The Thai resort town of Khao Lak is rapidly developing into a popular destination for families. Located just over an hour's drive north of Phuket on the Andaman coast, this once tranquil coastal town is enjoying increasing popularity thanks to its pristine white sand beaches and its proximity to the breathtaking Similan Islands and Khao Sok National Park.

While not quite as bustling as Koh Samui or Phuket, the resort offers a wide selection of child-friendly restaurants and open-air bars where you can enjoy affordable Pad Thai and Singha beer. There are also plenty of activities outside the resort that will delight active children. Here are ten of the best.

1. Elephant Sanctuary by the Sea. Visit an elephant family in their home by the sea. This former elephant trekking camp has been repurposed and now offers its elephants a peaceful retirement. The focus is now on education and conservation rather than tourist riding excursions. Visitors receive an introduction to elephant conservation before they are allowed to feed the animals bananas.

Afterwards, you'll head to a nearby stream where you can change into your swimwear, jump in the water, and scrub your elephants. Following the elephant spa experience, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to the conservation of the reserve's mangroves by planting a mangrove seedling. The experience concludes with Thai coconut pancakes and rosehip tea. ecokhaolak.com

2. Bamboo raft trip on the Khao Lak River. There's hardly a more delightful way to spend a hot, humid day than drifting down the shaded river on a bamboo raft. Completely effortless – just be prepared to get wet (especially in the groin area), sit back, and relax. Along the way, your Thai gondoliers will point out the animals hiding in the overhanging rainforest as they steer your raft through both calm and rushing waters. ecokhaolak.com

3. Sea Turtle Sanctuary. There are two turtle sanctuaries in Khao Lak. The closest is a short drive from the town center, located on the grounds of the Royal Thai Navy's Third Fleet. The sanctuary is home to approximately 1,800 turtles of varying sizes. Most are hatchlings, which are kept here until they are large enough to have a better chance of survival. From March 1st to 10th each year, Khao Lak hosts a turtle festival where visitors can release the hatchlings into the sea.

4. Thai Cooking Class. Learn to prepare some local specialties at one of the cooking schools in Khao Lak. There are several schools to choose from, and Pui's Cooking School is particularly suitable for families, as you can decide what you want to cook. Join Pui at the local market to select fresh ingredients, learn how to prepare your favorite Thai dishes, and then enjoy a feast with the other classmates. puicooking.com

5. Tsunami Memorials. Khao Lak was almost completely destroyed by the 2004 tsunami on Thailand's east coast. Over 4,000 people died here, and boats scattered throughout Khao Lak serve as reminders of that tragic day. They were washed far inland and left behind (one of them is located at the Turtle Sanctuary). The main memorial, Baan Nam Khem Memorial Park, consists of two walls: a curved, wave-like wall and another covered with nameplates.

6. Snorkel in the Similan Islands. Khao Lak is the closest port to Thailand's Similan Islands, known for their beautiful coral reefs and resident turtles. Sea Bees Diving offers daily trips to various islands for snorkelers and divers – by far the most comfortable way to travel – on their high-speed catamaran. The Monday and Wednesday trips to Islands 4, 5, 6, and 7 are particularly suitable for snorkelers and novice divers. On Saturdays and Sundays, divers can look for manta rays at Koh Bon, and on Sundays, they can swim with reef sharks and turtles at Island 9. Children aged 10 and up can learn to dive in Thailand. sea-bees.com

7. Experience ziplining at Elephant Fly Zipline. Glide through the lush rainforest canopy in the rolling hills behind Khao Lak on this challenging yet exhilarating treetop adventure course. Soar down eleven ziplines, cross five suspension bridges, test your balance on bike and skateboard zip lines, and show off your broomstick flying skills on the "Harry Potter" course. zipline-khaolak.com

8. Kayaking in the "Little Amazon." Take a guided full-day kayaking tour through the vast mangrove forests north of Khao Lak, known as the "Little Amazon." The tour also includes a visit to the morning markets in the historic town of Takuapa, a guided hike through the lush rainforest of Si Phang-Nga National Park, and a trip to Tam Nang Waterfall. khaolaktourplan.com

9. Overnight stay in a floating house on Khao Sok Lake. Take a day trip to Cheow Lan Lake, a vast reservoir surrounded by towering limestone mountains. Explore the lake by longtail boat, swim in the clear freshwater, or grab a kayak to discover the islands. Children will love searching the treetops for monkeys, gibbons, and hornbills. Even better, spend the night in one of the floating houses on the lake and drift off to sleep to the sounds of the surrounding jungle. elephanthills.com

10. Koh Phra Thong. This hidden gem is an hour's drive north of Khao Lak and another hour by longtail boat through extensive mangrove forests. It's worth spending at least two nights here to explore the nearby "savannah," snorkel at the pristine reefs of the nearby islands of Koh Pling Lek and Koh Pling Yai, or simply relax in one of the resort's hammocks while the kids play on the beach (which they'll have all to themselves). More information

The Sands Khao Lak. This huge 4-star hotel offers family rooms and two-bedroom suites for teenagers, making it ideal for families of all sizes and ages. Located directly on the beautiful Nang Thong beach, the resort features two large lagoon pools, a playground, a kids' club, a gym, and a spa. There are two restaurants within the resort itself, and many more can be found at the end of the access road. thesandskhaolak.com

Moken Eco Village. This tranquil retreat is located on Koh Phra Thong and is accessible from the mainland by longtail boat. The resort consists of eleven bungalows, each with its own unique design, and is powered entirely by solar energy. The resort offers a morning savannah tour, where you can experience the sunrise over Thailand's version of an African savannah, and in the evening, enjoy the sunset at the resort in a picturesque, wine-glass-shaped bay. mokenecovillage.com