Top 7 Things to Do on Koh Kood Island | Thailand

The mountainous jungle-covered Koh Kood island (often spelt ”Koh Kut”) is found in the eastern Gulf of Thailand. It’s located about 50 km west of the mainlands of Thailand and Cambodia, to the south of Koh Chang

and Koh Mak (not to be confused with Koh Mook (Muk), an idyllic island in the Andaman Sea. Thailand’s fourth or six (opinions differ) largest island, Koh Kood is the perfect destination for fans of unspoilt beaches, jungle and waterfalls. The best bit is that despite the golden sands, crystal clear water and swaying palm trees, Koh Kood doesn’t YET attract the hoards of sun-seekers that its neighbour Koh Chang does or other Thai islands like Koh Samui. If you’re after some island time in one of the most beautiful places in Thailand, then this is definitely one to add to your Thailand itinerary.

Things to do on Koh Kood Island

Besides relaxing in idyllic surroundings with an icy cold Thai beer, there’s plenty more to see and do. Here are our top seven things to do on Koh Kood Island.

1. Rent a Motorcycle (or Bicycle)

• Only attempt this if you are pretty fit because the hills on Koh Kood are killers.
• Check your brakes work 100% before setting off. My front brake stopped working part way down a killer hill then the back brake shoe wore out too! I seriously thought I was going to die, but managed to navigate the sharp corner I was approaching and was then slowed by another ascent!

2. Koh Kood Beaches

Koh Kood Island has some of the most beautiful beaches of all the Thai Islands. Nearly all the unspoilt beaches on Koh Kood are on the west coast of the island and the best way to explore them is to beach hop by rented motorcycle. Koh Kood has many beaches, but here are some of the best that you can reach by road, from north to south: 
Ao Tapao – is the longest beach on Koh Kood. It has over 1 km of soft, powdery white sand, leading down to the sparkling, crystal clear sea and backed with coconut palms. Despite being home to four resorts this is a beautiful beach. 
Ao Noi Beach – is the place to head if you want a peaceful day doing nothing but relaxing on a secluded beach. The tall palm trees edging the sand give lots of shade to escape from the scorching sun. The highlight of Ao Noi has to be the wooden jetty leading out to a gazebo built over the sea. 
Khlong Chao Beach – is the main tourist beach of Koh Kood and is a natural centre to the west coast of the island. This more developed beach consists of a lovely stretch of sand with some high-end beachfront resorts. Nearby along the river estuary are a small selection of budget-friendly bungalow accommodation, plus a few local shops, bars and restaurants. 
Bang Bao Beach – is a gorgeous horseshoe-shaped bay. Accessible via paved tracks that wind through rubber trees, this is my personal favourite beach of Koh Kood. The powdery white sand is lined with a few resorts, each of which has its own jetty down to the sea. The water is again, crystal clear and being in a bay it’s very sheltered and calm, making it ideal for snorkelling. Sunset here is fantastic, especially whilst enjoying a cocktail or beer. 
Ao Jak Beach – is quite an adventure to reach. It’s a bumpy, sandy (sometimes muddy) 15-minute scooter ride or 30-minute cycle ride in my case, from the main road. Another beautiful beach, this is nice for a walk or a swim but can be quite windswept due to its location. 
Ao Phrao Beach – is the most southern beach on Koh Kood and is one of the best on the island. Its kilometre of bright white sand make it perfect for sun-worshippers, but it does have the downside that the sea can get very rough. 

‘Explore Koh Chang’ has lots more details on the beaches of Koh Kood. 

3. Kayak

The river estuaries and mangroves make Koh Kood the perfect place for some kayaking. If the sea is calm you can even kayak around the edge of the island to explore some completely deserted beaches, inaccessible by road. Most resorts have kayaks you can use for free or for a small fee, along with a life jacket (I recommend you wear one, just in case).

4. Hike

5. Koh Kood Waterfalls

Koh Kood’s interior with its untouched rainforest is home to three waterfalls. These can be reached by hiking or a combination of kayaking and hiking. The waterfalls you can visit are:

Klong Chao Waterfall – is the main waterfall on Koh Kood, and is located a few kilometres inland from the middle of the northwest coast. It’s accessible via a small road from behind Khlong Chao beach. The road crosses a bridge, then heads inland, before arriving at a carpark at the trailhead. This is only a few kilometres and is walkable or cyclable if you prefer. Once at the trailhead it’s just a short a fairly easy hike to the waterfall.

A more adventurous way to reach this waterfall is to kayak up Khlong Chao River then hike the short stretch through mangroves. Turn left at the road and follow it up to the trailhead. The wet season is the best time to visit as the refreshing pool is deep enough to swim in. Just be careful clambering over the rocks to reach it as they get very slippery.  

Khlong Yai Kee Waterfall – is in the northwest of the island and can again be reached by road. It’s smaller than Khlong Chao but is a more secluded a hidden gem. To get there, go through Hin Dam Village and straight past a vegetable store on a corner on your right until you get to Khlong Mad. Turn right just before Suanya Resort and you’ll find yourself in the waterfall carpark, from there it’s only a short hike to the waterfall. In wet season you’re able to swim and jump from rocks into the water at the bottom of the cascade.

Huang Nam Waterfall – was once known as the secret waterfall. It’s located deep in the island’s interior beyond the ancient makka trees. It’s no longer quite so secret as the muddy track leading to it has been developed into a highway and gravel track. There’s also now a car park and visitor centre. The waterfall is about a 5 km walk from the visitor centre and off to the right. The bottom of the falls can be accessed by steps down the hillside. Sometimes it’s also possible to climb on the big rocks at the top of the fall where there’s a small plunge pool. the visitor centre to the waterfall it’s about a 5 km walk.

6. Fishing Villages

On the east coast of Koh Kood are two working fishing villages. Ao Salad is in the northeast and Ao Yai is in the southeast of the island. Located either end of the main road, these fishing villages are the only developments on the east coast.

Virtually all the families that live in the fishing villages are involved in the fishing industry in some way. Visiting either or both of these villages will give you a fantastic insight into the local way of life.

Ao Yai – is again set in a picturesque bay and is reached by passing through forest and over undulating hills until you reach a viewpoint on your right. From the viewpoint and pagoda you’re treated to a marvellous view of the bay and fishing village with its wooden stilted house. A wooden boardwalk built over the water creates a pathway through the village with access to the houses and a small selection of simple seafood restaurants. When I visited I got caught in a torrential downpour and took shelter in Chonthicha Seafood restaurant. It’s a great spot to watch the comings and goings of the boats and villagers going about their daily lives.

Ao Salad – is set in a fantastic bay and is overlooked by a 30 metre tall golden Buddha. A wooden jetty serves as a pavement and road for the villagers and their motorcycles. On one side are the traditional wooden houses and on the other sides are boats moored up. The jetty gets quite busy during the day as this where the boats from the mainland arrive into and depart from.

7. Dive, Snorkel or Fish

‘Explore Koh Chang’ has lots more information about Koh Kood Diving and Snorkelling.

There are also a couple of other companies that offer snorkelling and fishing trips. These include TJ Boats at Mark House and at Doy Homestay, both found near Khlong Chao Bridge. The main company offering tailored full day and overnight fishing tours is Dutchman Fishing Tours, based on the jetty in Ao Salad fishing village. 

Koh Kood Island Accommodation

I was hosted for three nights on Koh Kood at Koh Kood Beds. Read more in our full Product Review Disclosure.

Koh Kood BED’s

Koh Kood BED’s is a charming jungle getaway tucked away from the road leading down to Bang Bao Beach halfway down the west coast of Koh Kood. This family-run bed and breakfast is a dream come true for the knowledgeable, passionate and inspirational owner ‘Jay’. After working in other people’s hotels for many years he decided to set up his own, a lot of hard work followed and finally Koh Kood BED’s was opened. The modern building offers four Courtyard Deluxe rooms in a tranquil setting surrounded by palm trees and tropical gardens. Prices start from 2,135 baht (£50).

The reception is located at the front of the property and doubles as a shared lounge in which you can use the wifi free of charge and chat with Jay, who is a fountain of knowledge about Koh Kood. The building housing the four bedrooms is set just back from the reception and has views over the gardens from both the big sliding windows on one side and the entrance on the other.

Each air-conditioned room follows the same format as the one I stayed in. They are big, bright and spotlessly clean with a huge, comfy bed – definitely the comfiest I slept in whilst in Thailand.

Boonsiri High Speed Ferries provided me with a complimentary journey from Bangkok to Koh Kood Island which I’ve reviewed below. Read more in our full Product Review Disclosure.

Most people travelling to Koh Kood Island come from Bangkok. There are several ways to get Koh Kood, all of which culminate in a boat from Laem Sok Pier in Trat to the island.

You could take a public bus or domestic flight from Bangkok to Trat then tuk tuk or taxi to the pier, book a private car or mini-bus transfer, or use one of the transfer services that leave daily from Khao San road and take you all the way to Koh Kood. I opted for the latter with a direct transfer with Boonsiri High Speed Ferries.   

Direct Transfer from Bangkok to Koh Kood 

Boonsiri High Speed Ferries offer an all-inclusive twice-daily transfer package which can be booked online using their booking form or by emailing them. The transfer service includes coach or mini-van (depending on the season and demand) from their Bangkok, Khao San Road office to their Trat office, a shuttle transfer to the Laem Sok Pier, a high-speed catamaran to Koh Kood and finally a songthaew to your accommodation.

The coach leaves Khao San Road at 5 am or 7:30 am and costs 900 baht (£21), I think this is the best option as you’re guaranteed to get to the catamaran on time as the coach or mini-van transfer is run by the same company as the catamaran.

Coach Departure from Bangkok

I checked in at the Boonsiri Ferries office on Khao San road a bit early ready for the 7:30 am transfer, which left promptly so make sure you’re not late.

The coach was comfortable with a toilet on board which was good as it took about six hours to get to Trat, with just a short stop at a service station about halfway there.

Shuttle Transfer from Trat to the Pier 

Once we arrived at the office at Trat we had to check in at the reception to show them our tickets. Then we had about a 15-minute wait in the office for our shuttle to Laem Sok Pier. The office had toilets, and lots of tables and chairs where you could sit and wait, along with a selection of drinks and snacks on sale. 

The shuttle down to the pier was kind of an open van with bench seats and a trailer attachment for bags. It was just a quick 10-minute drive down to the pier to the waiting catamaran.

High Speed Catamaran to Koh Kood Island

As soon as we arrived at Laem Sok Pier we quickly boarded the waiting catamaran with our bags. There were plenty of seats inside and a few outside to choose from, I found one outside at the top so I could watch the horizon, hoping to avoid getting seasick. Before the catamaran set off a couple of staff members passed round virtually brand new life-jackets which they insisted everyone wore before we left.

The boat ride took about 1 hour and 20 minutes and was really quite smooth, I wish the same could be said for the return journey which was very wet and stormy!
On arrival at Koh Kood Island, there were lots of songthaews ready and waiting to take all us passengers to our final destinations around the island. All in all, it was an easy hassle-free journey, a great service. 

With all the things there is to see and do on Koh Kood (if you can drag yourself out of your hammock that is) what’s not to love about it. Once there you’re unlikely to want to leave, I know I didn’t.

I suspect it won’t be long before lots more people start to catch onto this gem of an island getaway so try to get there as soon as you can!

Thailand Travel Resources

Planning your trip to Thailand? Here are some of our recommended useful resources to help you have the best time possible:

● DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE. If you’re travelling long-term like us and from the EU True Traveller is best. If you’re from other countries worldwide, World Nomads is good.  A new contender for long-term travel insurance is SafetyWing, which you can pay for on a month by month basis. This is also a good option for shorter trips. ● Find great flight deals on Skyscanner US, Skyscanner UK and Kayak. ● Booking.com or HotelsCombined have the best hotel prices. ● Before booking accommodation, check reviews on TripAdvisor. ● Even in the days of Google we still like to use guidebooks for ideas, like Lonely Planet UK and Lonely Planet US and Canada. ● Book buses, ferries and taxis with Camboticket or 12Go Asia. ● Discover fantastic trips and activities with and Klook, Viator and GetYourGuide. ● G Adventures and Intrepid Travel offer group holidays and tours, or compare many tour agencies with TourRadar.

Have you been to Koh Kood or any of the other Thai islands? Which was your favourite and why?

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Product Review Disclosure: Koh Kood BED’s hosted my stay on Koh Kood and Boonsiri Ferries provided me with a complimentary return transfer from Bangkok to Koh Kood. This did not influence my post in any way and as always I’ve provided balanced and honest reviews .Read more in our full Product Review Disclosure