What kind of waterfall it is
Kathu Waterfall (น้ำตกกะทู้) lies in Kathu sub-district, 4 km from the Kathu district office. The Phuket provincial website ranks it alongside Bang Pae and Ton Sai but says it is smaller and has no water outside the rainy season. That is why locals come more often than tourists. It is a spot among varied trees, good for relaxing.
For the district itself see our page on Kathu. The upper reaches belong to the Kathu Waterfall community forest (ป่าชุมชนน้ำตกกะทู้): in September 2023 the Office of the National Water Resources (สทนช.) inspected a project there for check dams against soil erosion over at least 291 rai (Daily News, 5 Sep 2023).
Opening hours and how to spend your time
We found no official hours or entry fee: the provincial website gives neither, so they are not confirmed as of 18 Oct 2026. Tourist write-ups disagree, from 8:00-18:00 to round the clock, so we do not use them as fact.
- A stop on the way. The waterfall lies between Patong and Old Town: 9.7 km from Patong, 11.9 km from Old Town. One to two hours including the drive is enough (Thaipedia estimate)
- Relaxing in the shade. The provincial website calls it a place to relax among trees
- When to go. Best in the daytime in dry weather during the water season, not in a downpour
Season: when there is water
The Phuket provincial website says there is water only in the rainy season. By TMD normals (Phuket station, 1991-2020) December to March is dry and May to October wet.
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| December-March | 24-82 mm a month, the waterfall is weak or dry |
| April | 135 mm, still little water |
| May-October | 237-350 mm, in season, wet slopes |
| November | 178 mm, rains getting rarer, less water |
More in Phuket weather by month.
Getting there and how long it takes
The provincial website describes the road from town: towards Patong, left at the first junction and 1.5 km, then left again and 2 km to the waterfall.
| From | Distance | Time without traffic |
|---|---|---|
| Patong | 9.7 km | about 15 min |
| Phuket Old Town | 11.9 km | about 18 min |
| Kata | 19.4 km | about 27 min |
| Big Buddha | 22.4 km | about 33 min |
OSRM calculation on OpenStreetMap data, route from Patong. The sources list no buses to the waterfall; people go by taxi, Grab or their own transport.
Fee
We found no entry fee on official pages. The waterfall is in Kathu district, while the Khao Phra Thaeo reserve lies in Thalang district (boundaries per the Royal Gazette: Thep Krasattri, Si Sunthon and Pa Khlok sub-districts), so the reserve’s fee does not apply here. If someone asks for money for parking or entry on site, ask who it is for and why.
What to do in the rain and in the dry season
Stay away from the water in the rain: at neighbouring Khao Phra Thaeo, per DNP, streams run fast in the rains; there is no such data for Kathu, but the forest and slopes are similar, and nothing is known about railings or insurance. In the dry season the waterfall may be weak or dry, which follows directly from the provincial website. If you picked the wrong season, go to Khao Phra Thaeo or Big Buddha, 22 km away.
Safety
- Rocks. Rocks by the water can be wet. The sources give no data on railings or lifeguards
- Downpours. Do not enter the water or climb above the landscaped area, and in dry weather check the depth yourself
- Animals. If you meet monkeys, do not feed them. After a bite or scratch, wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and see a doctor (WHO)
- Footwear. Closed shoes with grip, not flip-flops
Children
It is a short stop, but the sources describe no railings or markings. Take children in good weather in the water season, keep them in the landscaped area and away from the water in a downpour.
What to bring
- Closed shoes with grip
- Water and insect repellent
- A rain jacket in the rainy season
- Small change in case parking is charged (not confirmed)
Who it suits and who it does not
- Suits: anyone staying in Patong, Kata or Old Town who wants an hour in the forest and by the water in the rainy season
- Does not suit: visitors from December to March who want water, anyone expecting a big waterfall, and anyone who needs a developed park and lifeguards
FAQ
Where is Kathu Waterfall and how do I get there?
It is in Kathu district, 4 km from the district office according to the Phuket provincial website. From town take the road towards Patong, turn left at the first junction and drive 1.5 km, then turn left again and drive 2 km to the waterfall. By OSRM it is 9.7 km and about 15 minutes from Patong, 11.9 km and about 18 minutes from Old Town, and 19.4 km and about 27 minutes from Kata.
How much does it cost to enter Kathu Waterfall?
We found no entry fee information on the provincial website or in DNP data. The waterfall is in Kathu district, while the Khao Phra Thaeo reserve and its fee lie in Thalang district, so the reserve's fee does not apply here. Carry small change in case parking is charged, but that is not confirmed.
When does Kathu Waterfall have water?
The Phuket provincial website says there is no water outside the rainy season. By TMD normals December to March is dry (24-82 mm a month) and May to October wet (237-350 mm), so a sensible window is June to November, and in January to March the waterfall may be weak or dry.
Which Phuket waterfall is better: Kathu, Ton Sai or Bang Pae?
All three are small. The provincial website says Kathu is smaller than Bang Pae and Ton Sai and has water only in the rains. Kathu is closest to Patong and Old Town (about 15-18 minutes); Ton Sai is 26 minutes from Old Town, but those two lie in the forest reserve with the Gibbon Centre.
Can you swim at Kathu Waterfall?
The primary sources do not mention swimming here. The provincial website calls it a place to relax among various trees. The flow can rise fast in the rainy season, so go near the water only in good weather and do not climb above the landscaped area.
Can I take children to Kathu Waterfall?
Yes, it is a short stop in the shade, and the provincial website calls it a place to relax. The sources give no data on railings, depth or lifeguards, so in the rainy season keep children away from the water and do not count on facilities.
What can I do at Kathu Waterfall in the dry season?
There may be no water at all: the provincial website says it flows only in the rainy season. Check recent rainfall first, or swap Kathu for a forest walk in Khao Phra Thaeo: its waterfalls are also weak in the dry months, but the forest and the Gibbon Centre remain.
Sources
- Phuket Provincial Administration. Kathu Waterfall
- Phuket Provincial Administration. Parks and nature: Kathu, Bang Pae, Ton Sai
- Daily News. Restoring headwater forests in Phuket: Kathu Waterfall community forest (5 Sep 2023, in Thai)
- DNP. Khao Phra Thaeo Nature and Wildlife Study Centre
- Royal Gazette vol. 97 part 104: Khao Phra Thaeo non-hunting area (12 May 1980), DNP catalogue
- TMD. Climatological Data of Thailand for 30 Year Period (1991-2020), Phuket station
- OpenStreetMap. Kathu Waterfall (node 11159316687) and OSRM routes
Found an error or outdated fact? Tell the editors, we will fix it and update the check date.