I’ve taken a lot of families out on the water over the years, and I can tell you with absolute confidence: a boat trip is one of the best things you can do with kids in Phuket. Not just good — genuinely one of those experiences that they’ll still be talking about when they’re adults.
But I know the questions that come up. Is it safe? What if the little ones get seasick? What age is suitable? What do we actually do for a whole day on a boat? Let me answer all of that, and then tell you which trips I’d recommend depending on the age of your crew.
Yes, with a few sensible caveats. The answer depends on the trip, the conditions, and the age and temperament of your kids.
The calmer the water, the better. Phuket’s high season (November to April) is ideal for families because the Andaman Sea is at its most settled. The speedboat ride out to Phi Phi or Phang Nga Bay is smooth, the snorkelling spots are sheltered, and the overall conditions are as predictable as they get.
In the shoulder and low seasons (May to October), things can be choppier. We always check conditions before departure and will reschedule if it’s not suitable for a family group. Your safety, and the kids’, is the priority — not sticking to a timetable for its own sake.
For very young children — under three or four — a full-day trip is a long time on the water. Our half-day options, or a private charter where you can control the pace, tend to work better. For school-age kids upwards, a full day is generally fine and genuinely exciting.
It comes up every time, so let’s deal with it. Some kids are susceptible; most aren’t. If your child tends to get carsick or has been seasick before, it’s worth coming prepared. Motion sickness tablets taken the night before and the morning of work well for most people. Wristbands are hit and miss but some families swear by them.
On the boat itself: fresh air is your friend. If anyone’s feeling wobbly, the best place is outside on deck, looking at the horizon, not below decks. Our crew will always look out for anyone who’s struggling and knows exactly what to do.
This is our most popular family option, and for good reason. Kids absolutely love Phi Phi. The water is crystal clear, the fish are easy to spot even from the surface, and the beaches are as close to paradise island as anything you’ll find outside a film set — because it literally was one.
We stop at Nui Beach for snorkelling, swing past Monkey Bay where the wild monkeys hang off the rocks (kids lose their minds over this, every time), have lunch on Tonsai Beach, and visit Maya Bay. It’s a full, varied day with plenty to hold their attention. If you’ve got older children who’re confident swimmers, the snorkelling here is genuinely brilliant. For younger ones who aren’t strong swimmers, life jackets and pool noodles mean nobody misses out on being in the water.
If your family is more into landscapes and adventure than pure beach time, Phang Nga Bay is the one. The limestone karst islands jutting out of a flat, calm sea look like something from a prehistoric world — and kids seem to instinctively get that. Kayaking through the sea caves into the hidden lagoons is the highlight: low ceilings, echoing water, bats, occasional monkeys in the mangroves. It’s properly adventurous in a way that’s completely safe and totally managed.
James Bond Island is always a hit too. Even if the kids haven’t seen The Man with the Golden Gun, there’s something about the drama of the rock that works on children of all ages. And the village of Koh Panyi — built entirely on stilts above the water — is extraordinary. They’ll never have seen anything like it.
If you’re travelling with young children, or if your family has specific needs, a private charter gives you something the shared trips can’t: complete control. You decide when to stop, when to move on, how long you spend in the water, where you have lunch. If one of the kids is getting tired, you’re not stuck on someone else’s schedule.
Private charters also mean you’re not sharing the boat with strangers’ children, which frankly makes everyone’s day easier. It’s the kind of trip that works particularly well for multi-generational groups — grandparents, parents, and kids all with different pace requirements. We tailor the whole day around you.
Reef-safe sunscreen — and plenty of it. The sun on the water is significantly stronger than it feels. Reapply after every swim.
Rash vests or UV shirts are brilliant for kids who’ll spend a lot of time in the water. They take the pressure off constant sunscreen reapplication.
A change of clothes for the journey home. Kids on boats inevitably end up wetter than expected.
Any favourite snacks for picky eaters — though our lunch spread is good and kid-friendly, there’s nothing wrong with a backup.
Motion sickness tablets if there’s any history of it, taken the night before.
I’ve seen it happen on almost every family trip we run. There’s a point — usually somewhere in the middle of a snorkelling session, or when the kids spot the monkeys at Monkey Bay, or when they kayak through their first sea cave — where everything goes quiet for a second and you see it on their faces. That look. The one that says they’ve just had an experience they didn’t know was possible.
That’s the moment I got into this business for. If you’re planning a trip to Phuket with your family, I’d love for you to come and find it.
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Any questions before you book — ages, swimming ability, dietary needs, whatever it might be — just ask. We’re on Facebook and WhatsApp and we’ll get back to you quickly.
— Captain Mark
Exceptional, uncrowded island day trips from Phuket. Family-owned and operated since 2004.
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