You’ve heard about a number of family-friendly destinations in Thailand but have managed to narrow it down to just two: Phuket and Krabi. There are so many aspects to consider, and you want to keep everyone in the family, of all ages, happy. Is there a right choice that will ensure your family will enjoy a trip where everyone has fun, and how will you make that decision?
Phuket and Krabi are both family-friendly destinations. While both have plenty of family-friendly accommodation, the activities in Krabi are more focused on the natural landscape and outdoor excursions, whereas Phuket has a larger range and wider variety of things to do.
There’s so much out there; it’s overwhelming! We’ll cover everything you need to know about the two destinations, how to approach planning, and what to consider for your next family vacation.
What are the differences between Phuket and Krabi?
There are so many elements to consider when you’re planning a holiday for yourself, let alone for a family. From needing to juggle everyone’s availability with their activity wish list and everything in between, all the while keeping within a budget, the idea of planning the holiday can seem daunting and enough to put you off having one in the first place! We’ll try to make things a little easier for you by giving you the low down on how to approach the planning of the holiday, as well as how to weigh up Phuket and Krabi against these criteria.
Planning: The various elements and how Phuket and Krabi compare
When trying to plan your family vacation, you have to start somewhere. While considerations will vary from family to family, these are some of the key aspects to consider for your trip:
- Timing and family availability
- Weather
- Ease of access
- Prices
- Activities
- Accommodation
1.Timing and availability
The first thing to consider is the dates that everyone is available. These may be dictated by school vacation or busy times of the year for you or your partner. Something to bear in mind when traveling to Thailand is seasonality. December and January, and then again in April around Thai new year, are peak season for tourism. Both Phuket and Krabi will be at their busiest during this time.
2.Weather
Weather is an important factor to consider, as traveling to a destination at the wrong time, especially somewhere tropical like Thailand could mean being caught up in monsoon season. The summers in Thailand are very hot and humid, where being outside is not always pleasant as temperatures on the islands in the early 30’s (Celsius) with very high humidity. The rainy season is from June to October in Krabi and May to October in Phuket. The rest of the year is dry and cooler but still warm, with less humidity.
3.Ease of access
Ease of access refers to transport to your final destination, connections, and generally how accessible your destination is for you. This will depend on where you’re flying in from/out to, whether you’re planning on visiting other parts of Thailand before or afterward, and also where in each place you are aiming to spend the majority of your time.
Both Phuket and Krabi have international airports serviced by a number of airlines to make getting to your final destination easier. Renting cars is also possible and easy in both places, as is getting a taxi, or organizing a transfer with your hotel if you’d prefer not to drive. Krabi, in particular, is a large area, where having your own transport might be best if you want to explore. Renting a 4×4 is a good option for exploring those harder-to-reach, off-the-beaten-track gems that this region has to showcase. Do take note that driving is on the left-hand side of the road.
4.Cost
Prices are affected by the seasons, as well as other factors. Prices in both Phuket and Krabi will be higher during the December-January and April, during the peak seasons. In general, the cost per day is significantly lower in Krabi than in Phuket. This is not only due to less spending on entertainment, but other factors play into it too. The most significant of these is accommodation, with transport and entertainment also being more expensive. While food is still more costly in Phuket, it had one of the smallest variances of all the factors considered.
5.Things to do
Activities abound in each of these destinations, and there is something for the whole family. Trying to find something that is both adult and child-friendly can be challenging, but these two places make it seem easy. In general, Phuket is more developed, with a wider variety of activities available, whereas Krabi is more natural, less developed, and focusses more on outdoor and nature-related activities. More detail on this below!
6.Accommodation
The accommodation on both coastlines is plentiful, with both including options for family-style resorts. Many in Krabi are on the beachfront, whereas in Phuket, some, particularly in the more built-up areas, will not be. If you’re looking for more remote options, then Krabi is a better bet. Both places have a large variety of self-catering, Airbnb type of accommodation, where your family can be in their own separate unit.
All things considered, this is a difficult choice, as both places have so much to offer and are both considered family-friendly. Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each overall, before diving into details about the different activities and accommodation at each place.
Phuket vs. Krabi: Advantages and Disadvantages
| Phuket | Krabi | |
| Weather | Rainy reason Jun-Oct | Rainy reason May-Oct |
| Ease of access | International airport | International airport |
| Cost | $96 per day | $48 per day |
| Activities | Outdoor, malls, animal shows, adventure, mini-golf | Mostly outdoor, water sports, beaches, hiking |
| Accommodation | Family-friendly resorts | Family-friendly resorts |
Price, location, and range of activities are the largest differentiators between these places. Krabi is much more economical and nature activity-based than Phuket. While both are accessible via international airports, Krabi is located on the west coast of southern Thailand, and Phuket is on the southern peninsula of the country. Depending on where else in Thailand you’re planning to visit on your holiday, one of these might make more sense than the other geographically.
If you still can’t decide on which to pick, you could always put the vote to your family! While presenting it as a direct choice may cause some friction, perhaps getting each family member to write down what they want most from the holiday, or which activities they would enjoy most, and then comparing those to the destinations you’ve narrowed it down to, could be your deciding factor!
Family-friendly activities
Though both of these destinations offer a lot in terms of activities that the whole family can enjoy, Phuket has a wider selection with more on offer in general. With everything from visiting elephants to kayaking and relaxing on the beach, we’ll cover the main family-friendly activities available on each island below.
Phuket
- With a variety of water activities on offer, including kayaking and snorkeling, Phuket does not leave you wanting when it comes time to be in the water. There is a multitude of beaches, many of which are shallow, with warm water, and safe for kids to play in, there is no shortage of white sand for kids to play in and parents to relax on. Should you need a break, sit and enjoy a snack or drink at one of the many restaurants that are on the beach, allowing you to watch your kids playing while in close proximity.
- If you are looking for a full day out, jumping on a boat and exploring the nearby islands in the Andaman sea on an island-hopping excursion provides a variety of different locations for the whole family to explore. The Phuket FantaSea is a cultural theme park with a number of shows and attractions that will provide entertainment for an entire day. Splash Jungle Water Park is a water park that includes a wave pool, slides, and even a swim-up bar for the adults.
- Those of you who are animal lovers, there are plenty of options in Phuket. For people who are too young or unable to snorkel, the Phuket Aquarium will keep both kids and adults absorbed through the window into an exotic aquatic life. If you’re more interested in land dwellers, the Phuket Zoo will not disappoint.
- Looking for something exotic? The Tiger Kingdom Phuket will provide just such an experience, with the opportunity to get up close and personal with these wild cats. Alternatively, you could find yourself mesmerized at the Snake Farm, let your imagination fly away with you at the Phuket Bird Park, or visit some elephants at the Seaview Elephant Camp.
- For those adventure seekers, there are a number of thrilling activities for the whole family. The Flying Hanuman provides an experience ziplining high up through the trees, as does Tarzan Adventure Phuket and Skyline Adventure. If you prefer to stay closer to the ground but still have that need for speed, Patong Go-kart Speedway could provide just the thrill you’re looking for.
- There are, of course, a variety of other activities, from museums and shrines for the cultural, historically minded among you, to Dino Park Mini Golf for those wanting to tee off and still include the kids. Whether it’s shopping centers or the great outdoors, whatever you’re looking for, Phuket offers a large variety for families of all ages and interests.
Krabi
- Like Phuket, Krabi has its fair share of beautiful, white sand, kid-friendly beaches too, with snorkeling, kayaking, and island hopping all very accessible. This part of Thailand is much more focused on nature and being outdoors than Phuket, so a lot of the activities are centered around natural landscapes.
- The Viking Cave is at the bottom of a large limestone cliff and houses wall paintings, as well as being a site for bird nests. Phra-nang cave beach has a number of sea caves below limestone cliffs and is a beautiful beach to spend the day exploring. For those wanting a walk in a different setting, Thapom Resort has a mangrove swamp with walkways that you can explore. Dragon crest is a hiking trail and mountain lookout with beautiful views over the jungles with the ocean beyond.
- For those wanting to get close to animals, Nosy Parker’s Elephant Camp offers elephant rides and a chance to come into contact with these majestic creatures. The Krabi King Cobra show is also popular if you aren’t afraid of snakes and want the thrill of being captivated by these mystical and dangerous reptiles. For those wanting something a little more structured entertainment, the Krabi Fun Park offers ziplining, tree walks, and other outdoor activities.
The Krabi region typically attracts travelers wanting to relax on beaches, enjoy a nature safari, go island-hopping or explore the jungle, mangroves, and limestone cliffs, characteristic of the region. Phuket, on the other hand, offers ‘something for everyone’, aiming to attract as wide a variety of people as possible, from partygoers to adventurers, Thai cooking class devotees to beach bums.
Best places for families to stay
Naturally, you want to know about your options for living. The last thing you want is to book a hotel that has nothing appropriate for your kids on the menu, no child-friendly pools or play areas, and staff who look like they want to resign rather than serve your children. Kids aren’t always predictable, and worrying about being asked to leave an establishment if your child cries over breakfast or decides to throw a tantrum in the pool area is not going to make your holiday relaxing. No worries – we’ve got you covered with the most family-friendly hotels and resorts in Phuket and Krabi.
Phuket
There are two main areas that are particularly family-friendly. Kamala is quiet and laid back, just fifteen minutes from Patong with shallow waters on white sandy beaches and plenty of bars and restaurants offering a selection of Thai and Western cuisine. Karon beach is also idyllic, full of fun, with plenty of activities on offer. Check out our top family-friendly picks.
- Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort
- Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach
- Kamala Beach Resort
- Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket
- Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort
- Angsana Laguna Phuket Resort
Krabi
Ao nang is the largest and most popular settlement in Krabi, with the most to do. The province of Krabi covers a large region and there are many other smaller towns and villages that are quiet and make for a great escape with your family. These are our top family-friendly picks for the region.
- Krabi Resort
- Beyond Resort Krabi
- Centara Ao Nang Beach Resort &Spa Krabi
- Ban Sinai Resort
- Centara Anda Dhevi
- Sand Sea Resort
- Aonang Villa Resort
While we have covered some of the best resort and family hotels that the islands have to offer, many featuring a kids club, playrooms, kids pools, and kids menus, these are not your only options in either region. You may prefer to do your own thing away from the crowds, and rent an Airbnb or select a self-catering option where you have access to your own pool and can cook your kids meals that they know and like (alternatively, hire a private chef or a villa that comes with one to give yourself a break). Both Krabi and Phuket have plenty of choices for other lodgings.
Conclusion
Both Phuket and Krabi are family-friendly, and you won’t go wrong in either place. Phuket has a larger variety of activities than Krabi, so if your family doesn’t love doing outdoor activities, you’re traveling during the rainy season, or going for a longer period and want more entertainment options, then that should be your go-to. If your kids are happy hiking and playing on the beach, learning to snorkel, and making sandcastles, then Krabi will not disappoint you. Either way, you’ll be sure to be in one of the most beautiful destinations, with plenty of options for a memorable vacation.
