While taking in the Thai cuisine, some shopping and enjoying each other’s company at our pool villa in Pattaya, me and Thanya (my wife now) decided to go to an island.
This got me thinking about other islands? Where are they? How to get to them? What kind of environment and activities do they have etc…..?
Thailand’s islands “koh in Thai”. There are so many to choose from. 1,430 to be exact. So, for this article, I have whittled it down to the 7 most practical islands for families to visit, how to get to them and some activities. This is not to say you won’t find another island you like, but this list will help you and your family get your feet wet (and probably a little sandy).
First, there are a couple things to keep in mind before you start booking your Thai island paradise.
What will the weather be like?
And, how long do you have for travel?
Lets face it, if it will be raining most of your stay and it took too long to get there, why bother. Right?
Monsoon patterns are a little different in certain regions of Thailand and travel times from Bangkok to each island will vary. I have broken this down for you for each region and island below. So let’s go.
Tip: To help you get your bearings, each island name will open up a google map of that island in a different window.
Gulf of Thailand: East.
Monsoon Season. Both of these islands are south east of Pattaya and monsoon is at its highest May through October. This doesn’t mean it will rain every day with an average 13-16 rain days per month.
Koh Samet
Koh Samet is a small island just a 30 minute boat ride off the south east coast of Rayong. It is an hour or so south east of Pattaya. Therefore it is a big attraction for Thai people to visit on weekends. So, it is best to visit on weekdays to avoid the crowds.
The island is just over 4 miles long from top to bottom. Its main lure is to laze around the sandy beaches. Eat and drink in the many great restaurants and bars along the water.
Where to Stay.
If you have older kids that want more action, then Sai Kaew beach is the spot for water sports, fire shows and more people. This beach is the largest on the island and you shouldn’t have any trouble finding something to do.
Ao Phai is a great beach if you want a laid back feel, but within walking distance to the busier Sai Kaew beach. We stayed at Semed Villa Resort for $59 a night with breakfast included. Dining on the beach had fire shows nightly and the menu was extensive along with a vegetarian section.
Ao Prao beach is the only beach on the west side of Koh Samet and it is a little more upscale than the others but still family friendly. A great area to relax and enjoy the sunsets.
Ao Wong Duean and Ao Thian are even more laid back and perfect for the younger ones. Each is tucked into their own little bays, with beautiful sands and clear water.
What to Do on Koh Samet.
1. Beaches.
Koh Samet’s beaches offer up a good mix of activities, from jet skis to windsurfing to just plain relaxing. Sai Kaew offers most of the heart pounding activities. The other beaches to the south are more laid back like Ao Thian for instance.
2. Snorkeling and Diving.
There are many good snorkeling spots around the island as well as diving spots. For the best options, book a snorkeling day trip around the island.
3. Kayaking.
Kayaking is a great way to explore the island’s coastline and remote beaches further south. If you are out late afternoon, you can catch some beautiful sunsets.
How to Get to Koh Samet.
Here are the best ways to get to Koh Samet coming from Bangkok.
Driving.
The quickest way from Suvarnabhumi airport to the Ban Phe Pier is to rent a car. The trip will take around 3-4 hours and the cost for secured parking across from Ban Phe Pier is around $3.20 (THB 100) a day.
Bus.
The Ekamai (eastern) bus terminal in Bangkok has a bus service that departs every hour on the hour between 5 am and 5 pm. Tickets cost around $5 (THB 155) and the trip takes around 4 hours.
Getting to Ekamai bus terminal from Suvarnabhumi airport, take the airport rail link (ARL) to Phaya Thai. From Phaya Thai take the sky train to Ekamai terminal.
Ban Phe Pier to Na Dan Pier Koh Samet.
After that, buy your ferry tickets at the pier. They depart every hour and operate from 8 am to 5 pm and the basic ferry ticket is around $1.80 (THB 60) each way.
Once on the island, there are songthaews waiting at the pier to pick up passengers. When filled they head of to the beaches and resort areas and drop them at their destinations. The price is $1.60-$6.45 (THB 50-THB 200) depending on distance.
At some point the songthaew will stop and a person in uniform will ask all the passengers for money. This is normal because the island is a national park. $6.00 (200 THB) for adults and $3.00 (100 THB) for a child. Thai citizens pay 40 THB and 20 THB.
Koh Chang
Koh Chang (Elephant Island) is full of beautiful beaches, thick jungles and lush hiking trails with several waterfalls. As the third largest island in Thailand, you will have plenty of room to explore.
Where to Stay.
Khlong Phrao Beach offers a little bit of everything. It is perfect for families that prefer some action but not too busy. The beach is lined with several restaurants and resorts so you have plenty to choose from. Taking in the sunsets during long walks on the almost 2 mile long beach is a must.
White Sands Beach is the busiest beach that is still quite family friendly. Most of the beach is lined with hotels, resorts, shops, bars and restaurants. If the older kids were hoping for jet skis and wind surfing and such, that is just not going to happen on Koh Chang because it is a National Park.
What to Do on Koh Chang.
1. Tree Top Adventure will get the kids 7 and over wound up for sure. They will be sleeping like babies after zip lining through the jungle for 2 hours.
2. ATV Quad Bikes, another activity to get you off the beach for part of the day. There are two companies offering 60 minute and 90 minute tours. You will start off on a practice ground to get you started, and then off you go following marked trails.
3. Snorkeling and boat trips are other popular things to do on Koh Chang. Spending the day out on the water snorkeling, fishing or just cruising around the many islands of Koh Chang will get you out of the resort.
There are many companies offering half and full day excursions with lunch and transfers to and from your accommodations. Just stop at any tour organizer shop or ask anyone at the front desk where you are staying.
4. Mu Koh Chang National Park Viewpoints. This rates high on the things to see on Koh Chang because of the breathtaking views. The viewpoints have parking and depending on the point there are trails to follow and places for kids to play.
How to Get to Koh Chang.
If you are in Bangkok, there are a few ways to get to Koh Chang.
Flying.
The quickest way is to fly Bangkok Airways from Suvarnabhumi airport to the Trat airport. The flight cost is $70 – $130 (THB 2,200 – THB 4,080) each way and only takes 1 hour.
After the flight you will need to taxi to the pier and then to your hotel. The easiest way is the shared minibus service that runs between the airport and the resorts on the west coast of Koh Chang.
These operate in accordance with the flight schedules, so no worries about missing the van. The cost is $16 (THB 500) each way and will take around 2 to 2.5 hours.
Van, Ferry, Bus.
There are several pickup points to choose from in Bangkok for ferry and van joint tickets to Koh Chang. They cost anywhere from $14 – $30 (THB 440 – THB 940) and will take from 7 to 9 hours.
Drive.
If you rent a car at Suvarnabhumi airport, you can be at your hotel on the island in around 5-6 hours. There will be some tolls, gas and the cost of the ferry from the mainland. But hey, you can stop when you want, do some exploring and you can get around the island on your own. This could be a win, win with kids.
From Pattaya to Koh Chang it will take around 6 hours by van and ferry and cost around $32.00 (THB 1,000). This includes hotel pickup and drop off.
Gulf of Thailand: South.
Monsoon Season. This region has the shortest rainy season and it sees the most rain during late August through December. It rains 15 to 20 days per month on average during this period.
Koh Samui
Koh Samui is the second largest island in Thailand. Therefore, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding the right activities for your family. From beach hopping to island hopping to zip lining to water sports, you name it, Koh Samui has it.
Where to Stay
Bophut Beach. If you are looking for a more mellow vibe, more suitable for families, Bophut is for you. Bophut is on the north coast of Samui and is home to the Fisherman’s Village. Walking down the main street, you will be met with old wooden Thai-Chinese shop-houses that are mixed in with modern resorts and restaurants overlooking the 2 kilometre beach.
Chaweng Beach. The northeast side resort town of Chaweng, is the most popular town on the island. People flock here for the lively nightlife, restaurants, large shopping complex and activities. Chaweng beach is the liveliest beach with its white sands, clear waters and water sports activities.
Lamai Beach. Situated just south of Chaweng on the eastern side of the island is Lamai. It has a similar vibe to Chaweng, but on a smaller scale that is perfect for families.
We stayed at Lamai Inn 99 Bungalows, set right on the beach with wonderful sunrises to wake up to.
What to Do on Koh Samui.
1. Water Parks
Aquapark Samui is situated in the water in front of Monkey Bay Bar on Chaweng beach. It is made up of several inflatable devices that children and adults can climb, bounce, jump and balance on. The staff keep it safe and provide life jackets.
Pink Elephant Water Park located in Maenam west of Bophut, is a large facility mainly for young children and their parents. The park features a speed slide and bowl slide for the adventurers. Also a wave pool, lazy river, kiddies lagoon “for the younger ones” and an adult only Jacuzzi area.
The park also has a large restaurant offering many menu options, including vegan and kids menus. A few bars and refreshment stands are scattered throughout the park for convenience.
2. Zip Lines are a great way to get the adrenaline going.
Skyhawk Adventures, Canopy Adventures, Treetop Zipline and Lamai Viewpoint are the main lines on Koh Samui.
3. Go-Karts on Samui.
EasyKart offers not only go-karting with a beginner track and race track, but also indoor skydiving and a new flow riding surfing opening soon.
4. Mini Golf and Foot Golf.
Minigolf International, Samui Football Golf.
Lamai Mini Golf and Crazy Golf.
5. Real-life Escape Games.
These games are a sure way to get the kids (from 9 years and up) and adults minds working.
Escape the Island Experience, Escape Break and The Escape Hunt Experience.
6. Central Festival Samui.
Central Festival is the largest shopping and dining mall on Koh Samui. It features a gaming arcade, Pirate Adventure Horror House, XD Theater and a kid’s playground. Located between Chaweng beach and Chaweng lake.
Bonus Activities.
Check out my article (with links) “How To Book An Incredible Stay On Koh Samui” for even more activities for kids and adults. From ATV’s to fishing to island hopping to disk golf and golf to 4X4 tours to waterfalls and secret gardens.
How to Get to Koh Samui.
There are 2 practical ways to get to Koh Samui with kids.
Flying.
By far the fastest way is to fly from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport, directly to the island. This method takes 1 hour and 15 minutes but is also the most expensive costing around $175 and up (THB 5,490) each way.
Fly, Bus, Ferry.
Now, the next best way is to fly from Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport to Surat Thani airport. From there you will take a bus to the pier, a ferry to the island and a van to your hotel.
This will take 6 to 8 hours and cost around $50 – $75 (THB 1,570 – THB 2,355).
Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is the fifth largest island in Thailand and even though it is known for its Full Moon parties on Haad Rin Beach, most of the island’s beaches are still great for families.
Where to Stay?
The west coast north of Thong Sala Pier is for sunsets.
The three main beaches with the most services up the west coast are Haad Yao, Salad Beach and Mae Haad. There are several smaller, quieter beaches in between that are just as nice for families, such as Srithanu Beach, Zen Beach, Haad Chao Phao, Secret Beach and Haad Tien (west).
The north coast.
The main beach to the north is Chalok Lam Beach.
The east coast is for sunrises.
There are two main beaches on the east coast that are right next to each other named Thong Nai Pan and Thong Nai Pan Yai.
What to Do?
The Challenge Phangan is a great option for getting away from your resort. It is a water obstacle course with varying difficulties that is suited for children and adults. There is a restaurant/bar for those of you that want to sit it out and let the kids have fun.
Hiking Khao Ra, the highest peak on Koh Phangan at 627 meters high, should be on your list. If the kids are too young or tired to make it to the peak, you can still see the Phaeng Waterfalls along the way.
Tip: Flip-flops are doable but not recommended.
Mini Golf Phangan with 12 holes and 120 THB for adults and 60 THB for kids, you can’t go wrong here.
Jungle Flight Park is a great place to get off the beaten path and ride an ATV and zipline through the jungle.
Markets. The main street markets are located near the Thong Sala Pier. These are great places to eat, shop and experience the way the locals sell their wares.
Of course there are other activities like boat tours for snorkeling, hidden beaches, diving, etc. etc.. All these can be booked on the island.
How to Get to Koh Phangan
For this island, you can use the same procedures as getting to the last island, Koh Samui. In fact, this will give you the opportunity to island hop.
Stay on Koh Samui for a few nights and get a joint ticket to Koh Phangan for around $18 (THB 565) each way. This ticket will take 4 hours from hotel to hotel.
If you don’t want to go to Koh Samui, just book your end ticket from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan instead of to Koh Samui.
Koh Tao
Koh Tao is a relatively small island with quaint little bays and small beaches which gives it a quiet old fishing town feel. It is also known as the dive school capital of the world. People from all over the world come here to get their PADI licence.
Where to Stay?
The main beaches on the west coast are Mae Haad and Sairee beaches, Sairee being the largest. The largest beach on the south side is Haad Tien (Shark Bay).
That being said, there are a few smaller beaches like Sai Daeng to the east of Haad Tien and up the east coast are Leuk Bay and Tanote Beach.
All these beaches are good for families, although I would skip Mae Haad as it is near the main pier with several tour/taxi boats coming and going on the beach. Pick the largest beaches for the most amenities and the smaller for more seclusion and quiet.
We stayed at Dusit Buncha Resort north of Sairee beach. The resort is set in the rocks on a cliff overlooking the famous Nang Yuan Island and there is a boat to the island every 30 minutes for 300 THB round trip.
What to Do?
1. Visit Koh Nang Yuan
This is a must do on Koh Tao. It is famous for its two sided beach that connects the three islands together. Just hang out in the coral sand and clear water, then walk up to the Nang Yuan viewpoint and see the islands from above.
Tip: Don’t wear water shoes! Put them in your bag and wear them after you are in the park. The officials think you will stand on the coral with them on in the water. We didn’t know that they were not allowed and didn’t have any other shoes. It gets quite hot walking barefoot and you probably won’t be able to go to the viewpoint.
2. Try Scuba Diving.
On Koh Tao, this is a must even if you don’t know how. There are hundreds of dive schools on the island to choose from. If you just want to try diving, you can take a 2 day course for that. Or maybe you want to get your PADI license, there are 3 day courses for that.
The dive spots around Koh Tao are infamous and the courses are very inexpensive (around $350 for PADI) so you can’t go wrong. And, what a better time to learn than with your kids. There are fun programs starting ages 8 and up.
3. Go on a Snorkeling Cruise.
Snorkeling is a great way to see the marine life without scuba diving. There are plenty of cruises on the island that will take you to the best spots to see the sea turtles and other marine life. You might even get to see black tip reef sharks or blue spotted rays.
Everything from mini-golf, football, table tennis, darts, pool tables and even an indoor cinema, restaurant/bar.
How to Get to Koh Tao?
Again, you can follow the same procedures as the last 2 islands. Koh Tao is a little further north of Koh Phangan, so you can island hop from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan to Koh Tao.
The ferries from Koh Phangan to Koh Tao cost from $10 – $20 and take about an hour and a half each way.
If you just want to go to Koh Tao from Bangkok, you can fly to Surat Thani then bus to the pier and ferry to the island. This journey takes 9 hours and costs $80 (THB 2,511) each way.
The next choice is, fly to Chumphon airport then bus to the pier and ferry to Koh Tao. This will take 7 hours and costs $75 (THB 2,354).
Andaman Sea: South.
Monsoon Season. The Andaman sea is on the west coast and its monsoon is strongest from April through November. The average rain days per month are from 13 days in April all the way up to 23 days in October.
Phuket
Phuket is the largest island in Thailand at 209.7 square miles and is packed with 40 beaches. The island is 34 miles (49 km) from top to bottom and 16 miles (21 km) across.
The sandy beaches are located mostly on the west coast with a few on the south coast as well.
Where to Stay?
Phuket’s main party beach/town is Patong so I don’t recommend staying in that area with kids. It’s best to visit Patong during the day if you want to see what all the hype is about.
Small beaches north of Patong.
Surin Beach is a beautiful white sand beach with sun beds to rent and vendors waiting to cater to you. A great beach to hang out for hours with plenty of shade trees as well.
Naithon Beach is similar to Surin Beach in size but with shallower water and less waves (perfect for the younger kids). This beach is also a great place to relax and watch the sunsets.
Larger beaches north of Patong.
Kamala Beach is a larger beach but still has the small vibe with less crowds. The water is calmer here, therefore it is great for the little ones. Plenty of shops, restaurants and resorts to choose from.
Bang Tao Beach, with its expansive shoreline, should keep your family busy. There are numerous restaurants and shops and some night life if you can get away from the kids for a while.
Smaller beaches south of Patong
Kata Noi Beach is just the right size and is medium busy. Great swimming, and snorkeling near the rocks at the south end. With only a few restaurants and resorts here, it makes this beach more relaxing.
Nai Harn Beach has a Wat (temple) that sits between the beach and a small lake with a foot path to a small island called Rawai Chaloem Phra Kiat Park. The beach is usually not crowded and there are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby.
Larger beaches south of Patong.
Karon Beach, at 2.5 miles (4-km’s.) long, is large enough that it doesn’t feel crowded even in high season. The water is clear and the sunsets are amazing. Resorts, restaurants and shops line the shore for easy access to and from the beach.
Kata Beach (big brother to Kata Noi to the south) is not as long as Karon beach but it is long enough that you will be able to find a spot for yourself. There are resorts and restaurants lining the beach and the water is clean with wonderful sand for the kids to play in.
What to Do?
Due to the size of Phuket, I am giving you a list of kid friendly activities with links. There are so many things to do on the island that it would take a whole article to list them with information.
Once you know where you will be on Phuket, you can decide on whether it is practical or not to travel to each. The next best thing is to talk to someone at the tours desk at your resort.
Phuket Kart Go-karts, Football-golf and ATV’s in the same area.
Baan Teelanka-The Upside Down House
Phuket Shooting Range with paintball, airsoft gun, archery and racing karts.
Cable Wake Boarding and Skiing
How to Get to Phuket?
Flying
Because Phuket is a major tourist attraction, there are more inexpensive flights to and from the island from both of Bangkok’s airports.
All the flights are around an hour and a half and cost from $26 – $100 (THB 816 – THB 3,138). In most cases you will find a flight closer to the lower end of these prices.
Buses from Bangkok.
Unless you want to sit on a bus for 14-16 hours, there is no point in taking a bus to Phuket. The price is about the same as the lowest priced flights. You might save $5 – $10 but this just doesn’t make up for the time you will lose traveling.
Getting Around Phuket.
The price for transport from Phuket airport to your hotel all depends on where you are staying on Phuket and the type of vehicle you choose.
Metered Taxis
The highest price for a metered taxi will cost $29 (THB 900) and the lowest will be $21 (THB 650). This depends on where you are going.
Shared Mini Buses.
The shared mini bus will cost around $6.50 (THB 200). It is not as quick as a metered taxi because the bus will stop at the hotels of the other passengers along the way.
Also, you will have to wait for it to fill up before it will leave the airport, (around 9 passengers).
Limousine Services.
If money is no object and you want to be pampered, this is the choice for you.
Click here for rates.
Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is one of Thailand’s most laid back and peaceful island’s, which makes it great for families with little ones. It is also fairly large so you won’t get bored too easily.
The west side of the island is the beach side and therefore the main tourist area. The long beautiful beaches are rarely congested and the main road runs the length but is also just far enough from the beaches to keep them quiet.
The east side of Koh Lanta is home to mangroves and fruit plantations and the middle is jungle covered hills.
Where to stay?
The most family friendly area is Klong Dao Beach. The beach has a gentile gradient and there are no salesmen on the beach to bother you.
There are plenty of hotels and resorts that are right along the beach, which makes for easy access.
It is also great that there are kid friendly bars and restaurants along the beach. Several of them will even have toys to keep young kids occupied while you sip your favorite drink and eat a meal.
Long Beach is another great beach for families to spend some time lazing around.
What to do on Koh Lanta?
Although you won’t find jet skis and other motorized water sports on Koh Lanta, “yet”, there are still plenty of activities to do.
1. Be a beach bum.
Just spend some time exploring the beaches of Koh Lanta. Take a songthaew (open back pickup truck with benches) and cruise to all the beaches. Bring a kite or a frisbee and play in between swimming and enjoying the restaurants.
The water sports on the 4 main beaches include: paddle boarding, and windsurfing and you can rent boogie boards and surf boards along the beaches.
Beaches from north to south; Kawkwang, Klong Dao, Pra Ae, Relax Bay, Klong Khong, Klong Nin, Kantiang Bay, Klong Jark, Bamboo Bay.
2. Mu Koh Lanta National Park.
The park is in the most southern point of Koh Lanta. When you enter the park you will follow a 1.2 mile trail through the jungle. Along the way, you will probably encounter some monkeys looking for snacks. It is best not to feed them as this encourages them.
At the end, you will come to the parks twin beaches and you can climb to the lighthouse for some panoramic views. For $6.35 (THB 200) per adult and $3.20 (THB 100) per child, you can’t go wrong.
3. Take a Day Trip to Koh Rok and Koh Haa.
Koh Rok is a remote deserted island that is great for snorkeling right from the beach. You can also camp overnight on Koh Rok.
Koh Haa is a little more adventurist. Koh Haa is a group of 5 small limestone islands with a shallow lagoon at its center. Also great for snorkeling.
Tip: There are plenty more island boat trips to chose from. We just booked through our resort front desk the night before and we were picked up the next morning. Pretty easy and convenient.
4. Be a Trash Hero or Walk a Dog.
Koh Lanta Trash Heroes meet every Sunday at 4 pm at Long Beach Park. Just show up and give a helping hand keeping the island clean.
Koh Lanta Animal Welfare Center is another way of helping on the island. You can make a donation, Volunteer or sponsor an animal.
These are both great ways to help children learn about other communities and their needs.
How to get to Koh Lanta.
Fly.
Here, you can fly to Phuket like I mentioned above and then joint ticket by van and ferry to Koh Lanta. The van and ferry takes 3.5 hours and costs $56 (THB 1,757).
If you island hop, this is even better. You can stay on Phuket for a few nights and ferry over to Koh Lanta.
Now, if Phuket is not on your list at all, you can fly to Krabi from Bangkok. Both Bangkok airports have some flights to Krabi that range from $30 – $80 (THB 941 – THB 2,511).
The Krabi airport has a shuttle to the pier. You can book a joint ticket that will get you from the airport to your hotel on Koh Lanta for $16 (THB 502) and it takes 3 hours.
Conclusion: Well, now you definitely have some choices to make on this one. Which ever island/islands you chose, your family will be sure to have many wonderful memories.
Happy island hopping in Thailand!