Koh Mak
Koh Mak ( or Koh Maak in some guides ) is located in the Marine National Park in Eastern Thailand, around 40Km from the Trat coast and 20Km south of Koh Chang. It is around 16km², too big to walk around but easy to see by bicycle. The roads are very quiet as there isn’t a vehicle ferry to the island. Koh Mak is also relatively unknown. This means that it isn’t over run by package tours and and is still a well kept secret for most travelers. Koh Mak is limited to small restaurants, minimarts and a few resorts. It’s growing but at a much slower pace.
Koh Mak is a quiet location for people who are looking for a relaxing holiday. If you are looking for long deserted beaches then you’ll find them on Koh Mak. There aren’t any jetskis or beer bars. So it isn’t for someone looking for an alternative to Phuket or Pattaya. The island has beautiful nature which is perfect for hiking trips. There is also a diving school where you can book diving and snorkeling trips. The nearby Marine Park has the best selection of marine life Thailand has to offer.
Activities on offer include diving – there are a couple of PADI certified dive centres, snorkelling, kayaking, Muay Thai and cycling on the many tracks and trails that lead to remote beaches. Or you could just laze by the beach or get a traditional Thai massage.
Koh Mak resorts and bungalows are located mainly on the beaches of Ao Kao and Ao Suan Yai. Popular resorts include Seavana, Koh Mak Resort, Lazy Day and Big Easy. All offering a different type of ambience and catering to different types of visitor. There isn’t a large choice of budget accommodation but you’ll find a friendly welcome and good value rooms at small resorts and guesthouses such as Thaidaho Vista or Koh Mak Holiday bungalows.
And if you are backpacking on a tight budget then the easy going, Island Huts, with little wooden cabins on the beach at 400-600 Baht.
How to Get to Koh Mak
Getting between the island and the mainland is now relatively simple with speedboat servicesrunning year round to and from the mainland pier in Laem Ngop, Trat.
If you are flying on Bangkok Airways you can still get to Koh Mak the same day on either the morning or lunchtime flight to Trat Airport. Although boats between Koh Mak, Koh Chang and Koh Kood do stop between June and September.
The beaches on Koh Mak
You’re almost certainly coming here for the beaches. Take a look at the ‘Koh Mak Beach Guide‘ for photos of what to expect. There are two main beaches which are home to the majority of resorts. But you will find smaller beached dotted around the island. Take time to explore by scooter or mountain bike and follow the dirt tracks to the shore. You’ll often come to deserted beaches with no resorts or signs of life.
Koh Mak is not a destination for anyone interested in filling their days with noisy activities. Sure there are some trips and tours you can do but on the whole it is a place to go to do very little except laze and enjoy the local hospitality, clear sea and kilometres of empty beaches.
But if you want some gentle exercise come and join us at Coco Cafe for a 8Km bicycle tour of some of Koh Mak’s lesser seen sights or a game of beach volleyball. Cycling tours are at 09:00 & 16:00 in high Season. 150 Baht per person. Beach volleyball matches are held every afternoon / evening at Coco Cafe’s ‘sandfly -free’ volleyball court.