A perfect blend of adventure and rejuvenation, Phuket is home to some of the best sun-kissed beaches, therapeutic spa centres, amusement parks, safaris and cable rides, making it the most sought-after family-friendly destination.
Blue lagoons, pink sunset hues and pristine white sands to orange-robed monks and revered temples, Phuket is adorned with majestic sites to behold. The northern part of this island city is known for its tranquil environs with attractions like Koh Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay and Patong Beach, while plenty of sun-kissed beaches welcome you down south. And that is not all. Phuket’s terrain also encompasses verdant jungles and panoramic mountains and cliffs with mesmerising vistas.
The city’s tropical climate is usually suitable for year-round travel as it never gets too cold here. However, November to February is the best time to visit this bustling city when it remains cool and dry. It gets a bit hot after that until May. Monsoons are quite wet and if you can brave the rains, the months from May to October would be the best.
Insta-friendly attractions
• Get clicked with the mesmerizing marine life at Phuket Aquarium.
• Soak in the beauty of the colourful flora at Phuket Bird Park.
• Phuket Trickeye Museum will give tourists enough selfie opportunities with its amazing interactive 3D paintings.
• A cultural extravaganza at Phuket Fantasea Show is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness when in Phuket.
• Baan Teelanka is known not just for its maze but also for its quirky design, making it a trendy Insta destination.
And when you are here, indulge in some fun-filled water play if you are travelling with kids.
Explore Phuket’s best water parks
Located close to the international airport, the Splash Jungle Water Park lies within a private resort property on the pristine sands of Mai Khao Beach. Home to various exhilarating water slides, kids’ aquarium and other attractions, this water marvel is a must-visit place for kids and adults alike and is open for all.
One of Phuket’s largest children’s clubs, Rawai Park Kids Club is a perfect blend of wet and dry play areas. From pools and water slides to ball pits and carousel, the park is a complete family-friendly extravaganza.
And if families are accompanied with older kids, Surf House Phuket is the place to hang out. Every surfer’s dream, this attraction lies on the most-popular Kata beach. With several bars and restaurants nearby, this place is surely a hotspot.
Pumping up the water sports scene in Phuket, Anthem Wake Park boasts of a minimum of three-cable water skiing options. Nestled amidst verdurous vegetation on a 50,000sqm lake, this beautiful park is another great joint for folks travelling with older kids.
If your kids are still unsatisfied with a day-long splashing activity, Phuket will surprise them with another range of thrilling attractions to immerse in.
Get ready for some adrenaline rush
Patong Go-Kart Speedway is a dream destination for all motor racing enthusiasts. Situated at the doorstop of Patong hill, the attraction boasts of a 750 m-long race track with adventurous curves and extended finish lines. Housing trendy bars and restaurants, this place is also a great hangout zone for non-riders. Perfect for kids and grown-ups, the speedway has a variety of kart options with altered speed options.
The island offers another heart-pumping experience for globetrotters at Flying Hanuman Phuket, which is a great way to admire the wilderness of the surrounding environs here. Featuring platforms, sky bridges, spiral stairways, sky rail and a 20-minute nature walk, the attraction allows travellers to explore nature from close quarters.
Call it zorbing, hill rolling or globe riding, Rollerball is one such place to feel a rush of adrenaline inside you. Lying on a hilltop overlooking the Kalim Beach, the place enables visitors to roll down inside a big plastic ball.
Must-savour Thai dishes
• Tom Yam Goong
• Dim Sum
• Gaeng Keaw Wan Gai
• Khao Man Gai
• Por Pia
• Satay
• Pad Thai
• Som Tam
• Kuey Tiaow
• Massaman Curry
After several exhilarating sessions at these marvels, hunger will definitely drive you crazy. And when you are in a city like Phuket, authentic mouth-watering Thai food is available in literally every corner.
Relish scrumptious Thai cuisine
A melting pot of various cultures including Buddhists, Indian, Chinese and Muslims, Thai cuisine is a blend of several aromatic flavours.
Thai cuisine is not just food for the locals here; it is a celebration in itself. And that love gets reflected in its popularity worldwide. A Thai meal is a combination of four major seasonings – salt, sweet, sour, and spice – giving it its beautiful aroma which the world craves for. Be it the beaches, high-end restaurants or streets, the city’s every nook and corner is a great place to savour Thai food.
Family-friendly day tours from Phuket
• Enjoy a fun canoe ride while exploring the limestone caves around Phang Nga Bay.
• Get on board a speedboat to admire the serene environs of Phi Phi Islands.
• Partake in a snorkelling activity on a day trip to the majestic Racha and Coral islands.
• Embark on a boat ride to enjoy a fun-filled picnic to nearby Khai Nok and Khai Nui islands.
A relaxing sun lounger by the beach is the best place to unwind after a thrilling day. While the cool breeze serenades your face, children can have fun making sand castles.
Beach Calling
Phuket travel is incomplete without its pristine, sun-kissed beaches. Right from night clubs and bars for parents to fun activities, restaurants and shopping for kids, Phuket beaches have it all. While children enjoy some surfing at various surfing centres at the happening Kata Beach, parents can bask in the sun at sun loungers lined up there.
Another great family-friendly seafront is Kamala Beach, which not only offers therapeutic spas but is the host ground for the most iconic Phuket FantaSea Show.
And lastly, families can have a fun-filled picnic session at Karon Beach with activities like parasailing, volleyball and many more.
Children are a powerhouse of energy. A relaxing beach getaway is not their idea of a perfect vacation. Adventure and thrill is what attracts them. Parents, on the other hand, prefer a laid-back beach sojourn amidst serene environs. Bringing together the best of both worlds, the otherwise quaint island of Phuket offers myriad thrilling attractions, making it the perfect family holiday destination.
Picture Credit: Tourism Authority of Thailand