Koh Kood, Thailand: How to Get There, Beaches, Waterfalls and Best Time to Go (2026)

Koh Kood (also spelled Ko Kut) is a large, quiet island in the far east of Thailand, close to the Cambodian border, with long empty beaches, a clear waterfall and almost no nightlife. It is for travelers who want to switch off completely. Here is how to reach it and what to do.

How to get to Koh Kood

• Bangkok to Trat: fly to Trat airport (about one hour), or take a bus from Ekkamai or Mo Chit terminals (five to six hours), or travel by private car.
• Trat to Laem Sok pier: a short drive from the airport or bus station.
• Laem Sok to Koh Kood: a speedboat or ferry takes roughly one to one and a half hours. Tickets often include a songthaew transfer to your hotel. In the low season (around June to September) the schedule may be reduced, so confirm times a few days before you travel.

With a private tour, we arrange the flight, the car and the boat so the trip feels seamless.

Boats arrive at piers on the west coast, and some resorts have their own jetty or arrange a pickup. In the low season, from about May to October, there are fewer departures, and rough weather can cancel crossings, so plan your onward connections with some margin.

Getting around the island

Motorbike is the easiest way to explore, but roads are hilly and few; fuel is sold at roadside stalls, often in bottles, so fill up in advance. Many resorts arrange transport.

Koh Kood has very few ATMs and no big shopping centers, so bring enough Thai baht for your stay, even if your resort accepts cards. The island has small clinics, but the nearest hospital is on the mainland in Trat, so travel insurance is essential.

The best things to do

Khlong Chao Waterfall

The island’s best-known sight: a broad fall into a deep, clear pool in the forest, where you can swim. You can walk in from the road in about 15 minutes, or, better, paddle a kayak or ride a longtail boat up the Khlong Chao stream from the coast. The rocks are slippery, so go carefully. It is open daily, roughly 8:00am to 5:00pm.

The beaches

The island is ringed by long, quiet beaches, with bays on the west coast that face the sunset. Choose your resort by the bay, since each has its own character.

Beaches to know: Klong Chao beach, at the mouth of the river near the waterfall, is the liveliest, with several restaurants. Ao Tapao has a long, quiet stretch of sand. Ao Prao and Ao Noi are good for sunsets. Bang Bao Bay, with its shallow, turquoise water, is ideal for families. Sand flies can bite at dusk on some beaches, so bring repellent.

Snorkeling and island trips

Boat trips visit nearby islands and reefs in the Gulf of Thailand when the sea is calm.

Day trips by speedboat visit the islands of the Mu Ko Chang National Marine Park, such as Koh Rang, with some of the clearest water and best coral in the eastern Gulf. You can also reach Koh Mak, a small, peaceful island of coconut plantations, and sometimes Koh Wai, depending on the season.

Ao Salad and Ao Yai fishing villages

On the east coast, Ao Salad and Ao Yai are traditional fishing villages built on stilts over the water. Visit for fresh seafood and a glimpse of island life before tourism, and buy dried squid or shrimp paste from the family-run shops.

Kayaking the mangroves and the Big Tree

Rent a kayak to paddle up the Khlong Chao river through the mangroves toward the waterfall: it is calm and peaceful in the morning. Inland, a short forest walk leads to the island’s giant old trees, locally known as the “Big Tree”, with buttress roots taller than a person.

Cycling and village life

Ride quiet roads past rubber plantations and fishing villages.

When to go

November to February is the best time: dry, sunny and with a calm sea, but also the busiest season, so book early. March to May is hot and hazy. In the rainy season the waterfall is at its fullest, but boats run less often. See our best time to visit Thailand.

Where to stay

Most of Koh Kood’s accommodation is on the west coast, from simple beach bungalows to boutique resorts. At the top end, Soneva Kiri, in the north of the island, is one of Thailand’s most exclusive hideaways, with its own flights from Bangkok to a nearby airstrip, treehouse dining and large private villas. Because there is little to do outside the resorts at night, choose a place with a good restaurant and a beach you love: you will spend most of your time there.

A sample three-night stay

• Day 1: arrive by boat, settle in and watch the sunset on a west-coast beach.
• Day 2: morning kayak up the Khlong Chao river, a swim at the waterfall, then an afternoon on the beach.
• Day 3: snorkeling trip to Koh Rang, or a drive to Ao Salad for a seafood lunch.
• Day 4: a morning swim before the boat back to the mainland.

Who is Koh Kood for?

Couples, honeymooners and families who want a barefoot break away from crowds. For more variety and big-resort amenities, try Phuket or Krabi; see our guides to Phuket’s beaches and Krabi.

Plan your trip

Explore our private Thailand tours, or read our guide to Koh Samet, another island close to Bangkok.

Koh Kood: FAQ

How do you get to Koh Kood?

Fly or travel to Trat, then take a boat from Laem Sok pier.

Is Koh Kood worth visiting?

Yes, for peace, empty beaches and a waterfall.

How long should I stay?

Three to four nights.

What is the best time to visit?

November to February.

Is there nightlife on Koh Kood?

Almost none; that is the point.

Are there ATMs on Koh Kood?

There are only a few, so bring enough cash for your stay.

Can I combine Koh Kood with Koh Chang or Koh Mak?

Yes. Island-hopping speedboats link Koh Kood with Koh Mak and Koh Chang in the high season, from about November to April.