October, kid-friendly beach holiday ideas? Sri lanka, Sulawesi... (or others)?

[dry]

Hello,
Looking ideas and suggestions for a beach holiday.  We have two kids-3 and 6 yrs. of age.  We would like snorkeling for the kids and a kids club.  Husband suggesting Sri Lanka or Sulawesi-anyone been there with kids?  If so, where to go and hotel recommendations if possible?
Or other places/ideas?
We have been to Phuket and Bali many times-would return but also like to try other places.

Thanks for any help.

[some ideas]

Maldives, Bandos has a decent kids club, most islands don't though.

Gili islands Lombok fits the bill, maybe Langkawi as well.

Other option could be Kota Kinabalu.  Nice hotels and a marine park (Tunku Abdul Rahman) close by, don't know what snorkelling off the beach is like.

Could also try Cebu in Phillippines (or a bunch of other places but Cebu is a direct flight which I'm assuming you want with kids that age).

Closer to home and less choice of upmarket hotels (but some ok) Tioman, Redang, Perhentian.  Closer still but need to drive somewhere like Rawa is ok for a chilled out weekend.

As for those suggested.

Sri Lanka, not sure how good snorkelling is close to beach and when I went see was pretty choppy but maybe.  Didn't take kids and didn't see anywhere there would have been much good for them.  Lots of grief from touts as well as soon as you leave hotel area.

Sulawesi, been a few times.  Decent snorkelling is not off the mainland but the places at the national park which, with one exception (Siladen) are more backpacker-ish.  Doubt anywhere except maybe Sedona has a kids club (mainland).  Snorkelling is however good if you are ok to sit on a boat getting there and back most of the day (at least you will probably see dolphins on the way).  I'm assuming here you are looking at Manado area.  Took the kids and stayed at Tasik Ria which has a nice pool and a very average (at best) beach, was ok but not likely what you are after and again is mainland and a lengthy boat trip away from decent snorkelling.  There are other places in Sulawesi but with the exception of Lembeh (weird creatures but probably won't see much snorkelling and no beach) but they are both harder to get to and potentially dangerous.

[posspossposs]

Far North Queensland, Cairns or Palm Cove or you could try an island like Dunk.  At least you would know that there were some safety standards involved with kids and child care.

[to pp]

While suggestion is fine and some places have iffy standards, good hotels in asia are fine and mostly make western and oz look silly by comparison. Safety included.

[to some ideas]

i'm not the op, but what a great posting you did.
thank you so much for taking the time to write some fantastic ideas, i think anyone who reads what you have written will get some great ideas and tips from your suggestions.
it was great to read such an interesting post, you have given some great suggestions to consider....
thank you!

[some ideas]

i'm not the op, but what a great posting you did.
thank you so much for taking the time to write some fantastic ideas, i think anyone who reads what you have written will get some great ideas and tips from your suggestions.
it was great to read such an interesting post, you have given some great suggestions to consider....
thank you!

Thanks, nice to be of help.

Cheers

[dry]

Hello-
Yes thanks so much for all of the great travel ideas-they are greatly appreciated!  And thanks for taking the time to post. 
We may look into Cebu-(we've been there pre-kids, so maybe we'll return with the kiddos).  Same with Borneo-forgot about this consideration-it's a very good idea.  Also never thought of Gili islands.
And thanks for the comments regarding Sri Lanka and Sulawesi-nice to hear these based upon your experiences.
I'd love Australia, but do not want a 10 hour plane ride this time-we are looking for something a bit closer, but thanks for ideas.
Any information regarding the monsoon season for Malaysian east coast in October?

[some ideas]

Hello-
Yes thanks so much for all of the great travel ideas-they are greatly appreciated!  And thanks for taking the time to post. 
We may look into Cebu-(we've been there pre-kids, so maybe we'll return with the kiddos).  Same with Borneo-forgot about this consideration-it's a very good idea.  Also never thought of Gili islands.
And thanks for the comments regarding Sri Lanka and Sulawesi-nice to hear these based upon your experiences.
I'd love Australia, but do not want a 10 hour plane ride this time-we are looking for something a bit closer, but thanks for ideas.
Any information regarding the monsoon season for Malaysian east coast in October?

Oct Nov is change of monsoon.  Tioman basically shut Nov to feb.  It kind of moves down the coast so Redang and Perhentian may be worse earlier by a week or two.  Early Oct should be fine, late you are chancing your arm.

Living here you should know though, it isn't going to be miserable all day every day but the sea may get a bit dodgy especially for little ones.

[suggest]

for snorkelling i would suggest phillipines

Sri Lanka waters have lots of current so i would stay clear of the place for snorkelling

[dry]

Hello again and thanks for the previous replies.

Here is another question-what about Phi Phi islands (in October)?  Any kid friendly hotels?  Any firsthand info. regarding snorkeling with kids? 
 Hotel does not necessarily have to have a kids' club but any that  offer "family type" accommodation (like a suite or adjoining rooms)? I've researched but not having any luck regarding  family accommodation type rooms.

Thanks again!

[maybe try]

Hello again and thanks for the previous replies.

Here is another question-what about Phi Phi islands (in October)?  Any kid friendly hotels?  Any firsthand info. regarding snorkeling with kids? 
 Hotel does not necessarily have to have a kids' club but any that  offer "family type" accommodation (like a suite or adjoining rooms)? I've researched but not having any luck regarding  family accommodation type rooms.

Thanks again!

Holiday Inn?  Snorkelling off beach in front of hotel.  To be honest Phi Phi isn't really set up for kids but it looks ok.

Often snorkelling is done on boat trips to say Maya Bay at Phi Phi Ley.  It isn't far but Oct is also still tail end of monsoon, going a month later may be a fair bit better.

Also anywhere like Maya Bay and Ton Sai Bay need to keep an eye out for boat traffic, while it is generally ok you do get a lot of boats around.

[AnyaJohn]

Oct Nov is change of monsoon.  Tioman basically shut Nov to feb.  It kind of moves down the coast so Redang and Perhentian may be worse earlier by a week or two.  Early Oct should be fine, late you are chancing your arm.