5 Reasons why you should visit Koh Kood soon:

1. It is (still) far away from mass tourism

2. So you have empty beaches there

3. and one of Thailands best coral reefs are out there

4. It is easy to get there from Bangkok

5. There are awesome waterfalls with swimming pools and untouched natur

Our Trip to Koh Kood

We startet our trip, after a short night, with the 8am bus, from Thanon Tani Road (very close to Khao San Road). Here is a travel agency called Bonnsiri.

It is the same company which is running the speedboats to Koh Mak and Koh Kood. So it is the simplest and cheapest solution.

The bus from Thanon Tani Road including the speedboat to Koh Kood is 850b per person. (around 22€ or 27USD)
To be honest, the bus is not the best but good enough for a litte hangover sip 😉
They also offer private vans for bigger groups or families.

We needed 5,5h with one lunch break.

Arrived at Laem Sok pier you change to a lighter vehicle, which brings you directly to the boat.

The speedboat needs around 1,5h to Koh Kood with one stop at Koh Mak.

There are comfortable seats inside because the drive is really wonky. But if you don´t have problems with seasickness, the trip is more enjoyable on the deck.

The port at Koh Kood is really stunning. You will see a lot of old fisherman boats at the bay and a big golden Buddha statue close to the port.

All in all it took around 7,5h to get from Bangkok on the island.

If you prefer a faster solution, there is an extra island with an airport for private jets 😉 but then you have to book a room, sorry a 400sm Villa, at Suneva Kiri for 1800€ (high season) a night 😀
A local told us that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie stayed there a couple times.

You could fly from Bangkok to Trat and take a taxi to the pier but the airport is 1h away from the pier. So you don´t save a lot of time but pay much more money.

Ok, so let´s get back to Koh Kood. There are free shuttles waiting for you, to drive you to your accommodation or help you, to find you a cheap homestay on the island. There are places where you can stay for around 8€ a night. If you did not book yet, ask the driver for a cheap homestay. (for information about the 8€ bed, scroll down)

We stayed on the Island for 6 days and because we booked much to late we had to change accommodation three times. So make sure to book early enough.

The only good thing is, we really know all beaches and a lot of resorts now. 😀

I really suggest you Klong Chao Beach and Bang Bao Beach.

First night we stayed at Pa Hin Sai at Takean Beach. The sunset there is breathtaking but the beach is really rocky and not good for swimming or snorkeling.

The Bang Bao Beach is the beach we stayed the next three nights.

First two nights at Siam Beach Resort. It was the only resort in our budget at this beach with free rooms. We paid 60€ for two nights, for an old bungalow without air-condition.

So it was untenable hot but it was first row, only 10meters to the water. Next day we split to Sand and Sea and To The Sea Resort.

The main reasons why this is my favorite beach on Koh Kood is the coral reef there. It is accessible at low and high tide. The second reason is, that the beach is completely empty even at main season.

All in all I have been three times at Klong Chao Waterfall, it is a mystical place with lot of butterflies and tiny fishes nibbling on your feet.
There is a rope on a big three where you can jump in the water and its depth and size is perfect for a swim. The temperature is excellent for cooling down from the hot sun. Best time to go there is after breakfast.

Around midday and afternoon there are around 15-20 people in high season. Still ok but in the morning it is almost empty there.

The Klong Chao Beach is the beach with the most stunning coral reefs. Unfortunatly it is also known as “Millionaires Row” because the Resorts in first row to the beach start around 100€ night.

We enjoyed two nights at Peter Pan Resort. The other Resorts are around 250-350€ a night.

But don´t worry, there are a lot of more affordable accommodations only 5min by foot away. (scroll down to “Where to stay on Koh Kood”)

 

The Gumm lonely Club is perfect for a coffee and burger break around midday. Located close to the most southern beach, Ao Phrao Beach, it is perfect to connect with a glory morning trip to the fishing village Ban Ao Yai.

Gumm and his wife Jen escaped from the hustle in Bangkok and made their dream come true on Koh Kood.

They both studied and are lovely and perfect contact persons for insider knowledge around Koh Kood.

You also can rent Jens kayak for 350bath a day and go on a snorkeling trip.

There are several coral reefs with giant fishes around the beach.
It is also a one in a lifetime must do thing, to paddle the river upstream along the mangrove trees.
You won´t see any other tourist kayaking here but you will meet local fishermen, a lot of different fishes, maybe some river snakes and if you are extremely lucky also some monkeys. You will pass the local fisherman houses and even a temple.

If you want to go for this adventure, make sure you are there at high tide.
If not you can not go far because the water level will be to low for the river.

Ban Ao Yai fishing village is the biggest fishing village on Koh Kood, with 6 seafood restaurants it is also the best spot for seafood lovers. If you get here early enough, you will meet the fishermen coming back from their trip.

The traditional fisherman houses are connected with a wooden pier.

If you want to experience a unique adventure, book a fishing trip with the locals here. They take you to their daily fishing ride. It starts before sunrise and is one the
insider trips I heard about.

Unfortunatly we did not join them but hey, at least it is a good reason to go back to this beautiful island.

It is the best island in Thailand for travelers who already have seen the busy islands on Thailands south, for travelers who don´t need to party and for travelers and couples who just want to be left alone.

So I really appeal to you guys out there, go to Koh Kood soon, before it becomes the next Koh Tao!

How to get to Koh Kood:

– with Boonsiri travel agency directly from Bangkok with bus and speedboat for 850 bath.

– airplane to Trat, taxi to Laem Sok Pier (1h) and Speedboat to Koh Kood. There are two ferry companies KoKutExpress and Boonsiri.

– if you stay at Suneva Kiri Resort for around 1800€ a night, you can use there private airport island next to Koh Kood 😀

Where to stay on Koh Kood

at first I have to say that Koh Kood is quite limited for tourists because most of the island is jungle and military zone. So there is only access to the west of the island.
If you want to get a affordable room directly at one of Koh Koods most beautiful beaches, it is really important to book early enough.
When we have been there in January, we had to move 3 times in 5 days because everything was sold out.

BANG BAO BEACH
is my favorite Beach on Koh Kood, crystal clear water, white long sand beach and a beautiful coral reef for snorkeling. There are only four resorts which are connected to the long beach, so it is almost empty.

– Siam Beach Resorts starts around 30€ per night rooms with air-condition 50€. Simple Bungalows, simple service but the cheapest resort on the most beautiful beach on Koh Kood and at least you can rent kayaks there for free and the scooter rental is cheap.

– Koh Kood Resort starts at 70€ per night. Nice bungalows and best deals in low seasons.

– To The Sea Resort starts around 100€ per night (main season). One of my friend stayed there with his girlfriend. Really nice and new resorts, luxury bungalows with outdoor shower and worth the money. Also free kayak rental.

KLONG CHAO BEACH
also known as the Millionaires Row, but don´t worry, there are also some more affordable accommodations only 5min from the beach.
There are some more people on this beach but it is still not crowded. The good thing here is, that you can reach several restaurants and bars by foot.
There is a river running in the ocean which formed a really nice scenery and a stunning coral reef.

– Peter Pan Resort is the Resort between the river and beach. We stayed here for two nights and with around 100€ per night it is the cheapest place with direct beach access. The Bungalows are huge and authentic, the staff is nice and the breakfast is awesome.
They have also free kayaks to rent. The coral reef right hand from beach is best at mid or high tide.

– If you want high end luxury, there is also High Season Pool Villa and Wendy The Pool Resort. The High Season Pool Villa for around 325€ offers you huge private Villas with private Pool, fitness centre and big Spa area.
At Wendy The Pool Resort you get a luxury room with direct access to the big hotel pool for around 250€.

– For all who don´t want to get broke on Koh Kood there are a lot of cheaper alternatives. Let´s still stay around Klong Chao beach and village. For only 12€ a night you get a basic double room at PD Guesthouse only 10min walk or 2min drive from Klong Chao beach.
BB Dorm Rooms starts at 8€ a night and is the cheapest bed I know. If you are traveling alone and want to meet other backpackers, this is the best choice.

What to do on Koh Kood

– enjoying empty and long sand beaches far away from mass tourism

– go diving in one of Thailands most beautiful coral reefs. For diving we highly recommend Koh Kood Divers.

– go snorkeling. You can rent snorkeling equipment in one of the diving shops. There are, as far I know, at least two coral reefs where you can go snorkeling on your own, at Klong Chao Beach (at high tide) and Bang Bao Beach (at low tide) but just ask at the place where you rent snorkeling equipment.

– discover the waterfalls and cool down in its natural pools. There are three waterfalls: Klong Chao (my fav.), Klong Yai Kee and Huang Num Kaew (only nice at rainy season)

– visit the traditional fishermen’s village Ban Ao Yai. There are the best seafood restaurants and you also can join the locals on a fishing trip.

– One of Thailands best restaurants we have ever been are Chaiyo Restaurant and Gumm lonely Club.
Chaiyo Restaurant is running by a super nice couple. The woman cooks awesome seafood and her husband servs it and entertain you the whole evenig.
Gumm lonely Club is also running by a couple and they even have two guest rooms. Their Burgers are the best I have ever eaten in Thailand. There guesthouse is located close to Ao Phrao Beach on a riverside, opposite of beautiful mangrove trees. They both studied in Bangkok and now living there dream on Koh Kood. They speak perfect english and are very lovely.
I also suggest this place for a nice coffee break on the way back from Ban Ao Yai village.

– Tawan Eco Bar and Sunset Bar are both super nice. Tawan Eco Bar is a Reggae Bar with live music and jam sessions.
From BBQ nights to techno Parties, the Saturday events at Sunset Bar are always different and worth to visit.

What else you have to know about Koh Kood

– there are only two ATM machines on the island and they are awful. They only work with VISA (no mastercard no MAESTRO) but when we have been there in January, they both were empty anyway.
Make sure to take enough cash to the island! After we asked quite everyone on the island, we figured out that you can get cash at the A-Na-Lay Resort. I forgot how much the fee was but it was expensive…..

– There are scooter rentals almost everywhere on the island starting around 300 bath a day.
Make sure to wear helmets, if you don’t want to get stoped by police. A french guy told me he got busted without international driving license and had to pay 400 bath to the local police.

– years ago Thailands eastern islands Koh Chan, Koh Mak and Koh Kood were only known by Thai tourist. Locals told me that Koh Chan is still Thais favorite holiday Island.
If you compare Koh Kood to other destinations in Thailand, the international tourism just started.
So you better take Koh Kood on top on your travel list because it will change a lot the next years.

All starts from Bangkok so check out my Top 10 Hotel Lists

If you are searching affordable Hotels check out our list of the Top 10 Hotels under 100€ in Bangkok!

Are you traveling on low Budget? Check out our list of the Top 10 Hotels near Khao San Road. There are Hotels and Hostels for under 20€.

agoda.com offers best price guaranty. If you find another booking site with cheaper price on the same day, you booked at agoda, take a Screenshot and sent them. You will get a discount to the cheaper price.

In our experience agoda is always the cheapest booking site in Thailand and Laos.