- A sailing catamaran is the easiest boat for families: two hulls rock less, and there is shade and space for children to move around.
- A 4-hour half day to Koh Tan and Koh Madsum (Pig Island) is the best first trip with small kids, for example on Victoria from ฿25,000 for the whole boat.
- Life jackets are included on Nina, Victoria, Scarlet and Serenity, and Blue Coco lists life jackets in its equipment.
- Nina and Scarlet set up a water slide on trips of 4 hours and longer, and on Coco Paradise a slide and sea pool can be added for ฿3,000.
- Long full days to Ang Thong or Koh Tao are better left for older children who already like being on a boat.
The breakfast table, day four of the holiday: one child wants to see the pigs on the beach, the other gets carsick on the ring road, and you are wondering whether a boat trip on Koh Samui with kids is a great idea or a long day of tears. The good news is that it can be one of the best days of the trip. The trick is choosing the right boat and a route that fits small legs, short attention spans and nap times.
This guide is about exactly that: steady boats, short routes, safety on board and the small things that keep a family day relaxed. It is based on years of watching families on deck, including the days that did not go to plan.
Is a boat trip on Koh Samui with kids a good idea?
Yes, for most families it is, as long as you keep the trip short and choose a steady boat. A private charter is the key: the whole boat is for your group, so you set the pace, stop when the kids need a break and turn back early if someone has had enough.
That freedom is what makes a private boat so different from a crowded day tour. Nobody minds if your toddler wants to sit in the shade with a snack while the others snorkel. There is no fixed buffet time, no stranger next to you, and the crew adjusts the day to your family.
The price is for the whole boat, not per person, which often makes a private charter better value for a family than it first looks. Victoria, for example, covers up to 10 people in its base price, and Vickey covers 6, so grandparents and cousins can come along without changing the boat.
The honest downside: some children simply do not like boats. Engine noise, a rocking deck and deep blue water can scare a three-year-old. If you are not sure, start with a short half day and see how it goes before you book a long trip.
Which boats are steady and shaded for families?
For families with young children, a sailing catamaran is usually the best choice. Two hulls make the boat steadier at anchor and on the move, and the wide decks give shade, space to play and a safe place to lie down.
A speedboat is faster, but for small children it is often the wrong tool. It bounces on waves, the engines are loud, and shade is limited to a canopy. Speedboats come into their own for older kids and teenagers who love the speed, or for long routes where time matters.
If that is your family, look at Pearl first: she is the speedboat guests book most often. Pearl is a 12 m fiberglass boat for up to 15 guests, and life jackets, snorkelling masks, soft drinks, fruit, snacks, a guide and hotel transfer are all included. The catch for small children is that every Pearl trip is a full 8-hour day, so she suits school-age kids who already enjoy the water, not toddlers who need a nap at noon.
Among the catamarans, each has a slightly different character for families:
- Victoria: 11 m (37 ft) with a living room, up to 13 guests, base price for up to 10. Kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkelling gear and a fishing rod are included.
- Nina: 11 m (38 ft) with 2 bedrooms, up to 15 guests, base price for up to 8. A water slide comes on programs of 4 hours or more, depending on the program.
- Vickey: 11 m (36 ft) with 1 double cabin, up to 10 guests, base price for 6. Good for a single family on a budget.
- Scarlet: 13 m (43 ft) with 3 bedrooms, a living room and 2 restrooms, up to 20 guests. VIP hotel transfer and a slide on trips of 4 hours and longer.
- Blue Coco: a Lagoon 400 with 3 double cabins, each with its own bathroom and toilet and individual air conditioning. A butler and a bartender are part of the crew.
- Coco Paradise: 3 cabins and 3 bathrooms, fully air-conditioned interiors and a foredeck lounge, up to 45 guests.
- Serenity: a Serenity 71, up to 60 guests, with 4 double cabins with showers and air conditioning, and a big trampoline on deck. A boat for big family reunions.
For one family with small children, Victoria and Vickey are easy, relaxed choices. For a family that wants more comfort, air-conditioned cabins and proper bathrooms, Blue Coco and Scarlet are the upgrade. The full list is on the page with catamaran charters on Koh Samui.
Half day or full day with children?
With children under about six, a half day of around 4 hours is almost always the better choice. It is long enough for a beach, a swim and a snack, and short enough to finish before everyone gets tired and grumpy.
Most catamarans run their half days in two slots, morning and afternoon. Victoria's 4-hour trip to Pig Island and Koh Tan costs ฿25,000 in the morning (09:00-13:00) or the afternoon (14:30-18:30). Nina's 4-hour half day costs ฿29,000 in the morning or ฿31,000 in the afternoon. Vickey's morning half day to Koh Som or Koh Mad Lang costs ฿21,000.
The morning slot usually suits small children best. The sea is often calmer, the sun is gentler, and you are back at the hotel for lunch and a nap. The afternoon is lovely for older kids, with the light softening on the way home.
A 6-hour day is a good middle ground for children who already know they like boats. Victoria and Nina both offer 6-hour trips to Pig Island and Koh Tan for ฿35,000 and ฿38,000 respectively. On Scarlet, the 6- and 8-hour trips to Koh Phangan include a Thai lunch on board, which solves one of the big questions of a family day.
Here is how the family catamarans compare on short and longer trips, with Pearl added as the speedboat option for older children. Prices are for the whole boat.
| Boat | Half day (about 4 hours) | Longer option | Guests in base price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vickey | ฿21,000 morning, ฿22,000 afternoon with sunset | Koh Phangan full day ฿35,000 | 6 |
| Victoria | ฿25,000 morning or afternoon | 6 hours ฿35,000, 8 hours ฿39,900 | 10 |
| Nina | ฿29,000 morning, ฿31,000 afternoon | 6 hours ฿38,000, 8 hours ฿43,000 | 8 |
| Scarlet | ฿32,900 morning, ฿34,900 afternoon | Koh Phangan 6 hours ฿47,900, 8 hours ฿52,000 | 8 |
| Blue Coco | ฿36,000 morning, ฿41,000 afternoon | Koh Tan and Koh Madsum full day ฿52,000 | 10 |
| Coco Paradise | ฿45,000 morning, ฿50,000 afternoon | Koh Tan and Koh Madsum full day ฿65,000 | 10 |
| Serenity | ฿60,000 morning or afternoon | 8 hours ฿100,000 | 25 |
| Pearl (speedboat) | No half day | 8 hours: Koh Tan and Koh Madsum ฿38,000, Ang Thong ฿39,000 | 6 |
A full 8-hour day is a lot for a toddler. If you do choose one, pick a boat with cabins where a child can sleep, and plan a lazy middle of the day at anchor instead of a busy island program.
Which routes are short and calm for kids?
The islands just south of Samui are the best family routes: Koh Tan and Koh Madsum, the island known as Pig Island, are close, with short runs between stops and shallow, sandy beaches. Kids love the pigs on the beach, and the time on the move stays short.
Koh Tan has coral reefs off its sandy beaches, which makes it a good first snorkelling spot. There is an entrance fee on Koh Madsum and on Koh Rap of ฿50 per person for each island, paid on the day and not included in the boat price. The article on the Pig Island boat trip explains how that day works step by step.
Scarlet and Vickey also go to Koh Som, Koh Mudlang (Koh Mad Lang) or Thongson Bay on their half days, which are close to the north-east of Samui. For a family, these short routes are often more fun than a famous name far away.
The routes to think twice about with small kids are the long ones. Ang Thong National Marine Park is a full day: Blue Coco runs it from 08:30 to 18:30, and Coco Paradise does the same. Koh Tao is even further north. Long crossings with toddlers are hard work, especially if the sea is choppy, and the best parts of the day can happen while the youngest is asleep or crying.
If you do go to Ang Thong with older children, remember the park entrance fee of ฿300 per adult and ฿150 per child, with children aged 12 and older paying the adult fee. The park is usually closed every year from 1 November to 15 December, so no Ang Thong trips run then. More detail is on the page for private boats to Ang Thong.
Life jackets, snorkelling and water slides: what is safe for children?
Life jackets are part of the equipment on the family catamarans: Nina, Victoria, Scarlet and Serenity include them, and Blue Coco lists them in its equipment. Ask the crew to fit a life jacket on each child before the boat moves, and keep it on whenever they are on deck near the edge.
If your children are very young, it is worth asking ahead whether child-sized jackets are on board, or bringing your own. A jacket that is too big can slip up over a small child's head in the water, which defeats the point.
Snorkelling equipment is included on all the family catamarans, but children's masks do not always fit well. A mask that leaks turns snorkelling into a struggle. If your kids are keen, bring their own mask from home or buy one before the trip, and let them practise in the hotel pool.
The water slide is the highlight for many kids. Nina and Scarlet set up a slide on trips of 4 hours or more, depending on the program. On Coco Paradise an ocean swimming pool and water slide can be added for ฿3,000, but they are not permitted inside Ang Thong Marine Park. An adult should always be in the water at the bottom of the slide, even with confident swimmers.
Paddle boards and kayaks on Victoria, Nina and Scarlet are great for older children in calm water near the beach. Keep the little ones on board or on an adult's lap on the board, and stay close to the boat.
Toilets, seasickness, snacks and sun: the practical side
The small things decide a family day at sea. Check the toilet situation, plan for seasickness, pack snacks the kids actually eat, and take the sun seriously.
Toilets
Blue Coco has 3 cabins, each with its own bathroom and toilet. Coco Paradise has 3 bathrooms, Scarlet has 2 restrooms, and Serenity's 4 double cabins each have a shower. For toddlers in nappies or children who need the toilet often, a boat with proper bathrooms makes the day much easier. On the smaller catamarans, ask before you book what the toilet looks like.
Seasickness
Children often feel it less than adults, but when they do, it can spoil the day. Keep them on deck in the fresh air, looking at the horizon, and away from reading or screens while the boat moves. Give a light breakfast, not an empty stomach and not a heavy one. If your child is prone to motion sickness, ask your doctor or a pharmacy about suitable remedies before the trip.
Snacks and drinks
Soft drinks and fruit are included on Victoria, Nina, Scarlet, Vickey and Blue Coco, and Coco Paradise serves pastries from a local pastry chef. Blue Coco, Nina, Scarlet, Vickey and Victoria also let you bring your own snacks, food and drinks free of charge, so pack the crackers, sandwiches and treats your children like.
Sun
The tropical sun on the water is strong even on cloudy days. Bring reef-friendly sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and rash vests for swimming. The shade on a catamaran helps, but kids will run out of it, so reapply often.
Which boat to book for your family
For a family of up to 10 on a first boat day, a catamaran half day to Pig Island and Koh Tan is the safest bet. For bigger family groups or more comfort, choose a larger catamaran with cabins and bathrooms.
Victoria and Vickey suit a single family on a simple, budget-friendly half day, Nina adds the water slide on longer programs, and Pearl is the pick for families with older kids who want a full day with more speed. On Pearl the price covers up to 6 guests and each extra guest is ฿2,000, so a family of five or six pays the base price.
Blue Coco and Scarlet are the comfortable choice for families who want cabins, air conditioning and proper toilets, and Coco Paradise works for big family groups with its personal butler.
A few last tips before you book:
- Tell the team the ages of the children when you send the request.
- Ask about child-sized life jackets and bring your own masks if you can.
- Choose the morning slot for under-sixes.
- Keep a spare day in case the weather changes the plan.
Send your date, the number of adults and children, and your preferred route through the free booking request or on WhatsApp. A manager confirms the boat and the final price for your family.
Questions and answers
What age is a child old enough for a boat trip on Koh Samui?
There is no single answer, and many families take babies and toddlers on calm catamaran half days. What matters more is the length of the trip and the sea that day. With very young children, keep it to about 4 hours, choose a steady catamaran and bring your own child life jacket if you can.
Do children pay for a private boat on Koh Samui?
The boat price is for the whole boat up to the number of guests in the base price, so children inside that number cost nothing extra. Above it, each boat has its own rule: on Hilux children aged 0-10 are free and 11-14 cost ฿800, while on Coco Cay and Summer Casa children up to 5 travel free. Park and island fees are separate, and children aged 12 and older pay the adult fee in Ang Thong.
Can my kids feed the pigs on Pig Island?
Pig Island, Koh Madsum, is known for the pigs that live on its beach, and seeing them is the favourite moment for many children. Stay close to small kids, as the pigs can be pushy around food. The entrance fee on Koh Madsum is ฿50 per person.
Is snorkelling safe for children who cannot swim well?
Yes, with a life jacket and an adult next to them. Choose a calm, shallow spot near a beach, such as around Koh Tan, and keep the session short. A child who floats happily in a life jacket with a mask often enjoys it more than one who swims well but feels rushed.
Can we bring baby food and snacks on board?
On Blue Coco, Nina, Scarlet, Vickey and Victoria you can bring your own snacks, food and drinks free of charge. That makes it easy to pack baby food, bottles and the snacks your children know. Bring a small cool bag for anything that needs to stay cold.
What if my child gets seasick during the trip?
Move them to the fresh air on deck, let them look at the horizon and give small sips of water. On a private charter you can ask the captain to stop in a sheltered bay or head back early. That flexibility is one of the main reasons families choose a private boat.
Is a speedboat a bad idea with kids?
Not always, but it is a harder ride for small children because of the bounce, noise and limited shade. Teenagers often love it, especially on long routes like Koh Tao. For toddlers, a catamaran is the calmer choice.
Is the Pearl speedboat a good choice for a family?
For families with school-age children and teenagers, yes: Pearl takes up to 15 guests, and life jackets, snorkelling masks, drinks, fruit and snacks are included. All her trips are 8-hour days, such as Koh Tan and Koh Madsum for ฿38,000, so with toddlers a catamaran half day is the easier start. Lunch and island entrance fees are not included, so plan food for the kids.
Ready to choose your boat?
Every boat page shows the routes, prices and what is included. The booking request is free: a manager checks the boat is free on your date and confirms the price.
Updated 30 October 2026. Prices can change: the boat page always shows the current price.
