KOh Kood ACTIVITIES
Koh Kood island is all about nature and relaxation, but there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained. You can go snorkeling from shore or book a snorkeling trip with local guides to explore vibrant underwater life. Scuba diving around Koh Kood or in the Koh Rang National Park is also popular, offering stunning marine biodiversity.
Fishing trips are available where you can try your hand at catching squid and enjoy the fresh catch right on the boat. For a more leisurely experience, kayaking or stand-up paddling up Klong Chao River or along the shore is a great way to enjoy the scenic beauty of the island.
Don't miss visiting the two old trees, the Maka Yai and the Sai Yai, which are natural landmarks of the island. The three waterfalls—Klong Chao, Klong Yai Kee, and Huang Nam Keaw—offer picturesque spots for a refreshing swim and some great photo opportunities. Finally, exploring all the beautiful beaches of Koh Kood will complete your nature-filled adventure on this lovely island.
Snorkeling
Koh Kood is a fantastic place for snorkeling with many options available. You can either book a snorkeling tour with one of the many tour operators on the island or explore some of the coral reefs from the shore on your own.
Snorkeling Tours
There are several companies that offer snorkeling tours, using both small and large boats. These tours typically cost around 1000 THB and usually include equipment rental, lunch, and drinks on board. You can book your tour directly with the tour operators, who advertise all over the island, or through your accommodation.
The most popular snorkeling spots are Koh Raet and Soneva Reef.
Koh Raet is a beautiful hard coral reef along the shore of Koh Raet island, just in front of Secret Beach. Besides coral, you'll find underwater statues of an elephant, a cow, a horse, and a duck, which were placed there around 2012 alongside colorful staghorn corals. It's possible to swim from Secret Beach to Koh Raet, especially during low tide the distance is quite short. However be very careful with speedboats passing through the islands.
Soneva Reef is one of the most beautiful and healthy reefs of Koh Kood, boasting a diverse range of coral and marine life.
Snorkeling from shore
If you prefer to snorkel on your own, there are several spots you can reach from the shore.
Masks, snorkels, and fins can be rented from your accommodation or at one of the dive centers.
There is usually almost no current around Koh Kood, and all snorkel spots listed here are close to the shore. However, be aware of your own stamina and the fact that there is no lifeguard.
Bang Bao: On the right side of Bang Bao Beach, there is a beautiful coral reef starting in 2-3 meters of water and extending to the end of the land.
Hin Chedi / Huggy Beach: From Huggy Beach, you can see a small rocky island with bushes and two white stupas. Near the island, you'll find rocks and some fish, but if you swim further out, you'll find corals and more fish.
Seafar/MeeDee: In front of MeeDee and Seafar resort, there is a small reef. At low tide, you can even see the rocks sticking out. While there are not many corals, there are usually a lot of fish.
An-a-lay: At the end of the beach, along the coast, there is a nice coral reef that stretches for about 500 meters.
Things to keep in mind
While snorkeling, make sure to stay in a horizontal position to avoid accidentally touching the corals. Remember to leave only your shadow behind and take only photos, memories, and any trash you see. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before entering the water to ensure it’s fully absorbed by your skin. If you enter the water immediately after applying sunscreen, it will wash off, leaving you unprotected and harming the corals. Consider using reef-safe sunscreen.
Diving
Koh Kood is a fantastic destination for easy and relaxed diving. There are three dive centers on the island: BB Divers Koh Kood, Koh Kood Divers, and Paradise Divers Koh Kood. BB Divers Koh Kood and Koh Kood Divers operate large wooden boats that cater to both snorkelers and divers, offering trips to the marine national park Koh Rang, located 1.5 hours north of Koh Kood.
Paradise Divers Koh Kood, on the other hand, focuses exclusively on diving, providing individually planned diving trips in small groups. They operate two small boats accommodating up to 4 and 6 divers, respectively.
All three dive centers offer a range of diving experiences, including fun dives, intro dives, and diving courses. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a beginner eager to explore the underwater world, these centers have something for everyone.
Diving around Koh Kood is relaxed and enjoyable. The water is warm, with an average depth of 10-12 meters, and there are almost no currents to worry about. Visibility is good from October to early April, with December and January offering the best conditions.
Fishing
Fishing is a popular activity on Koh Kood, with squid fishing being a favorite. Group fishing tours typically operate in the afternoons and focus on catching squid and other local fish species. After your catch, you can enjoy a fresh seafood barbecue on board, complete with delicious dipping sauces. These tours usually include transfers to and from your resort, making it a convenient option.
For a more personalized experience, you can book a private fishing trip. It's best to ask at your resort for the best options and availability, as they can provide tailored recommendations.
The fishing season on Koh Kood generally runs from October to March, with conditions slowing down in April and the season ending from May to September.
Waterfalls
Koh Kood has three beautiful waterfalls: Klong Chao, Klong Yai Kee, and Huang Nam Keaw (also known as Secret Waterfall). These waterfalls are filled by rain during the rainy season and usually dry up around February or March each year.
Klong Chao
Klong Chao is the biggest and most popular waterfall on Koh Kood. It's an easy 10-minute walk from the parking area. Here, you can jump from the waterfall and use a rope swing to dive into the water. This spot is popular with locals too. As long as there is water, the pool is big enough for swimming.
Klong Yai Kee
Klong Yai Kee is a bit smaller and quieter than Klong Chao but just as beautiful. The hike from the parking area to the waterfall takes about 7 minutes and is a bit steep, but manageable if you are reasonably fit. This waterfall also has a pool suitable for swimming and offers several spots for jumping.
Huang Naam Keaw
Huang Nam Keaw, formerly known as the Secret Waterfall, is the hardest to reach. From the parking area, there is a path that leads to the waterfall, but to see it fully, you need to climb over some rocks. This scenic spot has two levels, but most of the time, there isn't enough water in the pool for swimming. If you visit Huang Nam Keaw, be sure to check out the nearby farm and try their Som Tam (Papaya Salad).
Huang Nam Keaw is located in the heart of the island and requires a scenic drive through the jungle to reach. The road is paved for part of the way, with the remaining section being an easy-to-drive dirt road.
Old trees
On the way to Huang Nam Keaw, you will come across two remarkable old trees: Maka Yai and Sai Yai.
Maka Yai
Maka Yai is an enormous Makka tree, known for its impressive size and age. It's said to be around 500 years old. Standing tall and wide, it takes several people holding hands to encircle its massive trunk. This tree is a symbol of the island’s natural heritage and provides a glimpse into the ancient forests that once covered Koh Kood.
Sai Yai
Sai Yai, located nearby, is a similarly ancient Banyan tree, estimated to be around 250 years old. Banyan trees are known for their aerial roots that descend from branches to the ground, creating the appearance of multiple trunks. This creates a stunning natural display and provides a shaded area that feels almost magical. Sai Yai's extensive root system and broad canopy make it one of the most visually striking trees on the island.
Both trees are easy to access and are marked by signs along the path to Huang Nam Keaw.
Khao Rae Rob
Khao Rea Rob, also known as Battleship Mountain, gets its name from its unique shape that resembles a battleship. This site is dedicated to the memory of King Rama VI, who visited the island.
The nature trail to Khao Rea Rob starts at Mata Guesthouse or at the end of the road to Pink Cangaroo. It's a 2.2 km easy hike through the jungle, well marked with a guide rope. Upon reaching either end of the trail, you can choose to take the long way back along the road to your starting point or simply return the way you came.
Kayak & SUP
Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) can be rented through your accommodation or from various rental spots on the island. You can explore Koh Kood's coast with a kayak or SUP, or venture into the mangroves along Klong Chao River and its side arms.
SUP Point Koh Kood
Located along a side arm of Klong Chao River, on the way to Bartist and Klong Chao Waterfall, SUP Point Koh Kood is an excellent starting point for exploring the mangroves along Klong Chao River and its side channels. You can rent SUPs and kayaks here, with prices starting at 300 THB for 3 hours.
Surf and Sail Koh Kood
Situated at Ao Taphao Beach, in front of Koh Kood Cabana, this rental spot offers easy access to the shoreline, allowing you to paddle along the beautiful coast of Koh Kood. Here you can rent SUPs, with prices starting at 100 THB for 1 hour, including lessons on the SUP.
Fishing Village
Ao Yai, located in the southern part of Koh Kood, is a traditional fishing village built on stilts over the water. To get there, take the road all the way down to the south. Just before you arrive at Ao Yai, stop at the viewpoint on your left side to enjoy the stunning view over Ao Yai Bay. On the road to Ao Yai, you often have the chance to spot monkeys.
Ao Yai is also an excellent place to eat seafood. Two of the most popular restaurants in the village are Chonchita Seafood and Noochy Seafood. Both offer fresh, delicious seafood dishes, making them a great choice for a meal after exploring the village.
Massage
What would be a thai holiday without a massage?
Massage places can be found all over the island. Typically prices start at 300 to 400 THB for 1 hour.
Sunsets
One of the best things to do on Koh Kood is to watch the sunset.
The best spots to watch sunset are
Klong Chao Beach
Klong Chao Beach is the main beach there most people gather at sunset time. There are usually some soccer or volleyball players, skim boarders, and photographers capturing the beautiful sunset views. You can either find a spot on the beach to relax and enjoy the sunset, take a walk along the 1.1 km long stretch of sand, or have a drink at Neverbar, located right at the end of the beach.
Deep Port / Sa Pan Naam Lueak Pier
That's there the local gather for sunset and fishing. Bring yourself a drink and enjoy the show.
Huggy Beach
Another nice place to watch the sunset is from Huggy Beach bar, enjoy beach vibes, nice music, good drinks and a nice view.
Secret Beach
One of the most scenic views for sunset is on Secret Beach.
Muay Thai
For everybody interested in training Muay Thai, there are some places on the island there you can train.
At Coco Camping you'll find a Muay Thai Gym. They offer also training sessions.
There's a second Muay Thai Gym just when you go up Bang Bao hill on the left side.
Hiking
To be honest, Koh Kood isn't known for hiking.
Besides the short trails to the waterfalls and the nature trail at Khai Rae Rob, you can walk along the old main road.
Start at the southern end of Klong Hin Beach near Montana. It's a scenic 15-minute walk along a paved path to Neverland/Ao Jak Beach, with a bit of climbing required at a broken bridge near the beginning.
Continue walking along Neverland Beach / Ao Jak to the southern end, where you'll find another paved way. This path, which follows the shoreline for about 30 minutes, leads to Ao Praoh Bay. The trail isn't well-maintained, and the paved way turns into a nature trail at some point, offering some beautiful ocean views along the way.
If you're interested in doing a longer jungle trek, go and ask at Meaow Massage or at the farm at Huang Naam Keaw waterfall.
Yoga
Yoga hasn't fully arrived on Koh Kood, and there are no regular yoga teachers or studios on the island. However, you can often find a freelancing yoga teacher offering classes during the tourist season. Your best bet is to check out Coco Camping Koh Kood, as they tend to host yoga sessions when a teacher is available. Alternatively check the Koh Kood Community Page on facebook for updates on available yoga classes.
Mountain Bike
There's even a thrilling downhill ride on Koh Kood. You can either bike up the hill on your own (beware, it's more exhausting than it looks) or take a car to the top and enjoy the downhill fun. For your mountain biking adventure, head over to Meaw Massage and inquire about the available options.
Shopping
Koh Kood offers a variety of activities, but shopping isn't its main attraction.
Of course there are shops where you find just about everything for your daily life on the island.
However if you miss the thrill of shopping and are looking for some souvenirs you still have some options. There's Koh Kood Mermaid for clothes, swim wear and jewelry.
There a 2 clothing shops with the usual thai wear and swim wear. One is located just next to the ice cream shop and the other one is located just before the T-intersection to Deep Port and Klong Mad.
If you want to bring genuine Koh Kood products visit Mr. and Mrs. Coconut on the way to Klong Yai Kee Waterfall. They sell homemade cold and warm pressed coconut oil, honey and handmade soaps.
Last but not least, there's also the nightmarket. Here you'll not only find food, but a few shops as well.
Cooking Class
Interested in learning how to cook thai? If you're answer is yes, you can book a cooking class at CC Bakery at Bang Bao.
Weed Shops
If you just want to chill your life and get some weed, Koh Kood is the perfect place.
Basically you can find weed everywhere on the island, almost every shop and cafe sells it in different qualities.
If you want to get good, strong, high quality weed visit either of the three dedicated weed shops on the island:
ChillNation, KoodWeed or Sunset Bar Weed shop. All offer different strains and some smoking supplies like papers, filter tips and pipes.
Gym
There's one public gym on the island, located right behind the stadium aka football field.
There was also a gym at Little 9 which might reopen again.