A night under the stars on Maya Bay

Did you even go backpacking around Thailand if you didn't taking a jumping beach photo?

I don't think so.

This picture was taken after camping out overnight on the empty uninhabited island off The Phi Phi Islands, Thailand. Along the way of an Island hopping trip around the Thai islands.

Just 20 or so on our own little island in Paradise. We slept on the beach under the stars.

It was on this beautiful emerald jewel in the middle of the ocean, that we watched the sun go down. Ate simple Thai food cooked over fire.

Sang songs around the campfire.

Was at one with nature.

And then we watched the magical sun come up.

Sunset over the Andaman sea

our camp at night

Sunrise over the Andaman Sea

This was the sunrise at 5am over May Bay. We drank piping hot coffee that our Thai friends brewed over the fire. It was strong & needed. But this moment was very beautiful.

coffee as the sun rises over the Andaman sea

My top tip for world travel with kids: wake up before the sunrises and head out to the beach to watch the beauty of the sun rise in each country. Do a sun salutation with them. You'll soak up the suns energy for the day + It'll be a precious memory forever.

It's a moment we'll never forget & we were lucky enough to get the chance to camp there.

Back packing around Asia is one of our favourite things to do with kids. It's just so easy.

We've only ever backpacked with 1 child and are looking to return to Asia with 2 children soon.

The flights are going to be your main expense as getting to Thailand is expensive. We fly by Emirates every time and have lounge access which helps with kids and their snacking. Other flight operators are available sometimes cheaper.

Travelling around Thailand with kids, accommodation with kids and food is still relatively cheap. Gone are the days of living off $1 per day there but it's still do-able to budget travel with kids and still see a lot.

We're planning a trip to Thailand with 2x kids soon and we'll post all about it. Documenting it all in detail as we go.

If you're planning to visit Maya Bay island with kids, wait until you get there before booking an excursion as you'll find better deals and cheaper prices than booking online. Once you're there you can shop around in Ton Sai village as there are lots of agents taking bookings whilst you're there. You'll be able to barter to get the price down. Typically we get 20% off as a guide or you can get the kids free if you smile nicely. MY PERSONAL TIP: Hire a private long tail boat to get there before the crowds arrive at 10am. It'll cost you around 2000 baht for around 5 hour trip. Worth it imo. Get there before 8am or after 3pm for less people.

There is a National Park entrance fee to bear in mind that sometimes isn't included in your excursion fee (ask about this so you're not caught out paying over the odds). Approx 400 baht p person.

If you're planning to island hop or visit a few islands around Thailand with kids, you'll travel by long tail boats (water taxi's). Water Taxi is the cheapest and fastest way to travel around Thailand beaches. Ton Sai Beach (Koh Phi Phi Don) to Maya Bay takes around 1 hour. Top Tip: if you book a later trip where you're one of the last boats to leave, you'll see the night time plankton glowing in the sea. Which is fun for kids to see.

UPDATE *Maya Bay has recently reopened (January 2022) after a 4 year close for environmental rejuvenation. And then of course covid hit.

The water right now is clearer than ever. We know a family that have only recently returned and they said it's just perfection right now. Now is going to be one of THE Best times to see it's beauty before the tourists arrive.

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