What actually matters with children
Crossing length above everything. Keep every hop under 90 minutes, choose conventional ferries over speedboats because they roll far less, and never plan two transfers in one day.
Inspiration5 min read
Best Islands for Families
Shallow water, short crossings and self-catering space: the three things that make or break a family hop.
Naxos, Greece
Agios Prokopios and Plaka have long shallow sand, tavernas at the top of the beach and a 35-minute ferry to Paros. The best family island in the Cyclades and noticeably cheaper than its neighbours.
Koh Lanta, Thailand
Klong Dao beach is shallow and calm for hundreds of metres, the island is reachable by road bridge as well as ferry, and family bungalows with pools cost a fraction of European prices.
Panglao, Philippines and Jolly Harbour, Antigua
Panglao pairs easy beaches with tarsiers and the Chocolate Hills, which children remember. Jolly Harbour offers self-catering space and calm water on the Caribbean's most swimmable coast.