Phuket is a superb family destination, with far more for children than just the beach. They can splash through some of Asia's biggest water parks, meet rescued elephants at an ethical sanctuary, walk through the aquarium's underwater tunnel, gasp at the FantaSea show, snorkel in the calm shallows of a close-in island, or play a round of dinosaur mini-golf. Here are the best family outings, with suggested ages, prices and practical tips — including plenty of air-conditioned and rainy-day options for the hottest afternoons.
฿1,500+Andamanda Phuket Water Park
Area
Kathu
Ages
All ages
“Phuket's biggest, newest water park — a full family day out; book online for cheaper tickets and go early on hot days.”
฿1,200+Splash Jungle Water Park
Area
Mai Khao (north)
Ages
All ages
“A well-established water park near the airport — handy for a first or last day, with slides, a wave pool and a lazy river.”
฿900+Blue Tree Phuket
Area
Cherngtalay (northwest)
Ages
All ages
“A huge swimmable lagoon with a cliff jump, water obstacle course and slides — plus dining and activities for the whole family.”
฿3,000+Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
Area
Paklok (interior)
Ages
Ages 4+
“An ethical, no-riding refuge for rescued elephants — kids can watch and feed them in a beautiful jungle setting; book ahead.”
฿180Phuket Aquarium
Area
Cape Panwa
Ages
Ages 2–12
“A cheap, easy, air-conditioned outing with a walk-through tunnel the kids love — ideal for a rainy day or hot afternoon.”
฿1,800+Phuket FantaSea
Area
Kamala
Ages
All ages
“A glittering evening theme-park show the whole family can enjoy — book the buffet-and-show package; no cameras in the theatre.”
฿240Dino Park Mini Golf
Area
Karon
Ages
Ages 3+
“A fun, quirky dinosaur-themed mini-golf course beside Marina restaurant in Karon — a great low-key evening activity with kids.”
฿1,000+Coral Island Snorkelling Trip
Area
Off Chalong (south)
Ages
Ages 4+
“A short, easy speedboat hop to calm, clear water and simple snorkelling — the best gentle island trip for younger kids.”
Phuket with kids in detail
1.Andamanda Phuket Water Park
Andamanda Phuket is the island's largest, newest and most impressive water park, and it makes for a spectacular full-day family adventure that will thrill children and adults alike. Opened in 2022, this beautifully designed and lushly landscaped park in the Kathu area draws on the mythology of the Andaman Sea for its theming, creating an immersive, colourful world across several distinct zones. Thrill-seekers are well served by a large collection of exhilarating water slides of varying intensity, from steep, high-speed drops and looping tube rides to raft slides for the whole family, while the enormous wave pool recreates the feel of the ocean with rolling surf. Gentler attractions include a long, meandering lazy river perfect for drifting along on a tube, and there is an extensive dedicated children's area with smaller slides, water-play structures, fountains and shallow pools designed to keep younger kids safely entertained for hours. The park also features a large freeform leisure pool, plenty of sun loungers and shaded areas, and a good range of food and drink outlets, lockers, changing facilities and cabanas for hire, everything needed for a comfortable full day out. Being modern, it is clean, well-maintained and professionally run with attentive lifeguards. Tickets are cheaper booked online in advance, and arriving early is wise on hot, busy days to beat the crowds and the queues for the popular slides. For families with children of any age, Andamanda offers a fun, refreshing and action-packed day, and it is one of the best rainy-season or hot-day options on the island, being enjoyable whatever the weather.
Hours
Daily ~10:00–19:00
Price
~฿1,500 adult, ~฿1,200 child online (foreigner rate)
Getting there
In Kathu near Patong; ~15 min by taxi/Grab from Patong, ~40 min from the airport
Insider tip: Phuket's biggest, newest water park — a full family day out; book online for cheaper tickets and go early on hot days.
2.Splash Jungle Water Park
Splash Jungle Water Park is a well-established, jungle-themed water park in the far north of Phuket, close to Mai Khao beach and the airport, which makes it an especially convenient option for families to enjoy at the start or end of a trip, or for those staying in the northern beach areas. While a little older and smaller than the newer Andamanda, it remains a fun, good-value and enjoyable day out with a solid range of attractions to suit all ages. The park offers a variety of water slides catering to different thrill levels, from fast, adrenaline-pumping rides for older children and adults to gentler ones for the more cautious, along with the popular staples of a large wave pool that generates rolling surf for splashing about in, and a relaxing lazy river winding through the tropically landscaped grounds for drifting along on a tube. Younger children are catered for with dedicated shallow kids' play areas featuring small slides, water-spray features and fun aquatic play structures where they can splash safely. Facilities include sun loungers, shaded rest areas, food and drink outlets, lockers and changing rooms, and hotel transfers are often available given its slightly out-of-the-way northern location. The jungle theming and mature landscaping give it a pleasant, leafy atmosphere. Being close to the airport, it is a smart choice for families with a late-departure day to fill, letting the kids burn off energy before a flight. For a classic, enjoyable and affordable water-park day in the north of the island, Splash Jungle is a dependable family favourite, delivering plenty of watery fun for all ages.
Hours
Daily ~10:00–17:30
Price
~฿1,200 adult, ~฿600 child (foreigner rate); transfers available
Getting there
Near Mai Khao beach in the north; ~10 min from the airport, ~45 min from Patong
Insider tip: A well-established water park near the airport — handy for a first or last day, with slides, a wave pool and a lazy river.
3.Blue Tree Phuket
Blue Tree Phuket is a large, modern leisure and lifestyle destination in the Cherngtalay area near Bang Tao and the Laguna resorts, built around a spectacular man-made crystal lagoon that provides a unique and refreshing alternative to the sea or a conventional pool for a family day out. The centrepiece huge lagoon, filled with clear, filtered water and fringed by a sandy beach area and loungers, offers safe, calm swimming and is home to a range of watery attractions that appeal especially to older children and teenagers: a floating inflatable aqua-park obstacle course to clamber over and bounce off, water slides, a thrilling cliff-jump platform for the brave, and equipment for paddle-boarding, kayaking and other water activities. Beyond the lagoon, the complex has grown into a broader entertainment and dining hub, with a selection of restaurants, cafés and bars, food and drink outlets around the water, a kids' club and play areas, regular events, live music and markets, and various other activities, making it possible to spend a full and varied day there. The setting is attractive and well-landscaped, and the facilities modern and family-friendly. Entry pricing varies by the package and activities chosen, and it is worth checking what is included. Its location near the upscale northern beaches makes it convenient for families staying in that area. For families, and particularly those with energetic older kids and teens looking for active water fun beyond the beach, alongside good dining and a lively atmosphere, Blue Tree offers a fun, contemporary and refreshing day out.
Hours
Daily ~10:00–19:00 (lagoon); venues later
Price
Lagoon entry from ~฿900 (varies by package/age)
Getting there
In Cherngtalay near Bang Tao/Laguna; ~25 min from Patong, ~25 min from the airport
Insider tip: A huge swimmable lagoon with a cliff jump, water obstacle course and slides — plus dining and activities for the whole family.
4.Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, in the forested interior near Paklok, was the island's first genuinely ethical elephant refuge, and it offers families one of the most rewarding, humane and memorable wildlife experiences in Phuket. This is a retirement home for elderly, injured and overworked elephants rescued from the logging and trekking industries, where they are allowed to live out their days in peace, roaming freely across a beautiful, spacious jungle valley with streams and mud pools. Crucially, and unlike the old-style trekking camps, this is a strict no-riding, no-performance sanctuary: there are no chairs, no tricks and no bullhooks, and the entire ethos is built around the animals' welfare and natural behaviour. Visitors, including children (usually aged around four and up), observe the elephants from raised walkways and respectful distances as they forage, bathe, socialise and wallow, and typically get to help prepare food and feed them, all under the guidance of knowledgeable staff and the elephants' mahouts, who share each animal's rescue story and explain the conservation and welfare issues at stake. It is a gentle, moving and genuinely educational experience that teaches children compassion and respect for animals, and the lush jungle setting is beautiful. Visits run as half-day morning or afternoon programmes with hotel transfers included, and because numbers are capped to keep it calm for the elephants, booking well ahead is essential. It costs more than the discredited riding camps, but the premium funds proper care and a life of dignity for the animals. For a family wildlife encounter that is ethical, educational and heart-warming rather than exploitative, this is the standout choice on the island.
Hours
Morning & afternoon programmes by booking
Price
Half-day visits from ~฿3,000 adult, ~฿1,500 child; incl. transfers
Getting there
In the forested interior near Paklok in the northeast; visits include hotel transfers
Insider tip: An ethical, no-riding refuge for rescued elephants — kids can watch and feed them in a beautiful jungle setting; book ahead.
5.Phuket Aquarium
The Phuket Aquarium, at the tip of Cape Panwa on the island's south-eastern peninsula, is an excellent-value and easy family outing that is particularly welcome on a rainy day or during the fierce midday heat, when a cool, air-conditioned indoor attraction is just the ticket. Run as part of the Phuket Marine Biological Center, it is modest in scale compared with the giant aquariums of Bangkok or Singapore but well laid out and thoughtfully presented, doing a good job of showcasing the colourful marine life of the surrounding Andaman Sea and Thai waters in a way that engages and educates younger children. A series of tanks takes families on a journey through the region's aquatic habitats — coral reefs alive with clownfish (a hit with little ones after Finding Nemo), angelfish, lionfish and other tropical species, mangrove and freshwater environments, and curiosities like moray eels, seahorses, pufferfish and giant clams — building up to the highlight for most kids, a walk-through underwater tunnel where sharks, rays and larger fish glide overhead and all around, a genuine wow moment. There is also a touch pool where children can gently handle starfish and other creatures under supervision, and feeding sessions at certain times, adding interactive fun. Displays in Thai and English explain the biology and the importance of ocean conservation, giving the visit real educational value. Entry is very cheap, and the whole visit takes around an hour to ninety minutes, making it easy to combine with the scenic Cape Panwa drive, the nearby viewpoint and a seafood lunch. For families with younger children seeking an affordable, educational and weatherproof outing, the aquarium is a reliable and enjoyable choice.
Hours
Daily ~08:30–16:30
Price
~฿180 adult, ~฿100 child (foreigner rate)
Getting there
At the tip of Cape Panwa southeast of Phuket Town; ~30 min by taxi/Grab; no direct public transport
Insider tip: A cheap, easy, air-conditioned outing with a walk-through tunnel the kids love — ideal for a rainy day or hot afternoon.
6.Phuket FantaSea
Phuket FantaSea, on the hillside behind Kamala beach, is one of the island's most popular evening attractions for families, a lavish, Las Vegas-scale cultural theme park built around a grand theatrical stage show that dramatises Thai myth, history and folklore in a spectacle designed to dazzle audiences of all ages. Arriving in the early evening, families can first explore the theme-park grounds, with their ornately themed streets and buildings evoking a fantasy Thai kingdom, carnival games and stalls, shopping arcades of Thai crafts and souvenirs, and various bits of entertainment, before the main event. Most visitors book the combined package that includes dinner at the Golden Kinnaree, one of the largest buffet restaurants in Asia, seating thousands on a vast spread of Thai and international dishes to suit every taste, including plenty of child-friendly options. The centrepiece is the 'Fantasy of a Kingdom' show, a 75-minute extravaganza in a lavish 3,000-seat theatre that blends traditional Thai dance and costume with high-tech illusions, aerial acrobatics, trapeze artists, pyrotechnics, special effects and a cast of performers and animals including elephants, in a colourful, action-packed celebration guaranteed to hold children's attention. It is glossy, large-scale family entertainment with genuine wow-factor, and while some visitors have reservations about the use of animals in the performance, which is worth weighing up, it remains a firm family favourite for a spectacular night out. Note that cameras and phones are not permitted inside the theatre. With its combination of theme park, huge buffet and grand show, FantaSea makes an easy, comfortable and memorable evening for families, and booking ahead with transfers is recommended.
Hours
Fri–Wed from ~17:30; show ~21:00 (closed some days)
Price
Show from ~฿1,800; with buffet from ~฿2,200 (child discounts)
Getting there
In Kamala on the west coast; ~20 min by taxi/Grab from Patong; many tickets include transfers
Insider tip: A glittering evening theme-park show the whole family can enjoy — book the buffet-and-show package; no cameras in the theatre.
7.Dino Park Mini Golf
Dino Park Mini Golf is a wonderfully quirky and fun family attraction located between the beaches of Kata and Karon, offering an entertaining and low-key activity that makes a great change of pace, especially as an early-evening outing when the kids still have energy to burn after a day at the beach. As the name suggests, the attraction is an 18-hole miniature-golf course elaborately themed around dinosaurs and a prehistoric 'lost world', and the imaginative setting is what lifts it above an ordinary crazy-golf course. Players wind their way through a lushly landscaped jungle environment dotted with life-sized dinosaur models, some of which move and roar, past tumbling waterfalls, streams, caves, a smoking volcano and rocky outcrops, following a fun narrative as they play each hole. It is well-maintained, atmospheric and genuinely charming, and children are usually delighted by the dinosaurs and the adventure-like feel of exploring the course. The park is particularly magical after dark, when it is lit up and the setting takes on an extra sense of drama and fun, making it a popular evening choice. On site there is also a themed bar and restaurant (the Dino Park is attached to the Marina Phuket resort) serving drinks and food in the same prehistoric spirit, so families can combine the golf with a meal or refreshments. Prices are very reasonable, and a round takes around an hour, making it an easy, affordable and enjoyable addition to a family holiday. For a fun, novel and stress-free activity that entertains children of a wide range of ages, Dino Park Mini Golf is a delightful little Phuket institution.
Hours
Daily ~10:00–23:00
Price
~฿240 adult, ~฿180 child
Getting there
Between Kata and Karon beaches next to Marina Phuket resort; walkable from Karon
Insider tip: A fun, quirky dinosaur-themed mini-golf course beside Marina restaurant in Karon — a great low-key evening activity with kids.
8.Coral Island Snorkelling Trip
A trip to Coral Island (Koh Hae) is the ideal introduction to Thailand's islands and snorkelling for families with younger children, thanks to its proximity, calm conditions and easy accessibility. Lying just a short fifteen-minute speedboat ride off Phuket's south coast near Chalong, it is by far the closest island escape, meaning a minimal and manageable boat journey that suits little ones and avoids the long, tiring transfers of the more distant islands like Phi Phi or the Similans. The island is fringed by clear, shallow, warm and generally calm water over coral reefs, providing gentle, accessible snorkelling straight off its two main beaches, Long Beach and Banana Beach, where children can spot colourful tropical fish in safe, wadeable conditions, ideally with a buoyancy aid and a watchful parent. Beyond snorkelling, the island offers plenty to keep a family entertained: soft sand for building castles and swimming, and a range of optional watersports for older kids and adults, from banana-boat rides and kayaking to the novelty of 'sea walking' (helmet diving on the seabed) and parasailing. Beach restaurants and bars provide lunch, drinks and shade, and sun loungers are available to hire, so families can easily base themselves for a relaxed half or full day. Half-day trips, timed for the quieter morning or afternoon to avoid the midday crowds, are perfect for families, keeping the outing short and manageable, and typically include hotel transfers and snorkelling gear. Easy, safe, close and fun, a Coral Island trip lets families experience the tropical-island dream and gentle snorkelling without an exhausting expedition, making it the top island choice for those travelling with young children.
Hours
Day & half-day tours
Price
Half-day family trips from ~฿1,000pp incl. transfers & gear
Getting there
~15 min by speedboat from Chalong pier; half-day trips include hotel transfers
Insider tip: A short, easy speedboat hop to calm, clear water and simple snorkelling — the best gentle island trip for younger kids.