Ko Kood, Thailand

Overview

The island of Ko Kood, in the Gulf of Thailand, is a favourite destination with cruisers. It’s also known as Ko Kut, and it’s a quiet place where you’ll get to savour natural beauty and dine on Thai specialities. Just a little over five miles across at its widest point, Ko Kood can be explored on foot. Yet, as a hilly island with high temperatures, it’s best explored by motorbike. Ko Kood is a resort island, which means that most of the island’s restaurants, bars and attractions can be found in specific areas, alongside tourist accommodation by the beaches.

Sightseeing in Ko Kood

Visitors to the island are instantly met by crystal clear waters and beautiful beaches. Turtles, colourful fish and seahorses live just off the shore, and can be seen if you choose to spend your time scuba diving. The island hasn’t been developed as much as some others that you might visit on your cruise, which means that the emphasis is on relaxation, away from busy tourist hotspots and free from the influence of modern technologies:

Nam Tok Khlong Chao: This incredibly impressive waterfall is an attraction that you won’t want to miss. It plummets into a deep, crystal pool where you can swim. It’s a refreshing way to spend time on your cruise excursion, as an alternative to swimming in the sea.

River Kayaking: Ko Kood’s river is lined with mangrove trees. As you make your way towards the estuary, you’ll find local companies offering kayaks to hire. If you’re a beginner, you can visit one of the tributaries or pools. If you’re more experienced, you can make your way out to the sea.

Ao Yai: To immerse yourself in local culture, you’ll want to visit a traditional fishing village. Ao Yai is located on the south of the island, and is a lovely village where the locals are friendly and welcoming.

Shopping in Ko Kood

Ko Kood isn’t going to be one of the best shopping destinations on your cruise. You’ll find a few shops selling local souvenirs and diving equipment, and can also purchase local snacks, ice creams, bottles of wine and other grocery items. Some shops sell light and comfortable Thai clothing, and all have a useful stock of sun cream and other holiday essentials. Yet, shops are few and far between and aimed more at locals than tourists.

Eating Out in Ko Kood

The people of Ko Kood mostly dine on the fresh fish caught off the coast of the island. Local grocery shops stock fresh fruit and vegetables, along with light snacks to enjoy on the beach, whilst restaurants serve a varied selection of meals and light lunches. It’s typical to find noodle dishes, but Ko Kood also has a number of restaurants that serve Italian cuisine with pizza and pasta being popular on the island.

The View Point Cafe has long been an island attraction, where tourists can sit and enjoy their natural surroundings as they eat cake, toasted sandwiches, rice, mango and delicious fruit milkshakes. The cafe is also one of the only places on the island with a reliable internet connection.