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What to see and do in Koh Kood (Thailand) | Complete guide
Koh Kood (or Ko Kut) is the island you're looking for when you want to avoid the party scene and crowds of Thailand and prefer a tranquil environment for swimming on idyllic beaches and exploring the jungle. It's located in the Gulf of Thailand. relatively close to Bangkok, And despite being the fourth largest island in the country, only a couple of thousand people live there.
In this guide we tell you how to getWhich beaches are most worthwhile? What to see and do in Koh Kood, and all the Practical information to help you make the most of your stay in what for us is one of Thailand's greatest treasures.
How to get to a Koh Kood
For us how easy it is to get there Even Koh Kood adds an extra point. You'll have to travel by land or plane to reach the Laem Sok pier, located about 30 kilometers south of Trat city. It's from this pier that the boats depart for Koh Kood and... her little neighbor koh Mak.
I'll tell you more about how to get there from Bangkok and the step-by-step instructions you'll follow:
From Bangkok to Laem Sok
The most convenient option, and the one we chose, is to hire this private transfer that It combines bus and ferry and drops you off at the hotel you've booked.It departs from various points in Bangkok, including the airports and the Khao San Road area, at 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. The bus takes you directly to Laem Sok pierThere, you'll make a short stop for a bathroom break and lunch (included in the ticket), and then board the catamaran to Koh Kood. A songthaew will then pick you up and take you to your accommodation.
The price is 1100 baht and it takes approximately 7 hours door to door all included. We booked the 5am bus and spent more than half the journey sleeping.
You can also go on your own If you're traveling by bus or plane to Trat, buses depart from the Ekkamai or Mo Chit terminals to Trat city (5-6 hours). From there, you'll need to take another bus to the pier. Once at the pier, you can book the ferry directly, but be sure to arrive before midday, as the last ferries depart at 15 PM.
By boat from Laem Sok
If you've arrived at the port on your own, you can choose from several companies for the Laem Sok-koh Kood crossing; the prices are very similar. Here's a comparison:
| Company | Type of boat | Duration | Price per trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boonsiri | Large catamaran (200 seats) | 1 hour | 600 THB |
| Seudamgo | Small catamaran (80 seats) | 1 hour | 600 THB |
| Koh Kood Princess | Fast ferry | 1 hour and 15 minutes | 500 THB |
| Koh Kood Express | Fast ferry | 1 hour | 600 THB |
From Koh Chang or Koh Mak
If you're doing a route through the islands of this archipelago You can go from one to the other by ferry. The Boonsiri company The ferry connects the islands of Chang, Mak, and Kood daily. During peak season, there are also speedboats that take you from one island to another, but we traveled during the off-season, so we weren't able to find out the exact schedules. We personally recommend combining a couple of islands on your trip to enjoy a wider variety of activities and places to see.
Getting around by Koh Kood
The easiest way to get around Koh Kood is rent a motorcycleThe island is relatively large and there is no public transport, only taxis that you have to call for. If you need them, the hotel will gladly order them for you, but if you decide to go by motorbike it will be much more practical.
A basic automatic scooter costs between 250 and 350 baht
We rented it in Keng GarageIt had good prices and a great variety of motorcycles, they even have motocross bikes for venturing onto some of the island's roads. For the rental they ask you to leave your passport or caridentity net as collateral.
Gasoline is purchased at gas stations carretera with glass bottles or at some red fountains scattered around the island, The price is 50-60 baht per liter.
Regarding the status of the carretera, The vast majority of the island is paved and in good conditionBut there are some very steep hills that reminded us of those on Koh Tao. We loved that there was little traffic, very few cars, and everyone drove calmly. I'd say if you've never ridden a scooter before, it could be a good place to start.
Where to stay in Koh Kood
En Most of the beaches on this island have resorts. From basic to some really cool ones. If you travel in the off-season, as we did, these resorts are much more affordable, so we took advantage and stayed at the Seafar Resort, a private beachfront cabin accommodation.
For tighter budgets there are also many options, such as the Baan Rabieng Talay Homestay which includes breakfast and is very close to the beach. Another great option is the private bungalows at Mata Guesthouse.
Something we liked and that caught our attention in Koh Kood is that, despite the resorts being on the best beaches, You can access them freely and enjoy them without worries or having to appearcar far away. Most resorts have a specific parking area for visitors.
Best beaches from Koh Kood
Okay, let's go! What to see and do in Koh Koodwhere the beaches are undoubtedly the main attraction. Fine white sand, surprisingly clear water, shallow depth and few peopleWe went in the low season and the vast majority of beaches were empty, but we've heard that even in high season you can find secluded beaches.
Klong Chao is the main beach It's very easy to visit, but also one of the least attractive. It's spacious, has many palm trees, a variety of hotels and restaurants nearby, and the water is usually calm, but during our visit it was quite dirty and the tides had washed away almost all the sand.
Ao NoiA little further north is a beautiful cove with a very photogenic wooden jetty. The beach can only be accessed via Ao Noi Resort, which is closed during the rainy season.
Bang Bao It is a palm-lined beach located in It's a sheltered bay, so there are very few waves. And the water is especially warm. Ideal for visiting on windier days when other beaches have rough seas, and perfect for going with children.
Further south the beaches are even quieter. Khlong Hin It's a really long beach with palm trees and crystal-clear water, accessed via a path lined with palms. It's one of the best beaches for snorkeling from the shore, as there's some coral if you swim to the right.
Ao Phrao and Ao Jark These are two more southern beaches to disconnect and relax in an area with fewer tourists.
What to see and do in Koh Kood
This island is a perfect destination for relaxing on the beach or by your hotel pool and enjoying the tranquil atmosphere. But when you tire of relaxing, there are also plenty of things to do on Koh Kood besides going to the beach. These were our favorites.
Visit and swim in the waterfalls
One of the best things to do on Koh Kood is to bathe in one of its waterfalls. The most famous is that of Klong ChaoIt's the most accessible and largest beach on the island. It has a large pool where you can swim even during the dry season. You can get there by motorbike. carfully paved road to the parking lotwhich is free. From there it's about a 10-minute walk to the waterfall; the last stretch is a bit more complicated because it has a lot of rocks, but it's worth it.
Te We highly recommend taking a bath.The water temperature is very pleasant, and there are a couple of ropes if you want to have a bit of fun jumping into the water. We saw people who just went to look at it and left, which, with the Thai heat and how nice it was in the water, seems like a sacrilege to me.
Huang Nam Khiao It is another waterfall that forms further up the same river, although it is reached via a different route. carA trail that winds deep into the forest and is beautiful. This waterfall is located in the middle of the jungle, a bit far from the tourist area, so It is the least visitedThe water in this waterfall is considerably colder than that of Klong Chao, and access to the main pool is relatively difficult because there are many slippery rocks. During the dry season, this waterfall may carry very little water. or even be dry, it's best to ask at the hotel before you go.
Finally also You can visit the Khlong Yai Kee waterfall, access by carThe route is quite simple and, again, parking is free.
The giant trees
Inside the island, in an area of dense vegetation that is accessed by the same cartrail that leads you to the Huang Nam Kaew waterfall, There are the Maca Tree and the Sai YaiTwo centuries-old trees with enormous roots stand in the middle of the jungle. The visit to both trees is short, and they are very close to each other. Sai Yai has roots reminiscent of some trees at Angkor Wat, and Maca is said to be the oldest tree on the entire island.
Beyond the trees, The journey to them is the most worthwhile part. An carA trail that winds deep into the heart of the island through the jungle. Be aware that the final stretches to reach the trees are unpaved, but the road was in good condition during our visit.
Visit the local fishing villages
Koh Kood has a past and present linked to fishing, so you shouldn't miss the opportunity to visit the fishing villages, to get a little taste of its essence.
The most popular, and the one we liked the most, was Ao Yai, at the southeastern tip. It's a fishing village built on stilts in the waterThe houses are connected by wooden walkways of dubious strength. Walking around, you'll find boats of all sizes moored at the front door, fish fillets drying, makeshift fish traps, and cages containing crabs and fish.
It is also the best place on the island to eat fresh fish and seafoodWe ate at the Nucci Seafood restaurant, which is literally over the water, so the tables have a view, and their seafood is quite affordable and very fresh.
Another town we recommend visiting is Klong MadOn the west coast, much closer to the tourist area. This town is much smaller but also charming; if you visit, take the opportunity to have a coffee at Than Khun Coffee Bara tiny, quiet cafe with views for Relax and enjoy a good coffeeWe liked it so much that we went twice.
Kayak or paddle surf on the Klong Chao River
Almost all accommodations in the Klong Chao area rent kayaks and paddleboards for exploring the mangroves on the river, sailing in the bay, or going upstream to the waterfalls. At SUP Point, the price for a double kayak is... 300 baht for 3 hours and 400 for the paddle surf boards. We didn't get around to doing it, but it seems like a great different plan, especially if the day is cloudy.
Diving in Koh Kood
Other Good plan of things to do in Koh Kood For lovers of marine life like us, it's dive in the waters surrounding the islandAlthough it is not as famous as other regions of Thailand, it also has some interesting diving spots, especially those in the Ko Rang Island Marine National Park.
Many of the dives in Koh Kood are at very shallow depths, Ideal for less experienced divers or for those who want to try this sport for the first time.
Diving trips last half a day if diving near Koh Kood or a full day if diving at Ko Rang, for which there is an additional 400 baht entry fee. The price is 3500 baht for two dives and 4000 baht for three, including equipment and food.
We didn't dive because when we went in July (rainy season) we were told that the visibility hadn't been very good in the previous days.
Snorkeling in Koh Kood
Many accommodations lend their guests snorkeling equipment to explore the seabed off the coast of Koh Kood. Taking advantage of having the equipment available, we did a little snorkeling. snorkeling on the right shore of Klong Hin beachOne of the beaches where there seemed to be the most coral. We didn't actually find much coral, but there was quite a bit of life in the rocky areas. We saw barracudas, several schools of small fish, butterflyfish, and nudibranchs.
If you want a more complete experience You can book a snorkeling tour so they can take you by boat to the best areas of the island or the nearby Rang Island, which is a marine national park.
Are you a snorkeling enthusiast? Don't miss our Bunaken guides e Togean Islands In Indonesia.
Food & drink in Koh Kood
The food in Thailand is unrivaled; it's our favorite in all of Southeast Asia, and of course, on Koh Kood, you'll find everything you could want, and all delicious. You'll find everything from street stalls and local restaurants to more Western fare in resorts. Here are our favorites from the dishes we tried.
You have the exact location of all our recommendations on the map at the end of the article.
If you want to eat seafood or don't miss the village of Ao Yai, the restaurants over the water serve fish of the day.
If you're looking for cheap restaurants in Koh Kood The best thing to do is venture a little away from the main tourist areas. I guarantee you'll find incredibly authentic flavors in dishes under 100 baht. One of our favorites was... Thai Cafe + Restaurant and the Tum Yum Tom, where they prepare kebabs and other typical dishes from northern Thailand, its terrace at night is heavenly.
Finally, for have a drink while watching the sunset There are two good options. Gathi CafeIt's on wooden platforms and the place couldn't be more beautiful, although it's a bit carOr it's worth it. And if you prefer to be on the beach with your feet in the sand while the sun sets over the sea, we recommend going to Sharqiyy Cafe on Secret Beach.
How many days They are needed in Koh Kood
We spent four nights there and had more than enough time to visit the island's main attractions, which we've discussed in this article, as well as time to relax on the beaches and by the hotel pool. We combined our visit to Koh Kood with a trip to the nearby island of Mak, where we spent another three nights.
I'd say ideally you should have at least 3 full days. Koh Kood deserves a few peaceful days among beaches and without any rush..
Best time to go to Koh Kood
La The dry season runs from November to April.December through February are the best months. The sea is usually calm and the days are sunny. Of course, this comes with more tourists and higher prices.
May to October is the rainy season And the island is practically empty of tourists and there are businesses closed during these months.
About Us We decided to take a chance and travel during the rainy season.From personal experience, we know that despite what the weather forecast says, you can have mostly sunny days and others with a downpour lasting a couple of hours. We were very lucky, though, and it only rained one morning and a couple of nights.
Practical tips to travel to Koh Kood
We recommend bring cashAlthough card payments are accepted in many businesses on the island, it's best to carry enough baht. You can find several ATMs along the way. carmain road.
About Us we use HolaflyIt works with True's network, and we had good connectivity in the main areas. However, on the southern beaches, there was a signal, but the speed was very slow. Most restaurants and accommodations have Wi-Fi, and the speed is adequate.
Finally, don't forget mosquito repellent; you can get it at a good price at any 7-Eleven before traveling to the island. Keep in mind that there are none on Koh Kood.
Map with all the places to see in Koh Kood
We're sharing a map that groups all the places we've talked about in this article; if you open it from a phone, they'll be marked on your Google Maps for a while.
That concludes our practical guide to what to see and do in Koh Kood! And all of our favorite spots on the island. We hope you found it helpful and that you'll be inspired to visit this Thai paradise.
