Looking for a Thai island with turquoise waters, white sand and no crowds? Believe me, they still exist.
After years of travelling around Thailand – and recently living here – I’ve seen many islands lose their original charm, but still a few, like Koh Kood, remain far from mass tourism.
Located in the Gulf of Thailand, near Cambodia and Koh Chang, Koh Kood (or Koh Kut) is one of Thailand’s lesser-known and lesser-visited islands.
It has spectacular pristine beaches, coconut trees leaning over the sea and a tranquil atmosphere that invites you to unwind.
It’s a true paradise, but its location near the Cambodian border means that getting there takes more time and effort than other islands. That may be the reason why it is still so unspoilt.
In this post, I want to show you the best beaches in Koh Kood.
The best beaches in Koh Kood
1. Ao Tapao Beach
Ao Tapao, located on the northwest coast, is one of the most accessible beaches on Koh Kood.
It is a long stretch of fine white sand fringed by coconut trees and lapped by turquoise waters, divided into two main areas.
At the northern end is the area with some tourist development, where a few resorts are concentrated. Despite the presence of hotels, the atmosphere is quiet and uncrowded, as these resorts are low-rise and have a lot of vegetation.
At the southern end, beyond the last resort (the Seafar Resort), the beach is unspoilt and without buildings. The back of the beach is natural, with palm trees that give it that paradise beach feel that looks so good in photos.
In addition, Ao Tapao stands out for being located next to the administrative centre of Koh Kood.
Here, you will find the island’s essential services, such as the hospital, police station, town hall, ATMs, a few local shops, restaurants, and small supermarkets.
This makes it a very convenient choice for those who wish to combine nature and tranquillity with accessibility and services.
2. Khlong Chao Beach
Khlong Chao Beach, Koh Kood’s best-known and most developed tourist beach, is heading south.
Despite being the best-known and with the most tourist infrastructure, it is still a beach where tourist development remains minimal, with only a few resorts, and where few people enjoy the beach, even in high season.
The beach stretches for almost a kilometre and is made of soft white sand, lapped by shallow turquoise and crystal clear waters, perfect for swimming.
On the beachfront are several luxury resorts, such as the Peter Pan Resort or the Tinkerbell Resort. These resorts have low-rise bungalows and villas that blend well with the surroundings amidst palm trees and tropical gardens.
On the other hand, more affordable options are located a bit further inland for more discreet budgets.
With its central location, Khlong Chao is an excellent place to explore Koh Kood.
Khlong Chao River flows into the sea right on the beach and leads to the popular Khlong Chao waterfall. The river flows through a mangrove area and is navigable by kayak.
3. Bang Bao Bay
For many, Bang Bao Bay is the most beautiful beach on Koh Kood. Located just 3.5km south of Khlong Chao, this small crescent-shaped bay is a delight for anyone looking for a day at the beach in paradise.
With fine white sand, calm turquoise blue waters, smooth pebble-free bottoms, and a laid-back atmosphere, it’s perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or relaxing in the shade under a palm tree.
The charming wooden piers of Koh Kood’s resorts complete the tropical setting.
On the beach, there are a few resorts with bungalows set in lush tropical gardens, such as the Koh Kood Resort or The Beach Natural Resort, and nothing else.
If you want to go to a restaurant that doesn’t belong to these resorts, you have to go out on the island’s main road.
Bang Bao is one of the 2 or 3 best beaches in Koh Kood. You can’t miss it under any circumstances.
Tip: Have a drink (or a meal) at The Deck, Koh Kood Resort’s lounge bar-restaurant, and take the opportunity to have your photo taken at one of the most photographed jetties that jut out into the sea.
4. Ao Takhian
Ao Takhian is one of the island’s wildest and most authentic beaches, located in the southern part of Koh Kood, where tourism is minimal.
This long stretch of coastline is the perfect place for travellers in search of a total disconnect. Its natural setting is virtually untouched except for a resort at its northern end.
Except for this resort, the rest of the beach remains free of construction. You won’t find any beach bars or sun loungers lined up here (there’s nothing like that on any beach on Koh Kood), just a long stretch of wild beach where you’ll hardly find any people.
The beach showcases the beauty of Koh Kood’s shores: fine white sand, turquoise waters, a pebble-free seabed in most areas, and coconut trees that create a tropical paradise atmosphere.
Ao Takhian offers an experience that is hard to find on many other Thai islands: nature, silence, and plenty of space for yourself.
The beach is ideal for strolling up and down, swimming with almost no one around you or just sitting under a palm tree and gazing at the horizon without noise.
5. Klong Hin Beach
After visiting Ao Takhian, head to Klong Hin Beach, another beach that deserves to be on any list of the best beaches in Koh Kood.
Klong Hin Beach is another postcard-perfect beach in a small horseshoe-shaped bay. It offers a tropical landscape where the rainforest meets the sea in its purest state.
Like Ao Takhian, there is a small area with some relatively modest resorts near the entry point, while the rest of the beach remains virtually untouched.
The views are spectacular: a vast stretch of white to light golden sand, clear waters ranging from emerald green to turquoise blue, and jungle in the background, with no buildings to break up its paradise beach aesthetic.
It is a very quiet beach with hardly any stray tourists, something unthinkable on other Thai islands that boast beaches of such beauty..
6. Ao Jark Beach
Also known as Neverland Beach, Ao Jark is another pristine beach where almost no one is, which is what makes Koh Kood such a special island.
Situated on the southern tip of the island, this location offers the quintessential experience of Koh Kood’s beaches: pristine nature, swaying palm trees, crystal-clear waters, and a profound sense of tranquility that makes you feel entirely disconnected from the outside world
Tourist development in this area is very low, with only a few basic, low-occupancy resorts available. There are no bars, shops, or other amenities. However, if you drive a few minutes to the main road, you’ll find some places to eat and local shops selling essential goods.
7. Ao Phrao Beach
Ao Phrao Beach, located between Ao Jark Beach and the fishing village of Ao Yai, is very similar to its neighbours.
Ao Phrao is one of the island’s quietest, wildest, and most unspoilt beaches. It is a long stretch of fine white sand, flanked by dense palm and coconut trees that slope to the sea.
Its shallow waters are perfect for swimming. Even in the high season, this beach is never crowded.
Tourist development is very limited and unobtrusive (just a few rustic resorts and bungalows). Still, unlike the other southern beaches, it has a few restaurants, cafes, and shops near the beach, especially in the river area.
You won’t find loud music bars or jet skis here. Instead, you will find an absolutely serene natural environment, ideal for unwinding and relaxing.