Today we welcome special guest Krystal Warburton to the Kid Bucket List to give us a little insight into travelling to Khao Lak with kids. Add it to your Bucket List!
Sawadee!
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105km north of Phuket on the Andaman Coast of Thailand you will discover a tranquil, paradise for young families. Lined with pristine beaches and friendly Thai people (who adore kids) you are guaranteed a spectacular place to bond and relax as you create unforgettable family memories.
Getting to Khao Lak
There are several direct flights to Phuket International Airport from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth via Virgin Australia and Jetstar. On arrival, most hotels have a shuttle bus service for the 1.5 hour drive to Khao Lak. If you are arriving in the wee hours (Australian time) like we did, you will be grateful for the service.
Places to stay
We were lucky enough to purchase an extraordinary deal on Luxury Escapes for the Mai Khao Lak Beach resort which is right on the Pakweep/Pakweeb beach. Request a pool access room. It is well worth the little extra money.
Although there is a Sanook Kid’s Club, if you are looking forward to some peaceful adult time, keep in mind the toy room can be accessed however the facility isn’t available during the low season. If you are thinking of hiring a babysitter it will set you back $40 AUS per hour for 3 children. With that said, there is plenty to keep the kids entertained from the pirate ship playground, chasing crabs along the beach, Thai cooking classes and the pool where they can meet and play with new friends. There are multiple family friendly resorts in Khao Lak. Finding the right one depends on your budget and suiting your family’s needs. Head to Tripadvisor for more options.
Where to eat
The breakfast spread at Mai Khao Lak Beach Resort was fabulous and you are bound to find a dish or 3 that will have your mouth watering. They even have a kids’ section filled with cereal, sweets, pancakes and drinks. If you are celebrating a special event, don’t forget to let reception know. You are sure to be greeted with a surprise cake and sweet song just to add to your memory collection. The seafood platter for 2 was also delicious. Don’t skip that one!
Beyond the resort you can explore the restaurants along the beach for a more wallet friendly price. Our favourites were Mr Bao and Boom Boom. Both restaurants offer you a lantern for a special celebration or your last night.
We ate lunch in Khao Lak town on 2 occasions (both times the kids were spoilt with free ice-cream) however with small children we never made the 15 minute bus trek at night.
Things to do
Once you start digging the surface there is enough to keep kids busy in Khao Lak when you tire of the pool and beach. Here are our top suggestions:
- Having your nails painted or hair braided on the beach.
- Enjoying a massage on the beach.
- See the elephants bathing.
- Visit the waterfalls especially if you visit between August and November.
- Learn about turtles at the Turtle Conservation Centre.
- Cruise down the river on a bamboo raft. Beware there will be snakes.
- Release lanterns at night just like Rapunzel. Lanterns can be purchased at the market or shops in town.
- Khao Lak bore the brunt of the devastating Boxing Day Tsunami in 2014. You can support local people by learning more and visiting the International Tsunami museum. There is a small entry fee and it is open from 9.00 am – 9.00 pm.
- View the police boat 813 which was swept approximately 2km inland by the Tsunami. There is currently no admission charge.
- Khao Lak-Lam Ru National park. Little Sandy Beach is simply divine and if it is not included in a tour grab a cab and head to this secluded beach. Entry is 200 baht but the view is worth it. When we arrived it started bucketing down but watching my children play in the rain was truly magical.
- Grab a cab and take a 25 minute trip to Baan Than Numchai orphanage. This organization was established after the Tsunami and now houses over 107 children. The time we spent with these children was simply heart-warming. If you are looking to assist in any way, donating essential supplies or cash is always appreciated or you can organize to volunteer to stay for a specified time.
- Tours to the islands. When we were there in early October both the Similan and Surin Islands tours were closed to allow the wildlife to rejuvenate. By late October however they had re-opened. If you have your heart set on snorkeling be sure to check what islands are available at the time of your holiday
Phi Phi Island and James Bond Island are both picturesque alternatives with crystal blue waters, monkeys, fish and birds. A word of warning however the Phi Phi Island tour left our resort at 4am in the morning. If you are also staying in Phuket, start the tour from there. If you think your kids are up to it, it is highly worth it. Ask about the choppy waves on your return (I encountered large waves on a previous Thailand trip and I wouldn’t want to subject my kids to that experience).
Khao Lak truly is a beautiful tropical oasis that can recharge your batteries and be enjoyed by various age groups. If it is extreme adventure and nightlife you seek head to Phuket. With young children I’m voting Khao Lak all the way.
Krystal Warburton is a primary school teacher and founder of Sweet Elephants, bringing versatile and long-lasting educational toys to your homes and schools to be treasured by children for many years to come. When she isn’t working, she loves to take her children on new adventures to uncover the wonders of the world.