Koh Kood: Thailand as It Was 20 Years Ago. Our Tips for Beaches, Hotels and Food

Is there still an island in Thailand where you can have a white-sand beach almost all to yourself, wake up in the middle of the jungle in the morning, and watch the sunset in the evening without crowds of tourists? Yes. Koh Kood is one of the last places in Thailand that still retains the feel of a true tropical paradise. You won’t find any bustling holiday resorts or nightlife here like you do in Phuket or Koh Samui.

Instead, you’ll find stunning beaches, crystal-clear water, waterfalls, jungle, delicious local food and an atmosphere that will make you never want to leave. In this article, you’ll find our recommendations for the most beautiful beaches and spots on Koh Kood, as well as the best hotels and places to enjoy delicious Thai cuisine.

Where is Koh Kood Island?

Koh Kood, also known as Koh Kut, is one of the easternmost Thai islands. It is situated in the Gulf of Thailand, approximately 300 kilometres south-east of Bangkok and just a few dozen kilometres from the Cambodian coast. It is part of Trat Province and, together with the islands of Koh Chang and Koh Mak, forms part of an archipelago situated not far from the border with Cambodia. It is precisely its location off the main tourist routes that is one of the reasons why Koh Kood has retained a more peaceful atmosphere to this day and feels far less touristy than many of the better-known Thai islands.

How to get to Koh Kood

There are several ways to get to Koh Kood, and your choice depends mainly on where you’re travelling from.

By plane via Trat

If you prefer to travel by air, the nearest airport is Trat. From there, you need to make your way to Laem Sok Pier, from where ferries run directly to the island. The cruise lasts approximately 60 to 90 minutes.

By bus from Bangkok

If you’re travelling from Bangkok, the bus is an alternative to flying. Services depart, for example, from Suvarnabhumi Airport or from the Ekkamai, Khao San and Mo Chit bus terminals. The journey to the port itself will take you around 6 to 7 hours, after which you’ll still have the ferry crossing ahead of you.

From the island of Koh Chang

We travelled on to Koh Kood from nearby Koh Chang. We simply booked the whole transfer through 12Go Asia, so we didn’t have to organise each leg of the journey separately. The package included collection from the hotel, a transfer to the harbour, a ferry crossing lasting approximately an hour and a half, and, upon arrival on Koh Kood, a transfer directly to the hotel. The whole journey cost us around €27 per person.

How to get around the island

Koh Kood is a bit of an unusual place, and you shouldn’t expect to find Grab taxis or public transport here. To get around freely, you’ll definitely need a scooter. The advantage is that the island isn’t overcrowded, so you can enjoy driving along empty roads.

However, if you don’t have a scooter licence or don’t feel confident riding a motorbike, you can still enjoy this island to the full. An alternative is the large tuk-tuks, which operate as a taxi service. However, this option is less flexible and also more expensive, so choosing a suitable location for your accommodation will be key to ensuring you don’t have to use taxis for absolutely every journey.

BONUS TIP: Always wear a helmet when riding a scooter, as there are often police checks on the island.

Where to stay on Koh Kood

Koh Kood is a relatively small island, and its main areas are about a 40-minute drive apart. If you have a scooter, you don’t need to be quite as particular about the location when choosing accommodation as you would on the larger Thai islands. You can mainly choose from more upmarket resorts right on the beach, though there are also more affordable options starting from around €20 a night, which are, however, mostly concentrated in the central part of the island.

The best places to stay

Klong Chao Beach is the most developed part of the island and will be particularly appreciated by those who want to be close to restaurants, shops and other amenities. It is therefore a practical choice for families with children or for those who do not own a scooter.

We particularly recommend Bang Bao Beach to lovers of the underwater world. The beach offers excellent conditions for snorkelling, and there are also diving schools in the vicinity.

Ao Phrao Beach, on the other hand, is quieter and less built-up. It is one of the island’s most beautiful beaches and is surrounded by stunning natural scenery. From there, it takes about 25 minutes by scooter to reach the busier part of Koh Kood.

If you already have an idea of where you’d like to stay on Koh Kood, you can view the accommodation options via this link.

Where we stayed

During our stay, we tried out two resorts and we rate both very highly. The first was Hideout Koh Kood, where we had a private villa with a swimming pool. The second was the Rest Sea Resort, which is situated right on Ao Phrao Beach, as mentioned, so we were also able to enjoy the stunning sunsets on the beach.

The most beautiful beaches on Koh Kood

One of the main reasons why people choose to visit Koh Kood, out of all the Thai islands, is its beautiful white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. In places, they are reminiscent of the Caribbean. We’ve visited several well-known places in Thailand, such as Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Krabi and Phuket, but Koh Kood is definitely the winner when it comes to the beauty of its beaches. Another advantage is that they aren’t overcrowded, so you can enjoy them without having to jostle for space with hundreds of other tourists or pay an entrance fee.

Bang Bao Beach

Bang Bao Beach is one of the island’s most famous beaches. It is shaped like a crescent moon, and at one end there is a very photogenic spot with a wooden bridge. There are several resorts around the beach. There are a number of activities you can try here, such as kayaking or snorkelling by the reefs.

Klong Chao Beach

Klong Chao Beach is one of the most popular beaches on Koh Kood and offers everything you’d expect from a tropical paradise: fine white sand, crystal-clear waters and palm trees. Thanks to its central location, it is easily accessible from most parts of the island. What’s more, it faces west, so you can enjoy a magnificent sunset here. There are plenty of resorts and restaurants in the surrounding area.

Ao Noi Beach

Ao Noi Beach is a small, secluded beach that feels like a private tropical paradise. You can get there via the Ao Noi Resort, where you’ll also find a restaurant open to the public and bungalows with sea views. A popular spot for taking photos is the local pier, which overlooks the bay. The water is calm, although the slope into the sea is a little steeper. As the beach belongs to the resort, you are not allowed to bring your own food or drinks here. However, you can grab a bite to eat at the restaurant mentioned above.

Secret Sunset Beach

Secret Sunset Beach is a slightly more secluded beach, but that doesn’t detract from its beauty in the slightest. You can look forward to crystal-clear water and stunning views of the island of Koh Raet, which lies opposite. There’s also the iconic reclining palm tree here, where you can take some lovely photos. Seacret Koh Kood Resort is situated right on the beach and could be an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy an undisturbed atmosphere. There’s also a beach bar on the beach where you can buy a chilled coconut, a drink or a quick bite to eat.

Ao Jark Bay Beach

A lesser-known beach on the island is Ao Jark Bay Beach. It is ideal for those who enjoy natural beaches without resorts or beach bars and are looking for undisturbed relaxation.

Ao Phrao Beach

On the very opposite side of the island lies the aforementioned Ao Phrao Beach, which is particularly popular at sunset, when there is a truly exceptional atmosphere. In the middle of it stands a wooden jetty, where you can take some lovely photos. You’ll also find several restaurants on the beach serving excellent Thai specialities.

Waterfalls on Koh Kood Island

As well as its beautiful beaches, Koh Kood also boasts a wealth of natural beauty. If you decide to stay for a longer period and don’t want to spend every day just on the beach, we have a great alternative for you. How about exploring the countryside and cooling off under a waterfall?

There are two beautiful waterfalls on the island: Klong Chao Waterfall and Klong Yai Kee Waterfall. You don’t need to go on any strenuous hikes to get there; it’s just a short five- to ten-minute walk from the car park. You can also go for a swim at both waterfalls.

Cuisine on Koh Kood

Although Koh Kood is a tiny local island where you won’t find any large supermarket chains, international restaurants or nightclubs, there’s no shortage of excellent food here. There are an incredible number of small local restaurants here, serving the very best Thai specialities.

Our favourite restaurants

Our number one choice is definitely Chaiyo Restaurant. It’s a small family-run restaurant with just a few tables. If you come in the evening when it’s full, you’ll probably have to wait a while, but it’ll be worth it. Another excellent restaurant is Black Bananas. The prices here are a little higher than in other local restaurants, but the food and service are definitely worth it. If you fancy something other than Thai food, we recommend popping into Let’s Meat, where you can enjoy grilled specialities and burgers.

Breakfast, brunch and coffee

If you love breakfast, brunch and good coffee, you’ll find a few places here that are definitely worth a visit. For breakfast, you could pop into the Mermaid Restaurant and Café, for example, where we recommend their refreshing smoothie bowls. If you’re looking for excellent coffee, pop into Yak’s Cafe Koh Kood or Kood Vibes Bakery & Restaurant, where they also serve delicious fresh pastries.

BONUS TIP: Although you won’t find any clubs or bars on the island that stay open until the early hours, there is one place you simply must include in your itinerary. It’s called the Tawan Eco Bar. This bar will literally take you back in time, and here you’ll experience the sort of atmosphere we believe prevailed amongst travellers 30 to 40 years ago. You take your shoes off at the entrance; there’s a live band playing – which includes the owners themselves – you serve yourself, and you simply enjoy the moment to the full.

Travel Guide Thailand

Koh Chang is an island full of contrasts, experiences, and colors. A place where you can spend one day discovering hidden beaches, diving among coral reefs, strolling through night markets, and enjoying the sunset over the sea in the evening. These tips are just a small taste of what this island has to offer – and perhaps it is in those unexpected moments that you will find your most beautiful memories.

If you are looking for more inspiration for other areas in Thailand, we recommend checking out our e-book, where you will find practical tips, proven itineraries, recommendations for food, accommodation, and lots of other useful advice from our own travels. It will help you plan your trip so that you can experience the best and completely stress-free. The e-book can be found here.

In our e-book you will find everything in one place:

Tips and tricks to enjoy your holiday in Thailand to the fullest and save money
Over 440 places to visit (including Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Koh Samui, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Koh Chang, Koh Kood, Khao Sok, Khao Lak, Similan Islands and Bangkok)
Tips on restaurants, hotels and excursions in each area
Direct contacts to tour operators from Phuket or Krabi
11 perfect itineraries for different lengths of stay
Google map with all locations

Why it’s worth visiting Koh Kood

Koh Kood has won our hearts and has become our favourite island in the whole of Thailand. Although it’s a bit of a challenge to get there, we think it’s definitely worth it. If you want to experience Thailand as it was 20 years ago, this is the place to come. You won’t regret it!