The Best Beaches in Phuket for family

Phuket is home to some amazing beaches, some packed with family friendly activities, some with nothing more than sand and waves. The best beach for you will depend on the ages of your kids and what you want to do when you get there. For me that means somewhere free of crowds but with amenities such as restaurants, toilets and things to do. These are the best beaches in Phuket for family I have discovered over several trips to the island.

Kata Beach

Kata in probably the most popular beach on Phuket for families. The whole area of Kata is very family friendly with plenty of activities to keep all ages entertained. The sand on Kata beach is soft and white. To the North of Kata beach is a good area for swimming and snorkelling. The south of the beach offers more waves so is good for surfing or body boarding. You can hire equipment right on the beach.

Kata enjoys some spectacular sunsets so it’s a great place to visit in the late afternoon. The area is very laid back with plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants bordering the sand although these are never rowdy or too busy. Walk further up the road and you’ll find busier bars, western restaurants and family friendly activities such as Phuket Dino Golf.

Ultimate Guide to Thailand with Kids

Nai Yang Beach

If you’re looking to escape the crowds the Nai Yang is the beach for you. Located in the North of the island, right next to the airport, it’s home to several luxury hotels, some laid back restaurants and very little else. The waves tend to be very calm so it’s a good spot for paddleboarding and kayaking with older kids. Little ones can enjoy a paddle as the sea bed is pretty sandy rather than rocky or just a play in the sand. There are plenty of trees bordering the sand offering shade.

Between November and February you may even see female Sea Turtles laying their eggs in the sand.

Kamala Beach

For something a little busier but still with a very chilled out vibe, head to Kamala. It’s one of the few beaches in Phuket that still feels fairly authentic. The restaurants lining the sand are typically Thai, with small local spas where you can enjoy a leg massage overlooking the sea. Kids will love that you can horse ride right on the beach and older teens will love a visit to Cafe Del Mar, one of the best beach clubs on Phuket.

Kamala also has a little play area right next to the beach plus there is plenty of shaded areas for you to throw down a towel and relax for te day.

Patong Beach

Patong is the busiest on my list of the best beaches in Phuket for families and it doesn’t have the best reputation. But hear me out, I definitely think it deserves a spot. Patong is the most touristy part of Phuket and with that comes facilities and things to do. Patong beach is a haven for watersports. There are parasailing and jet ski operators along the sand for older kids plus banana boat rides, waterskiing, wakeboarding, kayaking and windsurfing. Be sure to do your research and use a reputable company. There are life guards with their warning flags keeping an eye on everyone. The beach itself is quite pretty with soft pale sand and gentle waves. There are toilet facilities and sun beds to rent along the beach. The further North along the beach you go, the quieter it gets. This is where you’ll find Fuga beach club. My favourite place from which to enjoy the beach.

If you don’t fancy splashing out on beach club prices, there are heaps of bars, street food stalls and restaurants lining the sand including the ever popular McDonald’s, KFC, and Burger King.

Mai Khao

Worlds away from the craziness of Patong beach is Mai Khao. Located right in the North of the island, this is as close as we got to paradise on Phuket. Mai Khao is the longest beach on Phukets and is still part of Sirinat National Park so is relatively (blissfully) undeveloped. The sand isn’t as soft as other beaches on Phuket but the beach is often deserted, meaning you can run around, paddle and build sandcastles undisturbed.

Mai Khao is one of the closest beaches to the airport, little kids will probably enjoy watching the planes come in, they almost look like they will land on the sand! Maybe best to avoid this beach if your kids are sensitive to noise.

The beach is home to the Phuket JW Marriott and the Anantara Vacation Club. It’s also very close to Turtle Village which is a cute shopping complex with several restaurants where you can enjoy dinner.

Bangtao Beach

Bangtao is the most upscale area of Phuket, home to some gorgeous luxury hotels and fabulous beach clubs. People visit here to see and be seen but it also has a few activities to entertain the kids. Again, it’s a pretty quiet stretch of sand

If you stay in the North there’s pretty much no development. You’ll find locals enjoying the beach, playing in the sand and walking along the shallow waves. The further South along the beach you go, the livelier it gets. It’s where you’ll find the Lagoon Complex, a group of several luxury hotels and the super fun Catch Beach Club. It’s not all high end though, you can find some fairly decent beach shack style bars and restaurants.

Ao Yon Beach

To finish this list of the Best Beaches in Phuket for family I want to include one of the lesser know beaches. Ao Yon beach is one of the furthest away from the developed areas of Patong and Kata in both distance and atmosphere. It’s located on the South East peninsular of Cape Panwa which is a very quiet part of Phuket. The beach is home to soft white sand, turquoise water and coconut trees providing plenty of shade. This beach is basically a locals secret, there are no beach facilities or watersport hire agencies, just blissful peace and quiet. You’ll also find some small bars and restaurants which all feel very old school Thailand.

Staying safe on Phukets beaches.

Phuket is a very safe island to visit. Thai people tend to be very kind and helpful. As for most of Thailand it is the natural environment you need to be aware of.

Jellyfish

This year has been a particularly bad (or good) year for Jelly fish on Phukets beaches. There have been pictures of hundreds washed up on beaches making it impossible to swim safely. It is NOT like this all year or even for most of the year but it is possible to see several jellyfish during your visit.

Most of Thailands jellyfish won’t kill you, they can leave a nasty sting which feels anywhere from a nettle sting to a full on burn. Avoid them if you can and be sure to take account of signs and life guard warnings. Rash guards or long swimmers can help protect you. If you do get stung, apparently vinegar helps but head straight to the nearest lifeguard who will help you. Any difficulty breathing, racing heart rate or particulary serious symptoms, head straight to the nearest hospital.

The Sea

Whilst lazing on the sand all day can be nice, you’ll probably want at least a quick dip to cool off. As with most parts of the world, waves on Phukets island can get pretty big and you may find riptides a short way off shore. The main beaches will have lifeguards with colour coded flags telling you where is safe to swim. Make sure you follow their instructions. Do not swim at all if you see a red flag.

Try to stay in the shallows where you can put your feet down should you need to. And don’t take your eyes off the kids or let them float too far out. Currents on the West Coast tend to be the strongest with sharp drop offs close to shore. Keep this in mind when you’re in the water.

Watersports

Other than easy kayaking or paddleboarding, we tend to avoid watersports when we’re on holiday. I’m never convinced the equipment is safe or the companies properly regulated and insured. If you do want to try some watersports during your stay on Phuket, I recommend pre-booking with a website like Get You Guide. That way you can read reviews of the activity before you part with your money.

Best Beaches in Phuket for family – a conclusion

It really does depend on what you’re looking for from your beach day but Phuket beaches really do offer a bit of something for everyone. The West of the island is where you’ll find the most family friendly activities, the far North and South are where you’ll find the most peace.