Phuket waterfalls guide 2026  – the best waterfalls and how to get to them

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 2026. 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). 

Car rental

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.