Koh Kood is an island built for doing very little, and most days here should be spent that way. But it is also genuinely green and hilly, with rivers, waterfalls, and old fishing communities that reward a few hours away from the sand. Nothing here is packaged or ticketed in any serious way — you ride out, you find it, you have it mostly to yourself. Here is what is worth the effort.
Kayak the Klong Chao river to the waterfall
The single best half-day on the island. From Klong Chao beach you can paddle a kayak up the river through mangrove and jungle to near Klong Chao waterfall (Nam Tok Khlong Chao), then walk the last stretch to a swimmable pool beneath the falls. It is calm, shaded, and free of crowds, and the flow is strongest from November into the new year.
Swim at Khlong Yai Ki waterfall
Smaller and easier to reach than Klong Chao's, Khlong Yai Ki has a deep emerald pool that is good for an actual swim rather than a paddle. It is a short walk from the road and a fine stop on a scooter loop. Like all the island's falls, it is at its best after the rains and thins out by the hot season.
Find the 500-year-old Makka tree
Near Bang Bao in the south stands an enormous Makka tree said to be around five centuries old — a genuinely huge buttressed trunk with a small walkway around it. It takes ten minutes to see and is not a day out in itself, but it pairs well with a southern-beach ride and is the closest thing the island has to a landmark.
Take a boat to Koh Rang
For the clearest water and healthiest coral, join a snorkelling trip to the Koh Rang National Marine Park, the cluster of protected islands between Koh Kood and Koh Mak. Half- and full-day boats run from several resorts; the full-day version visits more sites and usually includes lunch. This is the marine highlight of the whole archipelago and worth prioritising on a clear-sea day.
Ride the island and visit the fishing villages
Renting a scooter (300 to 350 baht a day) opens up the coast road and the stilted fishing villages of Ao Salad in the north and Ao Yai in the south-east — wooden communities built over the water where you can eat fresh seafood and watch boats come in. The road is steep and rough in places, so ride within your limits, especially after rain.
Catch the sunset
Koh Kood's west-facing coast means the sunset is a nightly event, and the river mouth at Klong Chao is the easy front-row seat — a drink on the sand as the light goes. The southern beaches give you the same show with almost nobody else on it, if you have the scooter to get there and back in the dark.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do on Koh Kood besides the beach?
Kayak the Klong Chao river to its waterfall, swim at Khlong Yai Ki waterfall, visit the 500-year-old Makka tree, take a snorkelling boat to the Koh Rang marine park, and ride the coast road to the Ao Salad and Ao Yai fishing villages. It is a low-key island — these are half-day outings, not packed itineraries.
Is Koh Kood good for snorkelling and diving?
The best coral is on a boat trip to Koh Rang National Marine Park, where the water is clear and the reef healthy. Shore snorkelling off some south-west beaches is decent at high tide. Diving exists but the island is better known for easy snorkelling than serious dive sites.
Can you see Koh Kood's waterfalls year-round?
They are at their fullest just after the rains, roughly November to January. By the hot, dry end of the season the flow drops, and Klong Chao waterfall in particular can be modest by April. The pools are still swimmable, just smaller.
How do you get around Koh Kood to reach the sights?
Rent a scooter, usually 300 to 350 baht a day from resorts and shops. The coast road links most beaches and trailheads, though some stretches are steep and rough — ride carefully, especially after rain, and only if you are confident on two wheels.
