Koh Kood Island – Full Travel Guide & Best Things 2024
Congratulations! You’ve just discovered Thailand’s best-kept secret: Koh Kood Island. After exploring many islands in Thailand, we were surprised to find a place like Koh Kood that has it all: the most beautiful beaches and no crowds.
Koh Kood is undoubtedly the best island we have ever visited in Thailand, featuring stunning beaches with soft white sand, crystal-clear water, and a backdrop of palm tree forests. Even more impressive, most of these beaches are completely empty.
This guide has everything you need to know about visiting Koh Kood, including the best beaches and the top 15 things to do for an unforgettable experience. We also cover the best ways to get there, where to stay, where to eat, and much more.
Why is Koh Kood the Best Island in Thailand?
There are many reasons why Koh Kood is the best island in Thailand:
- Koh Kood Island is not well-known among tourists and is not on the typical Thailand itinerary, making it perfect for escaping the crowds found on Thailand’s famous islands.
- Koh Kood is a laid-back island ideal for enjoying nature and relaxing. There is no shopping scene, no nightlife, and no distractions. Unlike other islands, Koh Kood is not overdeveloped; it is covered in forests and surrounded by rivers, waterfalls, and beaches.
- The island boasts some of the best beaches you will ever see in Thailand.
- It is also a few hours closer to Bangkok than the other islands in the south, being only 5-6 hours away from the capital city.
- We found some of the best local Thai food places to eat on this island; keep reading to find out where they are.
Simply put, if you have to choose only one island to visit in Thailand, Koh Kood is it. Places like this island are, unfortunately, hard to find. We are thrilled to have discovered this hidden gem and can now tell you how to visit the best island in Thailand.
Why Do People Choose Not to Visit Koh Kood?
Why is Koh Kood not on the typical backpacker’s route? Most tourists visit the famous destinations in Thailand, such as Chiang Mai and Pai in the north and Koh Samui, Phuket, and Krabi in the south. The Trat islands, including Koh Kood, are simply not on the way when traveling to these popular places.
Traveling from Bangkok to Koh Kood requires a full day of travel to southeast Thailand (near the Cambodian border), and after visiting the island, you have to travel back to Bangkok. This makes some think it’s not worth the journey, but it is very much worth it. After visiting Koh Kood, we felt that all the other popular islands in the south were not as beautiful and special as Koh Kood.
Another reason people might choose not to visit Koh Kood on their Thailand trip is that it is slightly pricier than other Thai islands. However, if you’re on a budget, don’t let this deter you. There are budget accommodations and food spots; they are just limited. If you book your stay in advance, you won’t have to spend more in Koh Kood than you would on other islands.
Additionally, there is no shopping, nightlife, or touristy tours where you will spend your money. Chances are high you’ll spend most of your time in Koh Kood on the beach or exploring the island on a scooter.
Koh Kood’s remote location and limited, pricier infrastructure keep the crowds away. Because of that we think Koh Kood will remain a paradise for much longer.
Where is Koh Kood Located?
Koh Kood is located in Trat Province in the Gulf of Thailand, only 40 km from the Cambodian border. It’s one of the Trat islands, along with Koh Chang and Koh Mak.
Koh Kood Map Pins
Open our free map pins in Google Maps to save them for your next trip.
Best Time to Visit Koh Kood?
The best time to visit Koh Kood is during the dry season, from November to April, when you can enjoy sunny weather and calm seas. This period offers perfect conditions for beach activities and exploring the island. December, January, and February are the driest months of the year and the high season, but this is not an issue since the island is not overrun by mass tourism.
You can visit Koh Kood year-round; however, the wet season, from May to October, brings heavier rainfall and rougher seas. Rainfall during this period is more intense compared to other Thai islands. Ferries operate infrequently and only if weather conditions permit, with some businesses on the island possibly closing. We do not recommend visiting during the rainy season, but if you do, it’s the ideal time to witness the island’s waterfalls at their fullest and most impressive due to the rain.
Temperatures remain consistent throughout the year, averaging 30°C during the day and 20-25°C at night.
How Long to Stay in Koh Kood?
Koh Kood is one of the larger islands in Thailand and offers many great things to do. Consider spending 4-7 days on Koh Kood and visiting Koh Mak afterward to make the trip from Bangkok even more worthwhile.
We spent 5 days on the island and were able to see and do everything we wanted, but we definitely wished we had more time to spend there and could have imagined staying on Koh Kood for weeks. Koh Kood is the kind of island where you can spend days relaxing at the beach without doing anything and still experience some of the best natural beauty Thailand has to offer.
Check out our 10 best things to do on Koh Kood to get an idea of how you want to spend your days and how long you want to stay.
How to Get to Koh Kood?
Short answer: The organized transfer (bus + ferry + taxi) is your best option. Check availability and the exact price on 12go.
This question caused us a lot of effort because we were looking for the smartest and most budget-friendly option from Bangkok without having to stay overnight in Trat City. Additionally, it is confusing as there are different piers to the Trat Islands, various transport vehicles like slow ferries, faster catamarans, and speedboats, and different companies. You can find our personal recommendation below.
If you’re coming from abroad, chances are high that you’ll start your trip from Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. From Bangkok, you have different options:
Fly to Trat (FAST & EXPENSIVE)
You can take a short 1-hour flight from Bangkok to Trat, then organize a taxi to the Laem Sok pier and a speedboat to Koh Kood. This is the fastest option but also the most expensive, and you will have to organize everything by yourself.
Organized Transfer (BEST OPTION)
A combined bus and ferry ticket for 1200 THB is the smartest option, ensuring your transfer is smooth, you arrive on the island the same day, and it remains budget-friendly. The bus departs from Bangkok in the early morning and brings you to Koh Kood in 6 hours, including lunch, snacks, water, and transfer to your hotel. Check availability and the exact price on 12go.
Public Transport (CHEAP & TRICKY)
You can self-organize your transfer by taking a local bus from the Bangkok Eastern Bus Terminal called Ekamai (MRT linked) to Trat (300 THB), a songthaew taxi to the Laem Sok pier (80 THB), and then the ferry to Koh Kood (400-600 THB). Check this page for updated schedules. There are buses from Bangkok that go directly to the Laem Sok pier, saving you the songthaew taxi from Trat town to the pier.
When you arrive at the Laem Sok pier, you will have to hope for available tickets without a reservation. On the other hand, if you make a reservation, what if you don’t make it on time with the bus coming from Bangkok? No one will guarantee you’ll make it to the island on the same day. This was the main reason we chose the combined and organized transfer.
Private Transfer
If you’re traveling with friends or family, consider booking a private transfer on GetTransfer, which we used once for this journey and found very convenient.
Night in Trat
If you arrive late in Trat, consider staying overnight and visiting the Trat night market. We recommend Pano Solar Guesthouse ($), BaanRimNam Resort ($$) which are withing walking distance of both the bus station and the night market
Another reason to stay the night is that the ferry to Koh Kood, which departs at 12:30 PM, costs only 400 baht per person. Other ferries cost 500 to 600 baht. Be sure to ask your accommodation to reserve a ticket for this ferry, the Princess Ferry, as it is popular due to the lower price.
Catching the 12:30 PM ferry when coming from Bangkok in the morning can be difficult. As mentioned, the organized transfer is the best option from Bangkok to Koh Kood if you prefer to avoid spending a night in Trat.
Important Facts
Some facts about the journey to Koh Kood to keep in mind:
- The journey from Bangkok to the piers in Trat can take between 4 to 6 hours, depending on the traffic.
- Laem Sok is the main pier to Koh Kood; however, if you’re going to Koh Mak, both Laem Sok and Laem Ngop piers are used.
- There is no vehicle ferry to Koh Kood Island.
- There is limited boat service during the rainy season between June and September.
- The boat transfer to Koh Kood takes between 1 and 2 hours.
- Ao Salad, a fishing village, is the pier where the boats in Koh Kood arrive.
- Once in Koh Kood, you can arrange a pickup from your hotel or hop on a songthaew taxi for a small fee. If you travel with Boonsiri Company, they will drop you off at your hotel for free.
- You can find direct transfers to Koh Kood from Koh Chang.
- From Koh Mak, a daily budget-friendly boat runs between the two islands, costing 400 THB.
- This website has updated schedules and different options: https://tratferries.com/all-routes
Personal Tip
This is our personal recommendation and experience for traveling from Bangkok to Koh Mak and Koh Kood. After extensive research, we have found the smartest and most budget-friendly way to travel from Bangkok to the Trat Islands.
Step 1: Bangkok to Koh Mak
We recommend starting your journey by going to Koh Mak with an organized transfer (a combined bus, ferry, and taxi ticket) for two reasons:
- Guarantee: It ensures you reach the island on the same day. All connections are guaranteed by the provider.
- Good Deal: The self-organized trip costs around 1,000 THB, making the 1,200 THB transfer from Bangkok a good deal.
- No Worries: The journey was pleasant and relaxing since everything was arranged for you.
Step 2: Koh Mak to Koh Kood
After visiting Koh Mak, opt for the budget-friendly 400 THB Boonsiri option to travel to Koh Kood, which offers the best value for the cheapest price.
Step 3: Koh Kood to Bangkok
When returning from Koh Kood to Bangkok, we suggest traveling on your own for two reasons:
- Money Saving: There is one ferry from Koh Kood to the mainland costing 400 THB, cheaper than Koh Mak, where all boats cost 600 THB. This means you can travel from Koh Kood to Bangkok for 760 THB.
- Flexible Timing: You can arrive in Bangkok anytime without worrying about missing the last ferry, unlike when traveling to an island.
Cost Breakdown
- Bangkok to Koh Mak: 1,200 THB
- Koh Mak to Koh Kood: 400 THB
- Koh Kood to the Pier: 400 THB
- Songthaew Taxi from Mainland Pier to Trat Bus Station: 80 THB
- Trat Bus Station to Bangkok: 280 THB
You will arrive at the Ekamai bus terminal in Bangkok, which has an MRT station, making it easy to move around the city. Alternatively, you can book a Grab.
Why Not Travel to Koh Kood on Your Own from Bangkok?
You might wonder why we don’t recommend traveling to Koh Kood on your own from Bangkok if there is one ferry costing only 400 THB. Here’s why:
The cheap ferry leaves from Trat around 12:30, making it difficult to catch from Bangkok due to unpredictable bus stops and traffic.The other boats cost around 600 THB, making the bus combined transfer package, priced at 1,200 THB, a worthwhile investment. Remember the ticket price includes a bus ride from Bangkok to Trat, a shuttle to the pier, the ferry ride, and a taxi to your accommodation in Koh Kood.
How to Get Around in Koh Kood?
The distances between attractions range from a 5 to 40-minute drive, but everything is located on the west coast. There is a single main coastal road on the west side of the island, running from north to south. This road connects all the key places, beaches, accommodations, restaurants, and villages on the island. When you leave the main road to visit these places, you’ll usually find a short dirt road branching off.
Koh Kood has many hills, which can make the roads steep and curvy. However, driving on the island is generally pleasant and safe, with little traffic and well-maintained streets.
Rent a Scooter on Koh Kood
As the fifth largest island in Thailand, Koh Kood is best explored by renting a motorbike. It is usually the best way to get around independently in Thailand.
You can rent a scooter from your accommodation for 250-300 THB per day. If you rent it for multiple days, you will often receive a small discount. Remember to wear a helmet, even if you don’t see many people wearing one on the island. Better safe than sorry.
Having your own scooter offers a lot of flexibility and freedom, allowing you to discover smaller jungle roads that lead to secluded, deserted beaches.
Taxi Songthaew on Koh Kood
There are taxi songthaews that can give you a lift for a small fee. This is very convenient, especially if you don’t want to drive yourself. There is no public transportation on the island.
Private Vehicle on Koh Kood
Unfortunately, you can’t bring your own car or scooter to Koh Kood. There is no vehicle ferry, similar to Koh Mak.
Walking on Koh Kood
The island is big, so if you want to be able to walk to the beach or restaurants, make sure to choose wisely where you stay. Check out: Where to Stay in Koh Kood
Information about Koh Kood
Koh Kood is the fifth largest island in Thailand, measuring 25 km long and 12 km wide. It is covered in mountains, cliffs, rivers, waterfalls, jungles, and plantations.
There is no central area on Koh Kood; instead, larger beaches host accommodations and restaurants, attracting more people. The place with the most infrastructure is White Beach.
Almost everything on Koh Kood is situated on the western side. A coastal road connects everything on the island from north to south along the western coast. The only villages on the eastern coast are the two fishing villages, Ao Salad and Ao Yai.
The Trat islands, including Koh Kood, are closer to Bangkok by land than the islands in southern Thailand. If you have limited time, consider traveling southeast instead of southwest, like most tourists, to beat the crowds and find paradise.
There is no backpacking scene on Koh Kood as there are no hostels and only a few budget accommodations. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit as a backpacker. You’ll likely meet a few more backpackers on the island, as they all stay in the same places. There are no 7-Elevens on Koh Kood, ensuring there is no overdevelopment or overconstruction.
Best Tours in Koh Kood
Don’t want to plan and arrange everything by yourself? Want to connect with new people?
Organized tours always ensure a stress-free and enjoyable experience.
Discover top-rated and handpicked Koh Kood tours.
Where to Stay in Koh Kood
On Koh Kood, you can find many options for mid-range and luxurious stays. One of the best and most well-known luxurious accommodations is the famous Soneva Kiri, a high-end place to stay with sea-view villas, private swimming pools, and private gyms, reachable by speedboat or helicopter.
However, there are now more budget-friendly places to stay than in the past, though the selection is still small. Book in advance as they sell out fast. Recommended budget options are Little Hut, Wooden Hut, Ban Choengkao.
Find out below why where you stay is important and our two favorite areas to stay in Koh Kood.
3 Reasons Your Koh Kood Accommodation Choice Matters
- You’ll likely spend a lot of time at the beach near your accommodation. Make sure to choose one of the most beautiful beaches to base yourself on.
- Koh Kood is a large island. If you prefer walking to a beautiful beach and nearby restaurants rather than always renting a scooter, we highly recommend staying somewhere with a great location.
- Your experience on the island will be significantly influenced by where you stay. We highly recommend choosing accommodations with top reviews that will likely meet or exceed your expectations.
For us personally, two things were important: we wanted to be within walking distance of a wild and deserted beach with no people around, and we were looking for local cheap food, so it had to be close to a village with local food options.
Stay near Ao Thapao Beach
In our opinion, the best area to stay is close to Ao Thapao Beach. It’s where we found the cheapest and most delicious local food, and where we saw many locals and fewer tourists compared to other areas.
You can find affordable places to stay, such as Little Hut ($), which is located a 30-minute walk from the beach and 10-15 minutes from most local restaurants. Alternatively, you can stay closer to the beach at Wave-F ($$) or the beachfront Shantaa Resort ($$$).
Ao Thapao Beach was our favorite on the island. If you walk to the left after passing the Seafar Resort, you’ll find yourself on a deserted, wild beach with a backdrop of a beautiful palm tree forest and crystal-clear water. We spent a few hours there every day, enjoying paradise to ourselves. Honestly, this beach was the reason we didn’t want to leave Koh Kood.
Stay near Ao Thapao Beach if you’re on a budget and looking for a guesthouse or cheaper bungalow, along with the best affordable local food options.
- Budget ($): Little Hut
- Mid-range ($$): Wave-F
- Luxury ($$$): Shantaa Resort
Stay near Bang Bao Beach or Haad Khlong Hin Beach
The second-best place to stay is the area close to the two best-ranked beaches on the island: Bang Bao Beach and Haad Khlong Hin Beach. Here, you can find some of the best beachfront accommodations on the island, such as the Sand and Sea ($) which is only bookable on Facebook, Siam Beach Resort ($$) and The Beach Natural Resort ($$$).
- Budget ($): Sand and Sea
- Mid-range ($$): Siam Beach Resort
- Luxury ($$$): The Beach Natural Resort
Best Accommodations in Koh Kood
Check out top-rated and handpicked accommodations in Koh Kood at different price ranges.
Whatever accommodation you prefer, we highly recommend booking as soon as possible, as the best deals are the first to go.
Budget ($)
Mid-range ($$)
Luxury ($$$)
Best Local Food in Koh Kood
We’re always looking for the best places to eat delicious and cheap local food. Our four favorite local places to eat were:
- Tai Yai Restaurant: Located behind White Beach. It has a fantastic location for lunch, no matter which beach on Koh Kood you are visiting in the morning. They only offer 2-3 dishes, all of which are very delicious and cheap, around 60-70 THB.
- Pangya Kitchen: Our favorite, offers a lot of choices at very cheap prices. The waiting time can be longer if you go during peak times.
- Kodmookrob Restaurant Koh Kood: The meat and rice dishes are amazing, and the vibe is very nice. You also get a small clear soup, with very friendly service.
- Thai Cafe + Restaurant: No tourists here, only locals. The portions are huge, and the food is very authentic.
For the best coffee on the island and for us, even one of the best in Thailand, we found it at Little 9 Coffee. It’s also an amazing place to work if you need to get some laptop work done.
For the best fruit shakes on the island, head to the Fruit Shake Shop in Koh Kood, which serves some of the most delicious fruit shakes we have ever had. It’s located next to the road between the two beautiful beaches, Bang Bao Beach and Haad Khlong Hin Beach.
If you’re craving the best coconut ice cream and are visiting the Khlong Yai Kee Waterfall, stop at Mr. & Mrs. Coconut Shop for amazing homemade coconut ice cream and other coconut products. One delicious ice cream cup is a big portion and costs 70 THB.
At this Streetfood Shop you can get delicious Thai roti for 10 THB each or with some fillings for a little more. They also have delicious fried chicken, chicken popcorn, and chicken skin.
Where to Eat in Koh Kood?
If you’re looking for more touristy places to eat than the local places mentioned above, check out these top-rated restaurants:
- Best Italian food: Pizza & Pasta
- Best atmosphere: The Fisherman’s Hut or The Corner Drinks & Food
- Best Thai food: Black Bananas
- Best seafood: JK Khao Kaeng
7 Best Beaches on Koh Kood
Here is our personal ranking of the beaches in Koh Kood. They are undoubtedly the top attractions on the island and some of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand.
We generally recommend visiting the beaches at high tide, as it makes accessing the water easier and enhances their beauty. Check the tide times online, as every day is different and some days even have more than one high tide and low tide.
1. Ao Taphao Beach
Ao Taphao Beach was our favorite beach on Koh Kood. Why? For many reasons, including its budget-friendly accommodations and restaurants, and most importantly, the breathtaking, untouched stretch of beach with a backdrop of palm trees. We visited every day and were continually impressed by this stretch of beach that we had all to ourselves.
Ao Taphao Beach stretches over 1 kilometer of soft, white sand with plenty of shaded spots under large trees and offers amazing sunsets. The water is perfectly clear with various turquoise shades.
We loved staying within walking distance of this beach. You can find accommodations in various price ranges, both on the beach and behind it, such as:
- Budget ($): Little Hut
- Mid-range ($$): Wave-F
- Luxury ($$$): Shantaa Resort
2. Bang Bao Beach
Bang Bao Beach was our second favorite beach in Koh Kood. It’s very picturesque and also one of the most popular beaches. Some of the most beautiful resorts on the island are located directly on the beach, such as Sand and Sea ($) which is only bookable on Facebook, Siam Beach Resort ($$) and The Beach Natural Resort ($$$).
Bang Bao Beach looks like a postcard, with white sand and small, curved palm trees. In the clear, shallow water, you’ll find hammocks directly over the water’s surface. The only downside is that the sand beach here is narrow.
On Bang Bao Beach, you can rent kayaks or SUPs to explore the coastline on your own. There are some piers here: one in the middle and another at the left end of the resort, which is perfect for snorkeling.
- Budget ($): Sand and Sea
- Mid-range ($$): Siam Beach Resort
- Luxury ($$$): The Beach Natural Resort
3. Khlong Hin Beach
Khlong Hin Beach is a smaller beach located south of Bang Bao Beach. We highly recommend visiting this beach at high tide to experience the stunning sight of palm trees touching the ocean waves and a picturesque swing located in the water. Khlong Hin Beach is connected to a river and offers stunning accommodations over the water.
4. Khlong Chao Beach / White Beach
Klong Chao Beach, also known as White Beach, is the main beach of Koh Kood, with a variety of accommodations in different price ranges both on the beachfront and along the river behind it, which connects the beach to the Khlong Chao Waterfall. Around the beach area, you can find numerous restaurants, cafes, shops, and even ATMs.
The beauty of this beach is enhanced by the palm trees lining the beautiful white sand. There are also some swings, adding to the picturesque quality of the place. The beach looks especially beautiful from above, with a “sandbank” formation located at one end where the sea connects to a river next to the beach.
- Budget ($): Ta Yai Homestay
- Mid-range ($$): Mangrove Bungalow & Restaurant
- Luxury ($$$): Tinkerbell Resort
5. Ao Phrao Beach
The southernmost beach on western Koh Kood is Ao Phrao Beach. Note that only the west coast of Koh Kood is accessible, the rest remains wild and untamed.
This beach is more remote compared to others and has only a few accommodation options, making it a quiet and undeveloped retreat. If you plan to stay here, I-Lay House ($) is a budget-friendly option, otherwise, you can stay at Rest Sea Resort ($$$).
Ao Phrao Beach is long and spacious. At high tide, it’s ideal for swimming, and you can even jump from the pier directly into the water. If you walk to the northern end of the beach, you’ll find picturesque hammocks set up in the water.
Unfortunately, the wild beach area, not in front of the resorts, was full of trash when we visited. It might vary by season, so your experience could be different.
6. Ao Jark Beach
Ao Jark Beach on Koh Kood is a beautiful, less-developed beach. Similar to Ao Phrao Beach, it’s remote and offers only a handful of accommodation options with direct access to the beach, such as Rim Lay ($$), Walk in homestay ($$)
and Koh Kood Club ($$$).
If you walk to the southern end of the beach, you’ll find a wild area with a backdrop of palm trees surrounding a picturesque river.
- Mid-range 1 ($$): Rim Lay
- Mid-range 2 ($$): Walk in homestay
- Luxury ($$$): Koh Kood Club
7. Smaller Beaches
There are many small beaches worth visiting; some are harder to access but offer a secluded experience, usually with just one resort attached to the beach. Examples include Yai Kee Beach and Ao Noi Beach, which features a beautiful pier and numerous palm trees.
15 Best Things to Do on Koh Kood Island
Koh Kood is home to some of the best beaches we have ever seen in Thailand, dense jungles, rivers, hidden waterfalls, and traditional fishing villages. There are many things to do on Koh Kood, enough to keep you busy for at least a week.
1. Relax on the Beaches
If you feel like doing nothing but enjoying the beautiful beaches, go for it. Above, you can find the 7 best beaches on Koh Kood.
2. Waterfalls on Koh Kood
Koh Kood not only offers stunning beaches but also beautiful waterfalls. Visit one or all three of the waterfalls on Koh Kood: Khlong Chao Waterfall, Khlong Yai Kee Waterfall, and Huang Nam Kaew Waterfall.
2.1 Khlong Chao Waterfall
The most popular is Khlong Chao Waterfall, with a deep and fresh water pool perfect for swimming and cooling down and rope jumps. While there is water year-round, the volume varies depending on the month.
To visit, you can rent a motorbike or hop on a songthaew taxi and follow a short 10-minute jungle trail to the waterfall. This is the most popular waterfall on the island, so we recommend visiting early in the morning to enjoy it without the crowds.
2.2 Khlong Yai Kee Waterfall
Khlong Yai Kee Waterfall is less popular, likely due to its dryness during the dry season, making it more appealing to visit during the rainy season. We usually check the latest reviews with images on Google Maps and ask locals about the current water situation at waterfalls we plan to visit.
2.3 Huang Nam Kaew Waterfall
Huang Nam Kaew Waterfall is another beautiful waterfall on Koh Kood Island, best visited during the rainy season or just after, as it tends to dry up during the busy dry season.
3. Explore on a Scooter
One of the best ways to explore Koh Kood is by renting a scooter. It’s the best way to enjoy the island’s beautiful beaches and palm tree-lined roads. Unlike Koh Chang, Koh Kood has little traffic, making it safer for scooter driving. However, there are many hills, so make sure to wear a helmet and ensure your brakes are in good condition.
You can rent a scooter directly where you stay. The price is usually 250-300 THB per day and can be negotiated if you rent the scooter for multiple days. You can find small self-service gas stations around the island, and many places sell fuel in one-liter Coca-Cola glass bottles.
4. Kayaking & SUP
Want to be active while exploring Koh Kood? This island offers various opportunities for kayaking and paddleboarding. You can either rent the equipment on a beach like Bang Bao Beach to explore the coast or rent it behind White Beach at the river to explore the mangroves.
SUP Point Koh Kood rents kayaks and paddleboards for 300-500 THB for around 3 hours. You can navigate the river surrounded by mangroves upstream to Khlong Chao Waterfall or downstream until you reach the sea and White Beach.
DID YOU KNOW? Some resorts even offer free kayaks, while others might charge a small fee.
5. Fishing Villages
Visit these fishing villages to experience the traditional and authentic local way of life. The villages consist of stilt houses over the sea with boardwalks and fishing nets between them. You can find restaurants offering fresh seafood such as Noochy Seafood in Ao Yai Fisherman Village.
6. Catch a Sunset
Watching the sunset is always a magical way to end the day. The sunsets on Koh Kood are spectacular. Ideal beaches for sunset are Ao Taphao, White Beach, and Sunset Beach, perfect for grabbing a drink, going for a swim, and enjoying the views. Another option is a romantic sunset cruise around the island.
7. Forest Trails
One of the amazing things about Koh Kood is how immersed in nature it is. You can drive around and explore many breathtaking nature trails leading to beautiful places. Our favorite was behind Ao Taphao Beach, where we found the most beautiful forest trails through hundreds of palm trees.
8. Visit Koh Mak
Koh Mak, our second favorite island in Thailand after Koh Kood, is a small island that is even more undeveloped and laid-back than Koh Kood and is located nearby. Accommodations are very limited, so make sure to book in advance.
Koh Mak is a beach paradise, perfect for relaxation. A day excursion from Koh Mak to Koh Kham left us speechless, confirming that we had found some of Thailand’s best-kept secrets.
- Budget ($): Pano Resort
- Mid-range ($$): Hidden Beach Resort
- Luxury ($$$): Seavana Koh Mak Beach Resort
9. Bars & Live Music
Koh Kood has no party scene, but there are a few places with a laid-back atmosphere, nice drinks, and live music that are perfect for spending the evening, such as Tawan Eco Bar and The Fisherman Hut.
Tawan Eco Bar is a truly special place on Koh Kood with a unique concept. Spend your night here enjoying live music and crafting your own drinks behind the bar. Yes, self-made! You can use the kitchen and all the ingredients provided to create delicious cocktails. Just put some cash in the box, whatever amount you feel is fair. It’s a place that feels like a friend’s house.
10. Island Hopping
Hop on a boat tour to explore nearby islands such as Koh Rang, Koh Mai Si, and Koh Kham.
11. Snorkeling and Diving
Take the open water diving course in Koh Kood and get your PADI certificate. Here, you can dive without any other tourists or boats.
For the best snorkeling, we recommend a trip to Koh Rok Marine Park with its clear waters.
12. Fishing
Try your hand at fishing and experience the local fishing culture. We have heard amazing things about fishing trips starting from Koh Kood.
13. Thai Cooking Classes
Learn to cook authentic Thai dishes with a local cooking class. This is always a must-do when visiting Thailand.
14. Massage, Yoga & Meditation
Treat yourself to a Thai massage to feel re-energized. A top-rated massage place is Good View Massage, offering Thai massages for 300 THB per hour.
Relax your mind and body with yoga and meditation sessions on the beach.
15. Koh Kood's Oldest Tree
If you’re a nature lover, visit the oldest tree on Koh Kood, which locals say is 500 years old. You can visit it by yourself on a short scooter trip.
What to Bring on Koh Kood?
Don’t forget to bring enough cash from the mainland. When we visit Thailand, we like to bring euros to exchange in Bangkok instead of withdrawing cash at the ATM, as the fee is relatively high.
Bring all the essentials for spending lots of time in nature, especially at the beach: sun protection, swimwear, and mosquito repellent.
We always travel with our Deuter 40+10-liter backpack, which is light, usually accepted as hand luggage, and perfect for trekking or motorbike trips. We love to travel light. Check out our highly recommended travel essentials that you should consider packing for your trip to Thailand.
Tips for Koh Kood
We’ve listed some personal tips to help you make the most of your time in Koh Kood. Some are especially useful for saving money.
- If you don’t want to buy plastic water bottles, there are refilling stations where you can top up your bottle for just 1 baht.
- Check the low and high tides for beaches like Khlong Hin Beach. It’s best to visit during high tide when the palm trees meet the waves, creating a beautiful tropical postcard scene.
- Bring coconut oil or insect repellent to fend off sandflies; their bites can be very itchy and annoying.
- Book your preferred accommodation in advance. Good deals go fast because there aren’t many budget options. Most places have limited rooms and sell out quickly, with prices rising significantly as availability decreases. Check availability on booking.com and agoda.com.
- We’ve found cheaper prices on both Agoda and Booking.com, so we recommend comparing both to get the best deal.
- While there are ATMs on the island, you never know how reliable they are. It’s a good idea to bring enough cash from the mainland. Most places don’t accept card payments or charge a 3-5% fee for card transactions.
- Note that there is a 220 THB fee for all ATM transactions in Thailand. We recommend using Krung Sri Bank ATMs, which offer the highest withdrawal limit of 10,000 baht.
Costs of Koh Kood
As mentioned above, there is no backpacker scene on Koh Kood, and most travelers coming here want to stay in nice resorts, such as the Shantaa Resort. Expect prices to be slightly more expensive than on other islands.
However, don’t think it’s not possible to travel on a budget here; we did it. The best advice we can give you is to book your favorite budget accommodation in advance and eat at local Thai restaurants, all mentioned above in this guide.
You can spend most of your time in nature, especially on the beaches, which have no entrance fee and only require renting a scooter for 250 THB a day. Even if your accommodation will be a little more expensive than on other Thai islands, for us, Koh Kood was worth it; we finally found the best Thai island with beaches that look like postcards.
Here are some costs we noted during our stay on Koh Kood:
- For a basic room in a guesthouse: prices start at 600 THB
- For a room in a beach resort: prices start at 1200 THB
- Local meal: 60-90 THB
- Coconut ice cream: 70 THB
- Traditional plain roti: 10 THB
- Iced latte: 60 THB
- Fruit juice: 50 THB
- Scooter: 250-300 THB per day
- 1-liter gas: 50 THB
- Laundry: 50 THB per kg, 24h to return
- Kayak & SUP: 300-500 THB for 3h
- Snorkeling tour: 1000 THB
Where to Go After Koh Kood?
After visiting Koh Kood, we highly recommend spending a couple of days on Koh Mak, which is just a short boat ride away.
In Trat Province, there are 52 islands, but most are uninhabited. Koh Chang, Koh Mak, and Koh Kood are the most well-known. These three islands differ significantly in terms of nature, beaches, accommodations, and development.
Koh Mak, located between Koh Chang and Koh Kood, is the smallest of the three. Like Koh Kood, Koh Mak is perfect for those seeking relaxation and natural beauty. There’s no nightlife, no mass tourism, and no shopping, just a laid-back, chill vibe.
Unlike Koh Kood, Koh Mak lacks mountains, cliffs, jungles, rivers, or waterfalls. It’s a beach paradise, with 90% of the island covered in flat green plantations and palm trees.
We’ve visited Koh Chang before and didn’t like it. For us, it felt overdeveloped and overcrowded and wasn’t as beautiful as Koh Kood. It has a big party and shopping scene similar to Koh Samui.
Conclusion
Koh Kood perfectly matched our high expectations of what Thailand should look like before visiting for the first time: white sand, blue water, empty beaches, and abundant palm trees.
If you want to spend your holidays in paradise on Koh Kood, ensure your experience begins with your accommodation. Stay at Shantaa Resort, it’s hard to get any closer to paradise.
Do yourself a favor and don’t miss this island! DM us on Instagram if you have any questions.
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