Planning a Private Boat Trip in Phuket with Children: A Family Checklist

A private boat is one of the easiest ways to show children the Andaman Sea. There are no strangers to fit around, you can stop when someone needs a snack or a nap, and the day bends around the youngest person on board. Most of what makes the day go well is decided before you book: the boat, the route, the life jackets and the plan for bad weather.

Use the checklists below in order. Tick them off on screen as you go.

Before you book: choose the right boat

Children need a boat that works when they are tired, hot or bored, not only when they are excited.

• Shade for everyone at once, not a small canopy that fits half the group
• A toilet on board. Ask directly; not every boat has one
• A safe place to sit while the boat is moving, away from open edges
• Easy access to the water, such as steps or a ladder at the back
• Enough space for your group to spread out, with room left for bags and a nap

Catamarans tend to tick these boxes because of their wide decks and covered saloons, and the steadier ride helps on longer days. Speedboats can work well for short hops with older children who enjoy the speed. Our comparison of catamarans and speedboats goes into the trade-offs. If you are leaning towards a catamaran, Blue Andaman's catamaran charters list each boat's capacity and layout, and invite you to mention children, mobility needs or seasickness when you enquire.

Before you book: choose the route

With children, the best route is usually the one with the shortest crossings and the calmest stops.

• Nearer islands first. A shorter crossing leaves more of the day for swimming and less for sitting still. Ask the operator for the expected crossing time for your boat and pier.
• Know what each stop is for. Some famous places are for looking, not swimming. Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh reopened on 1 October 2026 after its annual August–September closure, but swimming there is not allowed, according to Time Out Bangkok. Phang Nga Bay is known mainly for its limestone and mangrove scenery rather than snorkelling, so tell the operator if a swim stop matters.
• Mind the season. Thailand's rainy season runs from about mid-May to mid-October, according to the government's guide to the seasons, and the Andaman Sea can be rough in that period. Choose a sheltered route and keep a spare day if you can.

Before you book: ask about life jackets

Don't assume children's sizes are on board. Ask, and give the operator each child's age and weight so they can check.

After a series of boat accidents in 2018, Thai authorities said that all passengers and crew on tourist boats must wear life jackets at all times on board, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Expect your children to wear them during crossings, and check the fit when you board.

Fit check for a child's life jacket (based on guidance from Phoenix Children's hospital):

• The label's weight range matches your child's current weight. Never a bigger size to "grow into"
• It is snug but lets your child move their arms
• Every buckle and strap is fastened
• Lift it by the shoulders: if your child's chin or ears slip through, it is too big

Arm bands, pool noodles and similar toys are not a substitute for a life jacket. If you have a well-fitting life jacket for a baby or toddler at home, consider bringing it, and tell the operator you are doing so.

Before you book: tell the operator about your children

• Ages and weights, for life jacket sizes
• Food allergies and what they will actually eat
• Nap times, so the longest crossing can fall during one
• Any medical needs, and a history of seasickness
• Whether you need child seats in a transfer vehicle

Seasickness: plan for it

Children are especially prone to motion sickness, as CDC's travel advice notes. A few things help:

• A steadier boat, a shorter crossing and calm-season dates.
• Looking at the horizon rather than at a screen or a book.
• Sitting near the middle of the boat, where movement is usually smallest. It is the same reason CDC suggests a central cabin on cruise ships.
• A light meal before leaving, and fresh air on deck.

Many motion sickness medicines cause drowsiness and some are not suitable for children. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before you travel, not at the pier.

Sun, heat and water

The sun on the water is strong, and shade moves as the boat turns.

• Long-sleeved swim tops and hats with a strap protect better than sunscreen alone.
• Choose a reef-friendly sunscreen. At the reopening of the Similan Islands in October 2026, park officials asked visitors to use sunscreen without chemicals that harm coral, according to Pattaya Mail.
• Offer water often, before anyone says they are thirsty. Ask what drinks are on board and bring extra if you are unsure.

Packing list

• Swimwear and a long-sleeved swim top for each child
• Hats with a chin strap
• Reef-friendly sunscreen
• Water shoes for rocky landings and hot sand
• Towels (ask if the boat provides them)
• A full change of dry clothes per child
• Snacks and drinks they like
• Any medicines, in a waterproof bag
• A dry bag or waterproof phone pouch
• Swim nappies and a bag for rubbish
• Passport details, in case a park on your route uses ID-based e-tickets
• A book or small toy for the crossing

On the day

• Arrive early so the start is calm, not rushed.
• Ask for a safety briefing that includes the children: where the life jackets are, where they may sit while the boat is moving, and which areas are off limits.
• Name one adult as the water watcher whenever children are swimming or near the edge. That person's only job is watching; hand over to another adult regularly so attention stays sharp. Phoenix Children's guidance is clear that no safety item replaces constant, capable supervision.
• Keep life jackets on during crossings, and use flotation for snorkelling.
• Keep small hands away from ropes, the anchor and the engine area.
• Let the captain change the plan if conditions change. A different bay is better than a rough ride.

If the weather turns

Agree the weather plan before you pay: who decides whether the trip goes ahead, and whether you can reschedule, switch to a sheltered route or get a refund. With children, it is worth booking the boat day early in your holiday so there is room to move it.

A good family boat day is a short crossing, a calm bay, a shady deck and a plan B. Everything on these lists is about getting those four right.