Thailand's best-kept secret — no high-rises, no traffic lights, no mass tourism. Just powdery sand, turquoise bays, and rainforest waterfalls the way they were meant to be.
⚓ Tender port (no cruise pier)🕒 Typical call: 7-9 hrs💵 Thai Baht (THB) — bring cash🗣️ Thai🏖️ Beach day destination
Docking
Tender — ships anchor offshore; tender to beach or village jetty
Walk to center
Nothing walkable from piers — transport required to beaches/waterfalls
Koh Kood has no deep-water cruise pier — all ships tender passengers to shore, typically at one of three locations depending on the cruise line and conditions.
Getting Ashore by Tender
1
Tender drop-off pointsShips typically tender to Ao Salad Pier (northeast, near the fishing village), Nam Leuk Pier (west coast, near Ao Tapao Beach where most resorts cluster), or directly to a beach jetty at Khlong Chao Beach. Your cruise line will advise which.
2
No amenities at the pierTender points have no cruise terminal, no ATMs, and few shops. Expect a simple concrete or wooden jetty. Have Thai Baht ready before you go ashore.
3
Transport is essentialThe island is mountainous and spread out — you cannot walk to main attractions from most piers. Hire a songthaew (shared pickup taxi) at the dock or pre-book a shore excursion. Scooter rental (~300–400 THB/day) is popular but roads are steep and sandy.
4
No ride-hailing appsGrab and Uber do not operate on Koh Kood. Negotiate songthaew fares at the pier or through your resort/hotel contact.
💡 Pro move: If your ship tenders directly to Khlong Chao Beach, you're steps from cafes, kayak rentals, and the path to the waterfall — the most convenient drop-off.
Piers & Tendering by Cruise Line
All cruise ships use tender boats — anchoring offshore and ferrying passengers to small jetties or directly onto beach sand.
Koh Kood rewards those who explore — a short songthaew ride unlocks jungle waterfalls, stilted fishing villages, and some of Thailand's best untouched beaches.
Nature
Khlong Chao Waterfall Hike & Swim
The island's most famous attraction — a 15-minute jungle walk leads to a multi-tier cascade with a deep, cool freshwater pool at the base. Bring a swimsuit and waterproof sandals.
A horseshoe-shaped bay with calm, clear water, wooden piers stretching over turquoise shallows, and swaying coconut palms. Ideal for swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, and sunset photos.
A traditional village built entirely on stilts over the water in the southeast. Walk the wooden boardwalks, peer into family kitchens, and eat the freshest crab and prawns you'll ever taste — pointed to live from the bucket.
The best coral reefs in the archipelago lie around nearby Koh Rang — vibrant hard and soft corals, reef fish, and occasional rays. Usually booked through the ship or local speed boat operators.
Rent a kayak at Khlong Chao Beach and paddle upstream through quiet mangrove forest. The river leads directly to the path for the waterfall — a peaceful way to see the island's interior.
Perched on a cliffside above Ao Salad Pier, this hilltop temple features a large golden Buddha with sweeping panoramic views over the bay and Gulf of Thailand. A steep but short stair climb rewards with great photos.
Walking opportunities are limited from the main piers, but if your ship tenders to Khlong Chao Beach, a rewarding waterfall trail is right at hand.
Khlong Chao Beach to Waterfall
2 km round trip · Easy · ~45 min walking
From the Khlong Chao Beach tender point, follow the river road north past bungalow cafes and kayak stalls. The trail enters light jungle and leads to the base of Khlong Chao Waterfall and its freshwater swimming pool. Flip-flops fine for the road; wear grip shoes for the last 10 minutes of trail.
If tendered to Ao Salad, a short flat walk takes you through the local fishing village to Wat Ao Salad. The temple staircase climbs to a golden Buddha with panoramic bay views. The village itself has a few local shops and a small fresh market in the morning.
Climate normals for Koh Kood, Trat, Thailand (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
Month
Avg High
Avg Low
Rainy Days
Sunrise
Sunset
Jan
83°F / 28°C
77°F / 25°C
9
6:33 AM
6:04 PM
Feb
84°F / 29°C
77°F / 25°C
9
6:31 AM
6:16 PM
Mar
85°F / 29°C
79°F / 26°C
16
6:17 AM
6:20 PM
Apr
86°F / 30°C
80°F / 27°C
18
5:58 AM
6:21 PM
May
86°F / 30°C
80°F / 27°C
26
5:46 AM
6:25 PM
Jun
84°F / 29°C
79°F / 26°C
28
5:46 AM
6:34 PM
Jul
83°F / 28°C
78°F / 26°C
30
5:53 AM
6:37 PM
Aug
83°F / 28°C
78°F / 26°C
29
5:59 AM
6:29 PM
Sep
83°F / 28°C
77°F / 25°C
28
5:59 AM
6:10 PM
Oct
84°F / 29°C
78°F / 26°C
26
5:59 AM
5:51 PM
Nov
85°F / 29°C
79°F / 26°C
15
6:06 AM
5:41 PM
Dec
85°F / 29°C
78°F / 26°C
7
6:21 AM
5:48 PM
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Insider Tips
💵
Bring Thai Baht cash. There are only one or two ATMs on the entire island and they frequently run out. Small vendors, songthaew drivers, and local restaurants are cash-only. Exchange or withdraw before you come ashore.
🛵
Scooters are for experienced riders only. Roads are steep, curvy, and can be sandy. There is no hospital on Koh Kood — only a basic clinic. Evacuations to the mainland (Trat) take time. Travel insurance is a must.
🦟
Pack insect repellent. Sandflies can be a nuisance on some beaches and mosquitoes are active in the jungle. A DEET-based repellent is recommended, especially near the waterfall and mangroves.
☀️
Best season is Nov–Apr. Cruise calls typically occur in the dry season. Outside this window expect rain and rougher tender conditions. Even in season, afternoon squalls are possible — confirm tender re-embarkation cutoff times.
🙏
Cover up at temples. Wat Ao Salad requires covered shoulders and knees. Throw a sarong or light cover-up over swimwear when walking through local villages — it's respectful and expected.
🦀
Eat the crab. Koh Kood is famous for fresh-caught seafood, especially garlic pepper crab and tom yum with fresh prawns. The stilt restaurants at Ao Yai Fisherman Village are the most authentic and affordable option.
Getting Around
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
🚗 Ride-share: ❌ Not available — use taxisNo Uber, Grab, Bolt, or Lyft on Koh Kood. The island has very limited infrastructure and no app-based ride-hailing services.🚍 Hop-on hop-off: ❌ No HOHO bus
🚐 Resort/Ferry Shuttle (Songthaew)
Free (included with ferry)
Most ferry and speedboat services include a complimentary songthaew (converted pickup truck) transfer from the pier to your accommodation. Cruise passengers tendered ashore may need to arrange separately.
🛻 Shared Songthaew
~฿150/person
Shared pickup truck taxis are the main local transport. Fixed short-hop fares of around 150 THB per person; arrange at the pier or through your resort.
🛻 Private Songthaew Charter
฿500–฿3,200
Charter a private songthaew for a single transfer (~฿500) or a half-day island tour (~฿2,000–฿3,200). Best arranged through your resort or at the pier.
🛵 Motorbike Rental
฿250–฿350/day
The most popular way to explore the island independently. Scooters are widely available from local shops near the main beaches. Roads are limited but drivable.
Cruises Calling Here
Upcoming cruises that call at Koh Kood, Trat, Thailand. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Star Seeker
Windstar Cruises
Kobe-Osaka → Laem Chabang
⚓ Calls 24 Nov 07:00 - 15:00 202620 nights13 portsDeparts 2026 Nov 05
View itinerary · 13 ports
20 days, one-way from Kobe-Osaka to Laem Chabang
05 Nov 17:00Departing from Kobe-Osaka, Kyoto, Japan
07 Nov 09:00 - 16:00Amami Oshima Island Japan, Naze, Kagoshima
08 Nov 09:00 - 17:00Naha, Okinawa Island Japan
09 Nov 13:00 - 19:00Ishigakijima Island, Sakishima-Yaeyama, Japan Okinawa
10 Nov 07:00 - 18:00Keelung, Taipei City, Taiwan China
12 Nov 12:00 - 13 Nov 17:00Hong Kong, China
15 Nov 08:00 - 17:00Halong Bay, Vietnam, Ha Long City
17 Nov 06:00 - 23:00Da Nang, Hue City, Vietnam
19 Nov 07:00 - 14:00Nha Trang, Vietnam
20 Nov 13:00 - 21 Nov 20:00Saigon, Phu My Port-Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
23 Nov 06:00 - 21:00Sihanoukville, Cambodia
24 Nov 07:00 - 15:00Koh Kut-Kood Island Thailand
25 Nov 08:00Arriving in Laem Chabang, Bangkok, Thailand
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
