🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
What sets Koh Kood apart from the islands near Bangkok is exactly that it's "hard to reach" — that's the appeal. Fewer people, clearer water, but it also means budgeting more time and money to get there. The main way over is the boat from Laem Sok Pier in Mueang Trat district, which takes about 60–75 minutes. This 2-day, 1-night plan gets you to the island by mid-morning on day one, keeps you on the west side where the good beaches and the waterfall sit together, then shifts you north to Ao Salad on day two before the boat back.
Book the boat + transfer ahead
Boats to Koh Kood include catamaran ferries (around 60 min) and speedboats (around 45–60 min), departing from Laem Sok Pier. Round-trip tickets run roughly ฿600–900 per person depending on the boat type and operator. There are only a few crossings a day, clustered in the morning and late morning, so book online ahead and ask your resort about a pickup from the pier on the island. During the monsoon (May–Oct) crossings drop and some days are cancelled if the swell is strong.
Day 1 — Klong Chao Waterfall, kayaking, the beach swing
Day 1
Arrive · Klong Chao Waterfall · kayaking · sunset at Ao Tao
08:30
Catch the morning boat from Laem Sok Pier (Mueang Trat)If you drive yourself, leave the car in the boat operator's lot near the pier — around ฿70–100/day — since private cars can't go onto the island. Allow at least 30 minutes to reach the pier before the boat leaves.
09:45
Arrive on Koh Kood, check in around the Ao Klong Chao–Ao Tao zoneThe west side around Klong Chao has the nicest beaches and accommodation at several price points. If you can't check in yet, drop your bags and head out. Rent a motorbike at the resort or a shop on the island for around ฿300/24 hours; petrol at the roadside pumps is about ฿40/litre, pricier than on the mainland.
10:30
Hit Klong Chao Waterfall, swim in the big poolThis is the island's main waterfall, with three tiers; the lower tier is a wide pool you can swim in, clear and cool year-round. It's a short walk in from the parking area. There's a small national park entry fee (tens of baht for Thais). Bring grippy shoes and a waterproof bag — the flow gets strong in the rainy season, so take care.
12:30
Lunch around Klong Chao, then rest out of the heatThere are restaurants at the resorts and along the canal at Klong Chao to choose from. Prices on the island run about 1.5–2x the mainland; mains start around ฿120–250, so ordering rice with shared dishes works out better value.
14:30
Kayak Klong Chao, gliding through the mangrovesKlong Chao is a brackish canal you can quietly paddle into the mangroves on. Many resorts lend kayaks free or rent them for around ฿100–200/hour. Paddling at high tide is easier going.
16:00
Head to the Klong Chao beach swing for photosThe wooden swing standing in the water off Klong Chao beach is one of the island's most popular photo spots. Most are in front of resorts, open to you if you're a guest or buy something there. The light goes soft in the late afternoon and photographs well — but there's usually a queue, so be patient.
17:30
Watch the sunset at Ao TaoAo Tao is about 1 km north of Klong Chao beach — white sand under a line of coconut palms, facing west out to sea, so the sunset comes through nicely. It's quieter than Klong Chao beach, good for an easy end to the day.
19:00
Dinner at your place / a spot around Klong ChaoNights on the island are quiet and restaurants close early. Power and mobile signal are limited in some zones, so bring a torch/power bank and carry cash — some places can't take cards.
Take care riding a motorbike on the island
The road on Koh Kood is a single route hugging the island; some stretches are narrow, steep, and winding up and down hills, with broken surface in spots and no street lighting at night. If you're not a confident rider, go slow, wear a helmet, and avoid riding in the dark or rain. If you don't know the roads, hiring one of the island's songthaews is the safer call.
🎟️Book the activities in your Koh Kood trip ahead
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
🎟️ See all Koh Kood tours & activities (Klook) Day 2 — morning at Ao Tao, then seafood at Ao Salad
Day 2
Morning beach · Ao Salad · a final seafood meal · back to the mainland
07:00
Morning stroll at Ao Tao — clear water, few peopleEarly on, the water at Ao Tao is still and clear, good for a swim or some snorkelling over the coral near the beach. The sun isn't fierce yet and the crowds haven't arrived — the prettiest, calmest stretch of the whole day.
09:00
Breakfast at your place, then pack and check outCheck the time of that day's return boats first, since afternoon crossings are limited. Leave your bags at the resort if you still have time to explore.
10:00
Ride north to Ao Salad, past island viewsAo Salad is in the north of the island, about 30–40 minutes' ride from Klong Chao along the coastal road. There are viewpoints and villages to stop at along the way — ride slowly and watch the bends.
10:45
Walk the Ao Salad pier, take in the fishing-village lifeAo Salad is a U-shaped bay with no beach, but it's a working fishing harbour and an old community, with wooden houses built out over the water. Walk the pier, look at the fishing boats, and pick up dried seafood and shrimp paste to take home.
11:30
Lunch at an over-the-water seafood spot at Ao SaladThe seafood restaurants at Ao Salad sit on wooden stilt houses out over the sea, with ingredients fresh off the community's fishing boats — blue crab, prawns, squid, shellfish, priced by weight. Always ask the price before ordering. A filling meal runs around ฿300–600 per person depending on how much seafood you pile on.
13:00
Ride back toward the pier, return the motorbikeGive yourself time to ride back and return the bike so an early-afternoon boat doesn't turn into a scramble. Top up the petrol as agreed with the shop.
14:00
Board the boat back to Laem Sok PierYou'll reach the mainland a little after 3 pm. If you're driving on to Bangkok or Pattaya, factor in several more hours on the road — and let any seasickness settle before you set off.
If you have spare time on the second morning and don't want a long ride, the plan adjusts easily: swap Ao Salad for Klong Yai Ki Waterfall, which is closer to Klong Chao, or go snorkelling around Ao Phrao–Ao Ngam Kho where the beach is long and quiet, then grab seafood near Klong Chao before the boat. Either way still makes a nice end to the trip.
Rough budget per person (2 days, 1 night)
- Round-trip boat ticket — around ฿600–900/person depending on ferry vs. speedboat
- Accommodation — a mid-range resort on the island, ฿1,200–3,000/night (split between 2); higher in high season
- Food — 4–5 meals, around ฿800–1,800 for the whole trip; island food costs more than the mainland, especially seafood
- Motorbike rental + petrol — around ฿350–450 per 24 hours
- Waterfall entry / kayak — waterfall a few tens of baht; kayaks free at many places or ฿100–200
- Rough total — around ฿2,500–5,000/person, not counting travel to Trat
Tips to make the trip smoother
- Pick the right season — Nov–Feb has the best weather, clear sea, and small swell, the prime window. May–Oct is the monsoon: heavy rain, strong swell, and some resorts and boats close or cut crossings. Check before every booking.
- Carry cash — ATMs on the island are few and some places can't take cards. Withdraw enough cash on the mainland to cover the boat, accommodation, and food.
- Check the weather before diving — snorkelling and diving tours around the island depend on the wind and swell; rough days may be cancelled. If diving is the point, leave a backup day.
- Power and signal are limited — some resorts only have power at set hours and mobile signal is weak in spots. Pack a power bank, a torch, and download offline maps.
- Ask seafood prices before ordering — over-the-water spots charge by weight; have it weighed and agree the price per kilo before it's cooked, every time, so the bill doesn't blow out.
