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For such a laid back and peaceful island, Koh Mak still has plenty of things to do.

At sea, activities range from lazy snorkeling trips and fun dives over at Koh Rang to some more serious exploration further afield at the wrecks near Koh Chang. You can also kayak out to the offshore islands or visit them all in a 1/2 day leisurely private speedboat tour.

Back on land, renting a bicycle or indeed a motorbike is a fun way to explore the island – there’s a maze of tracks, trails and even a couple of deserted beaches.

Meanwhile, down near the main pier, you can potter round an interesting local museum or try your hand at Thai dishes in the cooking school next door.

For fitness and health, a very reputable Muay Thai gym runs twice daily sessions, all-comers welcome or you could join a Yoga class, play tennis and work out in the gym.

All in all, if lazing by the pool or on the beach becomes just too much, then you won’t be short of alternatives.

You can jump straight to each section for snippet info and then head to the page for more details:-

Diving, Snorkeling, Kayak, SUP, Boat Trips – Things to Do in Koh Mak

Koh Mak’s small, friendly dive scene currently has three companies, Koh Mak Divers, Thai Ocean Academy and Wayloon (principally for Thais), offering trips to the Koh Rang Marine Park, the HTMS Koh Chang wreck, all the courses and snorkeling too. 

2 fun dives are priced from 3,100bt, with deals available for multiple days.  If you dive the the HTMS Chang wreck, the largest one in Thailand, that’s 3,900bt for 2 dives here (4 divers minimum).

DSD (Discover Scuba Diving) is between 4,300bt  to 4,700bt (including the Koh Rang fee) with the training  either shallow water or off the boat; Bubblemaker for 8 to 10 year olds, is 1,800bt. 

You could also make Koh Mak your base to take a full PADI course, with Open Water, Advanced and Technical just some of the options available.

Snorkeling

For snorkeling at Koh Rang, you can use either the dive boat or one of the local companies – prices are around 1,000bt per person (+ the fee).

Much closer to home, the tiny islet of Koh Pii boasts an excellent reef. Ask at your resort about trips there or enquire with Cococape Resort – expect prices for a half day of 900bt to 1,000bt per person.

Private Boat Trips – Offshore Islands and Koh Rang

You can charter a private speedboat for 1/2 day tours to the offshore islands (Koh Kham, Koh Rayang Nok and Koh Pii) or to Koh Rang.

Guide prices start from 5,500bt for 2 persons (add 500bt for each extra person up to 10), excluding the island entrance fees (200bt per person at Koh Kham and Koh Rayang Nok, 100bt per child) or the Koh Rang tax.

Please do contact us or email on [email protected] if you would like more information.

Divers at Koh Rang must pay the Marine Park tax at 400bt per adult/200bt per child. Snorkelers are 200bt/100bt respectively. Thais are 40bt/20bt – always check if this is included or not in the price.

Kayaks and SUP

Kayaking is another great way to get out on the water, giving you the chance to visit those islands offshore like Koh Kham and Koh Rayang Nok – the ones with the incredible white sand beaches. Rentals are 500bt for a day, 150bt an hour.

Look out too for SUP (Stand-Up Paddling) too. Ask at resorts such as Prompakdee, Koh Mak Resort, Ao Kao Resort and Baan Koh Mak for more details – prices as above.

 

Trails and Hidden Beaches – Things to Do in Koh Mak

Although the island’s system of marked trails and accompanying booklet has now been abandoned, it’s still possible to to hunt out Koh Mak’s deserted and lesser known beaches as well as explore its forests and coastlines.

In the Ao Suan Yai Beach area, you can pop in on what is left of the eye-wateringly graphic, erotic art at The Kingdom of Somchai . Or take in the oldest house on the island before trekking to the wonderful, undeveloped Turtle Beach on the far northern tip of the island.

North and North East

On the north coast, the the original fishing community at Ao Ta Long still has a few inhabitants and further along, you can explore the coast of Ao Taan by popping in at any of the remote resorts – The Mak, Green View or Cinnamon Art.

Laem Son in the far north east is another lovely spot with the ultra flat island of Koh Kradat shimmering on the horizon. On the way, you can hunt down the wonderfully bizarre cat temple (shrine) on the Ao Pai coast.

South West

Or in the completely opposite direction, down in the south west, you can seek out the small bay of Ao Lom with Koh Pii offshore and then continue onto the charming bay at Laem Tookata, where the islands of Koh Rayang Nok and Nai are the backdrop, both within easy kayak distance. At the very end, a very short hike either drops you down to Pebble Beach on the cove behind or take you up to the amazing clifftop view point.

Getting About

Koh Mak’s terrain being so flat, you can explore by bicycle, with rentals available all over from 200bt to 250bt a day. As it will be hot and distances, indeed hills can be longer and steeper than expected, our advice is to pay the premium and get the best mountain bike available.

Motorbikes, a far easier option, are 250bt, deals to be had if you take one for a few days.

More Activities – Cooking School, Tennis, Muay Thai, Disc Golf, Yoga

Off the water, Koh Mak has plenty of other activities.

Down by the sea at Ao Nid next door to Koh Mak Seafood, you’ll find a terrific little cooking school, Smile,  where Leng runs twice daily classes (morning or evening) from 1,500bt per person for 4 dishes.

Over on Ao Kao Beach, Phoenix Muay Thai training gym sits under the trees up by the main road, 90 minute sessions at 08.30 and 16.00, 500bt for the group or 1,200bt for 60 minutes, private one-on-one.

Down at White Sand Beach Resort, Koh Mak has its own tennis and paddleball centre with outdoor and indoor courts – 500bt for tennis, 350bt for paddleball, racquets/bats at 100bt, balls at 300bt for 3 tennis, 100bt for 1 paddleball.

Opposite Hanoi House on the back road from Ao Kao Beach up to Good Time Sports Resort, you could play the unique sport of disc golf course over 9 ‘holes’ – 200bt per person.

Yoga

For mind, body and spirit, there’s yoga available at Good Time Sport Resort (450bt, morning and afternoon, 90 minutes) or Seavana (400bt, Tuesday to Thursday, morning or evening). Retreats too pop up most seasons with the next one at Koh Mak Resort in January 27.

Gym, Running

The island currently has 3 gyms (200bt to 250bt a day) and  a running club which goes out most mornings in the season

UPDATED May 26 for 26/27 Season

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