UPDATED MAY 2017
Ao Kao is the main beach on the island with intimate bungalow resorts spread out along its whole considerable length, the exception being the small hotel Makathanee Resort.
You can find something to suit all tastes, for couples, for families, for backpackers, though there are no real upmarket or boutique choices.
The beach is at its best outside Holiday Beach Resort and Sky Beach Resort and at the other end, in front of Island Huts, Palm Beach Resort and Ao Kao Resort, but this shouldn’t in any way preclude you from looking at resorts like Baan Koh Mak in the middle – the sand there is also acceptable.
It would take about 15 minutes to walk from one end to the other and bear in mind that it does get quite tidal, so the walk along the sand might be a little wet at different times of the year. At night, you would definitely need a torch.
Just behind the beach in the area that stretches from behind Monkey Island, past Baan Koh Mak up to Makathanee Resort, there is a small strip of restaurants and shops, all low key like Koh Mak itself.
If you stay at the northern end, Ao Kao Resort and its neighbours, it is a good 10 minutes walk along the road to this strip, though they do have a few of their own eating options and minimarts at that end. The other end, Big Easy and Holiday Beach Resort are a little nearer to the action.
If asked, we would recommend Island Huts for backpackers, Holiday Beach Resort for a more expensive traveller option. Baan Koh Mak passes as a more boutique style resort though Sky Beach is worth a look. Palm Beach Resort and Ao Kao Resort are great for families. Our final choice is Lazy Days, tucked away on its own with good size bungalows, a nice spot for couples.
Recommended Resorts on Ao Kao
Recommended
Pricing Code/Per night in Baht (B):
B= under 500; BB= 500 to 1,500; BBB= 1,500 to 3,000; BBBB= over 3,000;
Ao Kao Resort
Per Night: BBB-BBBB
At the far southern end of the beach, family friendly resort with 25 a/c bungalows of varying sizes, by the sea. Restaurant, garden chess, kayaks, mountain bikes. Children under 6 stay for free. Small swimming pool and boutique villas added. Coco Cafe up at the road, coffee shop and restaurant with bicycle hire.
Palm Beach Resort
Per Night: BBB-BBBB
At the far southern end of the beach, small resort with 6 doubles and 2 quads, with roof terraces, a/c, tv and dvd, kids beds for free. Swimming pool and restaurant. A well run resort that would suit families with a lovely stretch of beach on its doorstep.
Baan Koh Mak
Per Night: BB-BBB
In the center on the beach, 18 stylish a/c bungalows spaced around a grassy area with a popular restaurant and separate beach bar looking out over the sea. Kayaks, motorbikes, mountain bikes all available.
Makathanee Resort
Per Night: BBB-BBBB
Just after the strip at the northern end, the largest resort in the area, more hotel style, with beach-side bungalows, pool-side hotel rooms, family rooms, honeymoon and deluxe suites. Restaurant, swimming pool, own pier, information centre.
Sky Beach Resort
Per Night: BB-BBB
Also towards the northern end of the beach, fresh and summery, 8 rooms in total, a/c bungalows on the beach, with restaurant and cafe/bar. Cute menus too, a good choice for a bit of style, peace and quiet.
Lazy Days Resort
Per Night: BBB
At the very southern end of the beach, 12 bungalows in four different styles, a/c, all with a sea view in a very quiet location. Access from a long track off the Ao Nid Pier road or by walking to the end of the beach. English owned, popular and well run.
Recommended Villa on Ao Kao
Koh Mak Residence
Per Night: BBBB+
At the far southern end of the beach at the end of a track near Holiday Beach and about 5 minutes walk down to the sea, luxurious 2 storey villa with 2 ensuite bedrooms, living area, kitchen. Fully fitted, small swimming pool and lawned garden, excellent views.
Recommended Bungalows on Ao Kao
Island Huts
Per Night: B-BB
At the far southern end of the beach, terrific little fan beach huts with bathrooms (cold water) attached and a 4 a/c choices on the sand. Clean and well-maintained, friendly. Restaurant by the sea, deckchairs with the bungalows. A deservedly popular backpacker choice that also has wifi, bicycle, motorbike hire and ever flowering lovely orchids.
Monkey Island
Per Night: BBB-BBBB
Towards the centre of the beach, selection of bungalows, fan or a/c, with and without bathroom. Restaurant, beach bar with live music that is one of the island hang-outs. Out the back for shops and other places to eat on the strip. Relaxed atmosphere.
Holiday Beach Resort
Per Night: BB-BBB
At the northern end of the beach as it becomes known as Kra Tueng, fan and a/c bungalows set in a lovely garden right by an excellent stretch of beach. Good ‘Relax’ restaurant, boat trips, kayaks, wind surfing, hobie cats, bicycles, disc golf, motorbikes, local knowledge from the irrepressible Pom and his wife Dara. Peaceful and very popular.
Big Easy
Per Night: BB-BBB
At the far northern end on the beach, accessed down a little red mud track at the very end of Ao Kao/Ao Kra Tueng road, quiet resort with wooden styled a/c bungalows, boasting huge verandahs. Restaurant.
Koh Mak Resorts and Bungalows on Laem Tookata
In the far south west corner at an area known as Laem Tookata, three remote backpacker operations, looking out towards the tiny islands of Koh Rayang Nai and Koh Rayang Nok, allow complete escape. You can reach them by following the road at right angles to Makathanee Resort up the hill, bearing left at the crossroads towards Cococape Resort and then following thr roadc to its end.
Here, you will definitely need your own transport, as it is very tricky to walk along the shoreline to join with Ao Kao Beach or its restaurant strip behind.
Baan Ing Kao
Laem Tookata
Per Night: B-BB
Down in the far south west corner of the island, relaxed, backpacker style resort with wooden fan bungalows on the hill and a large chill-out restaurant looking out over the sand. Small beach bar. Kayaks. Will need a motorbike unless you want complete seclusion. One of our favourite spots on the island but you will be secluded, so take a good book or two. Wifi.
Baan Laem Tookata Beach
Laem Tookata
Per Night: B
5 wooden style backpacker bungalows, bathroom inside with cold water and fan. Right on the seafront at this quiet and remote beach down in the south west corner of the island. No restaurant but can use Baan Ing Kao or Maruay next door.
Other Bungalows and Guesthouses in Ao Kao and Laem Tookata
Riverside
Per Night: BB
The former Baan Sabay, this small operation offers 4 to 5 bungalows overlooking a creek adjoining their popular restaurant and bar. Other side of the road to the beach.
Koh Mak Living
Per Night: BBB
At thr start of the connecting road behind Makathanee Resort, handful of nicely designed houses in small courtyard by the river for daily or monthlky rental.
Kham Nature Resort
Per Night: BB-BBB
Towards the northern end of the beach, 14 newly renovated a/c bungalows with seaview, family room, wifi, very quiet restaurant. Peaceful spot, great local knowledge, with an island taxi on site. The beach out front does fall away when the tide is up.
2 Cans Bungalows
Per Night: BB
On the road behind Makathanee and Kham Nature, 3 new bungalows in Asmall fledgling garden area, with more to come. No restaurant yet. Could suit long stay, no frills.
Baan Chailay
Per Night: BB-BBB
Towards the northern end of the beach, handful of a/c and fan bungalows at this small friendly bungalow set-up with its own good restaurant, Krua Ton Hom. The place, Thai and Europeans, has a nice homely feel to it.
Maruey Bungalows
Per Night: B
In the far south west corner of the island at Laem Tookata, first set of 5 bungalows as you arrive at the end of the track. Simple wooden fan bungalows with porches, small restaurant. Friendly.
Return to Koh Mak Resorts, Bungalows and Hotel
