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Trat With the Family
Shallow Beaches, Waterfalls, Koh Mak

When you take kids to the sea, what worries parents most is rough surf, steep beaches, and a long drive that ends in tears. Trat handles all of this well, because it has shallow beaches that are easy to wade into, waterfalls with short walks, and Koh Mak, where the water stays calmer than on the bigger islands nearby. We've laid out a 3-day plan day by day, with travel time and the kids' nap windows already built in.

🏖️ Shallow, gentle beaches💦 Easy-walking waterfalls⛴️ Quiet, calm Koh Mak
Trat With the Family Shallow Beaches, Waterfalls, Koh Mak

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Trat sits at the far eastern tip of Thailand, about a 5-hour drive from Bangkok. If you're coming with young kids, it helps to split the drive into stretches and make a restroom stop around Rayong or Chanthaburi. This plan keeps day one on the mainland at an easy pace, then crosses to Koh Mak on day two — by which point the kids have settled into the rhythm of traveling.

The heart of a family trip is don't pack the days too tight. One or two real stops a day is plenty; leave the rest of the time for the kids to swim, dig in the sand, and nap on schedule. The trip ends up more fun than ticking off every sight on the map.

Day 1 — Arrive in Trat, an Easy Afternoon at a Waterfall

Day 1

Mainland Trat · Than Mayom Waterfall on an easy day

Morning
Leave Bangkok early and head for TratWith young kids, build in time for restroom stops and to let them stretch their legs — figure on about 5–6 hours on the road including breaks.
Midday
Reach Trat town, find lunch at a local spot, then check inStaying in town or out toward Laem Ngop makes catching the boat the next day easier.
Afternoon
Drive out to Than Mayom Waterfall, or a waterfall in a park near townThe multi-tiered falls have shallow pools where kids can wade in, and the lower trail isn't steep, so kids can walk it themselves. The rocks at the rapids are slippery, though, so adults need to hold their hands the whole time.
Evening
Head back into town, shower, rest, and find dinnerKeep day one low-key, since tomorrow means an early start to catch the boat.

Waterfalls with kids

The rocks at the edge of a waterfall are very slippery, so put kids in heel-strap sandals or rubber shoes with grip, and don't let them stand under fast-flowing water. A shallow pool where the water sits still is far safer. In the rainy season the flow can be strong and murky, so check conditions before anyone gets in.

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Day 2 — Cross to Koh Mak, Shallow Water and Clear Sea

Koh Mak sits between Koh Chang and Koh Kood. It's a flat island with gentle surf and a quieter feel than the bigger islands. What families love is the bays on the side where the beach slopes in gently — you can wade a long way out and the water is still only waist-deep on a child, so kids can swim without parents having to worry about the waves.

Day 2

Koh Mak · shallow swimming and snorkeling off the beach

Morning
Catch the boat from Laem Ngop pier to Koh MakThere are both speedboats and ferries. The speedboat is faster but rolls more, so if your kids get seasick easily, take the steadier ferry. Bring kids' motion-sickness medicine just in case.
Late morning
Check in at a beachfront place and let the kids into the water out frontPick a bay where the beach slopes in gently and the water is clear enough to see the sandy bottom — that's where kids can play with peace of mind.
Afternoon
Snorkel over the coral off the island, or kayak close to shoreThe east side of the island has shallow coral. Older kids who can swim can give it a go in a life jacket, while little ones are happy just digging in the sand at the water's edge.
Evening
Watch the sunset from the beach, have dinner at the resortKoh Mak is fairly quiet and places close early, so plan dinner well ahead of time.

How to pick a Koh Mak stay kids will love

Choose a resort right on a gently sloping beach, so you can walk from the room straight to the sea. That makes it easy when a child needs to dash to the bathroom mid-swim or come back for a nap. Ask the resort ahead of time about child-size life jackets, too.

Day 3 — A Morning Swim, Then the Drive Home

Day 3

One more morning beach · an unhurried drive back

Morning
Let the kids have one last swim out front, then pack upThe sea is usually calm and uncrowded in the morning — the easiest time of day for a swim.
Late morning
Catch the boat back to Laem NgopCheck the boat schedule with your resort ahead of time, since departures are limited and change with the season.
Midday
Find lunch around town and pick up souvenirs before heading offPopular Trat souvenirs include shrimp paste (kapi), seasonal fruit, and dried seafood.
Afternoon
Start the drive back to BangkokWith young kids, leaving early afternoon gets you home before late — and leaves a buffer for traffic heading into the city.

Before You Go — What to Pack

  • Child-size life jackets — many resorts lend them out, but bringing your own that fits properly gives more peace of mind.
  • Non-slip rubber shoes — handy both for the waterfall and for walking on coral rock at the beach.
  • Kids' sunscreen and a hat — the sun at the Trat coast is strong, so reapply every 2 hours.
  • Kids' motion-sickness medicine — ask a pharmacist about the right dose for your child's age before you travel.
  • Basic medicines and kids' personal items — shops are few on Koh Mak and some things are hard to find, so bring enough.

The best time to bring kids

From November to April the sea is at its calmest and clearest, which is ideal for kids to swim. In the rainy season (May–October) the surf can be strong and some boat departures are cancelled. If you go during the rainy season, check the weather and the boat schedule with your accommodation first.

Looking for a family-friendly beachfront place to stay in Trat

See the Top 10 hotels in Trat →

FAQ

Can you bring young kids to Koh Mak, and how long is the boat ride?

Yes. Koh Mak has gentle surf and gently sloping beaches that suit kids. The speedboat from Laem Ngop takes about 45 minutes to an hour, while the ferry is slower but steadier. If your kids get seasick easily, take the ferry and bring along kids' motion-sickness medicine.

Which beaches in Trat are shallow and good for kids to swim?

Many bays on Koh Mak slope in gently — you can wade a long way out and the water is still only waist-deep on a child, which is why families like it. On the mainland, waterfalls with calm, still pools are another safe option for kids to wade in.

Is the walk to a Trat waterfall long with kids?

Waterfalls near town like Than Mayom have a lower trail that isn't very steep, so kids can walk it themselves. But the rocks by the water are slippery, so put kids in non-slip shoes and hold their hands the whole time around the rapids.

When's the best time to visit Trat with the family?

November to April, when the sea is at its calmest and clearest — the best stretch for kids to swim. In the rainy season the surf is rougher and some boat departures are cancelled, so if you go, check the weather and the boat schedule in advance.

How many days do you need in Trat with kids?

3 days and 2 nights is about right. Day one is an easy mainland day, day two crosses to Koh Mak for a full day of swimming, and day three is a morning swim before the drive home. That pace leaves just enough room for the kids' naps.

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