Planning a less trodden adventure near Bangkok and eager to try out the spots closer to Hua Hin and Cha-am? We have a list of family-friendly places to consider – for wilder adventures, to local markets, national parks and other lovely spots others might have missed.
You can opt to stay at Cha-am, Hua Hin or Pranburi for a quieter experience out of the city. To get to the spots, renting a vehicle or hiring a local driver would be the efficient options.
Kid-friendly Things To Do Around Hua Hin, Thailand
Having stayed at both Cha-am and Pranburi, we loved finding family-friendly gems in Central Thailand to visit. Here are some sights to include in your itinerary if you are planning a trip to Central Thailand.
Khao Sam Roi Yod National Park
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Our top pick is about an hour from central Hua Hin and 45 minutes from Pranburi. Khao Sam Roi Yod National Park is a huge national park best known for its stunning mountains and marshlands scenery, as well as the Phraya Nakhon Cave. It covers about 98 square kilometres, located on the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province south of Hua Hin and is the first marine national park of Thailand.
Khao Sam Roi Yod means “the mountain with three hundred peaks”, referring to a series of limestone hills along the Gulf of Thailand. One spot to visit is the Northwest corner called Thung Sam Roi Yot or Bueng Bua Boardwalk, mainly freshwater marsh with many birds to spot specially for birders. As the national park is huge, it takes 30 minutes to drive from the marshlands to Bang Po Beach – which is the easiest access route to Phraya Nakhon Cave.
Phraya Nakhon Cave is known for its iconic royal pavilion and huge chamber. From Bang Po Beach, take a short boat ride to Laem Sala Beach and then hike 30 minutes to the cave. Do note it is a uphill climb up using mainly stairs, hence hikers are recommended to be in the right footwear. After the ascend, be rewarded with the view of Kuha Karuhas Pavilion’s gold and green hues reflected by the sunlight streaming through the cave in the morning. Our family of four with varying fitness levels could do the hike, with the active five year old the fastest to ascend the steps.
Where: Khao Daeng, Kui Buri District, Chang Wat Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand
Distance from Hua Hin: 60 km, 55 minute drive
Hua Hin Beach, Hua Hin Railway Station & Hua Hin Night Market
Three sights in Hua Hin are located close to each other – this means visiting three attractions at one go could be an option.
Hua Hin Beach is a popular beach with a lively atmosphere with a wider selection of restaurants, bars, and shopping options.
One night market where you can shop for souvenirs and buy local produce is the Hua Hin Night Market, a short walk from the railway station and beach.
One dish to splurge is the fresh lobster from Lung Ja restaurant, recommended by YouTuber Mark Wiens himself.
Where: Prachuap Khiri Khan
Distance from Bangkok: 197 km, 3 hour drive
Cicada & Tamarind Market
There’s more shopping to be done in Hua Hin if you love night markets! Just 10 minutes away from Hua Hin Night Market are two markets to visit – Cicada and Tamarind Night Markets. Both markets are close to each other and worth a visit during the weekends.
Cicada Night Market features art galleries and handmade crafts, its focus is more on art. It has local food stalls as well, plus live music performances and street artists.
Tamarind Night Market focuses on street food and shopping.
Where: Prachuap Khiri Khan
Distance from Hua Hin: 3.9km, 10 minute drive
Mangrove Forest Park
As a nature-loving family, we love to include more nature-centric attractions to our travels. The kids can then learn to appreciate the environment and care for it consciously. There are two mangrove parks to visit in the area.
We have visited Pranburi Mangrove Park, and there are two more near Hua Hin: Khao Hin Lek Fai Viewpoint and Mangrove Forest and Hua Hin Mangrove Forest. All three Mangrove Parks are between 10 to 40 minutes away from central Hua Hin.
Apart from seeing the mangrove forest and its inhabitants up close, there are boat tours, kayak rentals and even an opportunity to plant a mangrove sapling.
For more fun in water, head to this jungle-themed water park near downtown Hua Hin. Vana Nava Water Jungle has two zones – a water park and an adventure zone, with 19 rides in total. Families can enjoy adrenaline-inducing rides and slides!
The water park also has fast food restaurants, bars, a massage pavilion, and shopping options.
Where: 129/99 Soi Moo Baan Nong Kae, Tambon Nong Kae, Amphoe Hua Hin, Chang Wat Prachuap Khiri Khan
Distance from Hua Hin: 4.5 km, 8 minutes
Bat-watching at NaYang Caves
Head to Nayang Caves and get a great vantage point to witness millions of bats emerge from their cave at sunset. The phenomenon lasted about twenty minutes with a steady stream of bats searching for food outside the cave. You can also hear them flying nearby in search of fruit trees. This experience is recommended during summer due to later sunsets.
Where: NaYang Caves
Distance from Hua Hin: 40 km, 40 minutes
Cha-am Beach
A calmer and quieter alternative to Hua Hin Beach is Cha-am Beach known to be popular amongst locals. Waves are gentler here, hence it is more ideal for seasports such as banana-boating and parasailing.
Where: Phetchaburi
Distance from Hua Hin: 30 km, 30 minutes
Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand
Children love animals! How about visiting a sanctuary for animals and get the chance to feed them? Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand is a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing injured or orphaned wildlife. The centre provides a safe haven for animals, with the goal of returning them to their natural habitats.
You can see elephants, macaques, langurs, gibbons, eagles, owls, hornbills, snakes, turtles, bears, deer and wild boars at Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand. Opt for a tour or stay at an eco-lodge, reservations are required in advance.
Where: 108 Moo 6, Tambon Thamairuak, Amphoe Thayang, 76130 Phetchaburi
Distance from Hua Hin: 42km, 44 minutes by car
Book tickets to Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand via Klook.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
If you’re travelling back to Bangkok from Hua Hin, you can choose to stop by Damnoen Saduak Floating Market which gives you a pit-stop in the middle of the journey. The
200-year old market has been in operation since the 18th century and was originally a major trading center for agricultural products. The colourful, bustling market was a feast for the eyes and we sat in our boats taking in all the sights and sounds of the stall owners selling their wares from their boats. Kids will love the experience of floating down the canal, trying all kinds of street food and take pictures with pythons and flying squirrels!
Where: Damnoen Saduak District, Ratchaburi 70130
Distance from Hua Hin: 129 km, 1.5 hours
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