Koh Kood is our favorite island in Thailand. We've been there three times already and simply can't get enough of the tropical beaches and the relaxed atmosphere. Arriving at this jewel in the eastern Gulf is a truly special experience: you immediately feel a deep sense of peace when you see the large Buddha statue peeking out from among the palm trees at Ao Salad Pier. As soon as you get off the ferry, you hop into a songthaew and are whisked through the jungle roads to your hotel.
Then all you need to do is rent a scooter and you can fill your days with relaxation and exploration, just as you wish. Koh Kood is surprisingly large, Thailand's fourth largest island, so there's always something new to discover – be it a quaint seafood restaurant or a quiet, secluded bay. While tourism is increasing, the island remains unspoiled – there are no proper shopping streets and certainly no nightlife. Instead, you'll find family-run guesthouses, sleepy fishing villages, and no 7-Elevens.
Even the accommodations blend harmoniously into nature, rather than dominating it. Cottages nestled in lush gardens offer backpackers an idyllic retreat, while palm-fringed resorts pamper luxury travelers. However, the best experiences on Koh Kood are found outside the hotel – from beach adventures and hikes to waterfalls to scooter rides and sunsets at beach bars. Here's our list of the best things to do on Koh Kood.
20 Top Things to Do in Koh Kood
1. Visit the famous twin palm trees at Klong Chao Beach
Klong Chao Beach is the tourist center of the area, lined with luxury resorts as well as a few small shops, restaurants, and bars. The beach is consistently beautiful with white sand and turquoise water, but the absolute highlight is the twin palms. These curved coconut palms lean identically over the sand, offering a unique photo opportunity. We recommend returning in the evening to enjoy a few drinks at one of the resort bars and admire the trees adorned with fairy lights.
Kat's family at Twin Palms
2. Take a refreshing dip in the Khlong Chao waterfall
Khlong Chao Waterfall is one of the easiest places to visit on Koh Kood – it's just a short scooter ride from Klong Chao Beach. The path leads along a rocky trail through the jungle, past a few Buddha shrines, and you're there before you've even broken a sweat. When we visited in March, the waterfall was more of a trickle, but the pool had enough water for a refreshing dip or a swing on the rope. The best months to visit are November and December, right after the rainy season, when the water level is high and the weather is nice.
Read more: Khlong Chao Waterfall: The ultimate jungle oasis in Koh Kood
3. Spend the day at the beautiful Bang Bao Beach.
On our last trip to Koh Kood, we discovered one of Thailand's most beautiful beaches: Bang Bao Beach. It's reminiscent of the Greek or Balearic Islands – a breathtaking, horseshoe-shaped bay dotted with sailboats. It's a wonderful place to spend the day relaxing in the shade of palm trees, swimming, kayaking, and ending the day with a sundowner at the Hidden Gem Monkey Bar right on the beach. To get there, simply follow the signs to Siam Beach Resort, park your scooter in the visitor parking lot, and then walk to the beach.
Read more: Bang Bao Beach: Is this the most beautiful bay on Koh Kood?
4. Enjoy some cocktails in the hidden Monkey Bar.
On Koh Kood, we met a lovely French couple who took us to a fantastic little sunset bar on Bang Bao Beach: the Hidden Gem Monkey Bar. The decor is super simple: beanbag chairs, fairy lights, and relaxed house music – but with a view like that, what more could you want? We ordered some cocktails, enjoyed the sunset, and then rode our scooters up the road to Bang Bao Home Food for some authentic Thai food.
5. Enjoy a seafood feast at Noochy Seafood.
We've tried many dishes at Noochy Seafood. Our favorites were the papaya salad with raw blue crab (so fresh!), the grilled scallops with butter and garlic (simply delicious!), and the seafood pasta (fantastic with green pepper!). We always order a set menu, and Kat somehow manages to eat everything – as is typical for Thais. Noochy is located in a fishing village called Ao Yai Fisherman Village in the east of the island. The journey there is a scenic scooter ride, but it's worth it in itself.
6. Explore the fishing village of Klong Mad
The fishing village of Klong Mad offers a more authentic, local atmosphere than the island's resort areas, which is why we feel so at home here. It's easy to connect with the locals – whether on a boat trip with a local captain or while dining at one of the cozy, family-run restaurants. We recommend visiting in the afternoon. You can stroll leisurely along the paths, relax on the beach, and enjoy the sunset from the small wooden jetty. For dinner, Baan Bua Cafe, with its home-style cooking, and Krua Nai Khlong, with its seafood, are excellent choices.
Klong Mad Fishing Village
7. Enjoy the tropical atmosphere of Ao Jark Bay
Anyone seeking the tropical paradise atmosphere for which Koh Kood is so famous should definitely visit Ao Jark Bay. The sand is light and golden, the water turquoise and clear, and palm trees rise from the jungle, creating a feeling of seclusion. We consider it the second most beautiful beach on the island, right after Bang Bao Beach. The Koh Kood Club is the ideal accommodation in Ao Jark Bay, as it is located just a few meters from the beach.
8. Escape from everyday life by boat to the secret Sunset Beach.
Once, we visited Koh Kood with both our families and decided to take a boat trip to Secret Sunset Beach. The tour included fishing and lunch on the beach, with Kat's family particularly enjoying the freshly prepared sea urchins. However, the absolute highlight for all of us was the walk along the pristine Secret Sunset Beach, where we swam in the sea and photographed the beautiful surroundings.
9. Visit the hidden cove of Ao Noi Beach
Ao Noi beach is a true hidden gem, located right within the Ao Noi Resort of the same name. This small, secluded cove boasts towering palm trees, white sand, a wooden jetty, and unique rocks scattered in the water. To reach it, you have to walk through the resort grounds, but (in our experience) visitors are very welcome. We spent the morning sunbathing, enjoying fruit smoothies from the beach bar, and taking beautiful photos of the palm trees casting their shadows on the sand.
10. Treat yourself to a Thai massage in Koh Kood
Massages are simply part of any trip to Thailand, and Koh Kood is no exception. While we've enjoyed several resort massages, we honestly prefer the local massage huts, where the staff is friendlier and the massage is a bit firmer. For muscle tension, a traditional Thai massage is recommended, and for mild sunburn, a relaxing massage is ideal – both are wonderful and provide renewed energy and relaxation on the island.
11. Lunch at the Hideout & visit to Khlonghin Beach
The Hideout is considered one of the best boutique hotels on Koh Kood and is located right next to the stunning Khlonghin Beach. Visiting both hotels during a single trip is therefore highly recommended. Even the journey to the Hideout is an adventure: the road suddenly transforms into a dirt track, and you're greeted by a sea of palm trees. Enjoy a delicious lunch in the hotel's restaurant, explore the black rock formations on the small private beach, and then take a boat to Khlonghin Beach for sunbathing and swimming.
12. Eat at the cozy restaurants in the area.
Koh Kood is full of charming, small, family-run restaurants serving delicious, homemade Thai cuisine. Our favorites are Bang Bao Home Food, Baan Bua Cafe, and Krua Nai Khlong. They offer all the authentic dishes you'd expect in Thailand, as well as a selection of Western-adapted options for those who prefer less spice—from mild green curry to chicken and cashew stir-fries. Krua Nai Khlong is a haven for seafood lovers, Baan Bua Cafe boasts a beautiful garden, and Bang Bao Home Food offers huge portions at affordable prices.
13. Admire the crooked palm trees on Ao Tapao beach.
Ao Tapao Beach, famous for its crooked palm trees and rope swings, is definitely one of the most photographed spots on Koh Kood. This beach is also accessible via a resort (Sea Far Resort), but conveniently offers parking just 50 meters away. Besides the crooked palm trees, there's a wooden boardwalk and some hammocks near the resort. While Ao Tapao isn't quite as beautiful as it appears in photos, it's still worth a visit.
14. Discover the hidden treasures of Koh Kood by scooter
Exploring Koh Kood by scooter is not only the best way to get around, but also a lot of fun. The roads are quiet, scenic, and much flatter than on neighboring Koh Chang – ideal for beginners. You can explore almost the entire west coast, large parts of the south, and even some of the still largely undiscovered areas of the east coast. Most resorts and guesthouses offer scooter rentals for around 300 THB per day, and you can buy petrol in glass bottles at many local shops if you need to refuel.
Scooter rides in Koh Kood
15. Find peace at Wat Ao Salad Temple
Wat Ao Salad houses the golden Buddha statue, whose head you likely saw peeking out from among the trees upon your arrival by ferry from the mainland or Koh Chang. This is the most important temple on Koh Kood. Visitors can easily spend about an hour here, enjoying the peaceful temple grounds, visiting the Buddha platform, and even climbing a bell tower for the best view of the entire complex and the surrounding coastline.
16. Relax in the seaside hammocks at Ao Phrao Beach.
Ao Phrao Beach is one of the largest sandy beaches on Koh Kood and is known for its long pier, hammocks suspended in the sea, and its tranquil, secluded atmosphere. Unfortunately, some trash had washed ashore during our visit. This comes from wind, currents, and tides carrying debris from the sea, rather than from locals or tourists. Because Ao Phrao Beach is so expansive and open, it attracts more trash than other parts of the island, such as the more sheltered Bang Bao Beach. You might find a cleaner beach during the high season, around December or January.
17. Go diving with Koh Kood Divers
Koh Kood Divers offers diving excursions to the beautiful Koh Rang National Park, which is a 90-minute boat ride away, as well as shorter snorkeling trips to the reefs around the island. Koh Kood Divers is the island's highest-rated dive center and is known for its experienced instructors, small groups, and well-organized trips. If you've always dreamed of completing a full PADI dive course and have a few days to spare, Koh Kood Divers is the perfect opportunity.
18. Enjoy the sunset in Koh Kood every evening.
No matter where you are on Koh Kood, as long as you're facing west with a beautiful sea view, a breathtaking sunset is practically guaranteed. Some of our best travel experiences on Koh Kood have taken place during the golden hour. Whether we're simply sitting on a wooden jetty with our feet dangling in the water or relaxing on beanbag chairs and listening to house music, it's never boring. The sunsets here can be extraordinary – especially when the sun sinks into the sea in a perfect shade of orange.
19. Overnight stay in peaceful Koh Wai
Koh Wai is a tiny island nestled between Koh Chang and Koh Mak, offering nothing but pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and rustic bungalows. There are no roads or towns on Koh Wai – nothing distracts from the untouched natural beauty. Visitors come here to soak up the relaxed, almost deserted atmosphere, spend the entire day on the beach, and fall asleep to the gentle sound of the waves.
20. Add Koh Mak to your island-hopping itinerary
Koh Mak is one of the best-kept secrets of the Eastern Gulf – a small, tranquil island with calm seas, wooden walkways, coconut palm groves, and the unique offshore island of Koh Kham. Here, you should take your time to unwind and adapt to the relaxed island rhythm, rather than frantically ticking off items on your to-do list. Besides the usual activities like beach walks, scooter rides, and sundowner bars, there are some unexpected charms, such as the pretty street cafes serving cakes and Thai tea, and the Muay Thai schools where you can train with local fighters.
Read more: Koh Mak: How to spend 3 days on this dream island
Frequently asked questions about visiting Koh Kood
What are the best resorts on Koh Kood?
Koh Kood offers limited accommodation options, but demand is rising rapidly. As a result, resorts can quickly become expensive or fully booked if you don't book early. On our last trip to Thailand, we noticed how much higher prices were on Koh Kood compared to Koh Chang. However, we see this as a positive, as it may prevent overcrowding. There are some truly fantastic resorts, boutique hotels, and guesthouses scattered across the island. A few of our favorites are listed below.
When is the best time to travel to the island?
The best weather window for Koh Kood is the high season (November to February). Blue skies and calm seas make beach days and island hopping a breeze. The catch: higher prices and fully booked resorts. While it gets warmer in the low season (March to May), the crowds thin out. From June to October, Koh Kood experiences significantly more rain. Those who are flexible and can adjust their travel plans as needed will benefit from lower hotel prices and a relaxed, authentic atmosphere.
Read more: 50 Thailand travel tips: What you should know before your trip
What's the best way to get to Koh Kood?
The easiest option from Koh Chang is to book the fast ferry with Boonsiri – the air conditioning on there is truly invaluable. If you're starting your journey in Bangkok, you'll need to get to Laem Sok Pier in Trat. While you can fly to Trat with Bangkok Airways, we recommend first taking a bus or private van to Chanthaburi, spending a couple of nights there to break up your journey, and then booking a taxi to the pier for your ferry crossing. Chanthaburi is where Kat's family lives, and we always have a wonderful time there.
Read more: 15 top things to do in Chanthaburi: A guide by locals
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