Ko Kut

Ko Kut is reached by ferry from the mainland. The Koh Kood Princess ferry departs from and arrives at Ao Salat, the island's largest settlement of around 300 people built on stilts in the water. Speedboats serve Bang Bao Bay and Khlong Chao from mainland piers. Most visitors travel via Trat town or the nearby island of Ko Chang. The journey from Bangkok involves a 4-5 hour bus to Trat followed by a ferry crossing.

Public taxis are available on Ko Kut, and Siam Beach Resort runs a taxi service from Bang Bao Bay. Motorbike rental costs around 300-350 baht per day, with resorts charging 400-450 baht. Road conditions vary between dirt and paved surfaces, with a small concrete road covering the western coastline north to south. Bicycle hire costs around 150 baht per day but is of limited usefulness due to heat and hills. Small fishing boats can be hired for island tours. A trip to Ao Salat by car costs around 500 baht due to scarcity of vehicles.

The best diving weather runs nearly year-round except July through September, when visibility drops to 5 m and seas turn choppy. High season (November–February) sees the most tourists, and booking ahead is recommended—particularly for weekends and Thai holidays that catch Western visitors off guard. About 40% of resorts close during the rainy season (May–September), with limited restaurant, bar, and shop services, and diving not always possible. Some establishments like View Point Cafe close for low season in mid-May.

Accommodation sprawls across the island, with the Klong Chao area in the middle hosting most backpacker-friendly options. Budget travelers can find rooms at Cozy House (300-1,200 baht) with fan bungalows featuring open-air bathrooms, or Happy Days Guesthouse for air and fan rooms. Mid-range options include Dusita Resort (from 1,290 baht) with air-conditioned bungalows on the beach, and Koh Kood Resort (700-2,700 baht) in Bang Bao Bay offering Japanese-style bungalows in a botanical garden. Luxury properties like Away Resort (3,800-10,500 baht) and Soneva Kiri (23,077-158,663 baht) cater to upscale visitors. Most beach resorts are accessed via dirt tracks from the main road.

Resort restaurants generally offer good food and welcome outside diners, with prices slightly above mainland Thailand. The cheapest meals are noodle bowls at around 60 baht, while main courses at non-high-end places typically cost 80-200 baht (usually 100-150 baht). Ao Salat's seafood restaurants let diners choose fresh catch directly from fishing nets. Basic staples, fruit, vegetables, and ice cream are available at shops around Klong Chao. The Sunset Bar near Away Resort hosts parties every Saturday and special occasions, while View Point Cafe offers fresh-ground Vietnamese-style coffee, fruit shakes, and non-alcoholic cocktails with panoramic water views.

Most beaches line the west coast: Ao Tapao, Ao Noi, Klong Chao, Ao Ngamkho, Sai Daeng, Ao Bang Bao, Takean, Khlong Hin, Ao Jark, and Ao Prao. The Klong Chao Waterfall—the island's largest—features a huge swimable pool reachable in a 20-30 minute walk from the turn-off. The smaller, quieter Klong Yai Ki Waterfall sits in the northwest near Baan Makok. The Huang Num Keaw Waterfall (Secret Waterfall) requires a strenuous 100 m steep path. The River Estuary near Klong Chao offers cheap kayak rentals from hotels and restaurants, with the option to portage into isolated natural swimming pools. Scuba diving operators including BB Divers, Koh Kood Divers, and Paradise Divers offer PADI courses from beginner to divemaster level, with local sites plus trips to Ko Rang National Marine Park.

As of January 2023, AIS provides 5G service in more-developed parts of Ko Kut, with intermittent 3G/4G elsewhere. Some resorts like Siam Beach Resort and Koh Kood Resort offer internet access while others do not. Four ATMs exist on the island: a GSB ATM and Krungsri ATM near High Season, a GSB ATM by the hospital, and a Krungsri ATM about 500m south of the police station. Krungsri ATMs accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, UnionPay, and JCB; GSB ATMs only accept Visa. Only higher-end resorts take credit cards. Credit card cash advances are reportedly possible at larger resorts for a 5% fee.

Ko Kut is a quiet, family-oriented island with no nightlife, making it generally safe for all travelers. Standard precautions apply: secure valuables at beach resorts, and be cautious on motorbikes given varying road conditions between dirt and paved surfaces. Swimming safety is advised—avoid contact with coral reefs and heed local guidance on ocean conditions, particularly during the choppy July-September monsoon period.

Budget travelers can manage on 600-1,000 baht per day including budget accommodation (300-500 baht), cheap meals (60-150 baht per dish), and motorbike rental (300-350 baht). Mid-range travelers should budget 1,500-3,000 baht daily for comfortable bungalows (1,000-2,500 baht), restaurant meals, activities, and transport. Waterfall entries are free, and kayaking at the River Estuary is inexpensive. Luxury stays start from 3,800 baht at properties like Away Resort.

From Ko Kut, travelers can continue to nearby islands in the Gulf of Thailand. Ko Chang—the largest island in the archipelago—offers more developed tourism infrastructure and nightlife. Ko Mak is a smaller, quieter alternative between Ko Kut and Ko Chang. Speedboat services connect these islands, and the mainland town of Trat provides access back to Bangkok or onward to Cambodia.