Trat Islands
Which One to Visit

Koh Kood is Trat's second-largest island (after Koh Chang), and it's the top pick for anyone heading to Trat's sea specifically to relax on truly gorgeous, clear-water beaches. Koh Kood's selling point is that many of its beaches remain naturally untouched, the seawater is a clear blue-green, and the atmosphere is quiet because development hasn't been as dense as on the bigger tourist islands. Accommodation on the island spans several levels, from affordable guesthouses to luxury beachfront resorts popular with honeymooning couples. Besides lounging on the beach, there are natural attractions like Khlong Chao Waterfall, Khlong Yai Ki Waterfall, and boat trips through mangrove forest with giant mango trees. Compared with Koh Mak and Koh Kradat in this article, Koh Kood stands out most for its beautiful beaches and quiet, ideal for a multi-day retreat — but it's also the island that takes the longest and most effort to reach.

Getting to Koh Kood means driving to a pier on the Trat mainland, such as Laem Sok or Laem Ngob, then taking a speedboat across for roughly one to one-and-a-half hours depending on the schedule and sea conditions, since Koh Kood sits at the very southern tip of the eastern coast near the Cambodian border. On the island, the most convenient way to get around is renting a motorbike or using a resort shuttle, since the attractions and beaches are spread around the island. The best time to visit is the dry season, roughly November through April, when the sea is clear, waves are low, boats run their full schedule, and resorts are fully open. Booking accommodation and boat tickets in advance through an online platform makes it easier to compare prices and lock in a boat schedule, especially during long holidays and high season when rooms and boats fill up fast.

Here's what you should honestly know before going. First, Koh Kood is a long trip and boat costs run higher than the other islands in this article, so it doesn't suit a day trip — plan on at least two to three nights to make the journey worthwhile. Second, during the monsoon season, roughly May through October, seas get rough, many boat operators cut back or suspend trips, and many resorts close for renovation; crossing during rough seas carries real safety risk, so always confirm the weather and boat schedule before traveling. Third, Koh Kood is all about quiet and nature — there's no nightlife or lively shopping scene, so anyone who enjoys evening entertainment might find it too quiet, and shops and ATMs are limited, so bring enough cash and essentials.

Koh Mak is a medium-to-small island located between Koh Chang and Koh Kood, and it's a great fit for anyone wanting to explore an island at an easy pace on their own, without relying on organized tours. Koh Mak's strength is its fairly flat terrain and modest size, which makes cycling around the island genuinely practical — you'll pass coconut groves, rubber plantations, and several quiet beaches along the way. The island's atmosphere is slow-paced, with no tall buildings or lively entertainment venues; most accommodation is bungalows and small beachfront lodgings. Koh Mak is also known for prioritizing eco-friendly tourism. Compared with Koh Kood, which is larger and focused on beautiful beaches for a longer stay, Koh Mak stands out for being just the right size to explore on your own, with more affordable travel costs, and it suits families or groups of friends who want to cycle and swim without rushing.

Getting to Koh Mak is typically by speedboat from Laem Ngob pier, taking roughly 45 minutes to an hour depending on the schedule and sea conditions. On the island, getting around is easiest by rented bicycle or motorbike, since the roads aren't steep and the distances between beaches aren't far. Another advantage of Koh Mak is that it works as a base for connecting by boat to nearby small islands like Koh Kradat, which is close enough to visit in the same trip. The best time to visit is the dry season, roughly November through April, when the sea is clear, waves are low, and boats run their full schedule. Booking accommodation and boat tickets in advance helps lock in the schedule and get better prices, especially during long holidays when visitor numbers rise.

Here's what you should honestly know before going. First, Koh Mak is a quiet island focused on calm and nature, with no nightlife or shopping area, so anyone looking for a lively scene or parties may find it too quiet. Second, facilities on the island are limited — shops and ATMs are not plentiful, so bring enough cash and essentials. Third, during the monsoon season, roughly May through October, seas get rough, boats cut back or stop running, and some resorts close; check the boat schedule and weather before traveling, and avoid island-hopping during rough seas for safety. Fourth, even though the island is small, some beaches sit on the opposite side, so having a bicycle or motorbike will let you see everything more conveniently than walking alone.

Koh Kradat is a small island close to Koh Mak, and it stands out clearly from the first two islands in this article, because its appeal isn't long beaches or luxury resorts, but the wide grassland at the island's center and the herd of deer that live there. That makes Koh Kradat look unlike a typical sea island — it's open grassland along the coast with animals roaming, giving the feeling of walking through a wide meadow by the sea. Most people come to Koh Kradat to walk around, photograph the grassland and deer, and take a swim at a quiet beach, rather than to stay for several days. Compared with Koh Kood and Koh Mak, Koh Kradat stands out for its unusual scenery and photo opportunities, but it's an island with fewer activities and facilities.

Because Koh Kradat is small and accommodation is limited, most people visit as a day trip, connecting by boat or chartering a boat from nearby Koh Mak. Many travelers treat Koh Kradat as a half-day stop within a trip where they're already staying on Koh Mak or Koh Kood. The best time to visit is the dry season, roughly November through April, when the sea is clear, waves are low, and chartering a boat across is more convenient and safer. Since there are few shops on the island, bring your own drinking water and food, along with a hat and sunscreen, since the grassland is open and exposed to the sun. It's also important to confirm the pick-up and drop-off boat schedule clearly with the boat operator before landing, since boats don't run as frequently as on the main routes.

Here's what you should honestly know before going. First, Koh Kradat focuses on walking around and photography rather than a wide range of water activities, so anyone hoping to dive or do lots of activities may find there's little to do — it suits an add-on stop better than a main destination. Second, the herd of deer should be observed from a distance; do not feed them or disturb them, for the safety of both people and animals. Third, facilities on the island are very limited, including shops, restrooms, and lodging, so plan carefully for water, food, and boat schedules before going. Fourth, getting there depends on connecting by boat from Koh Mak, and during monsoon season rough seas may make the crossing difficult or cause the boat to be cancelled, so always check the weather and confirm the schedule with the operator beforehand.