Away from the beaches, Phuket's hilly interior holds patches of protected rainforest and a handful of waterfalls.
Khao Phra Thaeo National Park
The island's main protected forest area, in the north-east, home to the Bang Pae and Ton Sai waterfalls and a gibbon rehabilitation project that cares for animals rescued from the illegal pet trade.
Waterfall seasons
Like most of Phuket's water-based attractions, waterfalls run fullest during and just after the green-season rains (roughly May–October) and can slow to a trickle during the dry high season.
Combining with other activities
The park sits close enough to Kathu and the island's interior to combine naturally with an ATV tour or a stop at one of the area's nature-watching spots on the same day.
Why visit
A useful contrast to the beach-and-boat-tour circuit, and one of the few places on the island to see native rainforest and wildlife rather than developed coastline.
Practical notes
Paths can be uneven and slippery near the waterfalls themselves, particularly in wet season — proper footwear rather than sandals is worth the extra thought, and the park's humidity makes an early visit more comfortable than a midday one.