Blue Lagoon Magic – A quiet moment at Ang Thong National Marine Park. Totally worth the climb.
We just returned from a family trip to Koh Samui with our two young kids. And while the island is beautiful, not everything went as smoothly as expected. In this honest review, we’re sharing what really worked for us, what didn’t, and how we’d plan it differently next time.
Table of Contents
Where We Stayed: Villa vs. Hotel
Over five days, we split our stay between a villa on Bophut Hill and one night at Hyatt Regency. Surprisingly, the villa won us over, and here’s why:
🏡 Villa on Bophut Hill
- Transportation: Getting around was easier than expected. Most tours included transportation and picked us up directly from the villa. We also used Grab for grocery and meal deliveries. While Grab rides were slightly trickier to arrange compared to hotel pickups, they were still manageable and affordable.
- Space & Comfort: For about the same price as Hyatt, we got a 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath villa with partial ocean views and a private infinity pool. Honestly, it felt more luxurious than our actual home.
- Kid-friendly: Having the pool just steps from the living room made it effortless to jump in and cool off after a long day out. Our kids especially loved the giant unicorn float—it quickly became the highlight of our stay.
- Meals Made Easy: A full kitchen helped us prep simple meals for our picky eaters. But heads-up—there was no working coffee machine and no toothbrushes provided. If these are essentials for you, double-check with the manager before booking to confirm what's included.
- Convenient Location: Walking distance to Fisherman’s Village meant easy access to beach dinners with fire shows and fewer crowds than Chaweng.
- Service & Privacy: The villa manager greeted us with fresh coconuts. It’s part of Marriott's villa program, so we earned points too.
Cons: No on-site restaurant, no alcohol delivery via Grab, and you’ll need to handle breakfast yourself. (Daily cleaning was included in our stay, but you might want to confirm this with your host when booking.)
Our Koh Samui Villa Stay Sunset skies, unicorn floats, and space to unwind. This Bophut Hills villa gave us all the room (and peace) we needed for a fun, cozy family getaway.
Hyatt Regency
We chose Hyatt for its family-friendly reputation and late checkout perks, which was a huge bonus for our 5:40 PM flight. Being able to relax and use the facilities for longer without rushing was a major perk.
Pros:
- Spacious, clean rooms with nice bathtubs
- Kid’s club with playground and pool (free from 9am–4pm)
- Small private beach
- Excellent service—local fruit in the room, coconuts and ice cream at check-in
Cons:
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Limited shade at the pool and beach (sunburn alert!). The kids' pool and playground were fully exposed, and there were only two small shaded spots on the beach. We noticed several children got sunburned during our stay, so come prepared with hats, rash guards, and high-SPF sunscreen.
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Smaller resort size, and during our visit, there were very few other kids at the club. This was a bit of a letdown for our daughter, who was hoping to make new friends to play with. It might be livelier during peak season, but families looking for more social interaction may want to plan accordingly.
- Food is pricier with fewer options
- Less walkable area and far from Bophut or central Chaweng
- Feels like a generic hotel you could find anywhere
Our Hyatt Stay in Koh Samui--Sleek rooms, playful slides, and serene pools. A relaxing stop for families, but we still missed the personal space of our villa.
Our Stay Verdict: Villa Wins for Family Travel
If you’re traveling with extended family or want more space and privacy, a villa near Bophut is hard to beat. You get the space to spread out, the convenience of home-like amenities, and the charm of a quieter, more local area. It’s also stroller-friendly and walkable to Fisherman’s Village—perfect for families who want to explore without constant car rides. Compared to resorts, the villa felt more personal, flexible, and memorable.
Klook.com
Kid-Friendly Tours: What Was Worth It
😃 Elephant Sanctuary
Ethical, educational, and heartwarming. We visited a well-known sanctuary that skips riding and washing, which are often criticized for being harmful to elephants. Riding can cause long-term physical damage, while washing—though it may seem gentle—can create stress for elephants, as being touched by strangers isn't natural for them. Instead, we helped prepare food, fed the elephants, and watched them play in mud and water.
- Super kid-friendly
- Transportation, lunch, mosquito repellent, water, and snacks provided
- Strollers not needed (baby carrier worked great)
Highly recommended. Choose ethical sanctuaries to support elephant welfare. We visited
Samui Elephant Sanctuary,
which offers a transparent and compassionate approach to elephant care. Their staff was knowledgeable and gentle, making it a rewarding experience for both kids and adults.
Up Close with Gentle Giants– Our visit to Samui Elephant Sanctuary was a highlight of the trip. No rides, no tricks—just feeding, learning, and observing these beautiful animals in a peaceful, ethical environment.
⛵️ Ang Thong National Marine Park
I took my 3.5-year-old daughter on this full-day VIP speedboat tour (from 100 Degrees East). It wasn’t cheap—but it was absolutely worth it for a smooth, stress-free adventure with a little one.
- Small group (14 people, 5 guides) for more personalized attention
- Helpful support during snorkeling and hiking
- Smart itinerary planning helped us avoid the crowds
- Beautiful beach picnic lunch and stunning views at the blue lagoon
Tip: Bring rash guards and lots of sunscreen, even on cloudy days.
Why it was worth every penny:
(View Tour on Tripadvisor)
- When my daughter panicked before snorkeling, one guide stayed by our side with kindness and patience.
- The staff even carried her up steep stairs to the blue lagoon viewpoint so we could enjoy it as a family.
- When mosquitoes swarmed us on one island, they were ready with repellent—something we hadn’t thought to pack.
- Their smart scheduling meant we often had places like the blue lagoon and kayak route all to ourselves, giving us space and peace.
- The beach picnic lunch was more than just food—it came with shallow tidal pools full of tiny sea creatures, perfect for curious kids.
This kind of attention to detail and hands-on support made a huge difference and turned what could have been a stressful day into a highlight of our trip.
Exploring Ang Thong National Marine Park– From snorkeling and kayaking to hiking up to the Blue Lagoon, this VIP tour gave us nature, adventure, and unforgettable family moments—all without the crowds.
🐋 Pink Dolphin & Pig Island Tour
This budget-friendly half-day trip was great for the whole family:
- Saw real pink dolphins (they’re a rare species with albinism or increased blood vessels near the skin, giving them a pink hue). It was magical watching them surface and swim nearby.
- Snorkeling was offered but turned out to be quite chaotic. The site was crowded, and the area felt cramped. My husband and I went while the kids stayed on board with snacks, and even we found ourselves getting accidentally kicked a few times.
- Pig Island was quirky and fun for the kids, who loved feeding and following the pigs around. You can buy food to feed them, but watch out—some of the bigger pigs may get aggressive or fight over food. The pigs roam freely and yes, they pee and poop wherever they want. Expect muddy, sandy feet and bring wet wipes!
Transportation was smooth, and lunch was provided, although simpler than the VIP tour. This tour is best for families with young kids who love animals and don’t mind getting a little messy. If you’re hygiene-sensitive or expecting peace and pristine beaches, this may not be the best fit.
Still, for a budget-friendly way to see dolphins and a one-of-a-kind pig island, it delivered plenty of smiles and laughs for our family.
Pig Island Adventures– A beach day full of surprises! From boat rides and sandy swings to up-close pig encounters, this half-day tour gave our little ones a whole new kind of animal experience.
Klook.com
Klook.com
Fisherman’s Village: A Walkable Family Spot
This was one of the few areas in Koh Samui that felt genuinely walkable with strollers—a major win for families with young kids. Fisherman’s Village has smooth paths and a welcoming, laid-back vibe.
We loved how the beachfront restaurants let our kids dig and play in the sand just steps from our table, giving us time to relax and actually enjoy a meal and some adult conversation. It felt like a rare pocket of ease during our trip.
We had fantastic dinners at Centrico Mexican Restaurant (HALAL) and The Cosy Fisherman, both of which served delicious food with unbeatable views of the ocean. Watching the sunset while our kids built sandcastles nearby, followed by a fire show right on the beach, was an unforgettable part of the experience. Whether you crave tacos or seafood pasta, Fisherman's Village offers a blend of flavors and family-friendly comfort that's hard to beat.
Fisherman’s Village Vibes– From beachside cocktails and fire shows to local markets and cozy restaurants, this walkable spot became our go-to for family-friendly evenings in Koh Samui.
Koh Samui Airport: A Surprisingly Charming Welcome
Koh Samui Airport might be one of the most charming little airports we've ever flown through. With its open-air layout, tropical landscaping, and relaxed vibe, it immediately sets the tone for a vacation in paradise.
- Outdoor Terminals: Instead of the usual sterile airport gates, Samui welcomes you with palm-lined walkways, garden views, and thatched-roof pavilions.
- Kid-Friendly Touches: While waiting for our flight, the kids played on swings and watched planes take off just a few meters away. It felt more like a beach resort than an airport.
- Smooth Process: The check-in, security, and boarding process was fast and easy. Even with young kids in tow, it was one of the most stress-free departures we've had.
Tip: Don’t rush through it. Arrive a bit early to soak in the views and let your kids play before the flight.
Our Koh Samui Itinerary (5 Days)
- Day 1: Arrival
- Day 2: Elephant Sanctuary (AM), relax, dinner at Fisherman’s Village
- Day 3: Ang Thong VIP tour (full day)
- Day 4: Pink Dolphin tour (AM), relax, dinner at Fisherman’s Village
- Day 5: Pool, Chaweng beach
- Day 6: Pool, beach, checkout
What We’d Do Differently Next Time
- Skip snorkeling tours—not worth it in Thailand
- Skip Hyatt & Chaweng: not walkable, too noisy
- Stick to Bophut: quieter, more stroller-friendly
- Choose villa over resort for family stays
Quick Tips for Visiting Koh Samui with Kids
- ✅ When to Go: We went during rainy season and it was great! Mostly night showers, cooler temps, fewer crowds, and better prices.
- ✅ Naps: Don’t plan around them. Our kids napped in cars and boats.
- ✅ Boat/Beach Must-Haves: Rash guards, sunscreen, mosquito spray, floaties, baby snorkel gear. For a complete list of family travel essentials, check out my Family Travel Essentials Guide.
Final Thought
Koh Samui has its challenges, but with the right planning, it can be a magical and relaxing family destination—especially if you slow down and savor the coconut-sipping, pig-petting, pool-jumping moments along the way.
💬 Got questions about Koh Samui with kids? Drop a comment below or DM me on Instagram!
📸 Follow along for more family travel moments, tips, and behind-the-scenes chaos: @drift2shift
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