Koh Kood vs Koh Samet
See how these destinations compare for your trip.
Choose two different destinations to compare.
Not sure where to go? Find my destination
A quieter setting
A relaxed pace and low-key development make quiet beach stays the norm, especially away from the main piers.
Easier exploring without a scooter
Walkable beach areas, songthaews and boat transfers cover many visitor needs, though cross-island trips take coordination.
Side by side
What feels different
Our editorial assessments · Select a factor to see how we scored each place.
Why we rate Koh Kood 9/10
Clear water and attractive sandy coves make Koh Kood one of Thailand’s strongest choices for a quiet beach stay.
Why we rate Koh Samet 8/10
Several attractive white-sand bays are easy weekend escapes from Bangkok, though the busiest beaches can be crowded.
What we assess
Beach appeal, convenient access and variety during a beach-focused stay, within the destination itself.
Why we rate Koh Kood 8/10
Palm-lined bays, jungle and waterfalls give the island a lush, unhurried setting.
Why we rate Koh Samet 7/10
Curving coves, clear Gulf water and coastal forest make a pleasant island setting, without the dramatic cliffs of the Andaman.
What we assess
The visual impact of natural surroundings and how central those landscapes are to a typical stay.
Why we rate Koh Kood 3/10
Fishing villages and temples offer a glimpse of local island life, though major cultural attractions are few.
Why we rate Koh Samet 2/10
A few local shrines and village details aside, the island’s visitor appeal is mostly beaches and short breaks.
What we assess
The variety, depth and practical access to historic places, temples, architecture, traditions and cultural experiences during a typical stay.
Why we rate Koh Kood 5/10
Resort restaurants and a few village spots provide satisfying Thai and seafood meals, with limited choice between bases.
Why we rate Koh Samet 6/10
Seafood, Thai dishes and resort restaurants are easy to find, though the overall choice is limited by the island’s size.
What we assess
Food quality, variety, distinctive local cooking and how readily visitors can find good places to eat, regardless of price.
Why we rate Koh Kood 2/10
Evenings are mostly quiet, with drinks at accommodation and a small number of low-key bars.
Why we rate Koh Samet 5/10
Beach bars and fire shows add lively evenings at the main beaches, with much quieter options elsewhere.
What we assess
The choice, variety and liveliness of evening venues, their opening hours and how easily you can enjoy a typical night out.
Why we rate Koh Kood 9/10
A relaxed pace and low-key development make quiet beach stays the norm, especially away from the main piers.
Why we rate Koh Samet 5/10
Quiet stays are possible away from the main bays, but weekend crowds and beach entertainment are common.
What we assess
How easily you can enjoy a peaceful stay, considering traffic, nightlife noise, crowds and practical quieter bases.
Why we rate Koh Kood 6/10
Snorkelling trips and nearby-island outings are available, but services are less frequent and varied than at larger hubs.
Why we rate Koh Samet 6/10
Short boat outings reach nearby coves and snorkelling spots, but the excursion choice is more limited than at major island hubs.
What we assess
The variety of worthwhile sea-island trips, convenient departures, journey times and flexibility under normal operating conditions.
Why we rate Koh Kood 4/10
Transfers and organised trips can cover key outings, but the island’s dispersed beaches and limited public transport reduce flexibility.
Why we rate Koh Samet 7/10
Walkable beach areas, songthaews and boat transfers cover many visitor needs, though cross-island trips take coordination.
What we assess
Freedom to explore without renting a scooter, using walking, public transport, taxis, tuk-tuks, ride-hailing or boats; transport price is assessed separately.
Why we rate Koh Kood 5/10
Simple stays exist, but boat transfers, limited transport and resort-based meals can make a modest trip harder to keep cheap.
Why we rate Koh Samet 6/10
Simple rooms and local food are available, but weekend demand, park fees and boat transfers can raise the total.
What we assess
How easily you can enjoy a typical stay on a modest budget, including simple accommodation, food, realistic transport and characteristic activities.
Scores out of 10 · Higher means more of that characteristic About these scores
How to read the scale
Scores run from 0 to 10 and describe how strongly a destination offers each characteristic.
Higher does not always mean better
A higher nightlife score means a livelier scene. A higher quietness score means a calmer atmosphere. The right balance depends on your trip.
Close scores mean similar experiences
Small differences should not decide your trip on their own.
Koh Kood
Choose Koh Kood if...
- You want clear-water beaches and a peaceful place to slow down.
- You want waterfall and forest outings alongside relaxed beach days.
- You prefer quiet evenings and a small-scale island stay over busy nightlife.
The trade-off
Beaches and restaurants are scattered, and transport choices are limited. Staying away from the main services can mean relying more on your accommodation for meals, rides and excursions.
Koh Samet
Choose Koh Samet if...
- You want an island beach break within reach of Bangkok.
- You want a choice of white-sand bays, with livelier beaches and quieter places to stay.
- You like seafood, beach bars and relaxed evenings by the water.
The trade-off
Popular beaches can be busy and stays cost more on weekends and holidays. Choose your beach carefully if quiet evenings matter, and include boat transfers and park fees in your budget.
Plan your trip
When to go
See how temperature, rainfall and travel conditions change through the year. Select a month to focus your comparison.
| Factor | Koh Kood | Koh Samet |
|---|---|---|
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 51 mm | 29 mm |
| Rainy days | 4.9 | 3 |
| Crowds | High | High |
| Stay prices | High | High |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Calm |
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 82 mm | 32 mm |
| Rainy days | 7.4 | 3.7 |
| Crowds | High | High |
| Stay prices | High | High |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Calm |
| Average daytime high | 33°C | 33°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 140 mm | 71 mm |
| Rainy days | 12.6 | 5.6 |
| Crowds | High | High |
| Stay prices | High | Typical |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Calm |
| Average daytime high | 33°C | 34°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 196 mm | 85 mm |
| Rainy days | 14.9 | 7 |
| Crowds | Moderate | Moderate |
| Stay prices | Typical | Typical |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Calm |
| Average daytime high | 33°C | 34°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 420 mm | 191 mm |
| Rainy days | 21.9 | 13.6 |
| Crowds | Low | Moderate |
| Stay prices | Low | Low |
| Sea conditions | Variable | Variable |
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 33°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 777 mm | 178 mm |
| Rainy days | 25.4 | 15.3 |
| Crowds | Low | Moderate |
| Stay prices | Low | Low |
| Sea conditions | Rough | Variable |
| Average daytime high | 31°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 1024 mm | 177 mm |
| Rainy days | 26.6 | 14.6 |
| Crowds | Low | Moderate |
| Stay prices | Low | Low |
| Sea conditions | Rough | Variable |
| Average daytime high | 31°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 970 mm | 128 mm |
| Rainy days | 27 | 13.7 |
| Crowds | Low | Moderate |
| Stay prices | Low | Low |
| Sea conditions | Rough | Variable |
| Average daytime high | 31°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 816 mm | 269 mm |
| Rainy days | 24.8 | 18.1 |
| Crowds | Low | Low |
| Stay prices | Low | Low |
| Sea conditions | Rough | Variable |
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 338 mm | 196 mm |
| Rainy days | 21.3 | 17 |
| Crowds | Moderate | Moderate |
| Stay prices | Typical | Low |
| Sea conditions | Variable | Variable |
| Average daytime high | 33°C | 33°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 85 mm | 44 mm |
| Rainy days | 9.1 | 5.5 |
| Crowds | High | High |
| Stay prices | High | High |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Calm |
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 28 mm | 8 mm |
| Rainy days | 3.5 | 1.7 |
| Crowds | High | High |
| Stay prices | High | High |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Calm |
| Destination | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daytime high | ||||||||||||
| Koh Kood |
32°C
|
32°C
|
33°C
|
33°C
|
33°C
|
32°C
|
31°C
|
31°C
|
31°C
|
32°C
|
33°C
|
32°C
|
| Koh Samet |
32°C
|
32°C
|
33°C
|
34°C
|
34°C
|
33°C
|
32°C
|
32°C
|
32°C
|
32°C
|
33°C
|
32°C
|
| Monthly Rainfall | ||||||||||||
| Koh Kood |
51 mm
|
82 mm
|
140 mm
|
196 mm
|
420 mm
|
777 mm
|
1024 mm
|
970 mm
|
816 mm
|
338 mm
|
85 mm
|
28 mm
|
| Koh Samet |
29 mm
|
32 mm
|
71 mm
|
85 mm
|
191 mm
|
178 mm
|
177 mm
|
128 mm
|
269 mm
|
196 mm
|
44 mm
|
8 mm
|
| Rainy days | ||||||||||||
| Koh Kood | 4.9 | 7.4 | 12.6 | 14.9 | 21.9 | 25.4 | 26.6 | 27 | 24.8 | 21.3 | 9.1 | 3.5 |
| Koh Samet | 3 | 3.7 | 5.6 | 7 | 13.6 | 15.3 | 14.6 | 13.7 | 18.1 | 17 | 5.5 | 1.7 |
| Crowds | ||||||||||||
| Koh Kood | High | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | High | High |
| Koh Samet | High | High | High | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Low | Moderate | High | High |
| Stay prices | ||||||||||||
| Koh Kood | High | High | High | Typical | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Typical | High | High |
| Koh Samet | High | High | Typical | Typical | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | High | High |
| Sea conditions | ||||||||||||
| Koh Kood | Calm | Calm | Calm | Calm | Variable | Rough | Rough | Rough | Rough | Variable | Calm | Calm |
| Koh Samet | Calm | Calm | Calm | Calm | Variable | Variable | Variable | Variable | Variable | Variable | Calm | Calm |
Temperatures are historical average daytime highs, not the highest temperatures you might experience. Rainfall and rainy days are monthly averages, not a forecast. A rainy day need not mean rain all day.
Stay prices are relative to each destination’s usual rates. Holidays can bring extra crowds and higher prices. Sea conditions vary by beach and day; check local conditions before boat trips.
Koh Kood: Thai Meteorological Department — TRAT, 1991–2020.
Koh Samet: Thai Meteorological Department — RAYONG, 1991–2020.
