phuket waterfalls tour

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4 Waterfalls to discover in Phuket

• Best of Phuket , Waterfalls , What to Do?
• by Willy Thuan
• Last updated 16 October 2021 21 June 2022

Phuket waterfalls are modest in size, especially during the high season when the lack of rain reduces the stream to a trickle. There are three waterfalls in Phuket, distributed around the island, and they seem always to attract kids, families and couples during the weekend. Thailand is a tropical country, and the weather is warm or hot all year round, and the water is just cool enough to dip in and refresh yourself.

You should also know that the two most significant waterfalls in Phuket are inside national parks, and therefore you will have to pay an entry fee of 200 baht per person (plus a car fee) at the gate. Those waterfalls are Bang Pae , on the eastern part of Phuket, and Ton Sai Waterfall , located further north, not far from Thalang Town, on the way to Phuket International Airport .

Kathu Waterfall is well-known and relatively small, and the access is free. However, if you go during the rainy season and find the path to the upper levels, it can be quite charming. Past Kao Khad Beach , you can reach a tiny and not well-known cascade, but it’s not worth going to. Outside Phuket, things get a lot nicer, and we’ll add more waterfalls as we discover them.

1. Bang Pae Waterfall

Bang Pae, the largest and most popular Waterfall in Phuket, is 18 meters high. Many locals come on weekends with their kids to cool down in the stream. Teenagers come for a romantic escape and often enjoy jumping from the rocks above into the water, and accidents are not uncommon. You’ll find local shops selling snacks and soft drinks past the entrance of the park. Remember that alcohol is not allowed inside the park.

Bang Pae is near the east coast, in the central part of Phuket, about 20 kilometres from Phuket Town . As it is part of the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, a 200 Baht fee per person is required on arrival. Bang Pae is also home to the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project. Don’t miss Piang Prai , an excellent local restaurant in front of the waterfall park!

2. Kathu Waterfalls

Kathu waterfall is quite lovely during the rainy season as water cascades down four levels through the green jungle. This waterfall is on every Phuket map and very well indicated on the road when approaching Patong . It’s very popular with kids and parents who love to play in the stream while enjoying some local food sold in street carts and small stalls around.

The entrance to Kathu Waterfalls is free as they are not in a national park. However, if you visit during the high season, don’t be surprised if the stream has become small. If you are in the area, you can also try the Phuket Wake Park Cable Ski and the very popular Flying Hanuman zipline.

3. Ton Sai Waterfall

Tonsai is the second largest waterfall on the island, part of the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park. This once again means that you will have to pay a 200 baht fee per person to enter. Tonsai has a decent stream during the rainy season, but it becomes tiny during the high season. Overall, it’s not very impressive and may not be worth the 200 baht entry fee.

4. Ao Yon Waterfall (Ton Ao Yon)

Not very well known and somewhat hard to find, Ao Yon waterfall is only visited by a few locals who seem to enjoy drinking and dating by the water on weekends. To get there, drive along Panwa beach , pass Ao Yon Beach , and reach a small rocky bay. The road leading to the waterfall is on the opposite side of this bay; follow it for a few kilometres.

Waterfalls outside Phuket

5. ton phrai waterfall.

Ton Phrai is one of the most impressive waterfalls outside Phuket island, and it’s not too far if you have a car to drive there. However, spending a hot afternoon bathing here with a beer or cold drink is a fun way to end the day and take some memorable selfies to share with friends.

To get there, drive out of Phuket and drive about 50 km to the Khao Lampee Thai Muang National Park. A short walk then leads to the large pool and magnificent waterfalls. Alternatively, some Eco-tours and bike tours include Ton Phrai in their itinerary.

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More Waterfalls Photos

Map of Phuket Waterfalls

More reading

15 Best Viewpoints of Phuket (Updated)

FAQs about Phuket Waterfalls

The waterfalls of Phuket are not very big, mostly streams falling down a few metres only. They can be fun to visit if you don’t have high expectations.

The best time to visit is during the rainy season, roughly between May to October. During the high season, the stream becomes too small to be worth a visit.

Two waterfalls are inside National Parks and there is a 200 baht entry fee ( Tonsai and Bang Pae ).

No alcohol is allowed at the waterfalls in National Parks ( Tonsai and Bang Pae ).

Born in France a long long time ago, I started to travel the world early until I settled in Phuket in 1994. For the past 30 years, my passion for photography and my curiosity have taken me to every corner of Phuket, Bangkok and everywhere I could go in Thailand. My goal is to share my discoveries, photos and tips to help travellers plan their holidays by making Phuket 101 as easy as possible to use for everyone!

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Phuket waterfalls guide 2024  – the best waterfalls and how to get to them.

Table of Contents

If you love the wild and the jungle you will love the Phuket waterfalls. There are several waterfalls around Phuket each offering something different. This guide will help you plan your trip to Phuket waterfalls with all of the key information for 2024. How to get there, how much the waterfalls cost to visit and what to expect when you get there. We also want to share a secret secluded paddling spot in the jungle near one of the Phuket waterfalls. 

Phuket waterfalls aren’t the biggest waterfalls in Thailand. If you are looking for impressive bigger waterfalls we recommend the hills of north Thailand. However, Phuket waterfalls do give you a chance to immerse yourself in nature and experience the beautiful Phuket jungle. You also stand a very good chance of seeing some wildlife at these Phuket waterfalls. 

Love a good waterfall? I bet you also love a good hike? Don’t miss our guide on the BEST Hikes in Phuket .

What is the best waterfall in Phuket?

The best Phuket waterfalls depends on what you are looking for from your waterfall experience.

The most impressive waterfall  – Bang Pae waterfall

The best waterfall for swimming – Ton Sai waterfall and Ao Yon waterfall

The best waterfall for activities in the area – Kathu waterfall

The best waterfall for wildlife – Ton Sai waterfall (though they’re all good)

The best waterfall for a quiet visit: Bang Wan waterfall

Map of Phuket waterfalls

Here is a map of the main waterfalls in Phuket. There are some smaller waterfalls around as well, but these are the most popular and impressive waterfalls in Phuket. Click on the pins for more details. 

When is the best time to visit Phuket waterfalls? 

Phuket is a relatively small island so rainfall makes a big difference to the rate of flow in waterfalls and streams around Phuket. We recommend seeing the Phuket waterfalls in the rainy season (May – October) for the most impressive and dramatic experience. During the dry season (October – April) some of the Phuket waterfalls can be reduced to a slow flow or even a trickle. 

How do you get to Phuket waterfalls? 

Phuket is a pretty big island and there is not a lot of public transport in Phuket. Things have changed a lot in recent years. To find out more check out our guide on transportation in Thailand. All of the waterfalls that we recommend in this guide have parking spaces. There are several great options to get around Phuket:

Motorbike rental

For solo travellers, travelling couples and backpackers consider motorbike rental. There are loads of bike rental shops around Phuket and you can normally find bike rental for around 200baht per day (£4 or $5) plus petrol, which is only around 40 baht per litre or less (80p or $1). 

Grab a taxi

Another great option for getting around is to use the Grab App for a taxi. Grab is southeast Asia’s answer to Uber. Grab taxis are generally cheaper than finding taxis on the roadside and you don’t need to barter. The whole experience tends to be faster and more efficient. To find out more don’t miss our guide on how to use the Grab App to get the best price taxis in Thailand. As a rough guide prices range between around 100 baht for 3km (this is around £2 or $3) up to around 800 baht to go 50km – approximately the full length of Phuket (this is around £16 or $20). 

For families or bigger groups consider car rental. You can find car rental deals for 800baht per day (roughly £16 or $20). However if you need the car for longer you should be able to find better deals. For a week it should be possible to find car rental options for around 500 baht per day (roughly £10 or $13). You are also likely to spend around 1,000 baht or more in petrol for one week depending how much you drive (this is around £20 or $26).

What should you bring to visit a Phuket waterfall?

All of the Phuket waterfalls that we recommend in this guide are jungle waterfalls. We recommend bringing mosquito repellent and sun protection. We appropriate footwear for trekking over rough jungle paths. Trainers or walking shoes are better than flip flops. It is possible to wild swim at some of these Phuket waterfalls – so you may want to bring swimming stuff too. For each waterfall we will tell you whether it is a good spot for swimming. We also recommend bringing plenty of water. Although you can sometimes find small shops selling food and drinks near these waterfalls, this is not reliable. So be prepared with your own water. 

Phuket waterfalls 1: Bang Pae Waterfall – Phloen Chan village

The Bang Pae waterfall (น้ำตกบางแป) is the biggest and most impressive Phuket waterfall. The water cascades 18m over a sheer fall into a deep plunge pool in an impressive narrow gorge. There is a carpark at the start of the trek to Bang Pae waterfall. There is normally a national park fee for visiting Bang Pae waterfall – although we arrived early in the morning and there was no one to collect the fee when we arrived. Just inside the national park you will see the Gibbon Rehabilitation centre – this is a non-profit charity that rescues Gibbons and prepares them for release back into the wild. Due to the nature of the project they try to keep humans away from the gibbons in order to foster their cautious nature. From the Gibbon rehabilitation centre you need to trek approximately 1km up a jungle trail with the river to your left. As you get close to the waterfall there is a small section of risky trail with a drop to your left.

Take care. Bang Pae waterfall is located in a deep narrow gorge. We do not recommend leaving the path to get closer to the waterfall. The plunge pool is deep, contains some rocks and the waterfall produces strong currents. Some of the rocks on the approach to the waterfall are also slippery. 

Where is Bang Pae waterfall located? Bang Pae waterfall is located in the Phloen Chan village area in the north east of Phuket. 

How much does it cost to visit Bang Pae waterfall? There is a national park fee of 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children. There will normally be someone to take this payment at the national park office located in the carpark.

Can you swim at the Bang Pae waterfall? We do not recommend swimming near the waterfall itself. However there are several spots in the river on the approach to the waterfall that are deep enough for swimming.Take care climbing down to the waterfall from the trail.

What else is there to do near the Bang Pae waterfall? Near the Bang Pae waterfall you can also visit the Gibbon Rehabilitation sanctuary and the Phuket Elephant Sacnturary. 

What is the best place to stay near the Bang Pae waterfall? Check out the stunning Baan Promphun Pool Villa

Phuket waterfalls 2: Tonsai waterfall – Thalang district

The Tonsai waterfall (น้ำตกโตนไทร​​) is a beautiful waterfall located in the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park. This is probably the best of the Phuket waterfalls for seeing wildlife. The water cascades down rocks rather than taking one sheer drop into a plunge pool. At the entrance to the Tonsai waterfall there is a national park office and a car park. Near the car park you will see a pond.

Take a moment to see if you can see freshwater turtles swimming in this pond. If you walk a few hundred meters up the road further you will reach the Tonsai waterfall. At the bottom of the waterfalls is a pool that is deep enough for wild swimming. You can also get a great view of the waterfall itself cascading down the rocks. 

Where is the Tonsai waterfall located? The Tonsai waterfall is located in the Khao Phra Thaeo National park

How much does it cost to visit the Tonsai waterfall? There is a national park fee of 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children  

Can you swim at the Tonsai waterfall? There is a pool at the bottom of the waterfall that is deep enough for swimming.

What else is there to do near the Tonsai waterfall? There are not any attractions near Tonsai waterfall. The closest places of interest are probably Bang Pae waterfall and the Blue tree waterpark. 

What is the best place to stay near the Ton Sai waterfall? The Rubber Hotel is a lovely little hotel with two swimming pools and is not far from the Ton Sai waterfall.

Phuket waterfalls 3: Kathu waterfall – Kathu district

The Kathu waterfall (น้ำตกกะทู้) is located on a hill to the northwest of Kathu. The waterfall itself is more beautiful than impressive – water cascades over rocks rather than a sheer drop into a plunge pool. To get to the Kathu waterfall you can park up at the end of the road (just past Simply’ism cafe and Herb Sauna). You then walk a few hundred meters up some steps. Just past the main waterfall you will see more steps leading up the hillside.

These steps follow the river up into the hills. If you follow these steps further up the hill there is a small path to the left which leads to the river and you can see another higher cascade. If you keep following the steps up the hill a few hundred meters they lead to a small jungle path. You can follow this path round to a beautiful secluded paddling spot in the jungle.

The water here is not deep enough for swimming, but it is a great secret spot for a cool refreshing paddle. This is definitely the best of the Phuket waterfalls for activities in the area. 

Where is the Kathu waterfall located? The Kathu waterfall is located on a hill to the northwest of the Kathu district

How much does it cost to visit the Kathu waterfall? FREE. There are no entrance fees, tickets or national park fees to visit the Kathu waterfall

Can you swim at the Kathu waterfall? There is a sort of pool at the bottom of Kathu waterfall but it is not deep. You can also paddle at the secret secluded spot above Kathu waterfall. 

What else is there to do near the Kathu waterfall? There is a lot to do in the area. On the road near the bottom of Kathu waterfall you can find Simply’ism cafe and spa – it’s a beautiful hidden gem. Nearby you can also visit the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, the Thai cooking academy and the Flying Hanuman.

What is the best place to stay near the Kathu waterfall? Located right by the waterfall and lots of other awesome activities check out the Kathu Waterfall bungalow

Phuket waterfalls 4: Bang Wan waterfall – Kamala district

The Bang Wan waterfall (น้ำตกบางหวาน) is one of the lesser known Phuket waterfalls. Located in the hills to the east of Kamala, the Bang Wan waterfall is a medium size waterfall with water cascading down rocks (rather than a sheer drop). It is possible to drive almost all of the way to the waterfall, so you don’t need to do any trekking to see the waterfall.

There is a small trekking trail leading into the hills from the Bang Wan waterfall. This is a relatively quiet waterfall due to its location. We wouldn’t recommend travelling a long way to see the Ban Wan waterfall – but it is a nice thing to do if you are based in Kamala.  

Where is the Bang Wan waterfall located? The Bang Wan waterfall is located in the hills to the south east of Kamala (around 2-3km from the beach)  

How much does it cost to visit the Bang Wan waterfall? FREE. There are no tickets, entry permits or national park fees to visit the Bang Wan waterfall. 

Can you swim at the Bang Wan waterfall? There is a small pool at the bottom of the waterfall. Not the best spot for swimming – but may be good for paddling. 

What else is there to do near the Bang Wan waterfall? Kamala beach is not too far from the Bang Wan waterfall. 

What is the best place to stay near the Bang Wan waterfall? Bang Wan waterfall is close to one of the most stunning tree house resorts in Phuket – check out the incredible Keemala – this one’s worth a look even if you don’t choose to stay there!

If you have enjoyed learning about Phuket waterfalls there is a good chance you will be interested in a Jungle Trek to a stunning viewpoint in Phuket . Also if you’re planning a holiday in Phuket check out our one week Phuket holiday itinerary – with everything you need to know to plan an amazing trip. 

If you’re travelling with kids and looking for a great place to stay in Phuket don’t miss our guide on THE BEST Phuket Resorts for families.

Life loving, adventure chasing, Mum of 3 who loves travel. Over 10 years of travel writing experience. Emma now loves to give the best tips to help other travel loving parents plan adventures with their kids. Whether you need to find the best accommodation or just need to know how to pack your bag Emma is that travelling mum who love to help you.

2 thoughts on “ Phuket waterfalls guide 2024  – the best waterfalls and how to get to them ”

Excellent post! We are linking to this great content on our site. Keep up the great writing. bx ( musescore.com )

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Rainforest and Waterfall Hiking

Phuket hiking & biking tours, alternative dates for "rainforest and waterfall hiking" tour in phuket.

Every Tuesday & Friday & Sunday

Tour duration: Half-day Price adults: 2300 / Price children: 1800

Description

This is without any doubt Phuket's best waterfall hike. Not only one, but 2 waterfalls! Hike through dense jungle, far beyond the public access area of the Khao Phra Taew national park. Along forest nature trails, even when it sometimes looks as if there is no trail at all. Wildlife spotting: Ever heard the cry of a Gibbon, the world’s loudest mammal? With a bit of luck you might experience it here. Enjoy a plunge in a lovely natural swimming pool in the middle of the jungle or challenge yourself by trying to take a shower under Bang Pae waterfall. Phuket’s number 1 waterfall hiking tour! Lunch included

The Khao Phra Taew national park is one of a total of only 2 national parks on the island of Phuket. It is effectively the only significant virgin rain forest left on Phuket and covers an area of approximately 23 sq kms. The park first became a protected nature reserve around 1977, before being fully established as a national park later in the 1980’s. 

Thanks to this status, the park offers protection to a surprisingly varied collection of wildlife: not only the gibbons for which the park is famous, but also tusked hairy wild boar, malay sun bear (almost disappeared), slow lorises, langurs, porcupines, deer (including the barking deer and the mouse deer), palm civets, monkeys, cobras, pythons, monitor lizards, flying foxes, squirrels and many species of birds. Our experienced guides will, during your hiking tour, always be on the lookout for spotting wildlife, but you need a bit of luck to have a real wildlife encounter. You might more easily hear the wildlife, especially the cry of the gibbon, sometimes called ‘the world’s loudest mammal’. Another loud creature you definitely will hear during your jungle trekking, is the cicada. The cicada is the loudest insect in the world, and its’ sound can be deafening if you happen to pass by a grouping of them, which happens quite often during hiking.

The Khao Phra Taew national park It is also the home of the rare Kerriodoxa or White Back Palm, with huge leaves that on some spots almost look as a ceiling of the trail of your rainforest hiking adventure. This palm tree was discovered in the Khao Phra Taew nature reserve in 1929 and described as a new genus and species in 1983. While hiking in the forest, have yourself pictured with the giant leaf.

The towering giant trees and the forest canopy are overall quite spectacular, and be sure to halt your trekking from time to time to look up and admire this fabulous roof of the jungle.

The three highest peaks of this reserve are the Khao Prathiu (384 m), Khao Bang Pae (388 m) and Khao Phara (422 m). Clouds tend to gather around these peaks and this results in the national park being the wettest area of Phuket province. The soil here is very rocky and thus the water goes straight down the mountain slopes to create 2 of Phuket’s biggest waterfalls: Bang Pae at the east side of the park and Tonsai in the west. These 2 waterfalls are the starting and end point of your jungle hike.

Tour Itinerary

07:30 - 08:30 Pick-up from the hotels ( included for the major beaches), transfer to Khao Phra Teaw National park

09:00 Koh Phra Teaw National Park start of the ca. 6.5 km or 4h trekking on a jungle trail that connects Ton Sai Waterfall to Bang Pae Waterfall, deep into the dense tropical rainforest of the Khao Phra Teaw national park. Stops for refreshment, for swimming in an inviting natural tropical pool and for a jungle shower at Bang Pae, Phuket’s biggest waterfall

13:00 Reaching Bang Pae waterfall: Swimming, end of the hiking, transfer to a local restaurant

13:30 Lunch at a local restaurant with water and soft drinks included

14:30 Transfer back to the hotels

15:00 - 16:00 Arrival at your hotel. Timing of the itinerary is approximate and depends on the walking abilities of the participants and weather conditions

• Transfers from and back to the main beaches of Phuket
• Water and soft-drink
• Lunch in a popular local restaurant
• Snacks and fruit
• National Park entrance fee of 400 THB per person
• English speaking licensed Thai guide
• Accident insurance

What To Bring

• Closed shoes fit for hiking on a rough trail, like sports shoes or trekking shoes (flip-flops not allowed)
• Light clothes
• Dry t-shirt for after the trekking
• Small backpack to carry water bottles and your personal belongings

Activity Level

• The trail is challenging, sometimes steep, rocky and slippery
• You might have to climb over or crawl under fallen trees
• Conditions are steamy hot. It takes approx. 4 hours, with breaks included, to finish the trail
• This trip is not recommended for young children (we put an advisory minimum age of 8 yrs), obese people or people with a heart condition