Phuket with kids: what to do, by age and by mood

By the sea: Kata or Nai Harn beach, calm from November to April, and a nearby island like Coral Island (from 1,000 ฿ per child) or the Khai islands. Days out: Andamanda water park in Kathu, Patong Go-Kart Speedway (kids' karts limited to 40 km/h), Dino Park mini golf between Karon and Kata, the indoor OTO Play Park. Animals: an elephant sanctuary where you watch and feed, no riding and no bathing, and the aquarium. On Sundays, the Old Town market.

Kata, for soft sand, shallow water a long way out in high season and everything within walking distance. Nai Harn, in the south, for a sheltered, quieter bay where the sand slopes gently into the water. From November to April the west coast sea is calm; from May to October waves come in, so check the flags before swimming.

Keep the days short: a calm beach in the morning (Kata or Nai Harn in high season), a nap at the villa, something in the shade in the afternoon. At Andamanda water park, children under 90 cm stay in the toddler zones, with shallow pools and mini slides. OTO Play Park and the aquarium at Central Floresta are air-conditioned. For transfers, ask for a child seat when you book the driver.

Coral Island, the closest: calm, shallow water, snorkelling off the beach, back by mid-afternoon (from 1,000 ฿ per child, 1,200 ฿ per adult). The Khai islands, about twenty minutes by boat (from 1,200 ฿ per child for the full day). Phi Phi is a longer speedboat day, better for older kids (from 1,400 ฿ per child).

At a sanctuary where you prepare the food, feed the elephants and watch them: our "Elephant sanctuary (observation, feeding)" activity, from 2,200 ฿ per child for the full programme. How we see it: we prefer sanctuaries with no riding and no bathing, like Phuket Elephant Sanctuary in Paklok.

OTO Play Park (trampolines, slides, climbing wall) at Central Floresta or Robinson Chalong, Aquaria Phuket on the lower floor of Central Floresta, then a cooking class or a massage for the parents.

At OTO Play Park a team of trained nannies looks after the kids, and you can leave the kids with them for a few hours while you shop, eat or take a break. It isn't an all-day nursery. For a babysitter at the villa or an evening out for two, it's on request: message us on WhatsApp and we'll tell you the options.

Yes for the view over Phuket Town, with care around the monkeys. The macaques on Khao Toh Sae are wild, bites have been reported and signs ask visitors not to feed them. Leave bags and food in the car and keep small kids at a distance.

Beaches, viewpoints and the Sunday market are free. Our starting prices: Coral Island from 1,000 ฿ per child and 1,200 ฿ per adult, the Khai islands (full day) from 1,200 ฿ per child, Phi Phi from 1,400 ฿ per child, the elephant sanctuary from 2,200 ฿ per child. Water park, go-karts, mini golf, aquarium, driver and childcare: on request.

A taxi picked up at random usually doesn't. With our driver it's on request: give each child's age and weight when you book, and the seat comes with the vehicle rather than being found on the day.

Message us on WhatsApp at +33 7 49 72 90 32, or use the form: your dates, the kids' ages, what they enjoy. We suggest a plan at their pace, book with providers we know, and you pay each provider directly, as with all our activities.