Visit the Best Kept Secrets in Thailand
Discover our own adventures – from luxury coaches to hidden beach trails – to help you choose your perfect island escape.
Our Highlights & Lowlights
Koh Kood & Koh Mak
- 🌴 High Seasons Resort & Villas: Gorgeous beachfront vibes, bike hire available.
- 🏖️ Lazy Day The Resort: Peaceful, long low-tide beach walks—ideal for disconnecting.
Koh Chang
- 🏨 KC Grande Resort: White Sands Beach Overcrowded and steep roads—bike hire not ideal.
- 🎉 Perks: Songthaews reliable, easy start for boat tours (hello, spontaneous Koh Mak detour!).
Nestled in the sparkling turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Kood Island offers a serene escape that leaves even the popular Koh Chang in its wake. While both islands boast stunning beaches and vibrant marine life, Koh Kood’s unspoiled charm and tranquil atmosphere make it the ultimate destination for those seeking a true getaway.
We rolled out at dawn from Bangkok, lounged lakeside with a snack at Boonsiri’s dock, and later found ourselves cycling through soft sands and palm-fringed trails…
Imagine swaying palm trees, soft white sands untouched by mass tourism, and an authentic Thai experience that gives you a taste of paradise. From cozy beachfront bungalows to jungle adventures, Koh Kood caters to both relaxation and exploration.
But Koh Kood isn’t alone — nearby Koh Mak and Koh Chang each offer something different. So, which island should you choose? This guide compares Koh Mak vs Koh Kood vs Koh Chang to help you decide.
By journey’s end, our experiences didn’t just help us choose an island—they changed how we felt about Thai island life forever.
Koh Kood – Untouched Paradise
Often called Thailand’s last unspoiled island, Koh Kood (or Koh Kut) feels like stepping back in time. With just a handful of fishing villages, lush jungle, waterfalls, and beaches that rival the Maldives, it’s a natural wonderland.
Vibe: Tranquil, authentic, and naturally stunning
Best for: Nature lovers, families, couples who want both relaxation and gentle adventure
Highlights: Klong Chao Waterfall, Ao Tapao Beach, traditional fishing villages, jungle treks
Downsides: Limited ATMs and shops, Wi-Fi can be patchy, not ideal for nightlife seekers
Koh Mak – Small, Peaceful, and Eco-Friendly
If you’re dreaming of an intimate island hideaway, Koh Mak is one of Thailand’s best-kept secrets. Just 16 square kilometers in size, it’s a place where you can cycle everywhere, fall asleep to the sound of the waves, and truly disconnect.
Vibe: Romantic, eco-friendly, and slow paced
Best for: Couples and travelers seeking complete relaxation
Highlights: Cycling around the island, snorkeling at Koh Rayang Nok, boutique beachfront stays
Downsides: Limited nightlife, fewer shops and ATMs, smaller choice of restaurants
Koh Chang – Adventure and Accessibility
The largest of the three, Koh Chang (meaning “Elephant Island”) is far more developed. It offers a lively mix of resorts, nightlife, adventure activities, and family-friendly beaches.
Vibe: Lively, adventurous, and varied
Best for: Families, groups of friends, and travelers wanting convenience with options
Highlights: Waterfall hikes, diving trips, White Sand Beach nightlife, easy connections from Bangkok
Downsides: Busier and more developed, especially in peak season; less of a “hidden gem” feel
Koh Mak vs Koh Kood – Which Should You Choose?
This is where many travelers struggle: Koh Mak vs Koh Kood. Both are quiet, peaceful, and far less crowded than Koh Chang. But they offer different experiences:
| Feature | Koh Mak | Koh Kood |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Very small, explore in 2–3 days | Larger, great for a week |
| Beaches | Small coves, boutique vibes | Long, pristine stretches of white sand |
| Activities | Cycling, snorkeling | Jungle trekking, waterfalls, local villages |
| Vibe | Romantic & intimate | Wild & adventurous |
| Best for | Couples | Families, nature lovers |
👉 Choose Koh Mak if you want a short, romantic escape with boutique stays and a true “digital detox.”
👉 Choose Koh Kood if you want variety: pristine beaches, waterfalls, and more space to explore over a longer stay.
How We Got There
- All three islands are accessed via Trat province, which is reachable by flight or bus from Bangkok. From Trat, ferries and speedboats connect to Koh Chang, Koh Mak, and Koh Kood:
Koh Chang: 30–45 minutes by ferry
Koh Mak: ~45 minutes by speedboat
Koh Kood: 1–1.5 hours by speedboat
Tip: Boats run on seasonal schedules, so check timetables before you travel.
We arranged our own transport as follows:
- Boonsiri Ferry, 6am pickup near Khao San Road, Bangkok; luxury coach (6 hours) to Hat Lek Pier
- Boonsiri Ferry tp Ao Salat Pier, Koh Kood (about 75 minutes on a catamaran); inclusive drop off at our hotel (High Season Pool Villa & Spa)
- Seudamgo Ferry to Koh Mak, drop off at Lazy Day The Resort.
- Same ferry company then took us to Bang Bao Pier, in Koh Chang, with a drop off included to KC Grande Resort.
- Leaving Koh Chang is easy, with multiple options depending on where you go. We arranged a taxi from the hotel, on to the car ferry (every 20/30 minutes depending on how full they get) and then the 20-minute ride to Trat Airport.
Final Verdict – Which Thai Island Is Best?
It really depends on your travel style:
Koh Kood: Ideal for nature lovers, families, or anyone wanting an untouched paradise.- Koh Mak: Perfect for couples seeking romance and quiet time.
- Koh Chang: Great for adventurers, groups, and those who prefer convenience and variety.
Koh Kood:
Koh Mak: Perfect for couples seeking romance and quiet time.
Koh Chang: Great for adventurers, groups, and those who prefer convenience and variety.Whichever you choose, each island promises turquoise waters, golden sunsets, and a side of Thailand far removed from the tourist crowds of Phuket or Samui.
For us, our favourite was Koh Kood. It was green and lush, not too hilly, friendly people everywhere, with just enough to do. Koh Mak was lovely, but quiet. We walked for ages along the beaches to Ao Kao and back, and they were pretty much deserted when we went in February.
Our least favourite was Koh Chang, which seemed to attract quite a different crowd: Older, noisier, boozier. Just not our scene.
Having said that, Koh Chang is still MILES better than Koh Samui! Read why here.
Practical Travel Tips
Bring enough cash — ATMs are limited on Koh Mak and Koh Kood.
Book accommodation in advance during peak season (December–March).
Pack reef-safe sunscreen to protect the fragile marine ecosystem. There’s a huge ocean marine park to visit, so let’s keep it full of fish!
How Did Our Hotels Rate?
This was our first time back in Thailand for a few years and the first visit to Trat Province. We wanted somewhere a little different and these three islands proved the perfect tonic to enjoy some beach time after a frantic few weeks in the Philippines (read all about that here).
Our Highlights & Lowlights
High Seasons Resort & Villas (Koh Kood): + Gorgeous beachfront, + motorbike rental; spent a wonderful day exploring all the local beaches. Amazing seafood dinner.
Lazy Day Resort (Koh Mak): + Quiet, + beach walks; I hired a motorbike and explored the island end to end. I completed the most scary drone flight ever!
KC Grande Resort (Koh Chang): – Overcrowded, – steep roads; + convenient songthaews. Seems a magnet for the cheap beer crowd.
Where We Stayed & What We Loved
If you only choose to visit one of these three islands, it would have to be Koh Kood. And I can highly recommend the High Seasons Resort & Villas: A dreamy beachfront escape with beautiful gardens—perfect for borrowing a bike and soaking in serenity. It’s amazing how each villa feels so private despite the relatively small space.
Koh Mak is a place lost in time and surely one day a huge resort will buy up the land and spoil it. I had one scary moment, where the tide took one of the Resort kayak’s out to sea. Stupidly, I offered to go with a young lad to rescue it. What I hadn’t realised was how quickly the tide was taking it and the poor quality of the oars I was using didn’t help. After 15 minutes of paddling we eventually reached it and he jumped overboard to row it back. So I then had to paddle the other kayak back over 1km against the tide. I was exhausted by the time I reached shore!
Koh Chang I am sure has loads to offer. We went on a boat tour, which actually took us all the way back to Koh Mak practically. The hotel was noisy, the beaches were packed and there was just noise everywhere. Compared to everywhere else we’d been in the previous month, it was a real low spot.
Introducing the Holiday Cost of Enjoyment Index
Like most travellers, over the years we’ve relied on TripAdvisor, Google Maps reviews, and the ratings you see on booking sites like Booking.com or Hotels.com. The problem? Many reviews are biased by a single traveller’s opinion—and sometimes, we’re not convinced they’re even legitimate.
But can you really measure “enjoyment”? We believe you can, if you:
Set a budget and frame your holiday around it
Prioritise your style of travel—whether that’s adventure activities, fine dining, historical sites, or pure “flop & drop” relaxation
Research the competition—do you really need that 5★ property, or would a 4★ hotel’s best room give you more value?
Balance your spending—invest in the things you love most, the ones that create lasting memories
That’s why we created the Holiday Cost of Enjoyment Index (HCEI): an open-source scoring system anyone can use to assess hotels fairly, across five key categories:
Accommodation – comfort, amenities, location & value for your room type
Activities & Experiences – uniqueness, variety, and those unexpected “wow” moments
The Cost of Doing It – actual costs of rooms, food & drink, and travel
Food & Beverages – on-site dining, à la carte quality, and drinks
Relaxation & Rejuvenation – Zen factor, wellness opportunities, scenic beauty
Each major category is scored out of 5. We then weight each category to get an overall score, shown as a percentage. You then get a clear picture of whether a hotel or resort is truly worth the Cost of Enjoyment.
Koh Kood, Koh Mak & Koh Chang Hotels Rated
If you want to read more about the methodology and try rating a hotel yourself, try the online FREE tool here: Holiday Cost of Enjoyment Index
Have you been to Koh Kood, Koh Mak or Koh Chang?
Our Highlights & Lowlights
⭐ Highlights — Koh Kood
- 🌴 High Seasons Resort & Villas: Dreamy beachfront, lush gardens, easy bike hire to explore nearby beaches.
- 🏝️ Beaches: Long, soft sands (Ao Tapao, Klong Chao) with clear, calm water.
- 🌿 Nature: Waterfalls, quiet bays, and that “last unspoiled island” feel.
⭐ Highlights — Koh Mak
- 🚲 Slow-travel vibe: Compact, cycle-friendly island that feels intimate and relaxed.
- 🏖️ Lazy Day The Resort: Peaceful beachfront; at low tide you can walk for miles along the coast toward the ferry.
- 🌊 Calm coves & snorkeling: Gentle waters and boutique beachfront spots.
- 🧘 Unplug: Minimal bustle—perfect for couples and short restorative stays (2–3 days).
⚠️ Lowlights — Mainly Koh Chang
- 🏨 KC Grande Resort: Felt overcrowded and tourist-heavy during our stay.
- 🛵 Roads: Steep and busy; we didn’t feel safe hiring a motorbike.
- 🚕 Workaround: Songthaews were reliable for getting around (and easy to flag down).
- ⛵ Boat tours: Convenient—but the best moments were actually on quieter Koh Mak.