Koh Kood is a beautiful, unspoiled island in The Gulf of Thailand. This island is a paradise of crystal-clear waters, soft sandy beaches, and lush tropical forests. The island’s natural beauty is largely untouched, it’s the perfect place to enjoy pristine beaches, stunning waterfalls, and picturesque fishing villages.
What makes Koh Kood stand out is its jungle vibe with the oldest trees in Thailand at the center of it. These 200-500-year-old Makka trees are so wide and high that you want to hear the stories they would be able to tell if they were people.
But Koh Kood has more to offer than just old trees. That’s why we have created this Koh Kood Travel Guide. With our help, you know just where to go, what to do, and how to get around. Don’t forget to take a look at Koh Mak or Koh Chang to complete your island-hopping adventure in Thailand!
Where is Koh Kood
Koh Kood is an island located in Trat Province, in the eastern part of Thailand, around 80 km from the Trat coast and 35 km south of Koh Mak. Koh Kood is less popular than Koh Chang but you will find some perfect hidden beaches on this island. Perfect for those looking for remote locations with tons of facilities.
The climate in the Gulf of Thailand is tropical, with warm temperatures and high humidity throughout the year. The best time to visit Koh Kood is typically from November to April, during the dry season in Thailand. This is when the weather is sunny and dry with less rainfall. The monsoon season is from May to October, during which the island can experience heavy rain and strong winds.
How to get there
To get to Koh Kood from Trat, visitors can take a minivan or taxi to the Laem Sok Pier, which is about 80 km from Trat town, and then take a speedboat or ferry to Koh Kood. The boat ride takes around 1.5-2 hours, depending on the sea conditions and the type of boat.
To get to Koh Kood from Koh Mak, visitors can take a speedboat or ferry from Koh Mak to the Ao Salad Pier on Koh Kood, which takes around 1-1.5 hours, depending on the sea conditions and the type of boat. From there, visitors can take a taxi or motorbike to their accommodation.
How to get around on the island
There will be minibusses and private transfers waiting at the pier to pick up passengers from the ferry. You could hop on a songthaew as well and discover the island this way. We rented a scooter because the distances are quite big and this way we could stop wherever we wanted.
The roads on Koh Kood are pretty good but it gets busy in areas where there are many restaurants and shops or popular beaches. Pay attention to other traffic, the road is shared between pedestrians, scooters, and cars or buses. The island has a lot of steep roads with sharp turns where you can’t see ahead. A motorcycle with more cc is recommended.
If you head to the waterfalls or the tree the roads will be something else. Expect dirt roads covered in leaves. It is doable by scooter if you are an experienced driver or just take your time.
Things to do
There is quite a lot to do on Koh Kood besides visiting the beach, swimming, and watching the sunset. There are plenty of nice restaurants to choose from to have a nice meal or enjoy a cocktail. It’s less crowded than Koh Chang but offers similar amenities.
What makes Koh Kood stand out from Koh Chang and Koh Mak is its jungle vibe with the old trees right at the center of it. Rent a scooter and head into the jungle to find these trees and find some waterfalls along the way.
Ban Ao Yai Fishing Village
Ban Ao Yai is a small fishing village located on the east coast of Koh Kood. It is known for its laid-back atmosphere, friendly locals, and beautiful surroundings. The village has a small pier where local fishermen bring in their daily catch, and visitors can buy fresh seafood directly from them. The village also has a few small restaurants and shops.
Klong Chao Waterfall
Klong Chao Waterfall is one of the many waterfalls on Koh Kood. There is a lake at the bottom of the waterfall, so bring your bathing suit if you are headed in this direction. We saw people jumping in via a rope swing which seemed like a lot of fun.
TRAVEL TIP: Make the most of your stay at Koh Kood and book a Snorkeling Day Trip to discover the underwater world around Koh Kood.
The Old Trees: Sai Yai
Koh Kood is home to some of Thailand’s oldest and most majestic trees. Some of them are estimated to be over 500 years old, and they are an important part of the island’s ecosystem and cultural heritage. These trees have large and intricate root systems that help to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion, and they provide shelter and food for a variety of wildlife.
Huang Nam Keaw Waterfall
Huang Nam Waterfall lies on the remote interior of the island. The brook feeding the waterfall emanates from virgin rainforests upstream. The way down is quite steep but there is a rope along the stairs. There are several layers so if you like climbing you will be rewarded with the best views of this waterfall.
The Old Trees: Makayuk
A little less impressive than the earlier mentioned Sai Yai tree but it’s on your way to the Huang Nam Waterfall. Still, this tree is huge with a height of about 20 floors. You need a couple of people to surround the width of this tree.
Klong Yai Kee Waterfall
The entrance to the Klong Yai Kee waterfall is even steeper than Huang Nam Keaw Waterfall. You arrive at a kind of jetty with a lot of stones and little water. But with a little climbing, you can reach the waterfall itself. In our case, there wasn’t a lot of water, so check with the locals if a visit is worth it.
Things you need to know
There are two versions of the name of the island: Koh Kood and Ko Kut. It can be a bit confusing when searching on the internet for Koh Kood because some people refer to it as Ko Kut.
It is possible to combine a visit to Koh Kood with a visit to Cambodia since it’s close to the border. There are a lot of travel agencies that will arrange transport and help you with visa requirements.
Koh Kood has a hospital, ATMs, and 4G/5G mobile coverage. You won’t find any 7-Elevens or superstores. Bring with you what you need for vacation and spending time at the beaches.
💡PACKING TIP: bring your own snorkel set, water shoes and a fast-drying towel if you want to go snorkeling!
Where to stay
There are ample accommodations to choose from if you are heading to Koh Kood. Whether you are looking for a quiet place with some luxury or more of a party vibe, Koh Kood has it all! We’ve selected a couple of accommodations to help you make a decision:
Hideout
Hideout Koh Kood offers villas and has a private beach. Every room is fitted with a terrace.
Jungle Resort
Jungle Koh Kood Resort boasts an outdoor pool, water activity equipment, and free WiFi.
Use our Koh Kood Travel Guide to plan your trip
Koh Kood was the perfect ending to our island-hopping adventure in Thailand. We just loved that it was more than beaches and headed into the jungle several times. But of course, you can still enjoy beautiful sunsets at Koh Kood or go diving, snorkeling, or kayaking.
Use this Koh Kood Travel guide to help you discover the beauty and simplicity of Koh Kood. If you’re looking to go island hopping in Thailand you could combine this trip with chasing sunsets at Koh Chang or an authentic stay at Koh Mak.
Please share your favorite places on Koh Kood below this article so we can add them to the map! This way our Koh Kood Travel Guide will grow and reflect the best of what Koh Kood has to offer!
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