Koh Kood is our favorite island in Thailand. We’ve visited three times now, and just can’t get enough of its tropical beaches and laidback atmosphere. Arriving at this gem of the Eastern Gulf is such a special experience: you instantly feel at peace when you see the Big Buddha Statue peak its head through the palm trees of Ao Salad Pier. Jumping off the ferry, and into a songthaew, you’re whisked away through the jungle roads to your hotel.

Then all that’s left to do is rent a scooter, and your days will be filled with as much relaxation and exploration as you see fit. Koh Kood is surprisingly big, Thailand’s 4th largest island, so there’s always something new to discover - be it a quaint seafood restaurant or quiet secluded bay. Tourism is starting to increase but the island remains untouched - there are no real shopping streets and certainly no nightlife districts. Instead, you’ll find family-run guesthouses, sleepy fishing villages and a total absence of 7-Elevens.

Even the accommodation does a good job of blending in with nature, rather than taking over. Cottages nestled in lush gardens provide havens for backpackers while resorts surrounded by palm trees cater to luxury travelers. But the best experiences in Koh Kood are found outside the hotel - everything from beach adventures and waterfall hikes, to scooter rides and beach bar sunsets. Here’s our list of the best things to do in Koh Kood.

20 Best Things To Do in Koh Kood

1. See the Famous Twin Palms of Klong Chao Beach

Klong Chao Beach is the main tourist hub (so to speak) lined with luxury resorts and a handful of small shops, restaurants and bars in the area. The beach is beautiful all the way down, boasting white sand and turquoise waters, but the highlight is the Twin Palms. These bent coconut trees lean out over the sand in identical fashion, creating a unique photo-op. We recommend coming back to the beach at night, when you can enjoy a few drinks at one of the resort bars and see the trees wrapped in fairy lights.

Koh Kood - Klong Chao Beach — *Klong Chao Beach*

Twin Palm Trees - Koh Kood — *Kat’s family at the Twin Palms*

2. Take a Refreshing Dip at Khlong Chao Waterfall

Khlong Chao Waterfall is one of the easiest adventures you can have in Koh Kood - it’s just a short scooter ride away from Klong Chao Beach. The trail takes you along a stony pathway through the jungle, with a few Buddha shrines to check out along the way, and before you even break a sweat you arrive. The waterfall was more like a trickle when we visited in March, but the swimming hole had enough water for a cheeky swim or rope swing. The best months to go are November and December, just after the rainy season, when the water levels are high and the weather’s fine.

Khlong Chao Waterfall - Koh Kood — *Khlong Chao Waterfall*

Khlong Chao Waterfall in Koh Kood — *Khlong Chao Waterfall*

3. Spend the Day at the Beautiful Bang Bao Beach

On our most recent trip to Koh Kood, we found what we believe to be the most beautiful beach on the island: Bang Bao Beach. It almost resembles something out of the Greek or Balearic islands - a stunning horseshoe shaped bay with sailing boats docked in the water. You can easily spend the day here relaxing under the shade of palms, swimming and kayaking, and finishing with sunset drinks at Hidden Gem Monkey Bar right on the beach. To get there, you need to follow the signs to Siam Beach Resort, park your scooter at the visitor parking, and then walk to the shore.

Koh Kood - Bang Bao Beach — *Bang Bao Beach*

Bang Bao Beach in Koh Kood — *Bang Bao Beach*

4. Enjoy a Few Cocktails at Hidden Gem Monkey Bar

We met a cool French couple on Koh Kood who took us to this awesome little sunset bar on Bang Bao Beach called Hidden Gem Monkey Bar. The setting is incredibly simple: bean bags, fairy lights and chill house music but that’s all you need when the views are this good. We ordered a few cocktails, watched the sun dip below the horizon and then headed up the road on our scooters to Bang Bao Home Food for a lovely Thai dinner.

Koh Kood - Hidden Gem Monkey Bar — *Hidden Gem Monkey Bar*

Koh Kood - Bang Bao Beach Sunset — *Hidden Gem Monkey Bar*

Hidden Gem Monkey Bar - Bang Bao Beach — *Hidden Gem Monkey Bar*

5. Indulge in a Seafood Feast at Noochy Seafood

We’ve tried a range of dishes at Noochy Seafood with our favorites being the papaya salad with raw blue club (so fresh), grilled scallops with butter and garlic (mouthwatering) and seafood pasta (amazing with green peppercorns). We always order a banquet and somehow Kat manages to demolish everything, like all Thais do. Noochy is situated in a fishing village called Ao Yai Fisherman Village, on the east side of the island, so getting there involves a scenic scooter trip which is worth doing in its own right.

Koh Kood - Noochy Seafood — *Noochy Seafood*

Noochy Seafood - Koh Kood — *Noochy Seafood*

Papaya Salad - Noochy Seafood - Koh Kood — *Noochy Seafood*

6. Explore Klong Mad Fisherman Village

Klong Mad Fisherman Village offers a more local, authentic atmosphere than the island’s resort areas, which is why we love basing ourselves here. It’s easy to mix and mingle with the locals - whether it be on a boat tour with a local captain or eating at one of the cozy family-run restaurants. We recommend coming in the afternoon when you can wander around the walkways, relax on the beach and then watch the sunset from the little wooden pier at the jetty. For dinner, you can’t go wrong with either Baan Bua Cafe for its home-style cooking or Krua Nai Khlong for its seafood.

Klong Mad Jetty at Koh Kood — *Klong Mad Jetty*

Klong Mad Fisherman Village on Koh Kood Island — *Klong Mad Fisherman Village*

Klong Mad Fisherman Village - Koh Kood — *Klong Mad Fisherman Village*

7. Soak Up the Tropical Vibes of Ao Jark Bay

If you’re searching for those tropical paradise vibes that Koh Kood is famous for then head to Ao Jark Bay. The sand is light and golden, the water is turquoise clear and palm trees jut out from the jungle giving you that castaway feel. We rate it as the second most beautiful beach on the island, behind Bang Bao Beach. Koh Kood Club is the obvious choice for accommodation at Ao Jark Bay as it sits just meters from the shoreline.

8. Escape to Secret Sunset Beach by Boat

One time we visited Koh Kood with both of our families and decided to take a boat tour out to Secret Sunset Beach. The tour included a spot of fishing as well as lunch on the beach, with the freshly prepared sea urchins being a hit with Kat’s family. The highlight for us all, though, was walking along the pristine shores of Secret Sunset Beach where we enjoyed swimming in the water and taking photos of the beautiful surroundings.

Koh Kood - Secret Sunset Beach — *Secret Sunset Beach*

Secret Sunset Beach - Koh Kood — *Secret Sunset Beach*

Koh Kood - Boat Trip — *Boat trip to Secret Sunset Beach*

9. Visit the Tucked Away Bay of Ao Noi Beach

Ao Noi Beach is a real hidden gem, located at the resort with the same name: Ao Noi Resort. This small, tucked away bay boasts towering palm trees, white sand, a wooden pier, and unique boulders dotted throughout the water. To get there, you need to go through the resort but (from our experience) they are welcoming to visitors. We spent the morning sunbathing, enjoying fruit smoothies from the beach bar, and taking unique photos of the palm trees casting their shadows on the sand.

Koh Kood - Ao Noi Resort — *Ao Noi Resort*

Ao Noi Beach - Koh Kood — *Ao Noi Beach*

Ao Noi Beach in Koh Kood — *Ao Noi Beach*

10. Get a Thai Massage in Koh Kood

Massage is a key part of the Thailand travel experience and Koh Kood is no different. We’ve had a few “resort massages” but to be honest prefer the local massage huts where the staff are friendlier and the massage firmer. Go with a traditional Thai massage if you’ve got a sore body or a relaxing massage if your skin is slightly sunburnt - either option is great and will leave you feeling rejuvenated for more adventures around the island.

Koh Kood - Massage — *Massage in Koh Kood*

11. Have Lunch at Hideout & Visit Khlonghin Beach

Hideout is considered one of the best boutique hotels in Koh Kood, just around the corner from the spectacular Khlonghin Beach, so it makes sense visiting both on the same trip. Getting to Hideout is part of the adventure - the road suddenly transitions to a dirt track and you’re greeted to a sea of palm trees. You can enjoy a nice lunch at the hotel’s restaurant, explore the black rock formations on its own private little beach, and then cruise around to Khlonghin Beach for a sunbathe and swim.

Koh Kood - Hideout Beach — *Beach by Hideout*

12. Eat at the Cozy Local Restaurants

Koh Kood is full of these amazing little family-run restaurants which serve delicious home-style Thai cooking. Our favorites are Bang Bao Home Food, Baan Bua Cafe and Krua Nai Khlong. They offer all the authentic dishes you expect to see in Thailand plus a range of Westernised options if you can’t handle the spice, from mild green curry to cashew chicken stir fry. Krua Nai Khlong is heaven for seafood-lovers, Baan Bua Cafe has a lovely garden setting, and Bang Bao Home Food has giant portions for affordable prices.

Koh Kood - Baan Bua Cafe — *Baan Bua Cafe*

Bang Bao Home Food - Koh Kood — *Bang Bao Home Food*

Krua Nai Khlong Seafood Restaurant — *Krua Nai Khlong*

13. Admire the Leaning Palm Trees of Ao Tapao Beach

Famous for its leaning palm trees and rope swings, Ao Tapao Beach is definitely one of the most photographed spots on Koh Kood. This is another beach accessed through a resort (Sea Far Resort), but they have parking 50 meters away which is handy. In addition to the leaning palms, you’ll see a wooden pier and a few hammocks by the resorts. Ao Tapao isn’t quite as beautiful as the photos suggest, however it’s still worthy of a visit.

Ao Tapao Beach - Koh Kood — *Ao Tapao Beach*

Ao Tapao Beach in Koh Kood — *Ao Tapao Beach*

14. Discover Koh Kood’s Hidden Gems by Scooter

Riding scooters around Koh Kood isn’t just the best way to get around, it’s fun in and of itself. The roads are quiet, scenic and much flatter than nearby Koh Chang - making it ideal for beginners. You can explore most of the west coast, much of the south, and parts of the east coast which remains largely undiscovered. Most of the resorts and guesthouses offer scooter rentals for around 300 THB per day, and many of the local shops sell gasoline in glass bottles if you’re ever in need of an emergency refill.

Scooter in Koh Kood — *Scooter rides in Koh Kood*

Scooter Rides Koh Kood — *Scooter rides in Koh Kood*

15. Find Peace at Wat Ao Salad Temple

Wat Ao Salad is home to the golden Buddha statue that you probably saw peaking its head through the trees on your ferry arrival from the mainland or Koh Chang. This is the most prominent temple in Koh Kood. Visitors can spend an hour or so here enjoying the peaceful temple grounds, checking out the Buddha platform, and even climbing a bell tower for the best vantage point of the entire complex and surrounding coastline.

Koh Kood - Wat Ao Salad — *Wat Ao Salad*

16. Relax on the Sea Hammocks of Ao Phrao Beach

Ao Phrao Beach is one of the largest stretches of sand in Koh Kood known for its long pier, sea hammocks and secluded vibe. Sadly, when we visited, there was some rubbish washing up onshore. This is caused from winds, currents and tides bringing waste from the sea, rather than from locals or tourists littering. Since Ao Phrao is so wide and open it can attract more rubbish than other parts of the island like Bang Bao Beach, which is naturally sheltered from the wind. Perhaps if you visited in the peak of high season - say in December or January - you’d find a cleaner beach.

Koh Kood - Ao Phrao Beach — *Ao Phrao Beach*

17. Go Diving with Koh Kood Divers

Koh Kood Divers run diving trips out to the beautiful Koh Rang National Park, which is a 90-minute boat ride away, as well as shorter snorkeling tours to reefs surrounding the island. Koh Kood Divers is the highest rated dive centre on the island, with a reputation for skilled instructors, small groups and well-organised trips. If you’ve ever dreamed of doing a full PADI course, and have a few extra days up your sleeve, then why not do it here.

18. Watch the Sunset Every Night in Koh Kood

It doesn’t matter where you’re based in Koh Kood, as long as you’re facing west and have a decent view of the sea, you’ll be pretty much guaranteed a beautiful sunset. Some of our favorite travel moments in Koh Kood have come during golden hour. Whether it be the simple pleasure of sitting on a wooden pier with our feet in the water or chilling on bean bags listening to house music, it never gets old. Sunsets here can be extraordinary - especially when you get that perfect orange ball sinking into the sea.

Sunset Klong Mad Jetty - Koh Kood — *Koh Kood sunset*

19. Stay Overnight at the Peaceful Koh Wai

Koh Wai is a tiny island situated in between Koh Chang and Koh Mak, offering nothing more than untouched beaches, colorful coral reefs and some rustic bungalow accommodation. There’s no roads or towns in Koh Wai - nothing to distract you from your natural surroundings. People come here for the relaxed, castaway feel where you can spend all day at the beach and go to sleep with the sound of the tide gently lapping on shore.

20. Add Koh Mak to Your Island-Hopping Itinerary

Koh Mak is one of the Eastern Gulf’s best kept secrets - a small, sleepy island characterized by calm seas, wooden piers and coconut groves. Your time here should be about slowing down and syncing with “island time”, not rushing around ticking things off your to-do list. There’s the usual activities of beach-hopping, scooter rides and sunset bars, but also a few unexpected charms like the cute roadside cafes serving cake and Thai tea, and the Muay Thai gyms where you can get lessons from local fighters.

Koh Kood - Koh Mak Muay Thai — *Koh Mak*

FAQs About Visiting Koh Kood

What are the best resorts in Koh Kood?

Koh Kood has limited accommodation but a demand which is rising rapidly. This means resorts can become expensive, or completely booked out, if you don’t book well in advance. On our latest trip to Thailand, it was noticeable how much higher the prices were in Koh Kood than Koh Chang. However, we see this as a good thing, as it might deter overcrowding. There’s some really cool resorts, boutique hotels and guesthouses right throughout the island, with some of our favorites listed below.

Suanya Resort - Koh Kood — *Suanya Resort*

When is the best time to visit the island?

The most reliable weather window in Koh Kood is in the peak season (November to February) when blue skies and calm seas make beach days and island-hopping a breeze. The catch is higher prices and sold out resorts. Things get hotter in the shoulder season (March to May) but on the plus side crowds start to dissipate. Rainfall then increases significantly in Koh Kood from June to October. However, if you’re traveling with the flexibility to change travel plans as and when required, you’ll be rewarded with cheaper hotel rates and a peaceful, local atmosphere on display.

What’s the best way to reach Koh Kood?

The easiest option, from Koh Chang, is booking the high speed ferry with Boonsiri - their aircon is a real lifesaver. If you’re starting in Bangkok, you’ll need to get to Laem Sok Pier in Trat. While you can fly to Trat with Bangkok Airways, we recommend taking the bus or a private van to Chanthaburi first, staying a few nights to break up the journey and then booking a taxi to the pier for your ferry trip. Chanthaburi is where Kat’s family lives and we always have a wonderful time at this authentic Thai city.

20 Best Things To Do in Koh Kood: A Tropical Paradise