How Many Days Should You Spend in Koh Kood?

Hey there, fellow travelers! Planning a trip to Thailand and heard whispers of a true island paradise, away from the usual crowds? You might be thinking of Koh Kood, also known as Koh Kut. It’s described as one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand, with stunning beaches, clear water, and a laid-back vibe. But once you’ve decided this slice of heaven is for you, a common question pops up: just how many days do you need to truly experience Koh Kood?

Let’s dive into what the sources say to help you figure out the perfect length for your Koh Kood adventure!

The Journey Itself Matters

One big factor to consider is simply getting to Koh Kood. It’s not the easiest island to reach, requiring travel to Trat province (either by a potentially expensive flight or a longer bus ride from Bangkok to Koh Kood ) followed by a songthaew to the pier and then a ferry or speedboat to the island. The journey can take a significant chunk out of your travel day. Some sources explicitly state that reaching Koh Kood is a “pain in the ass” or a “slog”.

Because the journey takes effort, staying for only a very short time might mean a large portion of your trip is spent in transit. This leads many to recommend a minimum number of days to make the travel worthwhile.

What’s There to Do (and Not Do)?

Koh Kood is often described as a place for relaxation and chilling. It’s not a party island and lacks the extensive nightlife found elsewhere. You won’t find big supermarkets or as many restaurants and bars compared to more developed islands like Koh Chang. Its unspoiled nature and leisurely lifestyle are the primary attractions.

However, there are activities available beyond just lounging! You can explore the island by scooter, visit beaches and waterfalls, go kayaking or paddleboarding, explore mangrove forests, visit a fishing village, or go snorkeling and diving. Riding a motorbike is often considered the best way to get around and explore the island’s scattered sights and more remote areas.

The number of activities and the size of the island mean that you’ll want some time to explore.

So, How Many Days Are Recommended?

Based on the sources, here’s a breakdown of recommended durations:

Minimum Stay: Several sources suggest spending at least 3 days in Koh Kood to make the journey worthwhile and have time to explore and relax. One itinerary specifically details a 3-day trip. Within 3 days, you can explore most beaches, enjoy waterfalls, visit the fishing village, and have time to relax.
A Good Balance: Some recommend 3-5 days or at least 3 days as a good starting point, noting that you might want to spend more time if you love it.
More Time for Exploration & Relaxation: Others suggest 4-7 days to fully make the trip from Bangkok worthwhile and explore the many things to do. Spending 4 days is presented as a good option to see various sights. An itinerary for 5 days allows for arrival and relaxation, exploring nature and villages, enjoying beaches and water sports, and more relaxation before departure. One traveler felt 5 nights was the perfect amount of time on Koh Chang before moving on to other islands.
Ideal Stay: Some suggest staying as long as you can as the island is paradise, or mention people loving it so much they stay for 5 days or even weeks.
Limited Time: If you only have a very limited time, like 4 days total for the Trat islands, one traveler recommended spending the entire time on Koh Chang because it’s closer to Bangkok. Another advised sticking to just one island (Koh Chang for convenience) if you only have 4 days, to avoid spending half your time traveling.

Combining Islands (Koh Chang & Koh Mak)

Many travelers visit Koh Kood as part of a longer trip to the Trat archipelago, combining it with stays on Koh Chang and Koh Mak.

You could spend 2-3 days on Koh Kood before or after a longer stay on Koh Chang, especially since Koh Chang is a better base for island hopping in the Trat region if you’re not using private speedboats.
A suggested itinerary for 10 days in the area includes 4 days on Koh Chang and 3 days on Koh Kood, plus travel days.
Another traveler who visited all three spent 4 nights on Koh Kood, 3 nights on Koh Mak, and 5 nights on Koh Chang. They felt this was the perfect amount of time on each island.
If you have around 10 days, visiting Koh Chang, Koh Kood, and Koh Mak is highly recommended, as they are close and easy to hop between, offering incredible scenery away from typical tourist crowds.
If you have 5 days for the region and want to chill on the best beaches away from crowds, you could spend 2 days on Koh Mak and 3 days on Koh Kood, or simply spend all 5 days on Koh Kood.

Combining islands makes the significant travel time to the Trat province feel even more worthwhile.

Best Time to Visit

While not strictly about duration, the best time to visit (November to April, specifically December, January, and February for the driest weather) can influence your experience and how you plan your days. During the rainy season (July to October, or June to September), many places might be closed, it can rain heavily, waves can be rough, and ferry services can be limited. This might affect how many days you feel comfortable staying or what activities you can do.

The Verdict

Ultimately, how many days you should spend in Koh Kood depends on your travel style and overall trip length.

If you have less than 4-5 days for the entire Trat region, you might consider sticking to one island, perhaps Koh Chang for convenience.
If you have around a week or slightly less, 3 to 5 days on Koh Kood seems to be a popular and well-regarded duration, allowing you to recover from the journey, relax on the stunning beaches, and explore key sights like waterfalls and fishing villages.
If you have 10 days or more for the region, consider splitting your time between Koh Kood, Koh Mak, and Koh Chang to experience the different vibes of these beautiful islands.

No matter how long you stay, be prepared for a place that prioritizes relaxation and natural beauty over bustling tourism. And remember to bring enough cash, as ATMs can be unreliable and many places don’t accept cards without a fee.

Hopefully, this helps you decide how long to soak up the paradise that is Koh Kood! Enjoy your trip!