Is Phuket one of the best islands to visit in Thailand?
Phuket is one of the must visit islands in Thailand that should be on your family vacation bucket list.
Here’s a few reasons why:
- The pristine white sand beaches
- The emerald blue waters of the Andaman Sea
- Once-in-a-lifetime activities such as zip lining through the jungle or giving elephants a mud bath
- Thailand is a relatively safe place to bring kids
- Thai people are friendly towards tourists and even more friendly towards children
- Most people working in Phuket speak good English
Not only does Phuket have some of the most stunning beaches in Thailand, but they also have the most family friendly attractions in Thailand. Some ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ activities include zip lining through the jungle, kayaking through mangrove forests, giving elephants a mud bath, and even camping in a tent on a bamboo terrace overlooking the beautful Andaman sea. Most of these activities you could never replicate in your home country, which makes for such a memorable family holiday.
However, if I’m being completely honest, Krabi and Koh Lipe are the best of the best beaches in Thailand that should for sure be on your island hopping itinerary. You can read all about Krabi and Koh Lipe in this blog post here.
But nonetheless, Phuket is still a slice of heaven on earth and worth adding to your Thailand island hopping itinerary.
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When is the Best Time to Visit Phuket?
Before booking your international flights, it’s important to know when is the best time to visit Phuket.
Because of the tropical climate, you probably don’t want to visit Phuket during the Monsoon Season of June to October. However, this is when the locals enjoy coming to Phuket because it has less crowds and the hotel prices are almost half as much as in high season.
March to May gets pretty hot (about 100’F/40’C), but mostly clear, blue skies.
If you want to avoid the extreme heat of summer and the torrential downpours during rainy season, the best time to visit Phuket is from November to February. You’ll enjoy cooler weather (about 85’F/32’C) and mostly clear, blue skies.
TRAVEL TIP: Always check the local national holidays to whatever country you are traveling to. I accidentally forget to check Japan’s national holiday schedule, and our family ended up paying triple for our hotel stay that week in August!
With that being said, it’s good to know that the week of April 13-15th is the epic Song Kran Water Festival in Thailand and the Thai New Year. Many small businesses and restaurants will close down for the week, and the hotel prices will soar. But it’s also a really fun time to be in Thailand if you are into having a huge water fight for 3-5 days straight!
What Area NOT to Stay in Phuket?
Phuket is the largest island in Thailand covering 210 square miles, which means there are numerous beaches to choose from. Each beach has its own vibe.
Knowing which area of Phuket your family should or should not stay is one of the most important tips for visiting Thailand with children. It can literally make or break your family holiday.
Where families should probably not stay in Phuket:
East Coast
- because it’s rocky and muddy
Rawai Beach
- it’s like a parking lot for long-tail boats
- where most of the Thailand island hopping tours originate
- with all the boats around, it’s not very safe for swimming
- also not very clean
- However, Rawai beach does have many cheap hostels and places for backpackers to stay. There’s also a lot of good seafood restaurants right along the beach.
Patong Beach
- the center of sex tourism in Phuket
- full of go-go bars, cabaret shows, and nightclubs with loud music all night long
- Not the most family friendly atmosphere in my opinion
Kata Beach
Surin Beach
Karon Beach
- These 3 beaches are very pretty in and of themselves. They also have many restaurants and shops that make for a great beach town.
- However, I believe the best family-friendly beach in Phuket should have kid-friendly resorts located right on the beach.
- However, at these 3 beaches, most of the family friendly resorts are located across the street or down the road. Trying to get 3 little girls, beach towels, sand toys, and floats down the street is just not ideal. So for this reason, I don’t recommend these 3 beaches.
Best Family Beaches in Phuket
Adding Phuket to your Thailand family itinerary can easily become one of your most epic family vacations. But like I said above, where to stay in Phuket is one of the most important factors in having an incredible family holiday in Thailand.
After living in Thailand for 15+ years and visiting Phuket numerous times with our 3 children, here’s our list of the best family beaches in Phuket to take kids:
- Nai Han Beach
- Kamala Beach
- Mai Khao Beach
- Bang Tao Beach
- Karon Noi Beach
Keep reading to see the Pros and Cons of each of these beaches as well as the best beachfront hotels in Phuket that are perfect for families.
Nai Han Beach is the best beach in Phuket
The horseshoe shaped bay surrounded by the mountainous jungle terrain make Nai Harn Beach the best beach in Phuket (in my humble opinion). This place has those epic sea views you dreamed of when you booked your family vacation to Thailand.
The Pros of Nai Han Beach:
- The powdery white sand is so soft and clean
- The crystal clear waters are fairly calm, especially during the dry season of November to April
- The sand bar is mostly flat, which is great for little swimmers
- Beautiful sunsets
- Plus you’re only a short taxi ride away from the best sunset viewpoint in Phuket.
- Watching the sunset at Promthep Cape is one of the best things to do in Phuket with kids.
- Also a very short taxi ride to Rawai Beach, where most of the island hopping tours in Phuket originate
- During rainy season, around June to October, the bay helps keep the waves from being too large for kids to be able to swim.
- Still watch out for those red flag warnings though!
- The bay also helps protect the shores from the influx of jellyfish that come during rainy season
- Less crowded since there aren’t many hotels located here
The Cons of Nai Han Beach:
- it’s pretty far south
- about 1 hour from the international airport
- about 1 hour from many of the family-friendly attractions in Phuket
- Since it’s not very crowded with lots of tourists, it also doesn’t have very many restaurants or shops
Best Family Beach Resort on Nai Harn Beach:
In my opinion, Nai Harn Phuket is the best Phuket Resort for families on Nai Harn Beach.
The benefits of staying at Nai Harn Phuket Resort:
- It’s one of the very few resorts located right at Nai Harn Beach (most are located a few minute walk down the street with no sea views).
- Every room in the whole resort has stunning sea views.
- The pool is situated perfectly offering sweeping views of the beach and bay area.
- You will never want to leave the sun bed on your private balcony!
- They have kayaks to explore and go snorkeling to see the vibrant marine life and coral reefs nearby.
- Exceptional hospitality
- The hotel gives me ‘Santorini Greece’ vibes
- Oh and the homemade cheese and sausages at breakfast — yum!
The downside of staying at Nai Harn Phuket Resort:
- The price is on the higher end
- There is only one elevator going to the 6th floor.
- There is no elevator going to the 7-9th floors. You have to walk the stairs to get to the 7th-9th floors. With littles, this can be a deal-breaker!
- Most restaurants and shops are down the street — about a 10-15 minute walk.
- Most family-friendly tourist attractions in Phuket are 1+ hour away.
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Kamala Beach is one of the best family beaches in Phuket
If it’s your first time coming to Thailand, then I would say Kamala Beach is one of the best family beaches in Phuket for your family vacation.
The Pros of Kamala Beach:
- centrally located on the island
- has a chill, relaxed vibe
- has soft white sand that’s perfect for building sand castles
- shallow, crystal clear waters good for the kids
- beautiful sunsets
- lots of palm trees offering shade
- Since it’s centrally located, it’s not too far from the most kid-friendly attractions in Phuket like the Elephant Sanctuary or Blue Tree Water Park that are nearby
- Some of the best Phuket family resorts are located right here on the beachside
- Has everything you need from a beach town such as restaurants, convenience stores, massage shops, long tail boat tours, horseback riding, and water sport rentals
The Cons of Kamala Beach:
- The horseback riding on the beach can also give off a pretty rank smell
- can get crowded in high season
- Mass tourism area, which means it has lost its Thai charm and prices are a bit higher
- A lot of the nice resorts are still across the street or down the road
Best Family Beach Resort on Kamala Beach:
The Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach Resort is a great option for families because kids under 16 stay free if using existing bedding.
The benefits of the Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach Resort:
- the resort is right on the beach
- both the pool and the breakfast buffet give you those stunning sea views you came all the way to Phuket for
- The kids club will make sure your little ones are still having a blast if one of those torrential downpours come along
The Downside of this resort:
- it is a large resort that seems like a maze to get around the place
- It’s been around a while so it’s showing some signs of wear and tear
- Not every room has an ocean view
Mai Khao Beach is a beautiful beach in Phuket
If you’re looking for the closest beach to the Phuket International Airport, then Mai Khao Beach is your place!
The Pros of Mai Khao Beach:
- chill, relaxed vibe going on
- tall trees dotting the shoreline, giving some much needed shade
- You could literally walk to Mai Khao beach from the airport
The Cons of Mai Khao Beach:
- The sand bar can get deep quickly in some parts, so be careful with little swimmers
The Best Beach Resort in Phuket on Mai Khao Beach:
My first choice of where to stay in Phuket with kids would defiantly be the Le Meridien Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort.
The Benefits of the Le Meridien Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort:
- a 5 star resort that was recently renovated
- beautifully designed and expertly laid out
- large outdoor lagoon pool feels like a lush tropical oasis
- a kids splash pool
- awesome kids club room that’s open til 8pm (most only stay open til 6pm)
- The family room with the bunk beds is incredible!
- Even had free kids food options at the Ocean restaurant
- lots of lounge areas to hang out
- the family suites are top notch
The Downside of this Resort:
- A bit pricey
- No restaurants or shops nearby — like a 30 minute walk!
Another great family-friendly beach resort on Mai Khao Beach
My second choice for the best Phuket resort on Mai Khao Beach would be JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa
Benefits of the JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa:
- very kid-friendly resort in Phuket with some quintessential Thai charm
- children up to age 17 stay free if using the existing bedding
- large beachfront pool
- incredible breakfast buffet
- another kid-friendly pool area with slide and splash pad
- a fun Kids Club room perfect for what to do on rainy days in Phuket
- Top notch hospitality!
- The lush gardens and landscaping will make you feel like walking through a tropical paradise
- the turtle sanctuary right next door is a nice little activity to do with the kids
- a 7-11 right outside, which is good for snack runs
- Other activities on-site include: tennis, badminton, chess, jenga, biking, a spa, fitness, and even free cooking classes!
- Many restaurants on-site as well
- Also connected to this resort is the Marriott Beach Club, which has 2 and 3 bedroom apartments.
- a great option for large families looking for a place to stay in Phuket
The Downside of this resort:
- Not all rooms have a sea view
- The sand is more pebbly than I like
- The water gets deep in some areas, which isn’t ideal for toddlers
- The resort itself is HUGE, so be prepared for lots of walking
FLIGHT TIP: We’ve personally had the best experience flying to Thailand with our family on Qatar Airlines and also Japan Airlines. Both were child-friendly airline options.
- Families with small children could board early
- Automatically got bulk-head seating when we traveled with an infant
- Could pre-select kid-friendly meals
- They have great entertainment options for the littles
- They had ‘grab-n-go’ snacks available throughout the whole flight
- The best part : more legroom than the other international flights for families that we’ve taken
Bang Tao Beach offers the most luxurious vibe in Phuket
Bang Tao Beach has one of the longest stretches of white sand at 6km long, and the small lagoons located just behind the shoreline make it particularly special.
The Pros of Bang Tao Beach:
- the longest stretch of white sand beach in Phuket
- Most part are not deep
- surrounded by palm trees to give you that tropical island vibe
- full of luxury hotels
- Has 5 star spas
- Has serene walking trails nearby
- Has a sense of privacy and not over-crowded
- beautiful sunset views
- Lots of nice cafes, restaurant and beach clubs
- The Boat Avenue in particular is a great place for families with its open air market, beachfront restaurants, and beach clubs.
The Cons of Bang Tao Beach:
- The waves can be quite big
- The jellyfish are also a problem during rainy season
- Since it’s a very long stretch of sand, not every part of this beach is clean or free of trash.
The Best Kid-friendly Beach Resort in Phuket on Bang Tao Beach:
If you want to be pampered on your vacation, the Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket is where you want to stay!
The benefits of staying at the Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket:
- perfect for those seeking a quiet, relaxing vacation
- perfect for those who don’t really want to to leave the resort
- A stunning beachfront location with pristine, white sandy shores
- The egg, waffle, and noodle stations at breakfast were so fun for the kids to make their own DIY breakfast creations
- Beautiful sea views and a refreshing sea breeze while sipping your morning coffee
- not far from the small Laguna mall or Bang Tao high street, which make it convenient for a little shopping.
- The Italian Restaurant on-site is also a great option for dinner when the kids need a taste of home.
Another great family-friendly resort in Phuket on Bang Tao Beach:
I’ve heard that the Banyan Tree Phuket Resort is another luxurious option where you could enjoy a beautifully designed villa with your own private pool that is serviced twice daily. The concierge service and breakfast spread being truly 5 star. But this place is a bit out of our price-range, so we haven’t yet experienced it for ourselves.
The best private beach in Phuket is Karon Noi Beach
The Pros of Karon Noi Beach:
- Similar to Nai Harn Beach with a little bay surrounded by lush tropical greenery
- Powdery, soft white sand beach
- Shallow sand bar that is perfect for kids to swim and play independently while you relax in a beach chair nearby
- The bay offers protection against the strong waves and nasty jellyfish during rainy season.
The Cons of Karon Noi Beach:
- Restaurants and shops are not nearby
- Don’t confuse Karon Noi Beach with Karon Beach
- Although karon beach is a lovely white sand beach, most of the best Phuket family resorts are across the street or down the road. That’s why I don’t recommend it.
The best kid-friendly resort in Phuket on Karon Noi Beach:
Our family stayed a week at Le Meridien at New Years, and it was one of the best family vacations to Thailand that we have had! If relaxing by the sea with a fresh coconut in hand with the kids splashing in the pool is more up your alley.
The benefits of staying at the Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort:
- kids up to age 17 stay free (whoop! whoop!)
- has its own private bay with powdery soft, white sand beach
- The sandbar is pretty flat and the water gradually gets deeper. This was perfect for my toddlers.
- Two huge pools
- a kids pool with fountains
- A kids club room where you can drop your children off for a little while so you can get a spa treatment or relax by the pool
- an amazing breakfast
- Lots of kid-friendly activities each day organized by the resort
- Lots of kid-friendly facilities right on-site such as its own PADI diving course (with free intro course!), an archery range, a Bocchi ball court, table tennis, a basketball court, a beach volleyball court, tennis courts, mini putt-putt golf, a driving range, cooking classes, and a number of water sports. Our kids never got bored!
- This family-friendly resort is close to the Phuket International Airport
- A short taxi ride to Patong beach with lots of restaurants and shops
The downside of staying at this resort:
- Not walking distance to any shops or restaurants
- The resort is quite big, so lots of walking and the breakfast area can get quite crowded
- The water can be a bit rough in rainy season, which is not ideal for little kids to be swimming
- The resort is a bit older, but still well-maintained.
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Best Family friendly Beaches in Phuket
When you know where the best family beaches in Phuket are, then you can start to narrow down which will be the best Phuket family resort for your family vacation to Thailand.
With Phuket being such a large island, it has so many different beaches and areas — with both pros and cons to each one.
The best beach in Phuket you should choose depends on what your ideal family vacation to Thailand is:
- Do you want the best white sand beach with tropical island vibe?
- Stay at Nai Harn Beach
- Do you want to be close to the Phuket International Airport?
- Stay at Mai Khao Beach
- Are you looking for a luxurious 5 star holiday in Phuket?
- Stay at Bang Tao Beach
- Do you want to be walking distance to restaurants, shops, and kid-friendly activities in Phuket?
- Stay at Kamala Beach
- Do you want your own private beach where you never have to leave the resort?
- Stay at Karon Noi Beach
- Do you want to be close to the best Phuket island hopping tours?
- Stay at Nai Harn Beach
Note: Please do not take this blog as legal advice or even as fully accurate. These are just my own opinions trying to offer helpful explanations. You can read my full disclosure here.
Phone & Internet Service in Thailand
It’s a no-brainer that you’ll need to stay connected while traveling in Thailand — whether it’s for using GPS, researching the best island hopping tour packages, or letting the kids have some downtime a little Bluey on YouTube.
Don’t do the T-Mobile or AT&T International Roaming plans for about $10 a day — it’s a total rip off!
You can get the same exact service for much cheaper and just as easy with our tips below:
E-SIM: I highly recommend getting an eSIM from Airalo to have great internet service all over Thailand. They are actually using the same local providers that AT&T, T-mobile and Verizon will use.
I have personally used Airalo many times traveling to multiple countries all over the world, and it works great and is SUPER easy to install.
To use your Airalo eSIM, you simply buy a package then scan the QR code they send in an email to install and activate the eSIM.
The packages run from only $9.90 for 50 GB of data to $19.95 USD for Unlimited Data in Thailand.
TIPS FOR TRAVELING AROUND THAILAND WITH KIDS: If you let your kids watch YouTube, Netflix, etc, then I recommend getting the Unlimited Data. But if you’re not video streaming, then 50 GB of data is enough to browse the internet, use Google Maps, and stay in touch with friends back home.
PHYSICAL SIM CARD: You could also pick up a physical SIM card at the airport upon arrival or at any mall, which would have a TRUE shop, DTAC shop, and/or AIS shop. You would need your passport on hand. The physical SIM + a prepaid service card would cost about 350 baht (~$10 USD), but it usually only comes with 5GB of Data. So Airalo is a much better deal.
TIP: If you plan to use a physical SIM card, then be sure to contact your local phone provider (such as AT&T or Verizon) before traveling overseas to check that your phone is already unlocked. They can usually do this for you over the phone.
DISCOUNT TIP: Klook is a trusted site that I use often in my travels around SouthEast Asia, and they usually have discounted prices for the most popular attractions.
Use this special 10% coupon code ‘APP10TW’ if it’s your first time to use the Klook mobile app.
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