Thailand's Best Hidden Beaches (Family-Friendly)

Advisor - Charlotte Burgoyne
Curated By

Charlotte Burgoyne

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  • Thailand

  • Phuket

  • Adventure Travel

  • Boutique Travel

  • Family Travel

  • International Travel

  • Off-the-Beaten-Path Travel

  • Outdoors

  • Relaxation

  • Island-Life

beach next to blue water with mountain in background during daytime
Curator’s statement

Thailand is the best destination in Asia to play Robinson Crusoe with your kids —with comfort and style. As a mama of four, who has lived in Thailand for three years, I've had the chance to try most of the country's beaches and have discovered the best ones — away from the crowds — that you should not miss with your tribe.

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Where to stay in Thailand

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Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa

Upscale hotel with colorful rooms and three restaurants set on serene Mai Khao Beach.

Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas

Chic tropical bechfront resort with two restaurants and two outdoor pools on the Gulf of Thailand.



Fora Perks
  • $100 food / beverage credit.

  • Breakfast daily.

  • Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Rayavadee

Set along Krabi's Andaman Coast, this luxury beachfront resort is surrounded by lush gardens, making for an idyllic nature escape.

Fora Perks
  • $100 hotel / resort credit.

  • Breakfast daily.

  • Complimentary airport transfer

  • Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

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Advisor - Charlotte Burgoyne

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Things to do in Thailand

woman wearing white dress next to body of water
  1. Koh Kut: The hidden gem of Thailand, locals carefully keep to themselves. Hence, this island is still pretty much deserted by tourists, which is super rare in Thailand. Think of it as Phuket, 50 years ago. It offers the dreamiest postcard beaches, white sand and clear water. Absolute paradise if you are looking for a stay away from it all with your tribe. The hotel I recommend is the Soneva Kiri, undoubtedly the best in the country for families (but it comes with a really high price, too!). If it does not fit your budget, get in touch, I have a lot of other gorgeous options.

  2. Koh Phangan: The wild island. Packed with jungle, monkeys and isolated beaches. Koh Phangan is one of my favorite islands in Thailand. Ideal to beat the crowds, while still being close to several famous sites you should not miss. Take a day trip to
    Koh Samui to visit an elephant sanctuary, swim with wild bores and go snorkeling.
    Or take a day trip to Koh Tao, the turtle island. You will actually be able to snorkel with kids amongst turtles from the beach.

  3. Mai Kao Beach and Natural Reserve: Simply the best beach of Phuket, nestled in a huge natural reserve. This beach allows you to discover what Phuket has to offer, yet stay away from the busy beaches and town center. Don't miss the old town, a visit to an elephant sanctuary and a day trip to Koh Phi Phi & Phiphi Le.

  4. Khao Lak: A totally underrated beach located north of Phuket. A great base to take a day trip to the dreamy Similan islands and spend a couple of days in the jungle of Khao Sok National Park. I have the best stay there - incredible treehouses for families by a river. Let me plan your trip, and let's fly away.

Places to eat & drink in Thailand

chairs next to a palm tree with the ocean in the background

The best places to eat in the area tend to be the hotels themselves, as they are located by the beach rather than in cities. Rather than eating at the local establishments (few and far in between), I would recommend checking out some of the dining options at the hotels listed below:

  • Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa.

  • Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas.

  • Ravayadee.

  • Rosewood Phuket.

  • Soneva Kiri.

  • Casa de La Flora.

Need to Know

For more Thailand travel tips, check out my guide to Bangkok: Best Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Bangkok.

Advisor - Charlotte Burgoyne

Travel Advisor

Charlotte Burgoyne

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