Koh Kood or Koh Kut island is one of the islands in the Gulf of Thailand. Because of its magnificent beaches and far less touristy atmosphere than Koh Samui, Koh Kood has become many Thais’ favorite.
As the fourth largest island in Thailand, Koh Kood has numerous attractions and activities that enrich your stay. This article will drill deep into each one and recommend suitable options that provide you with the best experience.
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How to Get to Koh Kood Island
Koh Kood is part of Trat province (approximately 320 km from Bangkok). Thus, the island is much closer to the capital than Phuket or Koh Samui. Although Koh Kood is not an undeveloped island, traveling to Koh Kood can be more challenging than other Thai islands.
First, you will need to get to the Laem Sok pier, which is 30 km from Trat city. From Bangkok, you have the following options:
Buses – Thai intercity buses are reliable and safe, especially if you pick first-class providers. Get to Eastern Bangkok Bus Terminal (near Ekkamai) and buy the tickets there. Buses to Trat depart from the terminal every hour. The fares are approximately 8 USD (250-270 Baht)
Vans – Vans are fast and inexpensive transportation to Trat city. Once there, you need to catch a local ride to Lam Seok (some speedboat providers may offer this service).
However, Thai vans are particularly dangerous. Fatal accidents occur pretty often. If possible, choose the buses.
Drive – You can rent a car and drive directly to Laem Sok from Bangkok. However, I do not recommend this option. Driving in Thailand can be very risky for newly arrived foreigners, plus you will need to leave your car in the car park for days.
Flights – You can also fly directly to Trat. The flight typically takes an hour or so. Still, you have to go to the Bangkok airport, collect your luggage, and use local transportation to the city. The entire trip will take 3-4 hours.
On the other hand, traveling to Trat by road typically takes no more than 5 hours, but you will pay only one-tenth of your air ticket fares. This is why I do not recommend flying to Trat.
Once you reach Laem Sok, several ferry and speedboat providers will be available, including the following:
- Boonsiri High Speed Boat
- Express Speed Boat
- Koh Kood Princess
- Ko Kut Express
Note: All speedboats and ferries depart Laem Sok only once or twice a day. Most depart around 10 AM. It is crucial to get to the pier before 1 PM.
Speedboats are generally faster than ferries. You will reach the island within an hour or so, but the price tag is higher (500-600 Baht vs. 350 Baht)
Finally, once you arrive at Koh Kood, you will need a transfer to an accommodation you booked earlier. Some 4-5 star Koh Kood resorts like Soneva Kiri Resort provide complimentary shuttle service. You just need to inform them about your itinerary in advance.
Generally speaking, traveling to Koh Kood is undeniably tedious. This is why many Thais choose to visit other Thai islands instead.
However, the itinerary would be far less complicated if you booked a private transfer beforehand. The service includes the following:
- A professional driver will drive you to Lam Seok in a private, comfortable SUV from the location of your choice (Bangkok airport, your hotel, etc.)
- A ferry ticket to Koh Kood
- Transfer to your Koh Kood hotel
This option is more expensive than traveling from Bangkok by bus and ferry on your own. However, it is far more comfortable, less time-consuming, and, most importantly, much safer.
1. Enjoy the Beaches
Like other famous Thai islands, Koh Kood has numerous beautiful beaches. Some of them have very few tourists, allowing you to relax and rejuvenate your soul at will.
Below are some of the best beaches in Koh Kood:
Klong Chao Beach – Located on the island’s west coast, Khlong Chao beach is a white sand beach under the shadow of coconut trees. The seawater there is bluish and crystal clear.
Apart from swimming and sunbathing, you can rent a bike or a kayak at this beach. In addition, the beach is connected to Klong Chao Waterfall so that tourists can also paddle their kayaks inland.
Bang Bao Beach – Bang Bao Beach is another popular white sand beach on the western coast of Koh Kood. It is known for its almost-spherical beachline populated by a stand of coconut trees, which makes it highly photogenic.
Visiting the island would not be complete unless you watch a sunset at this beach. The scenery of the glowing sun shining over the turquoise water is stunning.
Khlong Hin Beach – Khlong Hin beach is a small, isolated beach on the west coast of Koh Kood. Unlike its peers, this beach has numerous stones scattered throughout the area. Thus, walking barefoot on the white sand is not recommended.
However, the beach is tranquil since it has very few visitors. Those who want to take a nap or lie down to listen to the sound of the wind may find this beach worth visiting. Also, the beachline has crystal-clear waters with some corals, providing a modest snorkeling experience.
Ao Phrao Beach – Another top photogenic spot of Koh Kood, Ao Phrao is a picturesque bay with a magnificent white-sand beach. Its curved beachline has many coconut trees, covering its visitors from the sun’s heat.
Like Bang Bao beach, Ao Phrao is an exceptional sunset viewpoint, which you also should not miss.
Ngam Ko Bay – This bay is located on the western coast of Koh Kood. The highlight of this bay is its white-sand beach with a straight line of coconut trees. The beach is also the longest on the island.
Not far from the beach is a small white pagoda located on top of the stone pile nearby. You can visit it only when the tide recedes.
Ao Tapao Beach – Ao Tapao beach is a part of Tapao bay. Many praise the beach as the most beautiful in Koh Kood due to its soft white sand and clear waters. Like Ao Phrao and Bangbao, Ao Tapao is one of the top spots where you can watch the sunset.
Ao Jak Beach – Ao Jak is a bay located on the east coast of Koh Kood. The bay has a white-sand beach populated by a forest of coconut trees, where you can swim or sunbathe freely.
However, what makes this beach different is that the beach is one of the best sunrise viewpoints in all of Koh Kood. Hence, if you can wake up early, do not hesitate to visit Ao Jak to appreciate its outstanding view.
Note: Most Koh Kood resorts are located above beach areas. Still, many resorts offer access to their private beaches as well.
2. Visit the Waterfalls
Koh Kood has a lush tropical forest that remains undisturbed. Inside dense trees are several waterfalls. The flow of water is beautiful and provides some sort of relaxation that can clear up your mind from stress and work fatigue.
The following are the waterfalls in Koh Kood
- Klong Chao Waterfall – A secret waterfall that lies deep in the dense forest, which is difficult to access but definitely worth it.
- Khlong Yai Kee Waterfall
- Huang Nam Kaew Waterfall
Unlike in some countries, you may swim or bathe in the small lakes near the waterfall, an activity that Thais are very fond of.
Just a word of caution – the grounds and the rocks are dangerously slippery. Being too adventurous can result in severe injuries or even death.
3. Snorkeling
Koh Kood itself is an excellent snorkeling spot. You can snorkel at some beaches like Khlong Hin beach without a tour package, but the experience would be just decent.
Thus, I recommend booking a snorkeling trip to nearby islands instead. You will get in a boat with a tour guide and other travelers. Your tour guide will then drop you off at top snorkel sites around Koh Kood.
However, if you want an even better snorkeling experience, you can buy a one-day dive trip to Koh Rang national park (located halfway between Koh Kood and Koh Chang.)
Based on my experience, this national park is a wonderful diving spot with far more abundant marine life. I was satisfied with all of the three dives I had that day.
To book the tour package, I recommend booking with BB Divers (near the entrance of Siam Beach Resort), a long-standing diving school in Koh Kood and Koh Chang. You can also book in advance through Viator by clicking on the link below.
4. Free Diving and Scuba Diving
Koh Kood and nearby islands are rich in marine life. Some of which may be experienced better through sub-surface diving. Hence, free diving and scuba diving are also possible.
For free diving, you can buy a tour package to Koh Rang. You will be accompanied by your tour guide and veteran Koh Kood divers, who will bring you to the best free diving sites.
If you want to go scuba diving, you must have a license to buy a one-day scuba dive trip. Your dive leader will then bring you to Koh Rang. In total, there will be two dives.
Another fascinating option is the nightdive. You will go into the water during the sunset and explore the rich underwater life there.
However, if you do not have a license, you have two following options:
- Buy a basic dive trip – This trip provides fundamental training in scuba diving, plus hands-on exercises in the pool. Subsequently, your instructor will take you to two dive sites and help you get started in the underwater world.
- Enroll in a PADI Open Water Course – You can become a licensed diver after completing this 3-day training course at Koh Kood. Included in the program are four dives in Koh Kood and Koh Rang.
5. Experience the Local Lifestyle in Fishing Villages
Koh Kood is located in the easternmost part of Thailand, near the Cambodian waters. However, the island has a thriving local culture that dates back a few hundred years.
The locals there have been fishermen for generations. Their houses are built on top of multiple poles lunged into the seabed. Each is connected to one another through a small wooden footpath.
The best places to see these villages are Ao Salad or Ao Yai. At both, you can observe their unique daily life, buy unique souvenirs, and even taste the freshest seafood just caught from the sea, offering a remarkable experience like none else.
Ao Salad is more lively than Ao Yai fishing village because it is the ferry pier where tourists from the mainland arrive. On the other hand, Ao Yai is a serene place where you can get a sight into the local life without the frustrating noise from tourists.
6. Kayaking
Unlike other Thai islands, Koh Kood does not have many water sports for tourists. Jet skis and banana boats are not available due to past accidents. Still, you can rent a kayak from your resort or providers at the beaches.
7. Visit Koh Mak
Koh Mak is another beautiful island next to Koh Rang national park and halfway between Koh Chang and Koh Kood. With pristine nature, some Thais even consider Koh Mak an alternative to Koh Kood.
Like Koh Kood, Koh Mak has various picturesque bays, beaches, and dive spots. Its beaches rival that of the best of Koh Kood.
Thus, if you have time to spare, do not hesitate to add Koh Mak to your itinerary.
8. Enjoy Your Stay
The calmness and tranquility make Koh Kood different from Koh Samui and Phuket. This is why Thais and foreigners think Koh Kood is an island getaway where you can relax without worries.
One of the best ways to enrich your Koh Kood trip is to stay in a beachfront resort with decent facilities to get some good rest and immerse yourself in nature.
If you are not too price-conscious, I recommend booking a spacious pool villa at Koh Kood. Many resorts in Koh Kood offer such rooms at a rate cheaper than other popular islands, so you will make the most of your stay.
You can read this article to learn about the best Koh Kood hotels.
9. Try Fresh Seafood
Although Koh Kood has far fewer restaurants than its counterpart, Koh Chang, you can still get some good food from local restaurants.
The following received very positive reviews from diners:
- The Fisherman Hut Koh Kood
- Ra Beang Mai
- Chonthicha Seafood
Also, I find out that some resorts serve delicious seafood at a reasonable price, such as the Blue Coral in the Beach Natural Resort or the beachfront restaurant at To the Sea Resort Koh Kood.
Therefore, do not hesitate to try different restaurants during your Koh Kood stay.
