Bang Pae and Ton Sai waterfalls are located in the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park
in the east of Phuket. The park itself is the last vestige of virgin tropical forest on the island and is home to many exotic animals such as barking deer and various types of monkeys as well as many tropical birds.

Bang Pae

Bang Pae Waterfall

Bang Pae is Phuket's biggest waterfall. To get there, take the east turn off the Heroine's Monument roundabout on the island's main artery, Thepkasattri Road, and head towards the national park. Follow this road for about nine kilometres until you reach an elephant camp then turn left.

The park is signposted and from there you drive through rubber plantations that frame the road perfectly to a parking lot that is also used by the Gibbon Rehabilitation centre (also worth a visit). The sound of the gibbons through the jungle is eerie.

Even though they are kept in cages, humans are not allowed to go very close to them. Just by the rehabilitation centre is a sign saying "No Food and Drink allowed around the Waterfall Please." Pass the restaurants and food stalls and follow the trail for 10 minutes and you will soon come to the waterfall. Entrance to the National Park for foreigners is 200 baht.

Fun for the whole family

Keep the ticket; you may need it later if you visit the other waterfall at the park. The trail heading through the jungle is 'helped along' by some concrete reinforcements but you still have to duck under fallen tree trunks and although you don't have to swing like Tarzan from creeper-to-creeper, it still is physically demanding.

By international standards, Bang Pae is quite a small affair, but visitors appreciate the cool water and shade and use the site as a picnic place, as well as enjoying a meal at the restaurants near the car park and by the lake, as well as outside the gates. In the rainy season this 10-metre high waterfall is quite precipitous but if you visit from December to May it slows down a little yet you still can 'go native' and take a refreshing dip in one of its drop pools or at the main drop itself. It's best to wear good shoes as the path can be slippery and if you expect to be there late afternoon take mosquito repellent as the jungle is quite dense.

Ton Sai

Ton Sai waterfall

Ton Sai ('Banyan Tree') Waterfall is on the western side of the National Park. In fact you can walk through the park from waterfall to Bang Pae with a hired guide who can point out the fauna and flora. To drive to Ton Sai, take the road east at Thalang's main traffic lights. The road may seem small and insignificant but keep going for about five kilometres through the rubber plantations to the park entrance. Here, there are restaurants galore: One by the lake, another near the information centre and another two by the gates. You certainly won't go hungry here!

There are several places to sit in the shade along with ample WC facilities as well as a small children's playground. The gardens are attractively maintained and all in all it's a good spot for an outing as it's family-orientated.

The waterfall itself is easier accessed than that at Bang Pae but not as big or impressive. Still, it's a great spot for a day out of the sun. There is also an information centre where you can ask about a guide for hire but all posters and announcements are in Thai script. There is also a two-kilometre, well-signed trek around the back of the waterfall.

Kathu

One level of Kathu waterfall

Kathu is the rainiest district in Phuket. It is located up against the island's central mountain range and its waterfall is near the Loch Palm golf course. To get there, turn at the traffic lights by the Caltex Gas Station onto Route 4020 (turn left if coming from Patong) and continue for one kilometre until you see a black marble sign for the waterfall, where you turn left again onto 'Thanon Namtokkathu' Kathu Waterfall, Street. There is ample parking space with a snack shop and a 'Swiss-Thai' restaurant (closed Mondays).

Kathu waterfall is 'helped along' a little as halfway up it you will notice two artificial drop pools. Again, in high season from December to May there is not a lot of water but there is always shade and food stalls. The waterfall has stairs and several levels leading up to the cascade along with tables and chairs. Right at the top of the waterfall are pools in which you can take a dip. But be warned… The climb is steep and seemingly never ending. An iced-drinks vendor at the top would do a roaring trade as this climb really does take it out of you. The surrounding hilltop jungle is quite impressive.

Ao Yon

Ao Yon waterfall

This waterfall is behind the beach right next to Ao Yon, near Cape Panwa (Ao Yon Noi). To find the waterfall, take the small road at the western end of the beach by the prawn farm and follow it to its end. 100 metres to the right there is a small path leading up the hill and here you will find the 'Nam Tok Ao Yon' (Ao Yon Waterfall).

The way up is quite difficult because of sharp rocks and you really need to wear good shoes as well as have good eyesight to follow it. There are several drop pools – all quite small but big enough to bathe in and the jungle closes in after a while. Still, it's a cool and even romantic spot to visit if you are in that area.