KOH KOOD: AN IDYLLIC PIRATES ISLAND IN THAILAND

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Koh Kood is without a doubt the most beautiful island in Thailand and perhaps in the entire world.

With its emerald peaceful sea water and white sand beaches, lined with exuberant palm trees, the island is a slice of heaven on Earth and the perfect place to do your Open Water Diver course. Koh Kood ,which is also known as Koh Kut, is partially covered by a centenary rain forest and boasts mesmerizing mangrove landscapes.

Located on the marine Cambodian border and just a few hours away by boat or bus from Bangkok, Koh Kood is a hidden gem in Thailand. The island, which very much deserves, the name of the “Maldives” of Thailand has managed to remain out of the main touristic circuits and keep its original Thai character intact, while hosting some of the highest end resorts in Thailand.

You cannot only find high end resorts in the island but also a wide range of budget accommodation.

If you are looking for a place to enjoy nature in a quiet set up, far away from the tourists crowds, this is the place for you.

In this guide I will share my experience and photos about my visit to this secret Thai island to help you prepare your visit to this undiscovered paradise. Consider also checking this 3 weeks Thailand itinerary for preparing your trip.

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ABOUT KOH KOOD

Koh Kood is one of the largest islands in Thailand. It belongs to the Koh Chang archipelago, in the Trat province, and it lies just at the Cambodian sea border.

Its strategic location on the way to Siam’s capital city made the island and the whole Trat province, a significant trading area during the Rattanakosin era (1782-1932) . As the traffic from the East became more congested, pirates congregated in this and its neighboring islands.

Once the era of piracy was over, the inhabitants of the island, lived mainly on growing rubber, fruits and coconut trees until tourism was introduced in the 90’s.

The island has managed to stay out of the main tourism circuits in Thailand and will probably stay a secluded island for many years to come. Half of the island is a Thai army base and thus tourism activities cannot be expanded to the area.

With its exuberant green jungles, mangrove forest, ancient trees and swimmable waterfalls, it offers a stunning space to unplug and reconnect with mother nature.

The character of the island’s inhabitants has also remained untouched and their genuine smiles and politeness is something truly remarkable compared to some other places in the country, where people have got tired to relate to tourists.

KOH KOOD LOCATION

Koh Kood is located 322 Km from Bangkok and 50 Km from the Cambodian border. It lies just 50 Km by boat from its touristy sister Koh Chang.

Find here a pin with its location on the map:

WHERE TO STAY IN KOH KOOD

The island is famous for its high end resorts, and you can read more about this on the following section, however the island offers a wide range of accommodations for all pockets. It is better to book in advance specially on weekends or Thai holidays as the island is very popular among local people and expats living in Thailand for a short getaway

Find here the best budget and mid range accommodation options for this paradise:

BUDGET

• PD Guesthouse: PD Guesthouse is the cheapest accommodation option in the island. It is located just 16 minutes walk from Klong Chao beach and it features a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. Food is really amazing and there is a cocktail bar at the property. The guesthouse is really popular among couples due to the romantic surroundings.
• Ao Salad view Koh Kood: This place is really a good option quality price. The little bungalows and the romantic setting with the beautiful swimming pool make the location idyllic for people wanting to find peace and couples. The place is located in Ban Ao Salat, 10 Km from Taphao Beach and 13 Km from Klong Chao Beach.

MID RANGE

• The Lodge at Koh Kood: The Lodge at Koh Kood is located at 2.6 Km from Ao Tapao beach and if offers comfortable accommodation with a garden and a terrace.
• Ban Choeng kao: This cute place is located close to Ao Jark Beach and Khlong Hin Beach. There is good quality internet in the property and a lovely garden where to relax.

KOH KOOD RESORTS

Most of the beaches in the island are private beaches that only accessible through a resort. Some people might not like it but most of the private beaches can be accessed through the resort just by purchasing a drink.

Resorts keep the beaches clean and have kept massive tourism from invading the island.

The best resorts in Koh Kood are:

• High Season Pool Villa and Spa: This is a high end resort in Koh Kood and a real treat if your budget allows. The resort is nestles along the heaven like shores of Klong Chao Beacg and boasts some luxurious villas with private pools and Wi-Fi. There is a spa and fitness center with really chill out library. There is free public parking available on-site. Its location is really convenient for visiting the island, just 300 meters from the quaint Klong Chao Bay and 3.9 Km from Ao Klong Hin.
• Kinnaree Resort Koh Kood: A bit more affordable than the previous resort this is a hidden gem in the island. It features a garden , terrace, restaurant and a bar. The resort is located 9.4 Km from the Klong Chao Waterfall. It has air conditioned rooms with a desk where you can work and good Wi-Fi connection. All rooms feature a balcony.
• Shantaa Resort, Koh kood: The Shantaa resort is just 5 minute walk from the Ao Tapao beach. There is an outdoor pool and private parking, a garden and a terrace. It was built in 2003 and the property is just 4.3 Km away from the stunning Klong Chao waterfall. The resort offers delicious Thai cuisine in a breathtaking setting.
• Medee Resort: This is one of the most affordable resort in Koh in Kood. The resort boasts a private section of the Ao Tapao beach, one of the best beaches in the island. You will sleep surrounded by lush greenery and there is a fantastic restaurant and a variety of massage treatments offered. The bungalows feature air conditioning and sea or garden view.

One of the best resorts to just have a meal or a cup of coffee and hang around at the beach for as long as you want is the Beach Natural Resort. Coffee was affordable and it came with some chocolate and bakery delicacies.

It boasts a splendid white sand beach and pristine turquoise waters where you can snorkel and dive from a wood bridge that starts at shore and goes 50 meters into the sea.

The staff will take care of your valuables while you are enjoying the underwater world, making the experience much safer than in other Thai beaches.

HOW TO GET TO KOH KOOD FROM BANGKOK

You can do the trip either by boat, bus and boat or plane. The choice it all depends on your budget and time available.

• By boat: There are daily ferries from Bangkok to Koh Kood. It takes 8 hours to complete the trip and the price is around 70 euros per person. The ferry will drop you at the Ao Salad pier where you can get transport to your accommodation. You can book your ticket here.
• By bus and boat: You can get a direct bus to Laek Soom pier, at Tanit Place at the bottom of Khao San Road. You can buy a ticket including the boat to Koh Kood. You can arrange the ticket in many of the street travel agents in Bangkok. This is the most affordable option and this is the way I did it myself. The bust ride it is aroung five and a half hours and you arrived in Koh Kood around 12:30.
• By plane: For people staying in the Soneva Kiri resort who fly with a private plane, they can fly into the island. But for most of the people the plane trip will be from Bangkok to Trat, the flight takes around one hour and costs around 200 euros. Once in Trat you can get a songthaew to Laek Som pier to take the boat to Koh Kood.

BEST TIME TO VISITI KOH KOOD

The best time to travel to the island is during high season, from November to January, There is no rain in the island during this time and the waterfalls run low on water or dry out. You will enjoy bright sunny days and spotless skies.

You could still visit it during the monsoon season but you will risk having entire days of heavy rainfall.

If you are still willing to explore this remote secret Thai island during low season be careful when planning as boats do not run so often, as most tourists do not want to go.

You will enjoy an even emptier island than during high season and will pay much less for accommodation.

THINGS TO DO IN KOH KOOD

The best thing to so in this paradise is “do nothing”. Yes, you hear well. It is the perfect place to unwind and just do nothing. The island is so inhabited and overwhelmingly beautiful that doing just nothing will feel just right. But of course if you are looking for some activity you will have plenty of things to do.

RENT A MOTORBIKE

This is the best place I have visited in the world to ride a motorbike. There is no traffic in the island. Dogs sleep in the middle of the road the whole day and the roads are safe.

There is no public transport in the island so the only option to explore will be to rent a motorbike or hire a taxi driver to drive you around.

Motorbike rental prices are also quite affordable compared to other places in Thailand, but of course you will need to do some bargaining.

BECOME A CERTIFIED SCUBA DIVER

While not so cheap as the Koh Tao to get your Open Water course, Koh Kood is the ideal diving destination to get certified. There some very nice coral gardens with some marine around the island at 5-12 meters depth which makes it the perfect set up this purpose. You can walk around some of the diving schools in the island and book your course. However if you are on a tight schedule I recommend you to book on line in advance before arriving in Koh Kood, to guarantee your spot.

You can book your Open Water Diver course here.

If you are not sure if diving is for you and you would like to just taste the waters, you might want to just do a discover scuba dive course while visiting the island. You can book it here.

GO FUN DIVING AND SNORKELING

If you are already a certified diver you can just enjoy the marine landscapes and take some cheap fun dives. The dive sites around the island boast some majestic coral gardens and are brimming with marine lfe. Most diving centers will bring you to Koh Rang marine park.

You will be greeted by sea turtles, moray eels and puffer fish amount other. Make sure to secure your spot here.

Most of the dive sites in the area are also suitable for snorkeling so snorkelers and divers will usually go on the same boat.

You can also do some snorkeling from the shore at Ban Bao beach.

KAYAKING

Kayaking is one of the most popular activities for visitors to the island. Some hotels offer the use of Kayaks for free to its guests or you can also rent a Kayak or a guided tour near Klongchao beach.

Some beaches are only accessible by Kayak. You can ask your accommodation or rental office for the possibilities. Do not venture in the sea without asking local guides, to make sure you are aware about the possible currents.

You can also kayak the Klongchao river through the mangrove forests to reach the Klongchao waterfall.

HIKING

There are several forest trails in departing from the beaches and from the center of the island.

The two most popular hikes in are:

–Huang Nam Kaew waterfall hike: This hiking trails will bring you through centenary rainforest on the way to the so called “Koh Kood secret waterfall”. The highlight of this hike is passing by the centenary sacred makka trees “Mayayuk” and “Sai Yai”, the oldest one 500 years old.

At the end of the hiking trail there is a local restaurant and guest house run by local people who live there. You can also buy some handmade clothes and bags.

–Khao Ruearab ( battleship mountain):

Battleship mountain is a big rock formation located in the forest behind Ngamkho beach. The nicest trail to reach battleship mountain starts at the back of Klong Chao beach and heads to the Klong Chao waterfall. Once pass the waterfall you need to continue for two more km to the start of the trail on a bridge.

There are several other trails in the island that will bring you through magical landscapes and many of them start at the one of the many Koh Kood’s beaches.

GO ON A FISHING TOUR

Some local fisherman organize fishing trips with customers, mostly to fish some squid.

If you are the type of traveler who like to catch its own dinner you can just go on a fishing tour. Cooking of the food and sharing is also included in the tours.

GET WET AT KOH KOOD’S WATERFALLS

One of the island highlights if the fact that it has three stunning waterfalls. Two of them are swimmable almost the whole year round and they are not too crowded.

I enjoyed a lot taking a swim in the Klong Chao waterfall to get rid of the salty water after a few hours at the beach.

The waterfalls are:

– Klong Chao waterfall

Klong Chao waterfall is perhaps the most popular waterfall in the island. Most tours departing from Klong Chao beach bring will you through the river to the waterfall.

You can also have a motorbike ride to the waterfall.

The waterfall is located in the middle of the jungle and it can get a bit fresh there during the afternoon.

You can jump from the top of the waterfall at two heights from around 3 and 6 meters. I visited the waterfal in November and the depth was still enough to jump from the highest point.

– Kong Yai Kee waterfall

Kong Yai Kee is equiped with rope swings and it still allows for swimming in November but it is not as deep as the Klong Chao waterfall.

You can have a natural fish spa at the water as there are little fishes that will come and nibble your feet.

– Huang Nam Kaew or the “secret” waterfall

This waterfall was dry when I visited it in November. However I would recommend you to go there even when the waterfall is dry. The hike to the waterfall is worth it to do in itself and you will support the local family who lives in the are by eating lunch there.

They will show you some stunning photos of the waterfall during the rainy season. I also bought a super cool hand made hat.

EAT SOME LOCAL FISH AT ONE OF KOH KOOD’S FISHING VILLAGES

Ao Yai fishing village is located on East Coast and it is a raw Thai local village with just a couple of restaurants and some local houses. I loved the local vibe and authenticity of AoYai and the food was super delicious.

I enjoyed the best food in the whole island while visiting Ao Yai. There were many restaurants closed due to lack of business.

Ao Yai was in my opinion the best place to eat in the whole island.

You can also walk around the wood harbor to observe the local live. But be aware it is not very well preserved and it can be dangerous. One of the woods broke when I was walking and I almost ending up falling into the sea. I did not and some very nice locals helped me with a lovely genuine smile, but you really need to watch your steps here.

TIP; stop on the view point on the way to Ao Yai, it boasts a gorgeous view of the village.

You can also visit the Ban Ao Salad fishing village. Ban Ao Salad literally translates as pirate Bay as the pirates who inhabited the island used to congregate here. This is the village where the boat will drop you when you come to Koh Kood and where the big Buddha is located. There are several small local restaurants.

WATCH A SPECTACULAR KOH KOOD SUNSET

Watching the sunset from Klong Chao beach is truly spectacular. I watched the sunset everyday during my two weeks stay. My favorite spot to watch the sunset in Koh Kood were Ao Takian and Khlong Chao beaches.

WALK THE KOH KOOD BEACHES

Koh Kood is home to some of the best beaches in Thailand. My favorite beaches are Klong Chao, Ao Jak and Ao Takian.

Klong Chao is an emerald dream water bay with some palm trees lined up in the shore. It is the most popular beach in the island but it is still very empty.

Ao Jak is a beautiful resort beach also called “Neverland” and Ao Takian is the most empty beach in the island. There is a resort in construction so this might not last very long.

TAKE A DAY TRIP TO KOH MAK

I did not go to Koh Mah but I heard that it is even more off the beaten path than Koh Kood.

You can charter a boat by asking your hotel reception in and go to Koh Mak, only for a day.

KOH KOOD NIGHTLIFE

There is not night life in the island, and if you are looking for a party island this is for sure not your place.

However there is a place where you can enjoy a beer and good quality life music. “Hot beer, bad service” reads at the entrance.

The place is run by Jong Jong Jong, a local musician that plays every night to entertain people while they have a drink.

If you want to experience the local Thai vibe before going to sleep some an grab a beer at “Tawan Eco bar”. You may end up with a guitar in your hands strumming some chords while singing with your new travel friends.

Other option is visiting the “Fisherman hut”. The place offers life music most nights and it has a lively bar and restaurant. However it is more commercial and I enjoyed much more ending my day at “Tawan Eco bar”

MY KOH KOOD EXPERIENCE

As I sit at one of the mobile bus bars in Rambuttri street sipping a cocktail and talking with my just made friends, to mitigate my jelag I hear

“You should go there, it is a secret island, nobody goes there”, he tells me

” Where is it”, I ask

“Near the Cambodia border, I have been spending months there every year and you should really go”

As we speak another jet-lagged traveler joins the group

“What is the name?”, I ask

“Koh Kood, and it is the best island in Thailand” “You should give it a try”

As the night ends we exchange all contacts and go to sleep.

On the day after I decide to give it a try. It is my sixth trip to Thailand. I have been several times in other islands and I have never heard of this place before.

The day after I take my plane to Luang Prabang as it was originally planned and booked. Once I return in Bangkok I book myself a ticket to this island full of curiosity and not too many expectations.

However I never expected to find such a beautiful and peaceful place as Koh Kood. I spend two weeks relaxing by the sea, scuba diving, jumping from waterfall cliffs and riding a moped around the island.

And I met a couple of travelers who heard about the island that epic night in Bangkok. It was a peaceful adventure.

I had been in Koh Phayam a year before and I never thought I could find anything better in Thailand. But Koh Kood surpassed all my expectations. It is my favorite island in Thailand and I cannot wait to be back and spend some time recharging my batteries there.

MORE PHOTOS FROM MY KOH KOOD STAY

KOH KOOD FAQs and TIPS

IS KOH KOOD WORTH A VISIT?

Yes, Koh Kood is definately woth a visit. It is the prettiest island in Thailand and it the whole South East Asia. If you are looking for a destination to unplug and recharge Koh Kood is your place and it will for sure not disappoint you.

ARE THERE MONKEYS IN KOH KOOD?

Yes, there are lots of monkeys in Koh Kood. There are more monkeys than humans in Koh kood.

ARE THERE ATM’S IN KOH KOOD?

There are a few ATMs in Koh Kood but they do not always work. Bring some cash for emergency moments when the ATMs do not work.

MORE BANGKOK AND THAILAND GUIDES

I have been several in Bangkok and have spent in total months there during several stays in the city arriving from Europe or just on the way to other several destination in Thailand. Check here some more Bangkok guides;

• Amulet market Bangkok, Thailand
• Wat Arun temple Bangkok: The complete 2024 guide
• Bangkok Canal Tour: All you need to know 2024
• The best Bangkok one day itinerary
• Bangkok 4 day itinerary
• 16 facts about Bangkok

And it is not only about Bangkok but Thailand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world that I have travel extensively and I know quiet well. Check here some of the guides:

• Scuba diving with whale sharks in Thailand
• Koh Phayam, one of Thailand’s hidden gems
• Koh Kood: An idyllic pirates island in Thailand
• A guide to Koh Phi Phi diving
• Koh Lanta diving guide 2024
• Yoga in Koh Phangan