When you think of Thai islands in the Gulf of Thailand, your mind doesn’t instantly go to Koh Kood, or Koh Kut as it’s sometimes known. It’s a small and remote island that’s often overshadowed by the bigger tourist hubs of Koh Samui and even its larger neighbor, Koh Chang.
But if you’re wondering; is Koh Kood worth a visit? The answer is absolutely. Koh Kood is an idyllic island with a peaceful atmosphere, beautiful white sand beaches, and offers the chance to get away from the huge crowds of tourists.
But that’s not all that Koh Kood is worth visiting for. There are so many reasons to add this enchanting island to your Thailand bucket list, and here’s why…
Reasons To Visit Koh Kood
1. The Absolute BEST Beaches in Thailand
Having been to most of the islands in Thailand, we can honestly say that Koh Kood’s beaches are by far the best. Not only is the water the most vibrant shade of turquoise, but the sand is SOFT, pure white, and unspoiled.
The beaches are some of the cleanest in the world, and since most of them face West, they offer incredible sunsets.
Because Koh Kood is far less touristy than other islands, the beaches are pretty much always quiet, allowing you to find a nice, secluded spot away from crowds of people.
They also mostly have palm-fringed shores, giving visitors a chance to catch some much-needed shade from the hot Thai sun. Many of these palm trees have been kitted out with a swing, so you can photograph those iconic beach swing Instagram moments.
Want to compare beaches? Check out these guides to the best beaches in Koh Lanta and the best beaches in Koh Phangan.
2. Escape the Tourist Crowds
Koh Kood is quite a long journey to get to, since you need to catch a flight to Tran and then a bus and ferry, or get a 5 hour bus from Bangkok followed by a 30 minute ferry.
It’s not so easy to get to compared to Koh Samui which you can fly into, or Koh Lanta which is a 30 minute drive from Krabi Airport.
As such, not many people make the effort to go here. And you know what, it’s their loss! The beauty of Koh Kood hasn’t been lost to overtourism that other islands has. It’s still very remote, large parts of it is still undeveloped, and while there are tourists there, it never feels crowded.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re traveling in peak tourist season or off season, Koh Kood is the perfect island to visit if you want to escape other tourists.
3. Relaxing Atmosphere
Because it’s remote and quiet, it has a relaxing atmosphere. We mentioned earlier than you can visit a beach and only find a handful of other people there (sometimes even no one), and that just oozes tranquility.
Whether you’re visiting a restaurant, chilling out by the pool of a resort, or sipping cocktails in a bar, you will find the atmosphere is always relaxing and peaceful.
And to make you feel more relaxed, you can get a Thai massage right on the beach in some parts of the island. Can you get any more relaxing that that?
4. World Class Resorts
Some of the most beautiful resorts in Thailand occupy the space behind Koh Kood’s beaches. You will find resorts that offer private, self-contained beach bungalows that are within 10 meters of the ocean, so you can listen to the sounds of the waves lull you to sleep.
Not only are they within proximity of the beaches, but they are luxurious too. Think infinity pools, luxury bars with an extensive cocktail menu, some even have hammocks, private jetty’s and their own watersport rentals. Heck, some even have a private beach!
If you’re looking for a romantic honeymoon destination in Thailand, then Koh Kood would be a top contender to consider.
Can you imagine starting married life watching the sunset from the deck of your own beach bungalow, steps away from a private beach, with a golden sunset in the distance? Yep, you can find that here!
5. Vibrant Beach Bar Nightlife
You wouldn’t expect it being such a quiet and remote island, but it actually has a bit of a nightlife scene.
The nightlife in Koh Kood is not as lively as you would find in Koh Phangan or Koh Tao, which attracts backpackers and Full Moon Party goers, but it does offer entertainment.
The resorts, restaurants and bars around White Beach offer live entertainment, refreshing cocktails, and even fire performers on the beach, every evening. It’s quite a vibe.
6. Refreshing Waterfalls
Sometimes the beach can get a bit too much, and you need some other way to cool off. Well, Koh Kood has some beautiful and refreshing waterfalls that you can swim under.
The biggest is Khlong Chao Waterfall, which has a huge pool area for swimming in, plus a rope swing for those feeling more adventurous. The powerful waterfall has a rocky step underneath it, so you can stand and have one of nature’s massages.
Another great waterfall is Khlong Yai Kee Waterfall, which has a smaller pool to swim in, but more rocky space to lie in the sun between swims. It’s a lot quieter than Khlong Chao, but still worth a visit.
Huang Nam Khiao Waterfall used to be called Secret Waterfall, but the secret was let out of the bag. Now it’s one of the most remote and idyllic waterfalls on the island, and requires a bit of a trek to get to, but it’s worth it if you want a quiet waterfall to swim under.
7. More Authentic Than Other Islands
Some of the islands in Thailand have lost their authentic Thai charm, due to over tourism and the demand for nightlife. Yes, we’re looking at you Patong Beach in Phuket.
The beauty of Koh Kood is not lost. It’s still very much authentic Thai in both the service you receive and the infrastructure.
There are no 7-Elevens on the island, only four ATMs, and most of the hotels, resorts and restaurants are family-owned. It’s one of those islands where you see more locals than tourists, and for that reason is feels more authentic.
Final Thoughts
There really is nowhere else like Koh Kood. It’s one of the most tranquil places in Thailand and the perfect place to get off the beaten path and just relax.
There are not many cons to Koh Kood, which is why we feel it is absolutely worth visiting. But we will be honest with you and share some potential downsides; the WiFi isn’t great and sometimes cuts out (across the whole island, not sure why) and there are sandflies – though wear insect repellent and they’ll leave you alone.
Honestly, the pros outweigh the cons, and for that reason, you should definitely be sure to visit Koh Kood.