Many travelers fall in love with Koh Kood, an island known for its clear waters, quiet beaches, and relaxed atmosphere. With its lush jungle and laid-back pace, it feels far removed from Thailand’s busier destinations. Visiting Koh Kood offers a peaceful escape filled with natural beauty, gentle adventures, and plenty of time to unwind.
👀 At a Glance:
- 🗓️ Best time: November to March for dry warm weather
- 💰 Budget range: 800-25,000 baht per night accommodation
- ✈️ Getting there: Bus to Trat, then ferry (6-7 hours total)
- 🏝️ Must-see: Khlong Chao Beach and waterfall nearby
- 💡 Insider tip: Rent motorbike to explore the island fully
🏝️ Visit Koh Kood: Why This Thai Island Should Be Your Next Trip
Koh Kood is different from other islands in Thailand. It’s the fourth largest island in Thailand, but it feels tiny and quiet. Most people haven’t heard of Koh Kood yet compared to Koh Samui or Koh Phangan.
This beautiful island sits near the Cambodian border in Trat Province. It covers 62 square miles with a population of about 2,500 people. The island of Koh Kood remains part of Thailand despite its remote location. The Tourism Authority of Thailand provides helpful guides about visiting this paradise. Getting here takes effort, but that keeps crowds away.
Main Villages on Koh Kood Island
Three main villages define island life here. Ao Salad in the northeast has the pier where ferries arrive daily. Ban Khlong Hin Dam sits in the center with the only shops on the island. Ao Yai fishing village in the southeast stays wonderfully real where local fishermen still work the waters each morning.
Most resorts gather around three key beaches to stay on Koh Kood. Khlong Chao Beach has the most restaurants and hotels clustered together. Tapao Beach offers stunning sunset views over the Gulf of Thailand every evening. Bang Bao Beach stays quiet and remote on the west coast of the island.
Natural Attractions on Koh Kood
The island’s interior hides three beautiful waterfalls worth visiting during your trip. Khlong Chao Waterfall is easiest to reach from the main beach area. Klong Yai Kee Waterfall needs a longer hike through thick jungle trails. Huang Nam Keaw sits deep in the interior with pristine cool pools for swimming.
🚢 How to Get to Koh Kood from Bangkok: Ferry and Travel Guide
Getting to Koh Kood from Bangkok takes planning, but it’s absolutely worth the journey. The trip itself is part of visiting this tropical island paradise. You have three main ways to reach Koh Kood from the capital.
Ferry from Bangkok to Koh Kood
The journey from Bangkok to Koh Kood starts at Eastern Bus Terminal early morning. The ticket costs around 250 baht and takes about 5 hours to reach Trat town. Then grab a shared taxi from Trat to Laem Sok Pier for 60 baht more.
Three main ferry companies serve the route to this beautiful island. Boonsiri Ferry runs large comfortable catamarans on this route regularly. Seudamgo claims the fastest crossing at just 40 minutes using their modern boats. Koh Kood Princess runs the original slower service across the Gulf of Thailand waters.
Ferries run multiple times daily with departures at 10:45am, 1:00pm, and 4:00pm from Laem Sok Pier heading to Koh Kood. The boats arrive at the pier on Koh Kood at Ao Salad village. The crossing takes 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on which ferry you choose for your trip.
Book your ferry to Koh Kood ahead during high season especially in December. I once slept on a pier bench because the boat was completely full. The Tourism Authority of Thailand provides regular updates about travel to this part of the country.
Flight Option to Go to Koh Kood
Bangkok Airways flies from Bangkok to Trat Airport daily near the island location. The flight costs about 3,500 baht one way and takes just an hour. Then take a minibus from the airport to reach Koh Kood’s ferry pier. This is the fastest way to Koh Kood, cutting total time to 3 hours.
Some luxury resorts like Soneva Kiri offer private speedboat transfers for their guests. These boats leave from their private airport at Koh Mai Si island nearby. The service costs extra but provides seamless arrival to your resort. The bus trip helps you slow down to island pace though, which I prefer.
Private Transfer Options
Several companies offer convenient door-to-door service from Bangkok to Koh Kood if you prefer. Private transfers cost from 4,400 baht per car from Bangkok hotels all the way to Laem Sok pier. You can also book from Suvarnabhumi Airport or Don Mueang Airport for early morning flights.
🏨 Where to Stay on Koh Kood: Beach Resorts and Budget Options
Your place to stay depends on your budget when you visit Koh Kood island. I’ve tried five different options on the island over multiple visits here. Here’s my honest breakdown of places to stay on this beautiful island in Thailand.
Budget Places to Stay in Koh Kood
Koh Kood Beach Huts sits right on Khlong Chao Beach near the waterfall entrance. Basic rooms cost 800-1,200 baht per night with shared bathrooms that stay clean. The bathrooms are basic but the location is absolutely perfect for exploring. The owner makes great pad thai for just 120 baht, which I ate daily.
Away Koh Kood offers dorm beds for 450 baht on Bang Bao Beach area. Private rooms cost 1,500 baht with nice sea views looking over the gulf. Many backpackers stay here for the social scene and affordable low prices. They run group trips to explore the island waterfalls for 300 baht per person.
Gumm Lonely Club near Ao Phrao offers just three rooms with very personal service. Prices start at 1,200 baht per night in simple but comfortable bungalows. The location stays quiet and peaceful, far away from any tourist crowds. You’ll need a motorbike to visit other beaches and restaurants from this spot though.
Mid-Range Beach Resorts
Koh Kood Resort sits on Khlong Chao Beach near all the main shops and restaurants. Rooms cost 2,500-4,000 baht per night with pool access included in the price. This area to stay on Koh Kood puts you central to absolutely everything. I spent five nights here in January and the staff really helped plan my entire trip.
Tinkerbell Privacy Resort has rooms for 3,200-5,500 baht on beautiful Tapao Beach location. The beachfront villas offer incredible sunset views nightly over the calm water. They run Thai cooking classes for 1,200 baht using fresh local ingredients daily. The beach resort restaurant serves fresh seafood caught that same day by local fishermen.
High Season Resort on Khlong Chao Beach offers pool villas steps from the sand. Rooms start at 3,800 baht per night during the busy peak times. The infinity pool looks over the beautiful beach below surrounded by swaying palm trees. Their spa offers traditional Thai massages and the breakfast buffet includes both western and Thai options.
Luxury Options to Stay in Koh Kood
Soneva Kiri has 32 expansive one to five-bedroom luxury pool villas scattered across this tropical island paradise. Villas start from around USD 3,440 per night during low season, making it one of Thailand’s most expensive and exclusive resorts. Cinema Paradiso shows classic movies under the stars right on the private beach.
The Treepod Dining experience seats you high up in the trees overlooking pristine beaches. Their private beach stretches for kilometres with powdery white sand all to yourself. This is the ultimate Koh Kood travel guide luxury option for special occasions. Book your stay early during high season from December to March to secure availability.
🏖️ Best Beach on Koh Kood Island to Visit
The beaches on Koh Kood are honestly why people fall completely for this island. Each beautiful beach has its own unique personality and special charm. I spent serious time at all the best beach spots during my stays here. These are hands down the most beautiful beaches in all of Thailand on this island.
Khlong Chao Beach: Best Beach for Facilities
Khlong Chao Beach stretches for 2 full kilometres along the scenic west coast. This beach has most restaurants and hotels clustered conveniently together for visitors. The water stays calm and perfect for swimming year-round without strong currents. Sunrise views made me wake up early every single day to watch the sky change colours.
You can easily rent kayaks at the river mouth for 200 baht per hour to explore. I kayaked upstream past thick mangrove forests to reach the hidden waterfall area inland. Shanti Restaurant serves surprisingly great pizza right on the sand looking over the peaceful gulf. One of my absolute best memories exploring around Koh Kood island beaches by kayak.
Tapao Beach: Sunset Views
This popular beach faces directly west for absolutely amazing sunset views every single night. Tinkerbell Resort takes up the northern end near the thick jungle behind it. The sand feels noticeably softer than Khlong Chao Beach just to the north. Way fewer people visit this beach, making it peaceful and quiet at all times.
Tapao Beach Bar serves amazing fresh grilled fish for 280 baht caught that same day. The friendly owner speaks perfect English and knows all the secret spots on the island. Ask him about the best snorkel locations around the island of Koh Kood waters. Peter Pan Resort sits at the southern end with easy direct beach access for guests.
Bang Bao Beach: Hidden Gem
This beach on the island definitely needs effort to reach down some steep jungle paths. Siam Beach Resort offers beachfront bungalows right on the sand here with great views. The beach stays empty most days except for a few resort guests relaxing. I found it when I got completely lost looking for waterfalls deep inland one day.
The snorkeling here absolutely beats anywhere else on Koh Kood island hands down for marine life. The pier extends into deep water that’s full of colourful tropical fish swimming. I saw rainbow parrotfish, bright angelfish, and even a tiny reef shark gliding past. Koh Kood Cabana sits nearby with basic rooms and really friendly staff who help with everything.
Ao Yai Beach: Remote Escape
This remote beach sits near Ao Yai fishing village on the quiet south side of the island. You need a motorbike to reach this area from the main central beaches. No shops exist here so you’ll need to pack supplies before you head out. I spent an entire blissful day just reading and swimming while seeing only a few people.
The fishing village nearby offers authentic real local life to experience and observe daily. Noochy Seafood Restaurant sits over the water on wooden stilts with panoramic harbour views. They serve super fresh catch from that very morning caught in the Gulf of Thailand. Be careful swimming here during tide changes when you might encounter strong dangerous currents though.
💦 Waterfalls to Visit Koh Kood
Waterfalls on Koh Kood offer amazing cool relief from the intense tropical island heat daily. The jungle here is incredibly thick and green everywhere you look around you. Getting to each waterfall makes the trip even better and more memorable overall. These natural pools are absolutely perfect for swimming after hiking through the humid jungle.
Khlong Chao Waterfall on Koh Kood
Klong Chao Waterfall is by far easiest to reach from the main beach area. It takes just 15 minutes walking on clearly marked trails from busy Khlong Chao Beach. The pool at the bottom is deep enough for proper swimming and cooling off. The water feels incredibly fresh and cold year-round from the mountain streams feeding it.
I visited nearly every single day during my entire stay on Koh Kood island here. A small simple cafe at the entrance sells refreshing coconut water for just 40 baht. They also rent secure lockers for your valuables while you swim and explore safely. Go early morning or late afternoon to avoid the day-trip groups coming from nearby Koh Chang.
Klong Yai Kee Waterfall
This waterfall definitely needs a proper hike through thick jungle trails inland from main beaches. It takes 45 minutes each way from the main road to finally reach it. You absolutely need good shoes and strong mosquito spray for this remote part of Thailand. The trail gets extremely slippery when wet after the frequent rains hit the island.
The waterfall cascades dramatically over large rocks into multiple pools below with crystal clear water. Each pool is deep enough for swimming and cooling off completely from the heat. I only saw two other people during my entire visit to this remote spot. I hired a local guide named Chai for 500 baht who knew absolutely everything about the area.
Huang Nam Keaw Waterfall
This waterfall is definitely hardest to reach deep in the interior of the island. You need a motorbike to get to the trailhead first from your beach resort. The final part goes on foot through extremely thick jungle terrain far inland. Worth every bit of effort to visit Koh Kood’s most remote waterfall location hidden away though.
The pool here is really deep and crystal clear like perfectly transparent glass below. The jungle around it looks completely untouched by tourism development. I spent hours just sitting quietly and listening to jungle sounds and tropical birds calling. Bring snacks and water as absolutely no shops exist anywhere near this remote isolated spot.
🤿 Things to Do Around Koh Kood: Island Hopping and Activities
Beyond beautiful beaches and waterfalls, this Thai island offers so many other activities daily. These made my stay much more interesting when I came to explore Koh Kood fully. Here’s what to do when you explore around the island beyond just relaxing on beaches.
Snorkeling and Diving Around Koh Kood
Koh Kood Divers operates from Khlong Chao Beach area with really good quality equipment available. BB Divers runs trips from multiple convenient locations around the island every single day. Both companies offer professional equipment and experienced guides for safe enjoyable trips. Koh Rang Marine Park sits about 90 minutes by boat from Koh Kood across the gulf.
Full-day snorkeling trips cost 1,200 baht per person plus a 200 baht park fee for entry to the protected area. The trip visits three different excellent snorkel sites in beautiful Koh Rang National Park. Koh Yak has shallow coral gardens that are perfect for beginners to safely explore. Koh Rang offers the healthiest reefs in this entire part of the warm gulf waters.
Marine Park Protection
Koh Rang Marine Park protects some of Thailand’s absolute best coral reef systems from damage. The Tourism Authority provides detailed helpful information about visiting these protected waters. Check their official site for current conditions before you visit these special marine areas. Park fees directly help protect the fragile reefs around the islands of Koh Chang area.
For certified divers, night diving around the island is absolutely worth trying at least once. I did two night dives at local sites for 2,800 baht each trip. The underwater sculpture garden near Koh Raet has fascinating underwater statues to explore carefully. You can spot elephants, tigers, and horses sitting on the sandy seabed below you. Visibility can reach 25 metres on good clear days around this island in Thailand.
Kayaking and Mangrove Tours
The mangrove channels around Ao Salad offer really great kayaking trips to explore nature. I rented a kayak at Khlong Chao Beach for 200 baht per hour to paddle. The channels wind through incredibly thick mangrove forests full of wildlife at all times. You can see monitor lizards and colourful tropical birds absolutely everywhere you paddle quietly.
Paddle upstream from Khlong Chao Beach to the waterfall area through dense jungle canopy. The route takes about 90 minutes round trip from the main beach starting point. The mangroves provide welcome shade from the hot sun beating down all day. The guided tour costs 600 baht per person with a delicious lunch included always.
Local fishermen cook fresh grilled fish, spicy som tam, and sticky rice for tour groups. You eat on a floating platform in the mangroves completely surrounded by nature. Simple but really good food on this beautiful island of Koh Kood paradise. The tour operators know the absolute best wildlife spotting locations around the entire island.
Island Hopping: Koh Kood and Koh Mak
Island hopping from Koh Kood to nearby islands makes a fantastic full day trip. Koh Chang Express offers fast speedboat services between the islands of this area. Boonsiri Ferry runs comfortable catamaran tours visiting multiple island locations every day. The most popular trip visits Koh Mak island, Koh Kradat, and Koh Rang islands together.
Full-day trips cost 1,800 baht including lunch and all transfers smoothly between the islands. Koh Mak island is more built up with resorts than Koh Kood is. Koh Kradat has pristine white sand beaches that are perfect for relaxing all day long. For the absolute best snorkeling and diving in the entire surrounding area try Koh Rang.
Island hopping lets you visit multiple locations beyond staying on just one single island. Koh Mak and Koh Kood are really popular together for longer trips exploring both thoroughly. Next time I’ll hire a private longtail boat from Ao Salad pier for flexibility. That way I can spend much more time at each island to visit properly without rushing.
🍽️ Where to Eat on Koh Kood Island
The food scene here is smaller than other popular islands in Thailand like Phuket. But the quality is really good at local restaurants everywhere you eat here. I ate at about 20 different places during my extended stay on the island. Here’s where to find the absolute best food on Koh Kood for every budget.
Local Thai Restaurants on Koh Kood
Porn’s Restaurant sits near Khlong Chao Beach and the waterfall path entrance on the main road. This family-run place honestly serves the best Thai food on Koh Kood. The green curry costs 180 baht with rich fresh coconut milk added for creaminess. Creamy, spicy, and full of fresh herbs from their garden growing out back.
I went three times per week during my entire stay in Koh Kood at this spot. The som tam costs just 80 baht with extra lime exactly like I prefer it. Their grilled fish costs 250-400 baht depending on the size you want them to prepare. The papaya salad uses ingredients from local markets in the village bought fresh daily. They don’t speak much English but they’re incredibly welcoming to all visitors without exception.
Baan Makok Restaurant sits in the main village near Ban Khlong Hin Dam central area. This place feels local with fishermen as customers eating lunch there every single day. The massaman curry costs 160 baht with large generous portions of tender meat. Their pad thai features fresh shrimp caught that very morning from the Gulf of Thailand. Perfect meal after a long day exploring around the island sights and waterfalls.
Seafood Restaurants
Noochy Seafood sits over the water in Ao Yai fishing village on the south side. Tanks full of live squid and crabs line the entrance area. The grilled fish costs 300-500 baht depending on the type you choose from the tanks. Chonthicha Seafood Restaurant is nearby with similar prices and equally fresh catches daily. Both serve catches from that very morning from local fishing boats on the island waters.
Western Food Options
Shanti Restaurant serves international food on Khlong Chao Beach with really good ocean views. The pizza costs 280-450 baht with proper oven cooking techniques used by the chef. They make proper coffee with espresso machines imported from Bangkok specifically for tourists. The burgers use quality beef when you need familiar food during your stay here.
The sunset views from their open terrace are absolutely amazing every single night without fail. I spent many evenings here with a cold beer for 80 baht just relaxing completely. Watching the sky change colours over the Gulf of Thailand waters was mesmerizing. The beach bar at Tapao Beach offers similar vibes for watching spectacular sunsets. One of my favourite spots to stay on the island overall for the atmosphere.
Koh Kood Resort Restaurant is worth visiting even if you don’t actually stay there overnight. The western breakfast costs 320 baht with bacon and eggs cooked perfectly fresh daily. Includes fresh fruit and juice from the island farms and orchards grown locally. Peter Pan Restaurant near Tapao Beach also serves western food for tourists who need it. After weeks of rice and noodles, these felt like absolute luxury honestly to me.
Street Food Markets
The main village has a small evening market near the 7-Eleven store central location. Opens Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday only from 5pm until late evening each week. The selection is limited but everything is fresh daily from hardworking local vendors. Really cheap prices for authentic Thai food on the island to enjoy guilt-free.
I always bought grilled chicken for 80 baht per portion from the exact same vendor. Sticky rice costs just 20 baht wrapped in banana leaves served in traditional style. The som tam lady made it to my exact spice level after just two visits there. Small food stalls near Ao Salad pier sell simple meals too for hungry travellers arriving. Learn to say “pet noi” which means a little spicy in Thai language for ordering.
🛵 How to Get Around Koh Kood: Transport Guide
Getting around Koh Kood island takes some planning before you actually arrive here for your trip. Transport options on the island are limited but they work fine for most visitors. Here’s everything you need to know about how to get around Koh Kood easily and safely.
Motorbike Rental on Koh Kood
Motorbike rental is by far the best way to get around Koh Kood island every day. Rental costs 250-300 baht per day for a basic scooter anywhere on the island. Koh Kood Resort arranges rentals for guests staying there at reasonable fair prices. Away Koh Kood rents bikes to non-guests too from their convenient shop location. Shops in the main village near the 7-Eleven also rent motorbikes to visitors daily.
I rented a Honda Click for my entire stay from a shop near Khlong Chao Beach. The roads around Koh Kood are mostly paved but can be steep between main beaches. They wind a lot through jungle sections too, connecting different areas of the island. I had one accident hitting a pothole near Ao Phrao beach area one afternoon. I scraped my knee going too fast on a corner inland, which taught me a lesson.
Shared Taxis and Boats
Songthaews are shared taxis that run around the island on irregular routes throughout the day. They’re converted pickup trucks painted bright colours you’ll see everywhere on the main road. Cost is 50-100 baht per person depending on the distance you need to travel. Most hotels can call one to Ban Khlong Hin Dam or Ao Salad pier for you.
For reaching remote beaches like Ao Yai, longtail boats work best from the main piers. You can charter from Khlong Chao Beach pier near the resorts clustered there. Or from Ao Salad pier near the main ferry dock entrance point on the island. Full-day charters cost 2,500-4,000 baht depending on where you want to explore around the island.
Money and Banking
There’s only one single ATM on the entire island near the 7-Eleven store in the village. It’s in the main village at Ban Khlong Hin Dam central location near shops. The machine often runs out of money on weekends when ferries from Bangkok arrive full. I got stuck with no cash for two frustrating days while staying on the island.
Bring enough cash from Bangkok to Trat or Trat to Koh Kood for your entire stay. Plus extra for emergencies that might happen unexpectedly on the island during your trip. Most places on the island only accept cash including restaurants and all tour companies. Soneva Kiri and other upmarket resorts take cards for payment at least. But not many other places do on this remote island location at all.
WiFi and Phone Coverage
WiFi is available at most places to stay in Koh Kood island nowadays thankfully. But it’s not always reliable especially during storms hitting the gulf with heavy rain. Phone coverage is patchy in some areas around the island interior sections and beaches. Especially around remote beaches like Ao Yai and waterfalls like Huang Nam Keaw deep inland.
I bought a local SIM card at the 7-Eleven for 300 baht total cost for three weeks. Came with 15GB of data to use around the island for all apps and social media. That worked well for staying connected at Khlong Chao Beach and posting photos to Instagram. AIS and TrueMove networks have the best coverage on this Thai island by far. DTAC signal can be spotty in jungle areas inland from the main beaches unfortunately.
Medical Facilities
There’s a small clinic in the main village at Ban Khlong Hin Dam location near the market. It handles basic medical issues like cuts and stomach problems from eating different food. Ko Kut Hospital is the only hospital on Koh Kood island available for emergencies here. For anything serious, you need to get to Trat on the mainland by ferry quickly.
Travel insurance is really important here with good medical coverage included for your entire trip. Make sure you have good coverage for island destinations in Thailand before leaving home. Medical evacuation from Koh Kood costs a lot by boat and ambulance combined unfortunately. Better safe than sorry on this remote island far from major hospitals and Bangkok.
🌤️ Best Time to Visit Koh Kood Thailand
The best time to visit Koh Kood is November to March for perfect beach weather. The weather is dry and warm with clear skies daily during these ideal months. This is high season on Koh Kood near Trat Province border areas with Cambodia. Most resorts and restaurants are open then along all the beaches on the island.
Peak Season: December to February
December to February is peak season when Bangkok residents escape the city heat for beaches. The island gets more visitors but still stays quiet compared to other popular Thai islands. Think Koh Samui or Koh Phangan near southern Thailand regions that get packed with tourists. Book your stay early during these months at places like Khlong Chao Beach definitely. The best places fill up fast during this best island season without a doubt.
Hot Season: April and May
April and May can get really hot on this Thai island near the Cambodia border. I went in April to Tapao Beach for a week and regretted the timing. It was almost too hot to enjoy during midday hours outdoors in the sun. But the beaches stay beautiful and less crowded than peak season times for sure. Fewer people visit during these months around the island before monsoon season arrives soon.
Low Season on Koh Kood
May to October is low season on Koh Kood when many places close completely. The rainy season runs across the Gulf of Thailand during these months with heavy rains. Many resorts including smaller ones completely shut down operations until November returns again. Ferry schedules from Laem Sok Pier to Koh Kood change a lot during storms regularly. Some days boats don’t run at all to the island safely in rough seas.
Shoulder Season Benefits
I actually like visiting during shoulder season in late October or early November personally. That’s when Soneva Kiri and other resorts reopen after monsoon season ends for the year. The weather is still good most days with occasional rain showers only in afternoons. But way fewer people are around at Khlong Chao and other beaches for peace. You get better deals on places to stay on Koh Kood then without peak pricing.
Weather Resources and Packing
The Tourism Authority provides weather updates at Trat Weather Guide for this entire region. Check their site before planning your Koh Kood travel guide trip timing carefully. Conditions can change quickly during transition months on this island in Thailand for sure. Weather patterns affect ferry to Koh Kood and island hopping tours significantly throughout the year.
Pack sunscreen no matter when you visit Koh Kood or nearby islands around this area. SPF 50+ is essential here near the equator in Thailand’s tropical climate zone. The tropical sun is strong year-round especially at beaches like Bang Bao without shade. I used two bottles during three weeks on the island in March from constant swimming. Also bring mosquito repellent for evenings near mangroves and waterfalls in humid inland areas.
Water shoes are useful for snorkeling around Koh Rang Marine Park and exploring rocky reefs. Rocky areas around some beaches like Ao Yai need protection for your feet always. A waterproof bag keeps your valuables safe from sand and water everywhere you explore. When you explore the island and go between beaches by motorbike throughout the day.
