Phuket is one of the easiest places in Southeast Asia for a family holiday. Flights are straightforward, many hotels are built for children, the sea is warm, and the choice of activities covers every age. The island is big and hilly, though, and heat and long journeys can wear out small travellers, so a little planning pays off. Here is how to make it work.
Choose the right beach
For young children, calm water matters most. Kata Noi and Kata, on the south-west coast, are popular with families, with gentle sand and a protected feel in the dry season. Karon is longer and more open, and the sea can be rougher. Bang Tao and the Laguna area have a long, quiet beach and resorts built around lagoons. In the monsoon months from May to October, waves and currents can make swimming dangerous on many beaches, so always swim between lifeguards’ flags and keep close to children. A hotel pool is often the safer choice at that time of year.
Pick resorts with kids clubs
A resort with a kids club and a big pool changes the whole holiday. Katathani Phuket Beach Resort at Kata Noi is built for families, with several pools, a water park and kids clubs. Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket on Karon has large pools and pool-access rooms, Angsana Laguna Phuket has a free kids club and a long pool, and Holiday Inn Resort Phuket in Patong has a family wing and a children’s pool. Ask about babysitting if you want an evening out.
Boat trips with children
Boat days are the highlight of the island, but they are long. The Racha and Coral Islands trip is the gentlest, with a shorter crossing, shallow water and easy snorkelling. The Phi Phi Islands trip is spectacular but long and sometimes bumpy, so it suits children who swim well and cope with boats. Phang Nga Bay is calmer, with canoeing among limestone towers. Life jackets should be available on every tour, but check sizes for small children before you book. Take seasickness tablets, a hat, reef-safe sunscreen and a change of clothes.
Meet the animals ethically
Many children dream of elephants, and Phuket has plenty of camps that offer riding and shows. Avoid them. The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary offers a no-contact experience in which you watch elephants forage, play and bathe from a respectful distance, and guides tell their stories. It suits children who can sit quietly and listen. Aquaria Phuket is a good indoor alternative, with rays, sharks and colourful fish, and it is especially good on a rainy day.
Water parks and adventure
Andamanda Phuket Water Park has zones for different ages, from a toddler splash area to thrilling slides, a wave pool and a lazy river. It is an easy half-day with a picnic of snacks and plenty of sunscreen. For older children and teenagers, the Hanuman World zipline offers a rainforest canopy adventure, with age and weight limits that vary by circuit, so check before you go. The luge ride is a good alternative for younger children.
Evenings out
Carnival Magic in Kamala is a light and parade park that suits families, although it opens only on certain evenings. Simon Cabaret is an adult-style show, so check the age guidance before bringing young children. Muay Thai fights are real and violent, so many families skip them. A night market stroll with ice cream is often the best evening for small children.
Getting around with children
Taxis and ride-hailing cars are easy, but child seats are not always available, so bring your own if you can or check with your hotel. Scooters are not a safe choice for families, and pavements are often uneven, so a lightweight stroller or baby carrier works better than a bulky pushchair. Temples ask for covered shoulders and knees, and the Big Buddha involves steps, so keep an eye on children.
Heat, health and sun
The sun is strong all year, so use a high-factor reef-safe sunscreen, rash vests and hats, and schedule outings for the morning and late afternoon. Drink bottled water, wash hands before eating and keep up fluids. Pack basic medicines and insect repellent. Plan one slow day for every active day, because children tire quickly in the heat, and keep a flexible plan for the days when it rains.
