, Phuket
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (daily)
Contact: +66 91 648 7244
Tarzan Adventure Phuket can surely be a blast for you and the whole family. Managed by Tarzan Seaside Cafe, these adventure courses consist of up to 42 platforms and 17 ziplines across 21 stations
The price range of each course is between 1990 and 3490 baht, which usually takes up to 2 hours to complete. All packages and tours include professional-grade equipment and a dedicated English-speaking instructor to guide.
Ton Sai Waterfall
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Location: Khao Phra Thaeo Nat’l Park, Pa Klok, Thalang, Phuket
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (daily)
Admission Fee: 200 baht (adult), 100 baht (kids)
Nearby Hotspots: Phuket Town (24 km), Patong Beach (30 km), Kata Beach (37 km)
As it’s also located in Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, you can call Ton Sai Waterfall the little sister of Bang Pae Waterfall. And like its famous sibling, Ton Sai is filled to the brim with adventure and excitement.
First up, you have a 2km nature trail that can be a treasure trove if you’re longing to connect with the wild, not to mention bond with your traveling companions. The place is teeming with all sorts of tropical flora and fauna to fill your day to the fullest.
Best of all, Ton Sai is the perfect getaway for a family outing. You have ample resources at your beck and call: public bathrooms, children’s playground, camping spots, parking areas, and shaded areas to lounge about.
Pro Tip:
Alcohol is prohibited and wearing a bikini for swimming is not allowed. Ton Sai is located inside a national reserve, so rules and regulations are strictly enforced.
You can visit two waterfalls in one day since Bang Pae Waterfall and TonSai Waterfall coe from the same water rouse. You can hike from Bang Pae to Ton Sai and vice versa.
How to Get There
Coming from Phuket (town), start your journey by heading towards Heroine Monument, a famous landmark of lady statues at the roundabout of Thalang’s Thepkasattri Road. Then, head towards Thalang town.
Once you reach the traffic light, turn right and you should arrive at Ton Sai National Park in no time. If you’re coming straight from Phuket International Airport, head to Phuket Town first; turn left when you reach Highway 4027.
Note that Ton Sai Waterfall and Bang Pae Waterfall are in the same natural reserve of Khao Phra Thaeo National Park. A 2-km nature trail connects the Ton Sai and Bang Pae waterfalls—being closest to nature should make the hike a breather.