The Koh Kood Experience

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Koh Kood (AKA Ko Kut) is an island south of Koh Chang and the easternmost island in the Gulf of Thailand before Cambodia. Like Koh Chang, it's an oval, just over half the total area, but more jungle than mountain and much less developed. Only a few thousand people inhabit the island. In general, prices are higher on Koh Kood as Koh Chang has a ferry service that allows goods to be trucked in.

ARRIVAL

Boat service is available a few times a day from the pier at Laem Sok. Crossing takes just under 2 hours and 350 baht ticket includes taxi to your hotel, and from your hotel back to the pier (at 9 AM on the day of your departure)

You can see Koh Chang in the background as you approach the island

Usually, you'll arrive at Ao Salad, largest settlement on the island, about 300 people.

Next: Accommodation

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ACCOMODATION

Accommodations range from a room with fan for 300 baht up to a 6-bedroom sea view villa with private pool for about 100,000 baht. In general, it's difficult to find good value in accommodations. During my last stay, I was able to find a low-season promotional deal from the Koh Kood Beach Resort, stay 2 nights for 1750 per night, get 1 night free.

The pool was too small for my liking but the resort had a small beach for swimming

Also some hot Russian babes lounging about

Alternately, the Tinkerbell Privacy Resort is right on the public beach for about 7000-8000 per night

The public beach there is the most crowded beach on the island

Next door to TinkerBell is the High Season Resort. I checked the rates on Agoda, they had some discounted bungalows for 16,000 and a pool villa for 30,000. This was low season.

There are also accommodations for the budget minded traveler

Next: EATS

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EATS

I wasn't impressed with the kitchen at the Beach Resort and this is a problem with Koh Kood as there were no other restaurants within walking distance and the resort rented motorbikes for the ridiculous rate of 400 baht/day. The only farang operated restaurant is Pizza and Pasta, run by a very personable Italian guy named Alex, serves really good food.

These places are located near the estuary but I haven't tried them.

But I did stop for a hearty bowl of coconut soup at Katen Seafood

There's a good seafood restaurant at Ao Yai, the second largest settlement on the island, about 200 people. Fresh crab and noodles will set you back 100 baht. The problem is this is about a 30 minute drive to my resort.

Next: Roads

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ROADS

There's no public transportation to speak of, so you'll have to rent a motorbike to get around and rental prices are highest in Thailand. The roads are good however, not nearly as dangerous as on Koh Chang, and newly paved, although many internal roads are still unpaved.

In some places roads were already being eroded by underbrush, even worse than a Sukhumvit street vendor

Next: Attractions

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ATTRACTIONS

Besides scuba diving, there are just beaches and waterfalls. By far, the largest and most accessible falls is Klong Chao.

The second largest falls is Klong Yai Kee Waterfall. I had it to myself until a Chinese tour group arrived from the Captain Cook Resort

The most remote waterfall is Huang Nam Keaw Waterfall, also called the 'hidden' waterfall. To get here, you have to drive 20-30 minutes on a dirt road, then another 20-30 minutes to climb down a rocky trail.

There was another level little bit downstream. I thought about crawling down but didn't know if I'd be able to get back up.

I had to use the rope to get back up to the next level

Then climbing back up this rocky trail to get back to the road. I did it in flip-flops but I'd recommend tennis shoes or hiking boots. And take a cell phone in case you slip and break an ankle. There's no telling how long it will be until someone happens to come along.

The road ends in the northwest at the third largest settlement on the island at Ao Lak Uan

Around that point is the exclusive Soneva Kiri, where you can book a 6-bedroom sea view villa with private pool for about 100,000. The resort is only accessible by boat. A uninhabited island nearby has a small airstrip where guests may be flown in by private plane.

Next: Nightlife

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Nightlife

There is one bar on the island with live music. Jong runs the Tawan Eco Bar, and is on a first name basis with all his customers. He'll even invite you to jam with him. Live music begins nightly at 8:30 PM.

Summary

Koh Kood is a great place to get away but you may become bored after 2-3 days. Everything happens at a much slower pace here. However, if you enjoy deserted white sand beaches with turquoise waters, then this is the place for you. Book your accommodations ahead and bring cash, because there are no banks or ATMs on the island (and no 7-11's). Keep your motorbike's tank mostly full, there aren't many gas stations either. Enjoy the peace and solitude.

[aussiandrew]

Thank you very much for all the good information on the little Island near Koh Chang.

[cooked]

Great. The last thing this place needs is more tourists.

[bprinceuk]

Thank you for sharing the information on the Island, and for the great photographs

[Dario]

Great photos and information, thank you! Last little undeveloped island in Thailand now. Let's see in 10 years ...

When I came from Singapore Christmas 1968, PhiPhi Island was still pristine. Now it's overrun by tourists, masses of tourists every day. Digital age made that possible.

[NickJ]

Great Posts......Looking forward to going in early March.....

[MrTee]

Great report!
Many thanks for taking the time.

[yussiesamui]

Thank you very much for all the good information on the little Island near Koh Chang.

Koh Kood is actually the 4th largest island in Thailand!

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Great reports and photos. Thanks for sharing

[lostmebike]

Great Posts......Looking forward to going in early March.....

Took the family last April. We had a great time.

Rent a little motorbike as between beaches, resorts and restaurants, it can be a little trek. Some of those roads are very hilly, especially on the way to the fisherman's village.

Keep away from Koh Mak ... although beautiful, we got bit to pieces by the sand flies and mosquitoes.

[OmegaRacer]

Nice, thank you.

[johndudorn]

Really enjoyed you sharing your experience with us!!!

[Chongalulu]

Enjoyed your guide as we contemplated going at Xmas but ended up in Ko Chang because 4 of us and wanted to use our own pickup,not so keen on motorcycles. It's on our list for another time but I'm a keen snorkeller (qualified diver too) . Is there any decent shore based snorkelling from the beach. We had to go on an all day boat trip from Ko Chang,which was really good,to get that .so the only reason to chose Ko khood over Ko Chang would be if this aspect was much better.

[hobobo]

Thanks for sharing, and great pics. I intendeded to spend 2 weeks in April on Koh Chang, but now will probably break that half-way thru with a 3-day trip to Koh Kood.

[SattahipBri]

Thanks for sharing and taking the time to post your experience on Koh Kood.

Is there a safe place near Laem Sok pier to park your car?

[sanukjim]

Thank You .Great photos with the report also.

[camble]

Sorry, I can't answer your questions about parking or snorkeling, although I know a few dive companies operate there.

There's a boat taxi service from Koh Chang, leaving daily from Bang Bao, but only available during high season. I believe it starts mid-October. I always go low season for the cheapest rates and low tourist counts, although it rains a lot during low season. For island hopping between Koh Chang, Koh Mak, and Koh Kood, I returned to the mainland each time. Each segment between islands cost about 600 baht, similar to the price of a boat taxi, but took a few hours more. Alternately, it's possible to hire a boat at Bang Bao, for traveling between Koh Chang and either Koh Mak or Koh Kood, if you want to spend the money.

[rushandy]

Thanks for the write up.

I went here with my family a few years back. I stayed at the beach resort too and absolutely loved it. It really is the most idyllic place I've been to in Thailand.

[buythisdashcam]

The same boring place that it used to be and where someone must be stupid to drive 5 or 6 hours, when you can actually arrive at better place after 1 hour flight....

[how241]

Nice report- very good photos...Thanks

[falang07]

not so special taking into account the hassle it takes to get there.... Much nicer sand on Koh Larn with clean water and just 30 Baht to get there :-)

anyway, great report, thanks for sharing

[patrick1968]

thanks so much _{good info,,,,love the pictures thanks,,,}

[Bullie]

We went there 7 years ago for our honeymoon ..... ended up staying for 3 weeks. Perfect place for people in love, or people looking for solitude and nature.

Sad to see that it has gotten so much busier already though. At the time we were there we hardly saw any other visitors, no restaurants to speak of.

Some nice food could be had in the fishing village next to the OP's resort though.

[lust]

It's too bad that all the big mouths have to share where the nice little gems are. One of the best parts is being away from people when going to an island.

It seems like every person has a blog and must share their wisdom with the world. And for what? So people will give you 'likes'

[buythisdashcam]

Somebody still believes that there is any secret place in Thailand....