Day Trip to an Island in the Andaman Sea
The Andaman Sea, off the coast of Phuket, is known for its stunningly clear waters, coral reefs, and white sandy beaches. The islands of the Andaman Sea are some of the most popular attractions in Thailand and offer a range of activities. Kids of all ages will enjoy the beauty of the Andaman Sea with a memorable day trip to one of the islands.
Make sure you pick the right trip depending on your little one's age and how comfortable they are with boats. For younger kids, consider a 45-minute speedboat ride to Coral Island (Ko He) and Racha Island (Ko Racha Yai). They can enjoy the beautiful white sandy beach on Coral Island and snorkel off the boat in the crystal waters of Racha Island. Lunch is included, so you can relax and enjoy the day.
For older kids, take a 1.5-2 hour speedboat to the Phi Phi Islands (Ko Phi Phi)—famously featured in the movie "The Beach." A group of six islands, the two main islands are Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh. Along the way, kids can enjoy three snorkeling stops at Bamboo Island (Ko Pai), Viking Cave, and the backside of Phi Phi Island to discover an array of stunning marine life, including fish, coral, and sea turtles. After a buffet lunch, take a moment to take in the scenery of turquoise waters, white sand, and towering cliffs at Maya Bay (though swimming is not allowed)—the stunningly beautiful beach featured in the movie.
Visit an Elephant Sanctuary
Elephants have been a part of the culture of Phuket for centuries. They have long been used for labor and transportation, and in recent years, their use has become increasingly controversial. Fortunately, a number of elephant sanctuaries in the region are dedicated to conservation and welfare. Of these, the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is highly recommended. This sanctuary is home to many elephants rescued from work camps due to injury or age. Unlike other shelters, the elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary can roam free on the grounds.
You'll have a chance to see these gentle giants, and learn about their story, what they eat and how to properly care for them. It's an excellent opportunity for the whole family to be part of a meaningful cause and make lasting memories.
Take a Day Trip to James Bond Island & Phang Nga Bay
Phang Nga Bay is a stunning locale where striking karst islands grandly rise out of the blue sea. It's called a trip to "James Bond island" because it was featured in the 1974 James Bond film "The Man with the Golden Gun. Yet this is a trip everyone should take for the incredible scenery. It's one of the best family activities in Phuket and can be accomplished in a few different ways to suit your family.
For the more adventurous, take a tour with the option to paddle a kayak, canoe around the islands, or swim through hidden lagoons. Alternatively, along the way, visit the Gypsy Floating Fishing Village on Ko Panyee island, with a unique mosque and floating football field where children can play. Learn about its unique history and how it was formed over many years.
Visit the Big Buddha
The Great Buddha of Phuket is one of the most well-known landmarks in Phuket and is seen as a representation of peace and harmony. Cast in white Burmese marble, the Big Buddha sits atop Nakkerd Hill between Chalong and Kata. You can also take in the stunning views of the surrounding islands and beaches from the grounds. The grounds are also home to several smaller Buddha images and statues, as well as a shrine often used for religious ceremonies.
The best way to reach the Big Buddha is to take a taxi from your hotel and ask the driver to wait for you, as it can be challenging to find a taxi once you're at the top. The grounds take around an hour to walk through. Kids can learn not only about the region's faith and the original story of Buddha, but they can also get close to some of the monkeys that call the Big Buddha home. The local monkeys are very tame and used to visitors, but of course, the monkeys are still wild animals and should not be fed.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Beach Days
While there are many beautiful beaches great for families in Phuket, three of our favorites include:
Kata Beach: a long stretch of soft, powdery, golden sand beach situated on the southwest corner of Phuket. It has very calm waters and gentle waves, making it ideal for swimming and safe for young children. Lifeguards also handle the beach during peak hours. For children interested in snorkeling, some rocks to the south of the beach are home to schools of colorful fish, and other activities, such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, are available for rental near the beach.
Bang Tao Beach: is located on the west coast of Phuket and has a wide stretch of golden sand. The waters are calm and shallow, making it ideal for swimming and safe for kids, and the local resorts provide access to other water sports such as jet skiing and parasailing. The beach is the second longest on Phuket Island and is lined with beachside restaurants offering local seafood dishes. The resorts of the Laguna Complex reside around a beautiful lagoon and provide access to a fantastic array of activities, amenities, and restaurants. Little ones will also love the access to kayaks, pedalos, and some of the best swimming pools in Phuket.
Kamala Beach: is the perfect destination for families looking for a peaceful beach away from the hustle and bustle. With its vast stretch of golden sand and warm, shallow waters, kids can enjoy activities such as beach volleyball, banana boats, and jet skiing. Parents can relax with a delicious Thai or international meal at one of the beachfront restaurants without having to leave the sand. With limited shopping options, Kamala Beach provides just the right amount of activities and amenities for a great family vacation.
Visit the Phuket Old Town
Phuket Old Town is a popular tourist destination and a popular attraction for travelers. The area is steeped in history, with many historic buildings and monuments dating to the 18th century. Founded in the late 1700s by Chinese immigrants, Old Town has retained its Chinese influence to this day, with many of its buildings in the colorful style of Sino-Portuguese architecture. Kids love exploring the numerous souvenir shops, cafés, and restaurants. There are also many museums, such as the Thai Hua Museum, which houses a vast collection of artifacts from the city's past.
Visit a Night Market
Night markets have been a part of Phuket's culture for decades and are an excellent way for visitors, especially those with kids, to experience the island's unique culture. Stalls in the markets offer everything from local handicrafts, souvenirs, clothes, and accessories to fresh fruit, snacks, and drinks. Each town has its night market, and in fact, many night markets are still held in the same spots they have been since the 1960s, including Phuket's famous Naka Market and Phuket's Old Town Night Market.
Children can admire and buy items they may not see in their everyday lives, from exotic fruits to bargaining for souvenirs to listening to local music performances. Plus, night markets are a great place to find cheap, delicious food, often cooked directly in front of you, so it's another way to keep the kids entertained and well-fed.
8. Take a Cooking Class
If you and your kids are foodies, why not take a cooking class while you are in Phuket? You can start with a market visit to introduce the kids to unique ingredients used in Thai cooking, such as lemongrass, coconut milk, and galangal (similar to ginger). They can even get a chance to taste some of these herbs. In the class, kids will learn to prepare and cook a traditional Thai dish. It's an interactive and engaging experience, and they will see how the ingredients they got from the market create the unique flavors of Thai food. At the end, they can savor the delicious meal they created!
9. Visit a Water Park
On days when the sea is too rough, consider taking the family to one of the many water parks in Phuket. With something for everyone, from thrilling slides to lazy rivers and relaxing pools, it's a great way to keep the whole family entertained. Some water parks offer rides and activities like bungee trampolining and wave pools if you're looking for something a little more exciting. There are three water parks in Phuket (and the number is growing):
Splash Jungle: the first park in Phuket to be a fully dedicated water park opened to outside guests. It's huge, well-designed, and features a lot of slides and water activities. Activities include a wave pool, or you can lazily float on a big buoy on an artificial river surrounding the whole property. It's great if your hotel is in the north of the island, but it's quite far from Patong, Kata, or Karon. It's a bit on the expensive side.
Andamanda Phuket: is the newest edition to Phuket's water parks, and it's enormous, situated on an 18-acre (7 ha) lot. It features a huge lagoon, 37 slides, 19 rides, including Thailand's longest double rail and lazy river slides, and a wave pool that can generate waves up to 10 feet (3 m) high.
Blue Tree Phuket: is a vast water park with a large lagoon, plenty of restaurants, and a shopping gallery. It offers water and land activities like Slip 'n' Fly, a zipline above the water, water fighting, stand-up paddleboarding, even a trapeze school and skate park.
View Underwater Life at Phuket Aquarium
Visiting the Phuket Aquarium is a great way to keep the kids entertained on rainy days. At the aquarium, you can explore the underwater world and view the vibrant fish and sea life that inhabit the area. You can even feed the fish and enjoy the interactive exhibits. The aquarium also offers a variety of educational programs and activities that are great for children and adults alike. Though quite small, it's well-presented and has some exciting species. Several large tanks and even an underwater tunnel give visitors a majestic view of sharks, rays, and tropical fish.