I picked gentle island days, elephants, an aquarium and wide sandy beaches, with a rest every afternoon. It suits families with children who want sea and sun without long drives.
Coral Island by speedboatPhuket Elephant SanctuaryPhuket AquariumBest in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec
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Hotels, 4 nightsShown for your dates when you make it yours
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Day 1 Arrive and beach time
13:00Land at Phuket Airport, transfer to KaronSet up SIMs or eSIMs and get some baht at the airport.Phuket International Airport · about 1 hr · 250 to 350 THB per person (car for a family of four)
14:45Check in and pool timeLet everyone settle in.Karon · about 2 hrs · FreeArrive by car
17:00Play on Karon BeachLong, wide sandy beach. Waves can be strong, keep kids where you can see the lifeguard flags.Karon Beach · about 1.5 hrs · FreeWalk
18:30Early dinner near the beach in KaronMany family restaurants on the beach road, with halal and vegetarian choices.Karon · about 1.5 hrs · 300 to 600 THB · Order: Chicken satay, fried rice and fresh coconutWalk
Tip: Sun is strong all year. High factor sunscreen and hats for the kids, every day.
Day 2 Coral Island day
08:30Pickup to Chalong PierBook a Coral Island speedboat trip that includes pickup and lunch.Karon to Chalong · about 30 min · included in the tour
09:30Coral Island (Koh Hey)Just 15 minutes by speedboat. Calm, shallow water, soft sand and easy snorkelling. Glass-bottom boats and sea walks cost extra.Off Chalong Bay · about 3.5 hrs · 1,000 to 1,800 THB adults, less for childrenSpeedboat, 15 min
12:30Lunch on Coral IslandUsually a buffet in the beach restaurant. Ask the guide for vegetarian or halal food when booking.Coral Island · about 1 hr · included in the tour · Order: Thai buffet with rice, chicken and fruitWalk on the island
14:00Back to the hotel and restNap time.Karon · about 2.5 hrs · FreeSpeedboat and minivan
17:00Karon ViewpointShort stop for a family photo over three bays.Between Kata Noi and Nai Harn · about 30 min · FreeGrab, 15 min
18:30Early dinner at Kan Eang@PierSeafood by the water with a lawn where kids can stretch their legs. Good vegetarian options too.Chalong Pier · about 1.5 hrs · 600 to 1,200 THB · Order: Crab fried rice and grilled fishGrab, 20 min
Tip: Pack swimwear, a towel and a dry bag for phones. Kids under 3 usually go free on tours.
Day 3 A morning with elephants
08:00Phuket Elephant Sanctuary (morning visit)An ethical sanctuary for rescued elephants. No riding and no bathing, you watch them eat, walk and play from a few metres away. Includes hotel pickup and a vegetarian lunch.Paklok, north east Phuket · about 4.5 hrs · 3,000 THB adults, about half for children
13:00Back to the hotel and restSwim and nap.Karon · about 3 hrs · FreeSanctuary minivan, about 60 min
16:30Big BuddhaHuge white Buddha and views over the south of the island. Shoulders and knees covered.Nakkerd Hill · about 1 hr · free, donations welcomeGrab, 20 min
18:15Early dinner at On the RockTables on a rocky point over the sea. Book an early table for sunset.South Karon Beach · about 1.5 hrs · 800 to 1,500 THB · Order: Grilled fish, prawn cakes, or vegetable fried riceGrab, 20 min
Tip: Wear clothes you do not mind getting muddy at the sanctuary.
Day 4 Roti, fish and the temple
08:30Breakfast at Abdul's Roti ShopFamous Muslim-run roti shop. Kids love the sweet banana roti.Thalang Road, Old Town · about 45 min · 80 to 150 THB · Order: Roti with curry, or banana roti
09:30Short walk in Old Phuket TownColourful shophouses and street art, a short loop is enough for little legs.Thalang Road and Soi Romanee · about 45 min · FreeWalk
10:30Phuket AquariumSmall, easy aquarium with a walk-through shark tunnel. Perfect for an hour or two.Cape Panwa · about 1.5 hrs · 180 to 400 THBGrab, 25 min
12:30Lunch near ChalongMany Muslim-run Thai restaurants around Chalong, look for the halal sign. Vegetarian fried rice and noodles everywhere.Chalong · about 1 hr · 300 to 600 THB · Order: Khao man gai (chicken rice) or vegetable fried riceGrab, 15 min
13:45Wat ChalongPhuket's biggest temple. Kids enjoy the firecracker towers and the golden chedi.Chalong · about 45 min · FreeWalk or Grab, 5 min
14:45Back to the hotel and restPool time.Karon · about 3 hrs · FreeGrab, 25 min
18:30Early dinner in KataBeachfront family restaurants with halal and vegetarian menus.Kata Beach · about 1.5 hrs · 400 to 800 THB · Order: Tom yum, satay and mango sticky riceGrab, 10 min
Tip: The aquarium is small, so it works well before the kids get tired.
Day 5 Last swim and home
09:00Breakfast and last swimSlow morning at the resort pool.Karon · about 2 hrs · Free
11:00Check outAsk the hotel to keep bags, or load them into your airport car.Karon · about 30 min · FreeAt your hotel
12:30Lunch and shopping at Central Phuket FlorestaAir-conditioned mall with a food hall, halal and vegetarian counters and toy shops.Near Phuket Town · about 2 hrs · 300 to 600 THB for lunchCar, 35 min
15:00Transfer to Phuket AirportAbout 40 minutes.Phuket Town to airport · about 45 min · 200 to 300 THB per person (car for a family of four)Car from the mall
Tip: Book one car from the hotel to the mall and on to the airport, so your bags stay with you.
Where to stay
Phuket, Karon · nights 1 to 4Big family resorts on a long, quiet beach, close to Kata and the south.
ibis Phuket Kata budget · about 1,200 to 2,000 THB a night Good value family rooms and a pool, close to both Kata and Karon beaches.
Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa mid · about 3,500 to 6,500 THB a night Huge gardens and pools across the road from Karon Beach, plenty of room for kids.
Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket luxury · about 6,500 to 12,000 THB a night Beachfront with its own small water park and lazy river, a big hit with children.
Hotel prices are typical. Make it yours to see today's prices for your dates.
What to eat
Roti with curryat Abdul's Roti Shop, Old Town Halal, cheap and delicious, a Phuket favourite.
Crab curry with rice noodlesat One Chun, Old Town Phuket's own dish, for the adults.
Grilled seafoodat Kan Eang@Pier, Chalong Seafood by the bay with room for kids.
Khao man gai (chicken rice)at Muslim-run shops around Chalong and Phuket Town Mild and kid friendly, often halal.
Mango sticky riceat Everywhere The dessert every child will want again.
Seafood dinner on the rocksat On the Rock, Karon Sea view dinner for the whole family.
Karon is quiet at night, with family restaurants and a small night market. It is an early to bed trip. Phuket has a large Muslim community, so halal food is easy to find, look for the green halal sign or ask for a Muslim-run restaurant.
Why it is planned this way
I chose an ethical elephant sanctuary with no riding, it is kinder and kids still love it.
Coral Island is only 15 minutes by boat, so no seasick toddlers on a long crossing.