Phi Phi has a “backpacker party” reputation, not false, but very incomplete. Well organized, the island is a wonderful playground for families: warm water all year round, gently sloping beaches, multicolored fish 2 meters from the shore.
We have lived here since 2019 and we see families passing by every week. Here's what really works with kids.
Beaches where to lay your towel
Loh Dalum · the main bay
Fine sand, shallow water, almost no waves: you can let the children splash around in 30 cm of water while you drink your coffee. In the morning before 10 a.m., it's calm; in the afternoon, day visitors arrive but the atmosphere remains family-friendly on the beach side.
Laem Tong · the quiet north
Almost private if you stay in one of the northern resorts. Very calm, shallow, perfect for little ones. Only downside: isolated, each round trip to Tonsai is done by long tail (150-300 THB).
Where NOT to sleep with children
The heart of Tonsai, especially on the west side: the bars play until late at night. Magical for party people, less so for a child in bed at 9 p.m.
Excursions by age
| Exit | Recommended age | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|
| Private long-tail (your boat + captain, free pace) | 2 years + | from 2,500 THB / boat (2h, 3 people) |
| Half day snorkeling Phi Phi Leh | 4-5 years + | ~600-1,000 THB / person |
| Magic Day speedboat (Maya Bay + Pileh + Bamboo) | 5-6 years + | 1,800 THB adult, ~1,500 child |
| Pirate Boat (large stable boat, atmosphere) | all ages | 1,800 THB (2,200 THB from 1 Nov 2026) adult |
| First dive (2 supervised dives) | teenagers 10-12 years + | 3,700 THB |
The advice that changes everything: with little ones, the privatized long-tail beats all group tours, you leave at your own time, you stop when a child tires, the captain adapts. Zero scheduling stress.
Good to know about Maya Bay rules: swimming is only allowed in a buoyed zone along the shore (no mask or fins), and the bay closes from August 1 to September 30. For children, the real star is Bamboo Island: free swimming in clear, shallow water, with fish everywhere.
To avoid: 9-hour boat marathons and steep treks with children under 8 years old.
The ferry with children
- Phuket ↔ Phi Phi: ~2h20, from 750 THB/adult (speedboat ~1h, from 1,000 THB); Krabi ↔ Phi Phi: ~2h20, from 900 THB (speedboat ~1h, from 1,050 THB)
- Under 4 years old: often free; 4-11 years: half price
- Board early to choose your seats, keep water and snacks within reach, and give anti-seasickness 30 minutes before if necessary
Health and practice
- Clinic in Tonsai for small aches and pains; serious emergency = evacuation to Phuket by boat → repatriation insurance is essential for families
- Kit to bring: paracetamol for children, antihistamine, rehydration solution, dressings, SPF50+ sunscreen (expensive on the island)
- Restaurants: hygiene is generally good in popular places; Tonsai market is perfect for quick and easy meals with children
When to come with family
November to February: sea of oil, blue sky, the royal period. March-April: very good too, warmer. July-September: monsoon, outings sometimes canceled, Maya Bay closed (August-September); possible, but less reliable with children.
Typical itinerary 4 nights with family
- Day 1: morning ferry, installation, swimming at Loh Dalum, sunset
- Day 2: Magic Day speedboat (or short version for little ones), nap, evening market
- Day 3: free morning beach/pool, private long-tail afternoon to Bamboo Island
- Day 4: family viewpoint early in the morning (the kids love it), swimming, ice cream
- Day 5: last swim, return ferry
Want a tailor-made program according to the age of your children? Write to us on WhatsApp, we are there, with the real conditions of the moment.
