Captain Hook Resort

Perched above the point where a canal meets the sea, Captain Hook Resort looks down on Klong Yai Kee bay from a rocky headland on Koh Kood, the southernmost island in this stretch of the Gulf of Thailand. Villas face either the open water or the canal, each fitted with cooling, a kettle and a hairdryer, and toiletries provided as standard. It is a simple, unfussy set-up. A pool sits on site for guests who prefer still water to the sea, and the coastline below turns to wide sand at low tide, with Rade Island visible across the channel. Staff run kayaking trips, snorkelling outings and a private boat cruise, along with Thai massage sessions booked in advance. A short hike from the resort leads to Klong Yai Kee waterfall, where water drops six metres into a rock pool deep enough for swimming. November to May brings the calmest seas and the clearest views over the bay, though the resort operates through the wetter months as well, with waterfall walks and kayaking largely unaffected by rain. The mood is deliberately plain rather than polished: guests come for the paddling, the swimming and the quiet, not for spectacle. Meals draw on seafood and local produce, served three times a day with snacks between, and the sound of the tide carries as far as the dining area most evenings.