Destination guide · East

Koh Kood: the 10 best things to do, where to stay and budget

Thailand's fourth-largest island is still one of its wildest: near-untouched jungle, clear rivers and lightly built bays. No big town and no nightlife, just a few fishing villages and low-key resorts.

Kylian DevBy Kylian Dev

  • Best: November to April
  • €40 - 80 / day

In short

Koh Kood (East) — The wildest island in the East: jungle, waterfalls and crystal-clear water. Best time to go: November to April; average temperatures 29°C. Budget: about €40 - 80 / day. Weather: 29°C • Calm, crystal-clear sea in the dry season

RegionEast
TypeIsland
Best seasonNovember to April
Avg. temperature29°C
Budget / day€40 - 80 / day
Suggested stay3 to 5 days
Thai nameเกาะกูด

Must-sees

Top 10 things to do in Koh Kood

The wildest island in the East: jungle, waterfalls and crystal-clear water

1

Klong Chao waterfall

The island's best-known falls: a deep green pool in the jungle, 20 minutes from the west coast.

2

Ao Salad fishing village

Stilt houses and seafood restaurants over the water in the island's north-east.

3

Klong Chao & Ao Tapao beaches

White sand, turquoise water and a river flowing into the sea, perfect at sunset.

More things to do in Koh Kood

  1. 4

    Ao Bang Bao

    BeachHalf a day or more

    A long white beach with calm water on the west coast, one of the most beautiful on the island.

  2. 5

    Kayaking on Klong Chao

    Nature2 to 3 h

    Paddle up the river from Klong Chao beach through the mangroves to the waterfall.

  3. 6

    Huai Yang waterfall

    Nature2 to 3 h

    A three-tiered waterfall reached by a short trail, quieter than Klong Chao.

  4. 7

    The Makka Tree

    NatureAbout 1 h

    Giant 500-year-old trees in the jungle, with huge buttress roots. A short walk from the road.

  5. 8

    Snorkelling trips to nearby islands

    Sea & islandsFull day

    Boat trips visit Koh Rang and other islands of the marine park for snorkelling.

  6. 9

    Motorbike tour of the island

    ActivityFull day

    Koh Kood has few roads and very little traffic. A scooter lets you discover empty beaches and fishing villages.

  7. 10

    Sunset at Ao Tapao

    BeachAbout 1 h

    A long sandy beach facing west, ideal for sunset with a drink.

Great forBeaches & RelaxingJungle & HikingDiving & Reefs

Weather

When to go to Koh Kood?

29°C • Calm, crystal-clear sea in the dry season. Month-by-month outlook:

  1. JanIdeal
  2. FebIdeal
  3. MarIdeal
  4. AprIdeal
  5. MayRain / monsoon
  6. JunRain / monsoon
  7. JulRain / monsoon
  8. AugRain / monsoon
  9. SepRain / monsoon
  10. OctRain / monsoon
  11. NovIdeal
  12. DecIdeal
IdealFairRain / monsoon

Budget

Budget in Koh Kood: how much per day?

Plan on roughly €40 - 80 / day per person, excluding international flights.

Mid-range

40–80 € / day

Estimate my budget for Koh Kood

Indicative split of a typical day (estimate)

Accommodation
~24 €
Food
~15 €
Activities
~12 €
Local transport
~9 €

Transport

How to get to Koh Kood

Transport tip

Speedboat (1–1.5 h) from Laem Sok or Ao Thammachat near Trat; fewer boats from May to October. No public transport on the island: rent a scooter or use your hotel's shuttle.

From Bangkok → Koh Kood

Road

~324 km · ~6 h by road

Nearest destinations

Koh Kood → Koh Mak

Boat

30–45 min

Koh Kood → Koh Chang

Boat

1h15–1h45

Koh Kood → Koh Samet

Road

~157 km · ~3 h by road

Where is Koh Kood?

BangkokKoh Kood
Koh Kood is in the East region, about 324 km from Bangkok as the crow flies.

Accommodation

Where to stay in Koh Kood

The best-known areas to base yourself:

Klong Chao

Beach and river, restaurants and easy access to the waterfall.

Ao Tapao

Long white-sand beach with a peaceful feel.

Ao Bang Bao / Ao Prao

Secluded west-coast bays with upmarket resorts.

Ao Salad

The fishing-village side, near the north-east pier.

Full guide: where to stay in Koh Kood

Food

What to eat in Koh Kood

Grilled squid and fish from Ao Salad village

Grilled squid and fish from Ao Salad village

Seafood tom yam

Seafood tom yam

Durians and rambutans from Trat's orchards (April–June)

Durians and rambutans from Trat's orchards (April–June)

Combine with

Similar destinations

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Koh Kood

What are the best things to do in Koh Kood?

The must-sees are Klong Chao waterfall, Ao Salad fishing village, Klong Chao & Ao Tapao beaches. Also worth your time: Ao Bang Bao, Kayaking on Klong Chao, Huai Yang waterfall, The Makka Tree.

How many days should I spend in Koh Kood?
What is the best time to visit Koh Kood?

The best season is November to April. 29°C • Calm, crystal-clear sea in the dry season. Where possible, avoid the monsoon months shown in the calendar above.

Thailand weather month by month
What daily budget should I plan for Koh Kood?

Plan on roughly €40 - 80 / day per person (Mid-range), excluding international flights. Use the budget calculator to fine-tune it to your travel style.

Estimate my budget for Koh Kood
How do I get to Koh Kood?

Speedboat (1–1.5 h) from Laem Sok or Ao Thammachat near Trat; fewer boats from May to October. No public transport on the island: rent a scooter or use your hotel's shuttle. From Bangkok, Koh Kood is about 324 km away as the crow flies.

Getting around Thailand: buses, trains, ferries
Which area should I stay in, in Koh Kood?

The most popular areas are Klong Chao, Ao Tapao, Ao Bang Bao / Ao Prao, Ao Salad. The choice mostly depends on the vibe you want: lively, family-friendly or quiet.

Full guide: where to stay in Koh Kood

Plan your trip

Tools to plan your stay in Koh Kood