Koh Kood (Thailand): what to see 🛄

Koh Kood (o Koh Kut, as some call it) was the highlight of my last trip to Thailand. When I organized the trip I was looking for a little-known and little-known island; I had already been several times to Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Phi Phi, the Andaman, etc (the great Thai classics) and I wanted to see a new place. Reading here and there I came across Koh Kood and I was immediately intrigued.

Koh Kood is located along the east coast of Thailand, under Koh Chang, practically facing the Cambodian coast. It is the fourth largest island in Thailand and has not yet been touched by mass tourism; at the moment there are only a few luxury properties on the island and several (all low-rise) establishments for independent travelers. Almost the whole island is covered by tropical forest, it is very green, has very few asphalted roads and roads beaches that are nothing short of heavenly. It is the ideal place for those looking for relaxation, nature and crystal clear sea. There are very few inhabited centers, most of which are small fishing villages with a few dozen houses: if you are looking for the nightlife of Phuket or the full moon party of Koh Pha Ngan .. this is not the place for you!

How to reach Koh Kood

Koh Kood can be reached from Bangkok in about 7-8h by buying a single ticket bus + ferry + transfer to the hotel with the Boonsiri agency through this site (at a cost of 900B-25 euros).

The bus leaves Khaosan Road around 7 am and arrives at Laem Sok pier after around 4h; from there you will then take the ferry which takes about 2 hours to reach the Ban Ao Salat pier on Koh Kood. Once you arrive on the island you will be sorted on different minibuses according to your hotel. Everything is super organized and comfortable. You will then have to do the same thing, on the contrary, to return to Bangkok (in this case they will pick you up at your hotel and then drop you off at Khaosan Road or at Suvarnabhumi International Airport). There are also transfers to Trat airport. Koh Kood can also be reached by ferry from the islands of Koh Chang or Koh Mak and you can buy tickets through this site. From Ko Chang the price is always 900B and includes transfers from / to the hotel in Koh Kood. In the high season there are also several companies of private speedboats offering transfers to Koh Kood departing from Laem Sok and the price is around 600B (16 euros, 1h crossing).

How to get around the island

The best way to get around the island is by moped. All hotels / guesthouses rent them and the price is 250 / 280B per day (around 7-9 euros). If you don't know how to drive the scooter you just have to walk (but the distances are considerable and the roads are all up and down) or use the only one Taxi service that is on the island, which however costs very expensive (800B A / R, about 20 euros). There are not many asphalted roads, but you will be able to drive the moped even on most of the dirt roads.

When to go to Koh Kood

As with the rest of Thailand, Koh Kood also has 2 seasons, the dry season (November to April) e the rainy season (May to October). The wettest months are July, August and September (especially the latter). From May to October, in addition to the rains, there is also a rough sea and connections are extremely limited. The best time to go to Koh Kood is undoubtedly between January and April, when the sun almost always shines and the sea is calm. The high season coincides with the Christmas / New Year holidays (late December-early January) and with the Chinese New Year: in these periods everything will cost you more and you will have to book well in advance.

Where to sleep in Koh Kood

Koh Kood offers a variety of accommodations ranging from the ultra-luxurious and super-exclusive Soneva (which has its own private airport) to simple, no-frills guesthouses. Many structures consist of bungalows directly on the beach or surrounded by greenery. As for the choice of the area where to sleep, I advise you to opt for Ban Khlong Chao, the largest village on the island, located in the middle of the west coast, where there are more services / restaurants, or Ban Bang Bao (where there is the most beautiful beach on the island) or finally Ban Khlog Mat, a very nice microscopic fishing village with a few restaurants and 2 very nice beaches. In particular I recommend these structures:

Wave-F (Ban Khlong Mat): I slept in this very nice place, which is just a few minutes walk from the village. the structure consists of bungalows surrounded by greenery, all very nice. There is a bar-restaurant also open to outsiders and they do yoga classes every morning.
Koh Kood Resort (Ban Bang Bao): Beautiful wooden bungalow structure located on one end of Ban Bang Bao beach, the most beautiful on the island in my opinion.
Siam Beach Resort Koh Kood (Ban Bang Bao): Basic bungalows overlooking the best beach on the island.
Soneva Kiri (Khlong Lahan Beach): structure of a thousand and one nights much loved by VIPs who can reach it directly by plane. If you want to try unique experiences (eg eating suspended between the trees) and the real luxury .. you are in the right place!

What to see in Koh Kood: the most beautiful beaches

Siam Beach (or Bang Bao Beach): by far the best beach on the island! A strip of fine white sand bordered by palm trees and a crystal-colored sea. A postcard beach with always calm water where you can also find various facilities for drinking and eating. Looking at the beach, walking to the end on the left side you will meet a mobile bridge; on the other side there is a really nice bar-restaurant where you can refresh yourself with a sea view (and where, be careful, they also make coffee with mocha !!).
Secret Beach: no longer so secret now, this beach is located on the northwest coast, near the Soneka Kiri Resort (it used to be part of the latter). To reach it you will have to follow the signs for the Soneva. It is a beautiful beach with a small island in front of it and at low tide you can reach it on foot. You won't find any bars or restaurants here so bring water and food just in case (they are starting to build small structures there, hopefully they won't spoil it!).
Klong Chao beach: the most convenient beach to reach, is located more or less in the middle of the island, in the largest village. It is one of the most popular, but it is always beautiful. Here you will find several shops, bars and restaurants.
Ban Khlog Mat Beach: in the small fishing village there are two beaches, one on the right, in front of the Suanya Koh Kood Resort & Spa, in which it is still possible to access (obviously without using their sunbeds, etc.) and a micro-beach on the left (to reach it you will have to cross the bridge). These beaches are perfect for those looking for absolute tranquility (not to mention that the village is also home to the best fish restaurant on the island!).

Where to eat on Koh Kood

Shantaa Restaurant: very nice restaurant and sea view of Shantaa Resort. Extensive menu of impeccably cooked Thai cuisine. You spend a little more than the average (I spent 900B with wine) but it is worth it all!
Heaven Sense: really good Italian restaurant / pizzeria for the homesick, but not only. The pizza is excellent, as are the other dishes (try the tiramisu!), The setting is nice and Ivan knows how to make you feel at home.
Noochy Seafood: this fish restaurant is located in the fishing village of Ban Khlog Mat. From the outside you don't pay them a penny, but the fish is the best on the island.
View Point Cafè: sea view bar-restaurant on Klong Chao beach, very nice (and good) for both breakfast and sunset.