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SmartEnPlus Blog: Best Time to Visit Koh Kood: Season-by-Season Breakdown

Best Time to Visit Koh Kood: Season-by-Season Breakdown

Traveler's Compass
Jul 04, 2025By Traveler's Compass

Koh Kood is an unspoiled tropical paradise in Thailand, offering stunning beaches and clear waters. It’s a tranquil escape, perfect for those seeking relaxation, snorkeling, and diving, away from mass tourism crowds.

Koh Kood (also known as Koh Kut) is renowned as an unspoiled slice of tropical heaven located in Thailand’s Trat Province, near the Cambodian border. It is the southernmost island of the Koh Chang island chain and Thailand’s fourth largest island, yet it maintains a leisurely local lifestyle and unspoiled nature. Unlike party islands, Koh Kood offers a relaxed atmosphere with stunning beaches and clear waters, appealing to those seeking tranquility away from large crowds.

Determining the ideal time for your visit is crucial to experiencing the island’s charm fully. This guide provides a season-by-season breakdown, offering insights into weather, tourism levels, and activities to help you plan your perfect getaway.

Koh Kood’s Climate Overview

Koh Kood experiences a consistently warm tropical climate throughout the year, with average high temperatures ranging between 29°C and 30°C. The primary variations occur in precipitation levels.

1. High Season / Peak Season (November to February)

This period is widely considered the best time to visit Koh Kood, often referred to as the ‘farang’ (foreign) season due to the influx of international tourists.

  • Weather Conditions:
    • These months are characterized by minimal to no rain. December, for instance, is the driest month with an average of just 24 mm of rainfall over 4 rainy days.
    • Temperatures are comfortable, with average highs around 29°C in January (the coolest month). December and January nights can be quite chilly, especially at the hill bottom, potentially negating the need for air-conditioned rooms.
    • The sea is generally calm, and visibility is at its best, making it ideal for water activities.
  • Tourism & Prices:
    • This is the busiest time of the year, leading to higher resort prices and more crowded beaches.
    • Ferry crossings are more frequent during this season.
  • Activities:
    • Excellent for scuba diving and snorkeling due to optimal visibility. BB Divers, a PADI 5-star IDC dive center, operates year-round but notes this period as ideal for diving.
    • Enjoy the beautiful beaches like Bang Bao Beach, which remains surprisingly uncrowded even in high season.
    • Explore waterfalls such as Khlong Chao Waterfall, Khlong Yai Ki, and Huang Khiao.

2. Shoulder Season (March to May)

The shoulder season offers a transition between the peak tourist period and the rainy season, known as the ‘Thai season’ as many local families visit.

  • Weather Conditions:
    • March marks the beginning of the hot season, with warmth that is generally manageable.
    • April is typically the hottest month, with average daytime temperatures reaching 30°C.
    • Rainfall begins to increase, with April experiencing 16 rainy days and May having the most precipitation in this season, with 29 rainy days.
  • Tourism & Prices:
    • The island is neither too busy nor too deserted. Tourism slows down compared to the peak season, which can lead to potentially lower prices, although source data indicates March and April can still have high average weekend prices.
  • Activities:
    • Despite the increasing heat, water sports and enjoying the beaches and waterfalls remain popular for an escape from the heat.
    • Diving is still offered by companies like BB Divers.

3. Off-Season / Wet Season (June to Mid-October)

This period is characterized by the monsoon rains and is considered the off-season.

  • Weather Conditions:
    • These months experience the most precipitation, with around 20-30 days of rain each month. July is the wettest month, receiving approximately 622 mm of rainfall over 23 rainy days.
    • Despite frequent rain showers, some visitors find July and August to be a great time to visit.
    • Weather conditions can be windier and wavier, potentially limiting access to some dive sites.
  • Tourism & Prices:
    • Tourism is the slowest during this period, resulting in the lowest prices for accommodation. Hotels are cheapest in August, with average rates of $53.
    • The island, which historically used to shut down, now has at least one ferry-boat running, keeping it open year-round. Limited boat service is noted between April and November due to lower tourist arrivals.
  • Activities:
    • Many beaches, such as Bang Boa, are empty, offering visitors privacy. Some resorts run nature packages.
    • Scuba diving is available year-round, with good diving usually found in Koh Rang National Park. Kayaking can also be enjoyed, with some beaches effectively protecting swimmers from harsh weather.
    • Visiting waterfalls like Khlong Chao Waterfall might be challenging due to high water levels and difficult paths after frequent rains.

Getting to Koh Kood

There is no airport directly on Koh Kood, so access is solely by passenger ferry or speedboat. The Soneva Kiri resort has a private airstrip on a nearby island for its guests.

  • From Bangkok:
    • Flight and Boat: Fly from Bangkok to Trat Airport (approximately 1 hour flight time, plus airport time), then take a taxi or shuttle to Laem Sok Pier (50 minutes), followed by a ferry to Koh Kood (1-2 hours). Total journey time is around 6 hours. Bangkok Airways offers a shared minibus service from Trat Airport to Laem Sok Pier for 700 Baht per person.
    • Bus and Boat: A recommended option for its cost-effectiveness and guaranteed connections. Public buses from Ekkamai or Morchit bus stations go to Trat. Boonsiri Ferry operates a private bus service from Khao San Road in Bangkok directly to Laem Sok pier, connecting with their boat. A combined bus and boat ticket costs 850 Baht. Total journey time is approximately 9.5 hours.
    • Private Transfer: Available from Bangkok airports (Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang) or hotels. Prices start from 4,400 Baht for a private car from Bangkok to the pier. Secure, covered parking is available at the pier for 50 Baht per day.
  • From Koh Chang:
    • Hopping between Koh Chang and Koh Kood is easy, especially during High Season (November to April). Services include Kai Bae Hut Speedboat, Bangbao Boat, and Boonsiri Ferry.
    • The journey from Koh Chang to Koh Kood takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, including a brief stop on Koh Mak.
    • During the Low Season (May to October), Boonsiri Ferry operates a daily inter-island service, though it’s subject to weather and maintenance. It might be necessary to travel via the mainland during this time.
  • Ferry Services:
    • Four main companies run services from Laem Sok Pier: Koh Kood Princess (cheapest at 400 Baht), Koh Kood Express, Seudamgo (newest and fastest catamaran, ~45 mins), and Boonsiri Ferry (most comfortable catamaran, with free Wi-Fi).
    • Boat tickets often include transport from the mainland city center to the pier and from the pier to your accommodation on Koh Kood.

Getting Around Koh Kood

The best way to explore Koh Kood is by motorbike, offering freedom to visit remote areas. Motorbike rentals are widely available for around 250-300 THB per day, excluding fuel.

Things to Do in Koh Kood

While primarily a place for relaxation, Koh Kood offers several activities:

  • Relaxation: The predominant activity on the island, ideal for unwinding.
  • Scuba Diving & Snorkeling: The island boasts incredible dive sites with rich marine life, suitable for all levels. BB Divers is a PADI 5-star IDC dive center offering various courses and trips.
  • Kayaking: Explore mangrove rivers. Some accommodations, like A La Koh Kood, offer free kayaks.
  • Waterfalls: Visit Khlong Chao Waterfall (most popular), Khlong Yai Ki Waterfall, and Huai Nam Khieo Waterfall.
  • Ao Yai Fisherman’s Village: A traditional village built on stilts, offering fresh seafood restaurants.
  • Beaches: Discover stunning beaches on the west side, perfect for sunsets. Notable beaches include Bang Bao Beach, Ao Noi Beach, and Khlong Hin Beach. Ao Tapao is another popular beach.

Accommodation in Koh Kood

Koh Kood offers a range of accommodation options, from luxury villas to comfortable homestays, with prices varying significantly by season and type.

  • Luxury (e.g., Soneva Kiri): Starting around £900 per night, with private pools and extensive amenities.
  • Mid-Range (e.g., High Season Pool Villa & Spa, Hideout Koh Kood, Shantaa Resort): Offers spacious villas, some with private pools and beach access, receiving excellent reviews.
  • Budget-Friendly (e.g., Baankonkan Resort, The Memory 408, Escape Life Koh Kood, Saim Hut): Providing basic yet comfortable stays, often with free Wi-Fi or parking.
  • Useful Booking Information: KAYAK allows filtering deals by free cancellation, free breakfast, and other amenities. The most sought-after amenity among KAYAK users in Ko Kut hotels is a pool. Booking at least 18 days in advance is recommended for the best prices.

Conclusion

Koh Kood offers a unique blend of natural beauty and tranquility that is worth the journey. While the peak season from November to February provides the best weather for a quintessential beach holiday, it comes with higher prices and more tourists. The shoulder and off-seasons offer opportunities for more budget-friendly trips and greater privacy, with the trade-off of hotter temperatures or more rain. No matter when you choose to visit, Koh Kood promises an unforgettable experience of Thailand before mass tourism fully transforms it.

Plan your trip to this hidden gem and immerse yourself in its serene charm.