One of the longest and most impressive beaches on Koh Kood, Ao Phrao is the final stop on Koh Kood’s south west coast.
Like all the beaches at this end of the island, it’s an area of great tranquillity and seclusion, but unlike the others, Ao Phrao does have a small fishing village at the northern end.
There are four resorts (one boutique, three of 2 star) on the sand itself , with three guesthouses (two boutique, one budget) on the river behind. Additionally, you’ll find some very local seafood restaurants, a beach bar, a cooking school and a handful of homestays back towards the road.
Getting to Ao Phrao Beach | On the Beach and in The Village
Getting to Ao Phrao Beach
Continuing on down from Ao Jak Beach, the main road reaches Aya Cafe, which also has accommodation behind in that Koh Kood cube style. Baan Tawan Homestay has a single room here too whilst a few metres further on, Kohkood Farmstay, offers a small selection of smart wooden bungalows set back in the trees.
Shortly afterwards, you reach a crossroads; turn to the left and you are on the way to the south east coast and Ao Yai, one of the island’s two fishing villages; turn to the right and next stop is Ao Phrao Beach.
Heading that way, you first pass a temple up on the hill with its accompanying monastery opposite, before arriving at the back of the beach and Lee Red House, which comprises a few cheap bungalows on a large grassy clearing. Ahead, several sandy paths head off in different directions through the long grass towards the sea.
On the Beach and in The Village
The left of the paths above passes the large Ao Phrao Beach Resort, as wends its way to the southern end, where I-Lay House and Sunshine Resort, mid-range bungalows, are located side by side. Sunshine on the Rock is beyond them on the creek.
The right path leads to the chic Rest Sea Resort, which sits on the sand at the northern end. You can take the sandy trail down the side of the resort to pass a motley collection of local houses and shacks lining the river, a couple of which double up as seafood diners – Pimmy and Rim Klong.
Sandwiched in amongst them and all overlooking the mangroves, you’ll find the three guesthouses – the boutique Escape Life, the artsy homestay style Gumm Lonely Club and the boutique B & B, Salty and Sunny. Don’t miss too Mannica House, a cooking school in a fabulous converted house.
At the end, Ao Phrao village straddles the bridge – it’s just a few houses, a tiny seafood restaurant Jao Tin and a school up the slope. You can also pick up here the old road, now just a trail to Ao Jak Beach and Klong Hin – see here for details.
Meanwhile, back on the sand itself next to Rest Sea, the cafe come bar, Latitude 11 serves up that beach vibe.
UPDATED May 26 for 26/27 Season
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