A Guide To Family-Friendly Activities And Hotels In Phuket
Phuket is more than just sun, sand and resorts
By Sandhya Mahadevan -
Thailand will forever remain a popular travel destination, what with its proximity, numerous flights, delicious food and cheap lodging. For families, especially young families, the beaches of Thailand provide an easy and safe option to keep the kids entertained and hopefully get a little break for yourself.
Situated on the Andaman Sea, Phuket is an easy and popular option. Not surprising with more than seven world-class beaches along its pristine white-sand coast. Known for its many luxury beach resorts, some of which have consistently won travel awards, there's lots of options for families.
But when you're travelling with kids' their packing list can run longer than your annual leave allowance, so it helps to go to places that are ready (and willing) to deal with all their specific needs, from travel cots and high chairs to entertainment.
But with cultural immersion, voluntourism, hiking trails and of course, water parks on offer, Phuket is one of those places with a plethora of family-friendly. Here's our round-up of all the best things to do and places to stay on your next family holiday.
One of the latest entrants into family-friendly Phuket, this water kingdom opened in May 2022 near Phuket Town — it’s 15 minutes from Phuket. Inspired by the culture of Thailand and the legends of the Andaman Sea, this water park is like a fantasy world. Covering a span of 10,000 sqm, the park has 25 attractions — rides and slides of all sizes, heights and speed, including Emerald Forest, The Great Andaman Bay, and Naga Jungle. It also houses the longest lazy river in Southeast Asia.
The kids will want to spend a whole day here, but adults, fret not, shops and a huge food court will keep everyone going for the day.
The Park is also a lot more inclusive — its where you will find a wide selection of religiously appropriate swimwear, as well as prayer rooms and halal food offerings.
Andamanda water Park is open daily from 10am to 6pm. Tickets go from 1,000 baht per person for children and seniors (age 60 and up), 1,500 for adults and 4,399 for a family of two adults and one child. Guests can add on for locker and towels or rent a Cabana or Water Villa for a more relaxed time
Bet you didn’t expect to be part of a carnival when on a beach resort destination in Southeast Asia. The reason is clear — Carnival Magic is the world’s first Thai Carnival theme park. Think a buzzing shopping street with night-long live performances, Virtual Reality games, carnival rides, two giant buffet restaurants Birds of Paradise and River of Bliss, which is inspired by Loy Krathong floating lantern festival, and more.
Then there’s River Palace, a 16,000-sqm indoor show theater designed to look like a palace in the ancient Kamala Kingdom. One of the largest in Thailand and among the largest in the world, the theatre showcases the world’s biggest indoor parade show called the River Carnival.
Talk about a one-stop immersion of the colours, cultures and smells of Thailand.
The Park is open from 5:30pm to 11:30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Tickets go for 2,600 Baht per person with options to add on a buffet dinner to you admission. The Park offers hotel transfers — check in with your hotel's concierge for details.
An escape from an escape — this lush tropical jungle which surrounds the island of Phuket will reward you with breathtaking sights. Get into some rustic action with the family and explore this verdant rainforest. The hiking trails lead your through waterfalls, interesting wildlife — from the Malayan sun bear and Muntjac bear to the Asian fairy-bluebird — and more. We suggest that you hire a guide who is familiar with the native wildlife of the area.
The rainforest is the last remaining in Phuket of which its resident gibbons paid the worst price having been poached to extinction. The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (GRP) in the National Park is as the name suggests, is dedicated to reintroducing these primates into the ecosystem. The GRP offers two courses — one about its rehabilitation programme and another a behavioural study with a gibbon specialist. The centre remains open to public only when it has class booking, so book ahead.
Khao Phra Thaeo National Park is open daily from 8am to 5pm. Tickets go from 100 baht for children and 200 baht for adults. Classes at GRP are 400 baht inclusive of park admission.
Inspired by the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, this place is a sanctuary is a retirement reserve of sorts for elephants who have serviced travellers like us —in the tourism industry.
In that respect, it offers travellers the opportunity for an ethical and sustainable experience that is educational. Among the various programmes it offers is a Hands-off Experience, a completely un-obtrusive glimpse into the every day of these gentle giants, as they forage, bathe and roam around freely.
The tour starts with an educational documentary on the plight of Asian elephants and the importance of conservation. Then you get upclose with the sanctuary's oldest residents Kannika and Madee, before you help prepare nutritious snacks for the elephants, which again, you will sit away from them with your own packed lunch and watch them devour theirs in leisure.
End the day with a Thai vegetarian dinner at Tree Top Lounge.
Tickets go from 1,500 baht for children (free for children under 4 years) and 3,000 baht for adults, inclusive of food and beverage, raincoats and umbrellas, wellies and insect repellant.
When in Phuket, island hopping is a given. Head a bit further northeast to Khao Phing Kan on Phang Nga Bay which has some of the most picturesque cliffs that could have well been in Avatar. In reality Khao Phing Kan was made famous by 007 Roger Moore in the 1974 movie The Man With The Golden Gun — the island is therefor also known as James Bond Island.
Book a canoe tour with Amazing Canoeing — they offer a Big Boat and Speedboat tour based on how much time or explorations you would like to do. Both are almost full day tours, and includs pickup and transfer to Ao Por Pier. You will explore the islets of Phang Nga Bay, have a guided tour of the native wildlife, canoe around picturesque Hong Island, swimming on the white sandy beach and trek at James Bond Island. The Big Boat includes a lunch spread on board, while you will be visiting a restaurant for the speedboat tour.
Tickets go from 2,100 baht for children and 2,800 baht for adults for Speedboat; $1,900 baht for children and 2,700 baht for adults for Big Boat
There is no dearth of luxury resorts in Phuket. Here are the Weekly's top five selections
Trisara on Phuket's northwestern coast is ideal if you want to explore the yet unspoilt side of the island. It ticks all the boxes for a relaxing holiday with its wellness offerings, Michelin-starred restaurant, luxurious villas and more. Plus, it's is close to other activities you can enjoy with family. Prices, from $1,619 for Ocean View Villa
The Slate has repeatedly been featured in travel awards including Condenast Reader's Choice Awards 2022. This 177-room luxury boutique hotel is situated close to Phuket International Airport and Sirinat National Park. Although at a 30-minute drive away from the famed Patong beach, it is a hop and skip away from the quaint Nai Yang beach. Prices from $220 for Indigo Studio
Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort is a bit of a no-brainer for family holidays with its spellbinding views of Andaman Sea and to take in the beauty of Phuket's beloved Kamala Beach. Aside from five-star luxury offerings, the resort is close to many cultural and exploration sites including James Bond Island. Prices from $934 for Club Room with ocean view
Avani+ Mai Khao Phuket Suites is made up of 70 suites and pool suites which families with young children or travelling in a large group will love for their kitchenettes and laundry facilities. Just a 15-minute drive from the airport, the resort has all the necessary activities to keep the kids entertained, from a kid's club, outdoor playground and pool with swim-up bar. You'll also get access to sister property Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas and Turtle Village, while the beach itself is only a five minute walk away. Prices start from $447 for a One Bedroom Suite.
SAii Laguna Phuket was formerly Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort and boasts a dedicated kids pool with a 55-metre waterslide plus the Mafeung & Mafai's Junior Beach Club and Camp which is all about educational fun for the little ones aged four to 15. Every room allows two kids under the age of 12 but there are many other room types that would suit different families. Prices start at $184 for a Lagoon View King Bed room.