Bang Pae Waterfall

Go for a refreshing swim in the drop pools and lay down a blanket for a picnic near one of Phuket’s tallest waterfalls.

Bang Pae Waterfall is an idyllic set of cascades in the midst of the tropical rainforest terrain of Khao Phra Thaeo National Park. The waterfall, which lies at the end of a short jungle trail, drops into a pool of water that is suitable for swimming. Take photos of this stunning watery haven in the heart of the dense forest.

Join the locals and sightseers who use this postcard-pretty natural formation as a serene picnic spot. Take shelter from the afternoon heat in the shade of the trees. Clamber over the large rocks to get a variety of vistas of this 33-foot (10-meter) waterfall and listen to the soothing sound of the flowing water. Bring a bathing suit to enjoy a swim in one of the drop pools around the falls.

Go on a hike along the zigzagging trails of Khao Phra Thaeo National Park. Walk over the undulating terrain and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside of Phuket Island. You can often hear the calls and shrieks of gibbons, part of the ape family, echoing through the forest.

If you haven’t brought a picnic, enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants near the parking lot. Arrive after the rainy season, which is from September through October, to see the falls at their heaviest flow.

There is a fee to enter the national park; retain the ticket for the rest of the day. Visit on any day from morning until late afternoon. Water and mosquito repellent are necessities for the short hike and stay.

Bang Pae Waterfall is a little north of the Mu Ban Phloen Chan district in the northeastern part of Phuket Island. It is in Khao Phra Thaeo National Park in the Thalang region. Drive here and pay the fee to leave your car in the parking lot. Visit nearby landmarks, including the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project, the Ban Ao Kung Mosque and the Ban Phara Mosque.