Phuket Island Tours with Kids: Which Tour Suits Which Age

Island days are often the highlight of a family trip to Phuket, and they can also be the hardest days to get right. Early pickups, long boat rides, strong sun and hungry children add up. The good news is that the tours are very different from each other, so you can pick one that suits your children's ages and energy. This guide goes through each of our tours from a parent's point of view, with the child prices and rules straight from the tour pages.

The Short Answer

• Toddlers and young children: Raya and Coral Island. Short boat rides, gentle beaches, long stops.
• Kids who love sights and stories: James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay. Calm water, a sea canoe through caves and a village on stilts.
• Confident older kids: Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island. A long day, but the most famous views.
• Active teenagers: white water rafting, or the jet ski tour for those aged 15 and over who can drive.
• Big families or babies: a private speedboat, so you set the pace.

Child Prices and Rules at a Glance

Children below the child age range are listed as infants at no charge. Add them to your booking anyway, so the crew knows how many people and life jackets to expect.

Raya and Coral Island: Best for Young Children

This is the tour we suggest first to most families. The speedboat leaves Chalong Pier at 09:30 after coffee and tea, and each hop is short. You spend the morning on Coral Island, where the water is shallow and slopes gently, then continue to Racha Yai for snorkeling, a buffet lunch at a seaview restaurant and free time on the beach at Patok Bay. You are back at the pier around 16:00, which is early enough for a nap or a pool afternoon.

Why it works for kids: short boat rides, long beach stops, clownfish on the reef and a relaxed schedule. Mask, snorkel and life jacket are included, and fins can be rented for 100 THB.

Keep in mind: the sea sports on Coral Island (parasailing, banana boat, sea walking) are optional and sold separately. Pregnant guests cannot join this tour. Our Racha and Coral Island day trip guide has the full timetable.

James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay: Best for Curious Kids

Children who get bored lying on a beach often love this day. A local guide paddles you in a sea canoe through a low cave into a hidden lagoon, lunch is in a village built on stilts with a floating football pitch, and then there is the famous rock from the James Bond film and the stalactites of Ice Cream Cave. The day ends with a swim at Naka Island.

Why it works for kids: Phang Nga Bay is sheltered, so the water is usually calm, which helps anyone prone to seasickness. The child price starts at age 3, one year younger than on the other boat tours.

Keep in mind: the water in the bay is green rather than clear, and there is no snorkeling. The day runs from 07:30 pickup to about 17:00 at the pier. Bring cash for the national park fee. See the James Bond Island guide.

Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island: Best for Older Kids

The Phi Phi day has the most wow moments: fish in the shallows at Khai Nai, monkeys on Monkey Beach, the swim in Pileh Lagoon, a stand-up paddle board and the walk onto Maya Bay. It is also the longest day, about 10 hours with pickup between 07:30 and 08:30 and the boat back around 17:30, and the crossing is on more open water.

Why it works for kids: lots of variety, snorkel gear, breakfast and lunch included, and the national park fee is in the price, so there are no surprises on the day.

Keep in mind: it suits children who are happy on boats and can handle a long day. Watch the monkeys from a distance and keep snacks out of sight. Read our Phi Phi Islands guide and Monkey Beach guide.

Rafting and Jet Ski: For Teenagers

The white water rafting, flying fox and waterfall tour is listed as suitable for families with older kids. It includes 5 km of river rafting with a rafting guide, a flying fox with harness and helmet, a jungle walk to a waterfall and the Suwankuha cave temple with its monkeys. No minimum age is published, so if you are thinking of bringing younger children, ask us first and we will check with the operator.

On the Jet Ski 7 Islands tour, drivers must be at least 15 years old. The tour sets no published age for passengers, so if you want a younger child to ride behind a parent, ask before booking. The limit is 150 kg per jet ski. More in the jet ski tour guide.

Private Speedboat: Best for Babies and Big Families

With a private charter you can leave when you want, stay longer at the beach the children love and head back when they are tired. Prices are per boat: Phi Phi 29,000 THB, Phang Nga Bay 35,000 THB, Hong Islands (Krabi) 25,000 THB and 4 Islands (Krabi) 20,000 THB, with up to 6 hours on the water. For a family of five or more, or two families together, this can compare well with shared tours. See is a private speedboat worth it.

Age by Age

Under 3

Choose the shortest, calmest day: Raya and Coral Island, or a private boat. Bring shade, a baby carrier rather than a stroller for piers and sand, and plenty of water. Life jackets in very small sizes can vary, so if you have your own infant life jacket, bring it.

Ages 3 to 7

Raya and Coral Island and James Bond Island are both good choices. Plan for a nap on the boat or in the van, and keep snacks handy.

Ages 8 to 11

Any of the boat tours works. This is the age when snorkeling really clicks, so Racha or Phi Phi are a treat.

Teenagers

Add rafting or, for those 15 and over, the jet ski tour. Many teens enjoy the sea canoe and cave stops in Phang Nga Bay too.

Safety Tips for Families

• Life jackets: they are provided on every tour. Make sure your child's fits snugly. Read do kids need life jackets on island tours.
• Non-swimmers: children and adults who cannot swim can still enjoy the beaches and lagoons with a life jacket. See non-swimmers on island tours.
• Seating: on a speedboat the back is usually smoother than the front.
• Sun: rash guards and hats beat constant sunscreen reapplication. Use reef-safe sunscreen.
• Reef rules: teach kids not to stand on coral or feed fish.
• Seasickness: ask a pharmacist about suitable tablets for children and give them before the boat leaves. See seasickness tips.

What to Pack for Kids

• Swimwear worn under clothes, plus a dry change of clothes.
• Rash guards, hats and sunglasses.
• Water shoes for rocky or shelly patches.
• Snacks and a refillable water bottle.
• A waterproof bag for phones and wipes.
• Any medicine your child needs, including seasickness tablets.
• Thai baht in small notes for drinks and ice cream on the islands.

The full list is in what to bring on an island tour.

Booking Tips for Families

• Add dietary needs to the special requests when you book. On the Phi Phi tour vegetarian meals are available on request.
• If you need a child seat in the transfer van, ask us before booking rather than assuming one is available.
• Do not book long boat days back to back. A pool day in between keeps everyone happy.
• If a tour is cancelled for unsafe weather you get a full refund or a new date.

FAQ

What is the best island tour in Phuket for young kids?

Raya and Coral Island. The boat rides are short, the beaches are gentle and you are back at the pier around 16:00.

At what age do children pay the child price?

From 4 to 11 on the Phi Phi and Raya tours, from 3 to 11 on the James Bond Island tour and under 12 on the rafting trip. Younger children are listed as infants at no charge.

Is Phi Phi too long for kids?

For toddlers it often is. For school-age children who are fine on boats it is a great day. See Phi Phi in one day.

Can kids ride on the jet ski tour?

Drivers must be at least 15. For younger passengers, ask us before booking and we will confirm with the operator.

Are the tours safe for children?

Every tour includes life jackets and a guide, and the guide adjusts the program for weather and tides. Choosing the tour that fits your child's age is the best safety step. Our Phuket with kids guide covers the rest of your trip.

Compare all trips side by side in best Phuket island tours: how to choose, or browse the tours page.