When it comes to unforgettable family escapes, Thailand’s Koh Samui offers a rare balance: serene beaches where children can play safely, experiences grounded in culture and nature, and private villas where daily life flows effortlessly from breakfast by the pool to sunset on the sand.
Across Koh Samui’s lush hills and beautiful beaches, families find space to reconnect, learn, explore, and unwind. Days unfold slowly, whether you’re exploring the best of what the island has to offer or just simply enjoying the villa life in the comforts of your luxurious accommodation. Here, we present a curated WanderLuxe guide to the finest family experiences in Thailand, and the villas that elevate them.
Ethical Elephant Encounters
Visit a sanctuary dedicated to rescued elephants and introduce children to gentle giants in a respectful, educational setting at Samui Elephant Sanctuary Bophut. Learn conservation stories, feed the elephants responsibly, and witness them roaming freely, a meaningful way to get up close with these majestic animals.
Read: 11 Family-Friendly Activities in Phuket That Kids Will Love
Island 4×4 & Waterfall Adventure
Embark on a mini excursion to explore Samui’s natural beauty on off-road tours, perfect for families and groups of friends travelling together. Explore hidden temples, lush jungle tracks, and cascading waterfalls surrounded by tropical forest.
Marine Park Day Trip
Board a private boat to the Ang Thong National Marine Park, a protected archipelago with serene waters ideal for beginner snorkellers. Calm lagoons, powder-soft beaches, and gentle ocean life offer a quiet introduction to the underwater world.
Location: Angthong National Marine Park
Paradise Park Farm
A pastoral hillside sanctuary where families wander tropical gardens and meet friendly animals in a calm, peaceful environment. Panoramic views and shaded walking paths suit slow-paced days with the family.
Zipline Adventures
Set within Samui’s jungle interior, trained instructors guide children and adults through treetop lines with gentle gradients and scenic canopy views. It’s a fun, safe and confidence-building outdoor experience.
Padel Samui
A fun and accessible sport for all ages, padel is a great way for families to stay active between beach days. The courts are beginner-friendly, with options for casual hits, group matches, or light coaching sessions. It’s a playful way to burn energy, build teamwork, and keep kids and teens engaged while on holiday.
Location: Padel Samui (near Chaweng Lake)
Mula Mati Rainbow Village
A creative community space filled with murals and whimsical sculptures, this venue is ideal for families who love photography and gentle cultural experiences wrapped in colour and charm.
Location: Mula Mati Rainbow Village
Art in Paradise
A playful, interactive 3D art studio where kids, teens, and adults can pose inside illusion scenes, explore vibrant themed zones, and express their creativity together. Art in Paradise is air-conditioned; perfect for mid-day breaks, and offers a colourful, laughter-filled outing that families of all ages can enjoy.
Location: Art in Paradise Samui
EasyKart Go-Karting
Hit the circuit, riding go-karts while in Koh Samui. Beginner-friendly go-karts, marshalled tracks, and a safe setup make this a fun outing for older children and teenagers seeking a little speed between beach days.
Location: EasyKart Samui
Where to Stay in Samui: Family Villas
The View Samui
A striking modern villa set on Taling Ngam’s quiet coastline, The View Samui is purpose-built for multigenerational getaways. Children love the dedicated bunk bedroom, giving them their own fun and social space, while adults enjoy sweeping ocean views from open living areas. With a glass-fronted pool, cinema room, gym, and ample outdoor dining spaces, the villa creates a seamless blend of relaxation and family connection.
Book your stay here: The View Samui
Baan Asan
Baan Asan combines contemporary design with family comfort on one of Samui’s most peaceful beaches. Younger children can safely enjoy the villa’s shallow pool area, while the vibrant bunk bedroom offers a lively retreat for kids or teens. Expansive lawns, airy lounges, and direct beach access make it effortless to shift from morning swims to relaxed afternoons by the sea. Attentive staff and generous outdoor dining spaces round out an easy, luxurious family stay.
Book your stay here at Baan Asan.
Baan Kilee
A standout Samui villa for family escapes, this beachfront estate is designed around connection and play, shaded lawns, and shallow pools for younger swimmers. The villa also features a sunken cinema for relaxed evenings, outdoor dining spaces for group meals, and in-villa staff who are experienced with multigenerational travel. Children’s toys, pool inflatables, and creative activity setups are often arranged on request. Proximity to calm waters ensures seamless beach play.
Book your stay here: Book Baan Kilee Koh Samui
Villa Akatsuki
Elegant beachfront living inspired by modern Japanese and Thai design. Families enjoy tiered pools that cascade toward the sea, generous indoor-outdoor living zones, and a private beachfront ideal for supervised water play. Dedicated spa rooms and peaceful gardens allow parents to unwind while staff prepare child-friendly menus or arrange gentle activities.
Book your stay here: Enjoy a stay and book here
Baan Suriya
Baan Suriya brings together modern coastal architecture and curated spaces for togetherness.
A beachfront swing, sunken library, bright play-ready lawns, and open living areas make this villa ideal for families. The ample room and relaxing ambience suit all types of activities and vacation styles, making it effortless to move from morning swims and quiet reading to poolside parties and an outdoor cinema session after dusk.
Baan Hinta & Baan Hinyai
Among Samui’s most recognisable villas, Baan Hinta and Baan Hinyai offer spacious beachfront living shaped around natural rock formations and open, social spaces. Families enjoy water sports equipment, shallow shoreline play in calm morning waters, and large communal areas that transition seamlessly from daytime fun to relaxed evenings.
Booked individually or together, the villas suit everything from small families to large multigenerational celebrations. Staff are experienced with children and can arrange beach setups, fun pool inflatables, and family-style meals.