Best Things to Do in Phuket With Family: Fun, Safe & Kid-Approved

Phi Phi Islands Yacht Tour:

Get yourself a yacht party, seriously. OntwayTour provides yacht tours that go from Monkey Beach to Maiton Private Island and many more destinations. Dive into fun with water slides, paddleboarding, a glass-bottom boat ride, and snorkeling!

Scuba Diving in Phi Phi Islands:

Over 2–3 days, enjoy four incredible dives, spot turtles, sharks, and everything marine. With Blue View Divers, you'll get safe training in a beachside pool, and ultimately head out on small boat trips to explore top dive areas away from the crowds.

Krabi Island Cruise:

Sail Krabi’s four islands on an Asian wood boat, leaving from Ao Nang or Railay. With Krabi Sunset Cruises, enjoy swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding, then tuck your napkin for a Thai buffet. Your night will end in glowing waters full of cosmic bioluminescent plankton!

Explore Phang Nga Bay & a Movie Island:

Take on a boat from Amazing Canoeing, and venture to limestone Take a boat tour to see the iconic limestone lands… and the famous James Bond Island! James Bond Island is famous because it’s from the James Bond movie “The Man with the Golden Gun,” but you can’t swim there because it’s a protected area.

Climb on deck and grab a canoe, this cruise is for action and adventure heroes. Canoe Panak & Hanong islands, check out James Bond Island, and take a dip into Nakae Island.

Sunset Sail Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island:

Sail into the sunset, lagoons, and sea caves. Phuket Sail Tours will take you to the miraculous wonder here too: bioluminescent plankton, tiny sea creatures that glow in the dark, lighting up the water with a magical blue sparkle.

Coral Island:

Just a quick ride from Phuket, take a private boat day to Coral Island - swim, snorkel, and relax at Long Beach, Banana Beach, and Ko Rang Yai. With 5 Star Marine, your boat has Wi-Fi, a restroom, and free drinks and snacks for the ride.

Khai Islands Excursion:

This private boat tour with 5 Star Marine will zip you over to the beautiful islands of Khai Nok, Khai Nai and Khai Nui — swim, snorkel, and chill on white-sand beaches.

Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries:

Visit a good quality, well-known sanctuary, like the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary or Green Elephant Sanctuary Park, and see rescued elephants! They roam freely in a natural environment. This experience is educational and wholesome for the family!

See rescued elephants roam, play, and bathe in a tropical sanctuary near Khao Phra Thaeo National Park. Learn how the sanctuary cares for them, enjoy a tasty vegetarian buffet, and take fun photos from a treetop walkway.

Water Parks:

Ooof, I can feel the heat already - escape with a day of fun at one of Phuket's excellent water parks:

• Andamanda Phuket: This one’s huge and Thai-heritage-themed. There’s sooo many slides, a BIG wave pool, and a lazy river.
• Splash Jungle Water Park: Near Mai Khao Beach, dive into the wide variety of slides and pools.

Waterfall Tubing:

Ride a 4x4 through a Thai jungle, spot wildlife, and stop at Hinlad Waterfall for coffee and amazing views. Trek, learn about nature, and then zoom down the river on an inflatable tube for 45 minutes with Kapong Tubing Nature Tour!

Ziplining:

For the big kids and rebellious teenagers, adventure calls their name at thrilling jungle rides like Flying Hanuman or Hanuman World.

Surf House Phuket:

Try flow-riding on a simulated wave at places like Surf House on Patong Beach—a safe way to learn to surf.

Carnival Magic:

This colorful cultural theme park has dazzling light displays, parades, and a funfair (usually open in the evenings).

Phuket Fantasea:

This is a fun, Thai-themed park famous for its 70-minute Las Vegas spectacle show. The performance is a mix of Thai dance, history, magic, and acrobatics, with animals too. Besides the main theater, which looks like an ancient jungle building, there’s restaurants, shops, games, and elephant rides!

Phuket Old Town:

This street’s got charm - and Sino-Portuguese architecture. If you’re a foodie, get yourself to the Sunday Walking Street Market for the tastiest street food! Check out arts & crafts in a brightly cultured area.

Aquaria Phuket:

This is the largest aquarium in Phuket, and is inside the Central Phuket Floresta mall.

Dino Park Mini Golf:

Get competitive with life-sized dinosaurs in mini-golf!

Thai Cooking Class:

If you wanna learn the ways of a master cook, here’s your ticket. With Phuket Thai Cooking Class by Chef VJ, join a small group cooking class where you cook several Thai dishes yourself — from making curry paste from scratch to frying up stir-fries and cooking soup.

Where to Stay in Phuket with Kids (Recommended Hotels):

​​Thavorn Palm Beach Resort (Karon Beach): Upmarket resort opposite the beach with multiple pools and dining options. Approximately $122/night.

Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach (Patong/Tri Trang Beach): Polished resort with 10 restaurants, 3 outdoor pools, and a dedicated kids' club. Around $461/night.

Thavorn Beach Village Resort & Spa (Nakalay Bay): Relaxed quarters with a lagoon-style pool, direct beach access, and a focus on tranquility. Around $131/night.

Bandara Pool Villas (Cape Panwa): Chic villas, most with private pools, ideal for families wanting more space and privacy. About $69/month.

Best Family-Friendly Areas in Phuket

• Best Overall Family Vibe: Kata Beach: Soft sand, calm waves (ideal for young kids), lots of restaurants, and fun activities like Dino Park Mini Golf.
• Relaxation & Convenience: Kamala Beach: A quieter, relaxed area with a beautiful beach and is home to major family resorts (like Sunwing Kamala). It’s also near the Phuket FantaSea/Carnival Magic show.
• Luxury & Resorts: Bang Tao Beach: Home to the Laguna Phuket complex, which has large, upscale resorts with huge pools, kids' clubs, and a tranquil, long beach. It’s also close to Blue Tree Phuket Water Park.
• Quiet Getaway & Waterparks: Mai Khao Beach: Very quiet and less developed, located near the airport (for quick transfers) and home to resorts with large amenities, including the Splash Jungle Waterpark.
• Great Value & Beach Size: Karon Beach: A huge, beautiful beach that is generally quieter than Patong but still has a good selection of resorts, dining, and shops.

Is Phuket Good for Families in General?

Yes, Phuket is excellent for families because it offers a perfect mix of beautiful, safe beaches, dedicated family resorts, and abundant activities like waterparks, mini-golf, and ethical animal experiences.

When to Visit:

The best time to visit Phuket largely depends on what you are looking for, as the island has three main seasons, each with its own advantages regarding weather, crowds, and prices.

• For the best weather: December to March
• To avoid crowds and save money: May to October
• To catch waves for surfing: June to October
• To experience a major festival: April (Songkran) or November (Loy Krathong)

The Easiest Ways to Travel in Phuket:

Ride-Share Apps (Grab, Bolt):

Most Convenient. The price is set on the app before you book. You can easily order a larger car/van for your family and luggage. Costs more than local transport.

Private Car with Driver:

Most Comfortable. Hire a driver for a half or full day. They can often provide child safety seats (ask ahead!). Total freedom to stop and go as you please.

Do and Don’t in Phuket:

Do:

• Respect the Monarchy: Always speak respectfully of the King and Royal Family. It is against the law to criticize them.
• Dress Modestly at Temples: Cover your shoulders and knees before entering a temple (like the Big Buddha).
• Take Off Your Shoes: Remove your shoes before entering any temple, a person's home, and sometimes even a small shop.
• Return the Wai: If a Thai person greets you with a wai (hands pressed together like a prayer), return the gesture with a smile.
• Be Calm: Maintain a friendly, peaceful demeanor. Thai culture values harmony.
• Show Respect for the Head: The head is considered the most sacred part of the body.
• Use Ride-Sharing Apps: Use Grab or Bolt for safe and easy travel with set prices.
• Negotiate Fares: If you use a street taxi or a Tuk-Tuk, always agree on the price before you get in.
• Drink Bottled Water: Stick to bottled or filtered water for drinking and brushing your teeth.
• Support Ethical Tourism: Visit certified ethical elephant sanctuaries (where you only observe) and avoid shows or attractions that exploit animals.
• Haggle Respectfully: Bargaining is common at markets. Keep it friendly and polite—it's part of the fun!

Don'ts:

• Do NOT Disrespect the Monarchy: Avoid making any negative comments or gestures related to the Royal Family.
• Do NOT Wear Beachwear in Temples: Save bikinis, tank tops, and short shorts for the beach.
• Do NOT Point Your Feet: The feet are considered the lowest part of the body. Never point your feet at a person, a Buddha statue, or step on Thai money (it has the King's image).
• Do NOT Touch a Monk: Women must never touch a Buddhist monk or hand anything directly to him.
• Do NOT Raise Your Voice/Show Anger: Shouting or losing your temper in public is highly frowned upon.
• Do NOT Touch a Person's Head: Never touch a Thai person's head, even a child's, as a friendly gesture.
• Do NOT Rent a Motorbike unless you are an experienced rider and have an International Driving Permit. Accidents are common.
• Do NOT Ignore Beach Flags: Red flags mean DO NOT SWIM due to dangerous rip currents (especially May–October).
• Do NOT Fall for Rental Scams: Take photos or a video of any scooter or jet ski before renting it to avoid being blamed for pre-existing damage.
• Do NOT Ride Elephants or take photos with chained animals.
• Do NOT Leave Valuables Unattended: Keep a close eye on your belongings on the beach and in crowded markets.

How Many Days Do You Need in Phuket with Kids?

The ideal time for a family trip to Phuket is 5 to 7 days.

• 5 days allows you to relax at your resort and comfortably fit in 1–2 major family activities (like an elephant sanctuary or a waterpark).
• 7 days lets you explore more areas, include cultural exploration (Big Buddha, Old Town), and enjoy a slower pace with more beach time.

You’ve finally found the solution to get your kids off their darn iPads and devices. The next step? Ditch the travel stress. Book that flight. Pack that sunscreen. Let in a little adventure. From spotting monkeys on a sea kayak to the simple joy of splashing in your resort pool, Phuket is a vacation that delivers. Explore even more top-quality things to do in Phuket and around the world on Dyvarcity!