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Families have been drawn to Phuket for years, and rightly so! Whether you’re looking for a laidback family vacation, an adventure-filled getaway or an ultra-luxe experience, this tropical Andaman island caters to all.
Hong Kong might have beaches and waterfront restaurants, but can they really hold a candle to Phuket’s blue skies, lush waters and (relatively) low prices? Hardly! We’re coming to you with over 10 years of experience living in and visiting Phuket so you can rest assured knowing these tips are tried and tested. All that’s left to do is pack those swimmers and get ready for a spectacular time!
Jump To:
Best Beaches In Phuket
Family Attractions And Things To Do In Phuket
Water Parks And Splashy Things To Do In Phuket
Cultural Things To Do In Phuket With Kids
Best Phuket Day Trips With Kids
Rainy-Day Things To Do In Phuket With Kids
Where To Eat In Phuket With Kids
Where To Stay In Phuket With Kids
Phuket Family Holiday Planning Tips
Read More: Luxury Phuket Villas For Families To Book
Best Beaches In Phuket For Families
Choosing a beach in Phuket really comes down to the kind of day you have in mind. Some put you right in the middle of the action, while others offer quieter sand, snorkelling or a bit more of an adventure just getting there.
Patong Beach — Best For Action And Water Sports
Popular with locals and tourists alike, Patong is one of Phuket’s busiest beaches. There are plenty of water sports and beach activities on offer, although prices can jump during high season. If you’re visiting Patong with kids, daytime is your best bet; and avoid Soi Bangla area with children after dark.
Surin Beach — Best For A Quieter Beach Day
Prefer things a little calmer? Surin Beach has white sand, a gorgeous bay and plenty of parking, making it an easy alternative to some of Phuket’s busier beaches.
Bang Tao Beach — Best For Beach Bars And A Lively Local Scene
Bang Tao attracts plenty of Phuket’s international residents, so you’ll find beach bars filled with regulars and staff who are well used to welcoming visitors. The surrounding area has also developed rapidly, with plenty of places to eat and drink close to the sand.
Kata Beach — Best For Snorkelling
Head towards the south of Phuket for Kata Beach, a quieter option that’s known for its snorkelling.
Banana Beach — Best For Adventurous Families
This hidden strip of white sand takes a little more effort to reach, but that’s part of the fun. Surrounded by jungle foliage and dramatic rocks, Banana Beach is one for adventurous kids who’ll enjoy feeling like they’ve discovered somewhere secret.
Family Attractions And Things To Do In Phuket
Got kids who prefer doing to relaxing? Phuket has everything from high-adrenaline adventures to mini golf, animal encounters (just be sure to read up on the ethics of these) and plenty of opportunities to burn off some holiday energy.
Phuket Kart Speedway — Best For Budding Racing Drivers
Head to Kathu for a family race around Phuket Kart Speedway. There are speed-limited kids’ karts, while double-seater karts mean parents can take younger children along for the ride.
Phuket Adventure Mini Golf And Dino Park — Best For Easy Family Competition
For something a little less high-speed, try a round at Phuket Adventure Mini Golf, where there’s also a covered restaurant for a post-game drink or bite. Dinosaur fans can up the novelty factor at Dino Park , where the mini-golf course comes with a prehistoric theme.
ATV Riding, Rafting And Ziplining — Best For Little Daredevils
Phuket has plenty for families looking for an adrenaline hit, including ATV riding, white-water rafting and ziplining. Some operators combine several activities into full-day experiences.
Phuket’s Elephant Sanctuaries — Best For Ethical Elephant Encounters
We’d steer clear of attractions involving elephant riding and instead look for organisations focused on rescue and animal welfare. Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve and Hidden Forest Nature Reserve are great options for families interested in observing — and in some cases feeding — rescued elephants.
Read More: Where To See And Interact With Animals In Hong Kong
Soi Dog Foundation — Best For Dog And Cat Lovers
Visit the Soi Dog Foundation on a weekday for a free guided tour and the chance to meet some of Phuket’s rescued animals, including time in the puppy enclosure and cattery.
Niran Equestrian Center — Best For Horse Lovers
Horse riding might not be the first thing you associate with Phuket, but Niran Equestrian Center offers classes for different levels in a serene setting. There’s also a restaurant where parents can relax while the kids ride.
Read More: Horse Riding Schools And Equestrian Centres In Hong Kong
Water Parks And Splashy Things To Do In Phuket
Andamanda Phuket
Sprawling across more than 100,000 square metres, Andamanda Phuket combines water-park fun with a Thai-heritage theme. There’s something for different ages, from a long lazy river to the Eagle Flyer for older kids looking for more of an adrenaline rush — plus a swim-up sand bar for parents.
Splash Jungle
Close to Phuket Airport, Splash Jungle has a wave pool, multiple slides with varying levels of intensity, a family raft ride and a dedicated kids’ area. There’s also a Play Pool designed with the smallest visitors in mind.
Cultural Things To Do In Phuket With Kids
Phuket Old Town
A wander through Old Phuket Town offers a change of pace from the beach. The former tin-mining town is known for its distinctive Sino-Portuguese architecture, making even a short stroll an easy way to add some culture to your Phuket itinerary. You’ll also find plenty of places to stop for something to eat along the way.
Wat Chalong
Wat Chalong is the largest temple in Phuket and one of the island’s most popular cultural sights. It’s a chance for kids to see Buddhist architecture up close and learn a little more about the religion. Remember to dress respectfully, remove your shoes where required and be mindful of people who are there to worship.
Big Buddha
Phuket’s huge marble Buddha rises 150 feet above the island and is particularly memorable around sunset. It can also be combined with some of the adventure activities mentioned above.
Jui Tui Shrine
While you’re in Old Phuket Town, look out for Jui Tui Shrine, a Taoist temple with golden dragons and architecture that may feel familiar to Hong Kong families. It’s particularly noteworthy during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival in October and November.
Phuket FantaSea
Colourful cultural theme park FantaSea combines Thai-inspired storytelling with stage shows, aerial acrobatics and magic, as it follows the story of the legendary Prince of Kamala.
Best Phuket Day Trips With Kids
Koh Phi Phi — Best For Teens Who Love The Water
While the kids might not remember Leo’s iconic performance in The Beach, we parents sure do! Ever since, filming locations Koh Phi Phi and Maya Bay have remained popular Phuket day-trip destinations. The islands are particularly well known for snorkelling and scuba diving, making this one to consider if you’re travelling with teenagers who are confident in the water and interested in marine life.
James Bond Island And Khao Phing Khan — Best For A Family Adventure
Khao Phing Khan is home to the instantly recognisable James Bond Island, featured in The Man With The Golden Gun. Family tours can combine the scenery with activities such as canoeing through sea caves and lunch, or you can visit as part of a wider island-hopping trip.
Rainy-Day Things To Do In Phuket With Kids
Upside Down House
Exactly what it says on the tin: Upside Down House is upside down, the furniture is fixed to the ceiling and the photos make it look as though you’re the wrong way up too. There’s also a maze if your family wants to make the visit a little more interactive.
Read More: The Best Museums In Hong Kong To Visit With Kids
Where To Eat In Phuket With Kids
After years sampling the best food Phuket has to offer, these are our personal favourites.
Old Phuket Town
Come for the Sino-Portuguese architecture and stay for lunch or dinner. Tu Kab Khao has been recognised by the Michelin Guide and is popular enough that booking ahead for dinner is a good idea. For something casual, try Hana Café+Ramen or grab an inexpensive bowl of customisable soup noodles from one of Phuket’s street vendors. And keep an eye out for Banana Nutella pancakes, or roti, while you wander.
Laguna
Laguna is one of Phuket’s most polished family areas, with hotels, residential complexes, boutiques and restaurants surrounded by manicured greenery. Its large international community also means there’s plenty of choice for different tastes.
Our original favourites include Yuzu Japanese Restaurant & Bar for sushi, sandwiches, eggs and smoothie bowls, and Kenny Rogers Roasters for casual family dining with plenty of options for kids. There’s also Nanami Yakiniku for Japanese BBQ and sushi, Bocconcino for Italian food with lagoon views and Tawai for Thai food — it even has its own cooking school.
Layan And Bang Tao
For unapologetically local Thai flavours, C’est Bien in Layan has built a loyal following, with dishes that can generally be adjusted for spice levels. Down in Bang Tao, the rapidly growing restaurant and beach-bar scene gives families plenty of choice.
Carpe Diem is a family-friendly beach club which also serves up what could be considered the best sushi on the island, while Hugo Hub Phuket brings together multiple food trucks, bean bags and fresh seafood.
More Family-Friendly Places To Eat Around Phuket
Elsewhere on the island, Savoey Seafood in Patong has fish tanks that are likely to catch the kids’ attention, while Pha Chom Tawan in Kamala pairs local food with impressive sunset views. Three Monkeys Phuket serves Southern Thai food surrounded by greenery and is close to Hanuman World, where families can go ziplining, abseiling and explore the Sky Walk.
Near Index Living Mall, you’ll also find a row of shophouses with different cuisines, including Crust for Italian food and Bollywood Phuket for Indian favourites and fusion dishes.
Where To Stay In Phuket With Kids
Phuket has everything from big international hotel brands to smaller local resorts, but not every property is equally well set up for families. Check out our favourite Phuket holiday villas, as well as the family resorts we keep coming back to!
Read More: Phuket Hotels And Beach Resorts With Amazing Kids Clubs
Phuket Family Holiday Planning Tips
When Is The Best Time To Visit Phuket?
Phuket’s high season generally runs from November to March. There tend to be fewer storms during these months, but expect prices to be noticeably higher across accommodation, activities and other holiday costs.
How To Get Around Phuket With Kids
Don’t expect Hong Kong-style public transport! Ride-sharing apps like Grab and Bolt are the go-to transport options to get around in Phuket, and are usually more convenient than relying on taxis and tuk-tuks. You could hire a car or motorbike, but be sure to check your travel insurance details first. While Thai businesses may let you hire a scooter without a second thought, many policies won’t cover you if you don’t have an appropriate license.
Read More: What To Look For In A Family Travel Insurance Policy
