Planning a Trip to Koh Kood
When to Go, How to Get There, What It Costs

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Koh Kood isn't easy-going year-round. The full open season and the monsoon months — when some hotels and boats stop running — are very different experiences. And because the island sits far out in the Gulf of Thailand, getting there takes a few legs, and most goods have to be shipped over by boat, so prices on the island run higher than on the mainland. We've laid out everything you need to prep in order, from choosing your dates to working out your budget, so you can plan it all in one go.

Best Time to Visit Koh Kood — Open Season Nov–Apr

The best time for Koh Kood is November through April, the dry season on Thailand's eastern Gulf coast. Clear water, gentle waves, open skies — great for swimming, snorkeling over coral, and boating out to the islands nearby. This is the "open season," when every hotel, boat, and tour is running at full tilt. May through October is monsoon: heavy rain, rough seas, and the time you have to watch your travel plans most closely.

• Nov–Feb — the best weather, clear skies, calm sea. Full high season, so it's busy and rooms run pricey. Book ahead, especially over New Year when rooms fill up fast.
• Mar–Apr — still good for swimming and the water stays clear, but it starts getting hot. Songkran brings another lively spell.
• May–Oct — monsoon season: heavy rain and rough seas. Many island hotels close for renovations or shut down for a long stretch, and some speedboat operators stop running in the roughest months (roughly Jun–Sep). The island goes very quiet and prices drop noticeably, but you're gambling on both the rain and the boats.

How to Get to Koh Kood from Bangkok

Koh Kood has no airport on the island. The main route is to come down to Trat province, then catch a boat from a pier on the province's eastern coast. All in, Bangkok to your island hotel takes roughly 7–9 hours — noticeably farther than Koh Chang, so set aside the whole day.

• Van/coach + joint boat transfer — several companies sell packages from Bangkok (Ekkamai / Mo Chit 2) down to the pier with the connecting boat ticket bundled in. The easiest option if you don't have a car; book ahead so the bus and boat times line up.
• Drive yourself — take the motorway / Route 3 down to Trat, park at the pier's lot (daily parking fee), then take the boat across. Cars are less practical on Koh Kood than on Koh Chang, so most people leave the car on the mainland and rent a motorbike on the island instead.
• Fly into Trat — fly into Trat Airport (limited flights), then transfer by road to the pier. It saves time on the Bangkok–Trat leg, but the fares are much higher.

Boats to Koh Kood — Piers, Boat Types, Times

Most boats to Koh Kood leave from Laem Sok Pier (Mueang Trat district). There are both slow, budget-friendly ferries and faster speedboats. They generally run just a few times a day — the first around mid-morning and the last in the afternoon — not all day like the Koh Chang ferries, so plan your departure carefully.

• Ferry — carries both people and cargo, takes around 1.5 hours or more, and is the cheapest option. Good if you're not in a hurry and want to save money.
• Speedboat / catamaran — much faster, around 1–1.5 hours (some operators claim about 40 minutes to the nearest point). More expensive than the ferry, and the popular choice with travelers.
• Departures — usually 2–3 runs per day per operator, more in high season and fewer (or suspended for some operators) during monsoon. Always check the schedule with the operator before you travel.

Getting Around the Island — Mostly by Motorbike

Koh Kood doesn't have public songthaews running all the time like the bigger islands. Getting around the island comes down to rented motorbikes, hotel transfers, or chartered rides. The main beaches and waterfalls are spread across different corners of the island — Khlong Chao, Ao Taphao, Ao Phrao, and the fishing village at the far end.

• Rent a motorbike — from around 250–300 THB/day (fuel not included). Maximum freedom to stop at beaches and waterfalls, and the most popular option — but you need to know how to ride and watch out for the narrow roads.
• Resort transfers — many hotels offer pickup from the pier and runs to nearby sights. Ask about the package when you book.
• Chartered car / local taxi — available by the trip or by the day, handy if you're in a group or don't want to ride yourself. Agree the price before you get in.

Prices Run High on the Island — Pad Your Budget

One thing plenty of people only discover on arrival: food and supplies on Koh Kood cost noticeably more than on the mainland, because everything — drinking water, fuel, food, household goods — has to be shipped over by boat. City-style convenience stores are scarce, and beachfront and resort restaurants charge more than the local spots in the village.

• Drinking water / supplies — pricier than in town. To save, buy water and snacks on the mainland before you board the boat.
• Beachfront / resort food — costs more than the eateries in the fishing village. For better value, head out to the local spots now and then.
• Motorbike fuel — sold by the bottle on the island, with a per-liter price higher than mainland stations. Fill up only what you'll use.
• Cash — ATMs on the island are limited and not on every beach. Many small shops take cash only, so withdraw enough on the mainland.

Mobile Signal and Electricity — Still Limited in Spots

Koh Kood keeps developing, but it's not at the level of the bigger islands yet. Mobile signal and internet are solid in the main accommodation areas like Khlong Chao, but once you head out to the quiet beaches at the far end of the island or into the jungle on the waterfall trails, the signal weakens or drops out in patches. As for electricity, some small resorts in remote corners run on generators or solar, so there can be stretches when power is limited.

• Signal — strong in the main accommodation areas, weak along the quiet beaches and in the jungle. Expect that you won't be able to get online at times — a plus if you want a break from screens.
• Hotel WiFi — most places have it, but it's not as fast as in town. At some places it's only strong in the lobby/restaurant zone.
• Electricity — big resorts run power 24 hours, but some small stays in remote corners may supply it in stretches. Bring a power bank to charge your phone just in case.
• Electrical appliances — if you need AC or anything that draws power all night, check with the hotel first whether they supply power continuously.

Snorkeling and Boat Tours — All Down to the Weather

One of Koh Kood's highlights is taking a boat out to snorkel over coral around the nearby islands — the water is incredibly clear on good days. But these activities depend entirely on sea conditions. In monsoon season, if the waves are high, operators cancel trips for safety, and some days get called off on the spot.

Rough Budget for a Koh Kood Trip

Your budget depends a lot on your travel style, but as a rough per-person estimate for a mid-range 3-day, 2-night trip, here's roughly what to expect (not counting transport from Bangkok to the pier). Remember that island prices run higher than the mainland, so pad your budget more than for the islands closer in.

All in, a mid-range 3-day, 2-night trip starts around 4,000–7,000 THB/person. If you pick a beachfront resort with a great view or add a snorkeling tour, add to that accordingly. All figures are estimates — fine for setting an initial budget, but check the real prices again when you book.

What to Pack and the Little Things People Forget

• Cash — boat fares, motorbikes, and many small shops take cash only, and ATMs on the island are limited. Withdraw enough on the mainland.
• Power bank — in case your stay supplies power in stretches, and for long days out at the far beaches.
• Sunscreen and mosquito repellent — the sun is strong and there's jungle around the island. Pick reef-safe sunscreen if you're going to snorkel.
• Shoes with grip — narrow roads get wet and slippery in spots, and the waterfall trails are dirt. Flat-soled flip-flops slip easily.
• Personal medication / motion-sickness pills — the boat crossing is long and can roll, so bring some if you're prone to seasickness; specific brands are hard to find on the island.
• Water / snacks from the mainland — buying before you board the boat saves money, since island prices run higher.