I've never been one to be blinded by hype, but in the age of Instagram Reels, Snapchat Stories, and TikTok, I've become particularly skeptical. These self-proclaimed experts flying around with drones pick some topic (or in this case, a travel destination) and present it as if it were paradise itself.

They're targeting at least a dozen locations in Thailand, which makes perfect sense. While I don't know the exact percentages, a large and clearly visible proportion of male tourists in Thailand are drone-flying macho types – a fact that becomes all the more noticeable the longer you spend on the islands.

During the pandemic, the hype surrounding Koh Kood in Trat province reached its peak. I found this interesting, as I've been there many times (and have returned since, if you're interested). Is Koh Kood worth a visit? Yes, but with some caveats.

Getting to Koh Kood is a nightmare.

Whether a visit to Koh Kood is worthwhile is a complex question. It's not just about what you'll find there, but also how you get there. The bad news? Getting to Koh Kood is arduous, and that's putting it mildly. You first have to travel to Trat province, either via Trat Airport (a short but expensive flight with Bangkok Airways from Bangkok) or via Trat Bus Station, which is a five-hour journey from Ekkamai in Bangkok.

Once you arrive, you need to go to Laem Sok Pier. While it's not particularly far from the airport or bus station, it costs 1,000 baht because Grab isn't available everywhere in the rural province of Trat, and the taxis (or songthaews) there are practically a mafia. From there, you take the ferry to the island. These run several times a day, but not hourly, so careful planning is essential.

Why foreigners love Koh Kood

It's not crowded.

Koh Kood is difficult to reach, and most foreigners shy away from the long journey. Therefore, even in peak season, you won't find nearly as many tourists there as on other Thai islands, not even on relatively remote ones like the Trang archipelago.

It's huge

Another reason why you might consider Koh Kood worth a visit? The island is huge, with a land area larger than that of the nearby islands of Koh Wai and Koh Mak combined. It's almost as big as the much more popular (and crowded) island of Koh Chang.

It is nice (enough).

I don't think any place in the eastern Gulf of Thailand can rival the beauty of Thailand's Andaman Sea islands, although Koh Tao (much further west, near Koh Samui) comes close. However, if you can overlook the lack of spectacular limestone formations, the white sand beaches and tropical scenery on Koh Kood are truly beautiful.

That's crazy

They are also largely undeveloped, at least away from popular beaches like Bang Bao. This exploration makes Koh Kood a worthwhile travel destination, even if the more rural areas of the island seem so remote and undeveloped that they appear almost unwelcoming.

It is not yet widespread.

As much as the drone-flying types (and their yoga-loving friends) try, Koh Kood is far from becoming a second Bali. In fact, Koh Kood is probably the least touristy of the major Thai islands, even compared to nearby Koh Chang. Koh Kood isn't for everyone, but it definitely commands respect.

How many days does it take to stay on Koh Kood?

Since Koh Kood is quite difficult to reach and the island is rather large, I recommend spending at least 3-5 days there. This gives you enough time to explore the island (if there are any sights to see at all), but also to relax and really enjoy your time. Surprisingly, this can be difficult if you've been traveling quite quickly in the rest of Thailand.

Regardless of how many days you should spend on Koh Kood, the question of your overall stay in Trat needs to be addressed. Unless you plan to hire a private speedboat, Koh Kood isn't the best base for island hopping in Trat – the main island of Koh Chang is better suited for that. In that case, you could spend 2-3 days on Koh Kood, either before or after a longer stay on Koh Chang (and Koh Mak and/or Koh Wai).

More frequently asked questions about visiting Koh Kood

Is Koh Kood overrated?

Koh Kood is a beautiful island – no question about it. On the other hand, I think it's a bit overrated. The beaches are great, but I'm not sure they justify the complicated journey there. Besides, the island is huge, which makes getting around quite difficult unless you rent a motorbike or get a ride from someone who already has one.

How do I get from Bangkok to Koh Kood?

To get from Bangkok to Koh Kood, you first need to travel to Trat province, either by plane (approximately 1 hour) or by bus (approximately 5 hours). From there, take a songthaew to Laem Sok pier and then the ferry to Koh Kood. Once you arrive on the island, you will need another songthaew to get to your accommodation.

How long should one spend on Koh Kood?

If you decide to visit Koh Kood, I recommend spending at least three days there. This is the minimum you need to compensate for the long and arduous journey to the island and to explore it sufficiently to satisfy your curiosity.

Conclusion

Is Koh Kood worth a visit? It depends. If you're already planning to visit the Trat Islands or explore Thailand's islands extensively, then the trip might be worthwhile. Riding a motorbike (the best way to get around on Koh Kood) also increases your chances of making the most of your trip. On the other hand, I don't consider Koh Kood the paradise that many TikTok stars and yoga influencers portray it to be. It's a beautiful island, far above average in beauty, but whether it will change your life is uncertain. What will change your life, however, is entrusting me with planning your Thailand trip.