Today let you know about the 10 best beaches for families in Thailand. With over 2000 miles of coastline, Thailand is a dream beach destination, especially for families. Its warm seas, soft sands, range of water sports, and abundance of beachfront resorts with dedicated kids clubs makes it ideal for a fun-filled, stress-free family beach vacation.
Choosing the right beach for your family is key to ensuring you pick a destination with calm swimming areas, plenty of entertainment options nearby and family-friendly amenities. Here are the 10 best beaches for families in Thailand as of 2023.
1. Patong Beach, Phuket
As Thailand’s largest island, Phuket offers plenty of family-friendly beach options. But the prime spot is Patong, the island’s liveliest beach town.
Why it’s great: Patong has it all – wide sandy beach, huge range of watersports from parasailing to jet skis, lively beach bars and restaurants, shopping galore and major resorts with kids clubs like Centara Grand and Le Meridien.
Highlights: Float on a banana boat, build epic sandcastles, take a speedboat to nearby islands, watch a cabaret show at night.
Nearby attractions: Phuket Fantasea cultural theme park, Phuket Zoo, Splash Jungle water park.
2. Karon Beach, Phuket
Also located on Phuket, Karon Beach offers a more relaxed vibe than Patong but still with plenty of family infrastructure.
Why it’s great: Very long sandy beach great for beachcombing at low tide, extensive resort options with pools and kids activities, calm shallow water perfect for swimming.
Highlights: Try out thai cooking classes, get henna tattoos, swim with colorful fish at nearby coral reefs.
Nearby attractions: Dino Park miniature golf course, Phuket Butterfly Garden, Big Buddha statue viewpoint.
3. Lamai Beach, Koh Samui
Koh Samui is another family favorite, with Lamai being the largest and best equipped beach for those with kids.
Why it’s great: Very calm, shallow swimming area enclosed by rock headlands, range of resorts with kids clubs and pools, beachfront restaurants and shops.
Highlights: Kayak along the coast, have a family muay thai boxing lesson, swim with dolphins, get a hair braid.
Nearby attractions: Namuang waterfall, Laem Sor Pagoda, Aquapark playground, Samui go karting.
4. Cha Am Beach, Mainland
For families wanting to stay on the Thai mainland, Cha Am is just a two hour drive from Bangkok and great value.
Why it’s great: Gently sloping beach with very calm water perfect for beginner swimmers, budget beachfront hotels with pools/playgrounds, relaxed pace of life.
Highlights: Ride horses or elephants along the beach, feast on fresh seafood buffets each night, have a family bike ride down quiet backstreets.
Nearby attractions: Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phra Ratchaniwet Mrigadayavan Palace, Cha Am night market.
5. Kata Beach, Phuket
Kata in southwest Phuket balances serene vibes with a good selection of family-oriented resorts and dining.
Why it’s great: Very clean water for swimming with a gently sloping sea floor, great spot for beginner surf lessons, shady trees along the beachfront.
Highlights: Learn to surf together as a family, find amazing shells and sea creatures in the rock pools, watch the sunset from the beach bars.
Nearby attractions: Kata Viewpoint, Dino Park, Phuket Seashell Museum, Big Buddha.
6. Kamala Beach, Phuket
Kamala Beach has calm water for new swimmers, beachfront accommodation and lively night markets.
Why it’s great: Enclosed bay provides very calm water conditions, Kamala Beach Resort has extensive kids activities like tennis/cooking lessons, Walking Street night markets.
Highlights: Splash around in the calm bay, enjoy beachfront dining each night, browse food and souvenir stalls at the night market.
Nearby attractions: Phuket Fantasea, Big Buddha, Phuket Wake Park (wakeboarding), Phuket Zoo.
7. Bangsaen Beach, Mainland
Not far from Bangkok, Bangsaen Beach is a popular Thai family beach getaway located on the mainland.
Why it’s great: Shallow safe swimming, cheap beachfront hotels and seafood BBQs, lively carnival atmosphere with street stalls and bars.
Highlights: Test your balance on a banana boat ride, let the kids run free at the beachfront playground, eat freshly grilled shrimp while watching the sunset.
Nearby attractions: Ang Sila seafood market, Chonburi night markets, Nong Mon day market.
8. Nai Yang Beach, Phuket
In northern Phuket, Nai Yang offers a tranquil retreat from the island’s busier beaches but still with family infrastructure.
Why it’s great: Calm protected bay perfect for young swimmers, nature trails through shady beachside forest, Sirinat National Park provides activities.
Highlights: Relax under the trees, join a junior ranger program at the nature center, watch planes flying low to land at the nearby airport.
Nearby attractions: Splash Jungle waterpark, Phuket Wake Park (wakeboarding), Turtle Village shopping.
9. Hua Hin Beach, Mainland
Just a few hours drive from Bangkok, Hua Hin is a great family-oriented beach option on the mainland.
Why it’s great: Long sandy beach with calm shallow water, huge range of resorts from 5 star to budget, very kid-friendly with amusement parks nearby.
Highlights: Ride ponies or elephants along the beach, climb to the top of Monkey Mountain, graze on street food at the night markets.
Nearby attractions: Vana Nava Water Park, Black Mountain waterpark, Hua Hin Railway Station, Cicada night market.
10. Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui
Chaweng is the most action-packed beach on Koh Samui, great for older kids who need entertainment options.
Why it’s great: Lots of watersports and boat trips to neighboring islands, beach clubs with trampolines and games, diverse dining from McDonalds to local seafood.
Highlights: Take a speedboat to Ang Thong Marine Park, try rock climbing or zip lining, let the kids jump on the trampolines at the beach clubs.
Nearby attractions: Namuang Waterfall, Paradise Park Farm, Jungle Club adventure park, Aquapark playgound.
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Thailand’s Best Kid Friendly Beach Resorts
These resorts offer exceptional facilities and activities for families at popular Thai beach destinations:
- Centara Grand Beach Resort (Phuket) – Kids club, huge pool with waterslide, day camp.
- Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort – Children’s swimming pool, tennis lessons, family cooking classes.
- Kamala Beach Resort (Phuket) – Tennis, Thai boxing, cooking lessons and camp activities.
- Anantara Hua Hin Resort – Kid’s grotto pool, elephant rides, lagoon waterpark.
- Hyatt Regency Hua Hin – Camp Hyatt kids program with arts, sports etc.
- Sila Evason (Koh Samui) – Creative activities club for 4-12 year olds.
- Centara Grand Samui – Baby sitting services, game zone, kids buffet menu.
Booking Family-Friendly Accommodation
Here are some tips for booking the best family accommodation:
- Look for kids clubs, activity programs, childcare/babysitting services.
- Check for pools with shallow areas, playgrounds, games rooms.
- Read reviews from other families – narrow your search based on feedback.
- Avoid small boutique hotels catering to couples. Stick to larger family-oriented resorts.
- Consider booking two interconnecting rooms so parents and kids can have their own space.
- Look for self-contained family rooms with a small kitchenette to prepare simple meals.
- Check if cots, strollers, high chairs etc are available to rent on-site for small children.
Top Tips for a Successful Beach Holiday with Kids
Here are some top tips for keeping the kids happy at the beach in Thailand:
- Bring along their favorite toys, books and games to keep them occupied.
- Pack plenty of snacks – grazing on chips and fruit helps avoid mealtime meltdowns.
- Get kids adjustable swim goggles so they can see clearly underwater.
- Use small beach shelters for naps during the day to escape the sun and heat.
- Alternate between relaxing beach days and visiting nearby attractions like water parks.
- Join resort kids clubs so you can also enjoy some kid-free time on your trip.
- Make sure to use high SPF sunscreen and reapply frequently on little ones.
- End each day with a fun family activity like beachfront dining or night markets.
FAQs About Beaches for Families in Thailand
Here are quick answers to some common questions about family beach trips in Thailand:
Are the beaches in Thailand safe for young kids?
Yes, beaches like Patong and Karon on Phuket have very calm, shallow water perfect for toddlers and kids. Older kids will love activities like kayaking and surfing lessons too.
What kid-friendly amenities should I look for in a Thai beach resort?
Top amenities include kids clubs, dedicated pools/playgrounds for kids, organized activities, babysitting services and facilities like cots, high chairs and strollers.
Which Thai beaches and islands are best for families?
Phuket and Koh Samui offer the best family-oriented beach resorts and amenities in Thailand. The mainland beaches of Hua Hin, Cha Am and Bangsaen are also great family options.
Is food and drink affordable at Thai beach destinations?
Yes, dining right on the beach is very affordable in Thailand – seafood feasts can cost as little as $3 per person at local restaurants. Lots of kid-friendly international and Thai food options too.
Are there travel companies that specialize in family beach vacations in Thailand?
Yes, companies like Tour Me Happy and Take Me Tour offer custom Thailand beach vacation packages for families, helping with everything from booking to itineraries.
Thailand Has Endless Family Beach Fun
With warm seas, gentle slopes for swimming, a huge array of resorts catering to kids, cheap dining and tons of entertainment options, Thailand delivers an amazing beach vacation for families. Plan an unforgettable trip to one of these 10 family-friendly beaches and make lifelong memories with the kids.