The cosmopolitan town of Hua Hin is Thailand’s oldest beach resort. But what it has to offer is so much more than beautiful beaches and a scenic coastline. Within the city centre and on the grassy outskirts, you’ll find everything from amusement parks and water parks to animal parks and zoos. Here are our top family-friendly adventure-filled attractions and activities in Hua Hin for the young and the young at heart…

Hua Hin Zoo

Hua Hin Zoo is a little-known rescue and rehabilitation centre a short way outside of the centre of Hua Hin where peacocks wander the grounds alongside gibbon, macaque and langur monkey. Built to nurture animals in need of recuperation, the zoo has a variety of wildlife, including elephant, alpaca, white lion, sun bear, tortoise, sheep and an array of tropical birds. Guests can look forward to bike rides through the park and a chance to feed the animals by hand. While the zoo offers free entry, it is run largely by donation so feel free to drop your spare change in the donation box at the end of your visit.  Visitors should also note that as Hua Hin Zoo is not really built for tourists, you can expect to see most of the signs in Thai and not in English.

Our tip: There is a scenic spot down by the canals where you can have your own picnic. Make sure you bring your own lunch with as there are no shops within the park.

Black Mountain Water Park

Image source www.blackmountainwaterpark.com

This small waterpark on the outskirts of Hua Hin is perfect for young families with rides tailored specifically for small children. We’re talking small rides and shallow kids’ pools like the Children’s Adventure Pool – an aquatic play land offering playhouses and rocking horses. The fun doesn’t stop there – there are also plenty of thrilling rides and slides including a lazy river you can float down leisurely on a rubber ring, a wave pool and a bubbly spa pool. Or simply relax at the beach and infinity pool and enjoy the year-round Thailand sunshine. What do we love about Black Mountain Water Park? The dining card you can top up with credit to use to buy food and drinks in the park – so you won’t have to lug your wallet around with you.

Our tip: A free shuttle bus runs to and from the Hua Hin clock tower.

Monkey Mountain at Khao Takiab

Image by josef knecht

Bundle the family into a tuk tuk for a 20 minute ride up the hill to reach Monkey Mountain and its giant Buddha statue overlooking Hua Hin – reached by approximately 100 steps. On the way up the slopes, you’ll pass a traditional fishing village and we’d recommend getting here around mid-morning to see the village in action as the days catch is hauled in.  At the top of Monkey Mountain, you’ll find a car park with souvenir shops on all sides and a large hoard of excitable macaque monkeys that call it home. If you buy food here, don’t be surprised when a monkey jumps onto your lap in an attempt to get at your food.  

Our tip: Dress appropriately if you want to visit the temple. Sarongs are available for last minute cover-ups and require just a small donation.

Vana Nava Water Park

Image source www.vananavahuahin.com/

Hua Hin’s newest attraction is home to Asia’s very first water jungle! Vana Nava Water Park has 19 different slides and rides and holds claim to many record-breaking rides and slides. Test out Boomerango, the longest water slide in Thailand, try the Aqualoop, the only vertical looping slide in Thailand, or brave The Abyss, the largest slide in Thailand. The park is also home to Aquacourse, the only one of its kind in Thailand, Vana Nava Falls and the tallest manmade waterfall in Asia. When you’ve tired of testing out the thrills and spills of the park, why not relax on Coconut Beach, a manmade beach and wave pool. Why not hire a cabana or beach hut to unwind on Coconut Beach which comes complete with fans and power outlets? Other activities include a surf zone, ropes course and climbing wall. For something different, why not get the ultimate family photo taken at Vanadio, Thailand’s first professional underwater photography studio, complete with props and costumes and ten interchangeable backdrops.

Our tip: Why not arrive in style? Vana Nava Water Park has a limousine service that picks you up from your hotel in Hua Hin, Pranburi or Cha Am.

Santorini Park

For those looking to venture further along the coast of Hua Hin, Santorini Park in the Cha Am District has plenty of rides and slides for all ages. In the world of social media, this Greek-inspired park has been built to be perfectly Instagrammable with whitewashed buildings, colourful windows, stone pathways and intricate domed towers. Highlights include a Ferris wheel, carousel, water park, bumper cars and even a haunted house! Our favourite activity in the park is the zorbing adventure where you can go water balling in a giant ball across the surface of the water. Kids will love the chance to visit the Alive Museum, a 3D trick eye venue or to test out The Cage with its adventurous robot fighters.

Our tip: The red bus from Petchaburi to Hua Hin runs every 20 to 30 minutes from the Hua Hin local market. Just be sure to let the bus driver know that you need to get off at Santorini Park.

Hua Hin is home to a plethora of exciting family adventures for all ages. Plan your family adventure to this exciting destination that’s so much more than a simple beach resort.