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Koh Mak is the third largest of the Koh Chang Islands, with a size of approximately 16 square kilometers and a local population of around 1,200.

95% of Koh Mak is privately owned by 5 families and over the years, they have kept a tight lid on its tourist development. It’s a working island too, where the mostly very flat terrain of natural forest is extensively planted with rubber and coconut trees.

The island attracts couples and families looking to kick back on the beaches, do some exploring, snorkeling and just relax into the rhythm of life.

All in all, Koh Mak is what you hope for in a classic Thai island. It’s fully aware of the tourist market out there, but buys into that market in a very guarded manner. There’s no manic rush to build, develop and promote, so enabling the island to carry on much as it always has – laid back and unassuming.

At A Glance

  • Accommodation is in smaller scale boutique resorts or bungalow operations rather than larger corporate hotels.
  • Its main beaches, Ao Kao and Ao Suan Yai, are on the north west and south west coasts respectively, with the principal village at Ao Nid.
  • Very easily reached from Bangkok by transfers, flights or buses, Laem Ngop Pier is the departure point for the speedboats, with a couple of options now from Laem Sok too. There are no car ferries.
  • Restaurants are low key affairs – mostly standard Thai, but some western and seafood too, great cafes also.
  • Nightlife is very laid back – no strips of bars – but there are a couple of annual festivals.  
  • There’s not heaps of things to do but diving and snorkeling over at Koh Rang make for a great day out. 
  • Offshore, Koh Mak boasts 5 small islands – all worth a visit, with a private speedboat available to make a day tour.
  • To get around, you can use a bicycle, motorbike or simply walk.  Traffic on the island is at a minimum.
  • In regard to those essentials, it has good internet coverage, an ATM, public health clinic and minimarts. You won’t find any 7-11s or superstores. 

UPDATED September 24

How to Get to Koh Mak

You get to Koh Mak using speedboats from Laem Ngop Pier, with a couple of additional services now also running out of  Laem Sok Pier (main pier for Koh Kood).

Private transfers by car or minibus are the easiest way to make either boat connection, with prices starting from 3,800bt for an SUV from Bangkok and 4,500bt for a minibus.

You can also fly to Trat Airport, followed by a 25 minute transfer to Laem Ngop, though check timings as the airline changes its flight schedule once a year.

For the cheapest option, hop on a public bus from Ekamai Bus Station, in particular the 999 or one of the microbuses to Trat (change at Saen Tung). Alternatively, running from the Khao San Road area to Laem Sok Pier, two of the Koh Kood boat companies, Boonsiri (all year) and Seudamgo (high season only), have now added an extra stop at Koh Mak to their itineraries.

Koh Mak is a also a great place to start if you want to explore the other islands of Koh Kood, Koh Chang or Koh Wai, with daily speedboat and catamaran connections and a slower wooden boat. Catamaran only in low season

Private Transfers

Head here for all the information and full details on our private transfers.

Having collected you direct from your Bangkok hotel or Suvarnabhumi Airport, we deliver you, relaxed and hassle free, to Laem Ngop Pier, ready for the speedboat.

Pick-ups from Don Mueang Airport, Pattaya, Ban Phe and Trat Airport are all available too.

Prices for an SUV style car start at 3,800bt or 4,500bt for a private minibus. This excludes the cost of the speedboat tickets but yes, we will organise them as well. We can supply child seats on request.

All transfers are, of course, available in both directions.

Cambodia

We also lay on International transfers from the Cambodian cities like Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh. Or we meet you as you cross into Thailand at the borders – Had Lek, Aranya Prathet and Ban Pakkad.

Travel in Style with Us

Flying to Trat Airport

Bangkok Airways flies from BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport into Trat Airport.

From 31/3/24 to 26/10/24, the lunchtime flight PG305 lands at 12.40. The Leelawadee 14.00 speedboat is closed for maintenance in September 24 so use the Panan at 16.00. From 1/10/24, the 14.00 restarts so you go for that.

When on the winter timetable (27/10/24 to around 30/3/25), the PG305 lands at 13.40 which is too tight for the 14.00. You need to take the 16.00 Panan instead.

The PG307 arriving at 17.15 (all year) is too late for any boats across to Koh Mak, so you would need to stay near the pier and travel the following morning on either the 10.00 M Marine, 10.30 Leelawadee (closed September 24) or the 11.30 Koh Mak Ferry.

Coming back, the PG306  departs at 13.10 so you take the Panan at 10.00 off the island. When on the winter timetable, the PG306 departs at 14.10, so you can use the 11.30 Leelawadee.

For the PG308 departing at 17.50, you take the last boats off Koh Mak, whic are, in high season only, Panan at 13.30, docking at 14.30 or the 14.40 Seudamgo to Laem Sok Pier arriving at 15.20. If on the evening flight in low season, move it to the lunchtime one or you will have a whole day wait in the Airport.

Flight prices start at 2,850bt per person excluding taxes for a websaver – it needs to be booked well in advance.

To reach the pier from Trat Airport, you use a private transfer, prices from 975bt for a car or a share taxi at 250bt per person. Note the private car is 1,500bt from Laem Sok Pier to Trat Airport if using the Seudamgo option above.

Book Transfers to The Pier

Speedboats and Ferry

Between Laem Ngop Pier and the island, speedboats run daily at 10.00, 10.30 (not running September 24),  11.30, 12.30 (not running September 24), 13,15 , 14.00 (not running September 24) and 16.00, with returns at 08.00, 08.30, 09.00 (not running September 24), 10.00, 10.45, 11.30 (not running September 24) and 13.30 (not running September 24), all at 550bt per person, 1 hour.  Children are 350bt under 130cm, free under 100cm. Check the boat timetables in rainy season (May to October) as some may be dropped.

From Laem Sok Pier (Koh Kood’s main departure point), Koh Kut Express, Boonsiri and Seudamgo now run a speedboat, catamaran or mini catamaran respectively to Koh Mak, either on the their way to Koh Kood or as a special service . 

Times in high season are 11.30 (Koh Kut Express, Boonsiri), 12.00 (Seudamgo), 15.00 (Boonsiri) and 16.00 (Koh Kut Express)  to Koh Mak, back to the mainland at 09.45 (Boonsiri), 10.00 (Koh Kut Express), 13.00 (Boonsiri), 14.30 (Koh Kut Express) and 14.40 (Seudamgo). Journey time is around 30 to 40 minutes, 500bt (Koh Kut Express) or 550bt (Boonsiri, Seudamgo) per person. Only Boonsiri runs in rainy season, 1/6/24 to 30/9/24 at 13.00, back at 11.30.

Island Hopping

Bang Bao Boats’s runs a speedboat at 900bt to Koh Chang, 30 minutes at 09.30 and 700bt to Koh Kood, 30 minutes at 12.30. Going the other way, it’s at 12.00 from Koh Chang and 09.00 from Koh Kood. Stops from 5/5/24 to mid October.

Koh Chang Express’s speeboat is priced as above, times of 09.30 and 12.00 to Koh Chang (30 minutes) and at 10.30 and 13.30 to Koh Kood (30 minutes).  Stops from May to early October.

They also have one daily wooden passenger boat between the islands. From Koh Mak to Koh Kood, departure time is 11.00, 400bt, one hour. From Koh Mak to Koh Chang, it’s 500bt, with a time of 14.00, taking 2 hours. In reverse, it’s 09.00 from Koh Chang and 13.00 from Koh Kood. Stops from 5/5/24 to mid October.

Kai Bae Nor Nou’s speedboat is at 12.00 to Koh Chang, 1 hour 800bt and 10.00 to Koh Kood, 1 hour 600bt. In reverse, it’s at 09.00 from Koh Chang and 11.00 from Koh Kood. Stops from 1/5/24 to mid November.

Boonsiri’s  inter-island catamaran is at 14.30, 600bt from Koh Mak to Koh Chang, 1 hour or 10.00, 400bt Koh Mak to Koh Kood, 30 minutes. Going the other way, it’s at 09.00 from Koh Chang and 14.00 from Koh Kood. Runs all year but may revert to speedboat.

Koh Mak to Koh Kood Extras

Koh Kut Express runs its speedboat at 12.00 and 16.30 from Koh Mak to Koh Kood and 09.30 or 14.00 in reverse, 500bt, 30 minutes. Stops from 1/6/24 to 30/9/24.

Seudamgo’s service is at 12.40 from Koh Mak and 13.50 going the other way, 550bt. Stops from 1/6/24 to 30/9/24.

See the page here for other options to move between the islands in the rainy season period.

Public Bus, Share Minibus

In this section, we provide all the information and full details on buses from Bangkok.

Look out for the 07.45 999 from Ekamai Bus Station to Thammachat Koh Chang Pier, from where you simply hop in a songthaew cab, 60bt per person (300bt charter), for the 20 minute journey to Laem Ngop Pier. The bus too may drop you there directly, ask the staff.

The return is at 14.30. Check on booking if you can board it at the bottom of Laem Ngop Pier or you need to get to Ao Thammachat. In either case, take the 11.30 speedboat off the island.

In low season from 1/6/24 to 30/9/24, Boonsiri’s runs a bus at 06.00 from the Khao San Road area, 1,100bt per person connecting to its 13.00 boat from Laem Sok Pier, arriving at 13.45 on the island. Going back, it’s their 11.30 boat connecting to the bus around 13.30, which leaves from their office near the pier.

In high season from 1/10/24 to 31/5/25, the times are 05.00 (with boat arriving at Koh Mak at 12.15),  06.00 (via Had Lek, 14.30) and 08.00 (15.45).

Seudamgo’s service also leaves from Khao San Road at 05.00, collecting at Rama 9 at 06.00 and BKK Airport at 06.30. This connects to its mini catamaran at 12.00 from Laem Sok Pier, 45 minutes to Koh Mak and then onto Koh Kood. The return is 14.30 boat off the island, which links to its bus at 15.30. The price is again 1,100bt per person. High season only for the Koh Mak connection, bus does run for Koh Kood connection.

On the main bus page, you can find a full round-up and accompanying timetables for the public buses  and microbuses from Ekamai and Morchit Bus Stations to Trat.

Finally, we also feature some other minibus services such as Rayong and back to Bangkok from Laem Ngop Pier.

Resorts and Bungalows

Koh Mak resorts, bungalows and hotels are centred on the two principal beaches at Ao Kao and Ao Suan Yai, with other resorts also found on the more remote south, east and north coasts.

Top end resorts include The Mak, Seavana Resort, Plubpla Resort and Mira Montra Resort. Depending on the time of year, rooms here start from 4,000bt but in peak season expect to pay considerably more.

Koh Mak does have two small hotels at Makathanee Resort and Islanda Hotel with the cheapest rooms at 2,500bt going up to 5,000bt and more.

By The Sea, Little Moon Resort and Ao Kao Resort serve the boutique market – rates from 2,500bt to 5,500bt upwards.

Mid Range and Budget

For mid range bungalows and rooms – assume prices from 1,500bt to 3,500bt (family) – Koh Mak Resort, Prompakdee Resort, Palm Beach, Home Hug, Lazy Day The Resort, Big Easy, Baan Koh Mak, Villa Allure, Talay Time, Sea View, Corsita and Bamboo Hideaway are just some of the resorts worth a look.

Meanwhile, if you are on a stricter budget, you should try the accommodation at places like Hanoi House, Joe’s Corner Hostel (if open), Twocans, Miss You Resort, TK Huts, Pano and Island Huts – bungalows range from 350bt upwards.

In the main page of our resorts section, we provide recommendations in all the different budget categories – from luxury to traveller. In addition, we bring you our detailed snippet accommodation guides for each area.

You can then explore further by going to that individual area page for the full run-down. Choices made, all that remains is for you to head over to our affiliates at Agoda.com and Booking.com to make the reservation.

Ao Kao Beach – South West Coast – Koh Mak Beaches

Ao Suan Yai Beach, Ao Pra Beach and Ao Lom – North West Coast – Koh Mak Beaches

South and East Coast – Ao Nid, Ao Baan Lang, Ao Pai, Laem Chan, Laem Son – Koh Mak Beaches

North Coast – Ao Taan and Ao Ta Long – Koh Mak Beaches

Beaches

The main beaches on Koh Mak are Ao Kao Beach and Ao Suan Yai Beach on the south west and north west coasts respectively. Both are lovely long stretches of sand with shallow, clean blue waters.

Ao Kao has resorts and bungalows spread out along its length, with a narrow little road running behind offering a few restaurants and shops, everything very laid-back.

The beach at Ao Suan Yai is home to just a few of resorts at the southern end and near the pier, with its northern end wild and undeveloped. Ao Pra Beach, its neighbour, has become better known with the arrival of Mira Montra Resort.

Ao Nid is the island’s administrative area, with a clinic, school, temple and the main pier.

The other coasts – south, east and north – are more remote affairs, but they do still have some great resorts scattered about, as well as a couple of fabulous untouched beaches.

Things to Do in Koh Mak

You’ll find plenty of things to do in Koh Mak, both on the island or out on the water.

At sea, activities range from snorkeling trips and diving over in the Marine Park of Koh Rang or further afield at the wreck near Koh Chang. There’s also a 1/2 day snorkeling trips to Koh Pii, the tiny offshore rock or you can kayak out to the offshore islands such as Koh Kham and Koh Rayang Nok.

Back on land, renting a bicycle or motorbike is fun way to explore the island, with its maze of tracks, trails and a couple of deserted beaches.

If you want a proper work out, you can pop in the island’s Muay Thai gym, join a yoga class, enjoy a few sets of tennis or try the unique sport of  disc golf.

Alternatively and less energetically, there’s a very interesting local museum down near the main pier or a cooking school nearby. 

Islands Near Koh Mak

5 small islands – Koh Rayang Nok and Koh Rayang Nai, Koh Kham, Koh Kradat and Koh Pii – lie just offshore from Koh Mak. 

You can kayak to them all, though bear in they do have entrance fees; Koh Kham at 200bt per person, Koh Kradat and Koh Rayanag Nok at 150bt per person.

Both Koh Rayang Nok and Koh Rayang Nai are located off Ao Kao Beach, with accommodation available at Rayang Phurin Resort on the former (check ahaead if open for 24/25 season). Its sister island is uninhabited.

Koh Kradat has accommodation too though it’s only used by Thai packages . Koh Kham, which lies off Ao Suan Yai beach, boasts an unfinished luxury resort. 

Meanwhile, Koh Pii is just a rock but known for its excellent snorkeling.

Full details over on the page.

Koh Mak Weather

For the full guide to the climate and seasons on Koh Chang Islands, please head here.

Restaurants

Our Koh Mak restaurant guide takes you round the island, picking out the best places to eat and drink on the island, whether it be Thai food, western alternatives or coffee shops.

Thai

For Thai food, Ao Kao has plenty of choices along the strip behind the beach, with the best of them, Kon Ginsen. Look out too for Food Garden, Nuchzabmachs, Chill Cafe, Tables Tales, Blue House, Clay Pot and the tiny Pimjai.

You can find cheap and cheerful diners for one dish meals along the Ao Nid road down to the pier – Peaw, Homehug (Mong and Jam), Om and Dum Noodle or on the connecting road between Makathanee and Good Times Resort – Krua Khun Mam Seafood. There’s also a few no-frills restaurants which have appeared in the last year on the north coast road (near to The Mak), all good for grabbing a quick bite whilst out and about exploring.

Koh Mak Seafood in Ao Nid is the island’s premier seafood restaurant, with tables out over the water and a few very interesting local choices among the usual fare.

Or for a simple Issan lunch by the sea, make a beeline to the wooden shack in Laem Son in the far north east corner of the island overlooking Koh Kradat – somtam, sticky rice and laab .

Western

If you fancy a pizza, Little Red Oven at the far eastern end of Ao Kao Beach, knocks out a great thin crust or try The Coral Club on the south east coast, which also boasts its own wood fired oven.

Near to Makathanee Resort, the tiny M.A Bistro offers a mediterranean fusion menu of beef, vegetarian and fish dishes alongside its daily specials.

Pak Pak, same area is the island’s vegan restaurant and a stylish one at that. It’s from the By The Sea team, whose own in-house diner also has plenty of western dishes.

12 Bars just down the hill from Islanda Resort brings a full Japanese experience to Koh Mak – sushi, sashimi and more. Or from a much smaller menu, Terraria in Ao Nid, has dishes like katsu at its live music bar. 

Cafes

For coffee and cakes, breakfasts, sandwiches and snacks, Food Art Hut, next door to Little Red Oven, is a long standing island favourite.

Also in Ao Kao, Ball Cafe combines coffee and breakfasts just across the road from By The Sea, who have their own excellent cafe out front – 08.30 to 16.00. Meanwhile, overlooking Ao Nid Pier, Coffee and Sweetcake has a lovely vantage point to go with its own cakes and brews.

Resorts

For resort dining, The Mak is open to non residents – fabulous views and all very photogenic. Day Beds at Seavana too has a prime spot on the beach and the in-house diner at Ao Kao Resort is yet another good choice.

Finally head to Talay Time in the far southern corner of the island for its hilltop restaurant (Thai standards,  western dishes) and amazing views.

Nightlife

You don’t head to Koh Mak for its nightlife, it really isn’t that sort of island but there’s still a few places where you can kick back for the evening.

At Ao Suan Yai Beach, head to the pier for two relaxed spots – I Talay or just to the right, Thai Sabay Bar.  Or down the sand at Seavana, Day Beds offers a full bar, pool table and lots of comfort (hence the name).

On Ao Kao Beach, Monkey Shocks is another long running reggae bar on the ocean, serving up some live music and cannabis too. 

Talay (it means sea in Thai) at Baan Koh Mak, the in-house bar at By The Sea or Sips (especially for its gin) on the beach in front of TK Hut’s  give you another few options. Or you could hang out at the very laid back live music venue, Art House, near Good Times Resort.

For sunset, as well as a pool table and live music, try The Coral Club over on the south coast. The very hip and popular Hidden Beach in the south west of the island, completes the round-up – head there for great music and frequent DJ parties.

And having said, “you don’t head to Koh Mak for its nightlife”, there are actually two annual clubbing festivals.

  • The German curated Thaibreak runs from dusk till dawn from 21/3/24 to 24/3/24 .
  • Fly To The Moon, a Thai event attracting the hipster Bangkok crowd, cranks up the volume around New Year.