Besides being out on the water or exploring on the bike, Koh Mak has some other terrific activities to wile away the hours…should you feel the urge to leave the hammock.
Over at Ao Nid, Smile Cooking School has been running for many years to very favourable reviews, great for adults and kids alike.
Muay Thai arrived on the island back in 2016 and continues to draw a good following to its gym in Ao Kao. You can also find tennis courts tucked away behind Ao Kao Resort and there is a yoga scene too on the island.
Finally, you would get impossibly long odds on Koh Mak having the sport of Disc Golf, but there is indeed a course – a popular pastime for late afternoon once the heat has gone out of the day.
Cooking School | Tennis | Muay Thai | Disc Golf | Gym and Yoga
Smile Cooking School
Per Person: 1,500bt (Morning/Afternoon into Evening)
Ao Nid
Teacher Leng hosts daily small classes at her school next door to Koh Mak Seafood in Ao Nid, taking you through the ingredients, techniques, pastes and then the cooking itself. 3 to 4 dishes prepared, Thai salad or spring rolls, a curry, fried or steamed fish or tom yam, sticky rice and mango – all of which you then get to eat. Morning (10.00 to 14.00) and afternoon into evening (15.00 to 19.00). Closed for rainy season.
Leng also co-runs Koh Mak Organic Farm near to Ao Suan Yai Beach. And she rents out Golf carts!
Koh Mak Tennis Club
Per Person: 500bt (Tennis), 200bt (Badminton), 100bt (Basketball, TableTennis)
Ao Kao, northern end
At the entrance to Ao Kao Resort, tennis club with hourly rates as above for tennis, badminton, basketball and table tennis. Indoor and outdoor courts, lights at 100bt extra per hour. If staying there or at Good Time, you get discounted rates and priority booking. Balls and racquets extra.
Phoenix Muay Thai Gym
Per Person: 500bt (group, 1 class daily) to 19,200bt (twice daily, month)
Ao Kao, northern end
In conjunction with Good Time Resort, Phoenix Muay Thai is run by Trainer Go in an open air gym near to Little Red Oven/Food Art Hut at the top of the Ao Kao Resort road. Packages at varying prices for group classes as daily single or double sessions, same for weekly or monthly courses. Private one on one tuition also available. Weights, ring, all equipment. Accommodation available.
Koh Mak Disc Golf
Per Person: On request
Ao Kao, southern end
Run by the irrepressible Mr Pom, once of the now defunct Holiday Beach Resort, the 9 ‘hole’ course is located on the connecting road to Ao Suan Yai behind Makathanee Resort. 3 different sizes and weights of frisbee for drive, iron and putt. Takes about an hour to complete, strangely addictive. High season only, Pom is on +66 (0)82 414 4969.
Disc golf involves throwing a frisbee over a course of different length holes in order to land it in the shortest amount of throws in a basket (‘holes’). The number of throws is then totted up to create your score.
Gym, Yoga and Massage
Good Time Resort operates a 150bt per person walk-in gym, free to its guests and those staying at Ao Kao Resort. You’ll also find a gym at Phoenix Muay Thai.
If the instructors are in situ (always a big “if” on these islands) , you can practice yoga on Koh Mak, both Ashtanga and Hatha. In 2023, classes were available at 17.00 on Monday, Wednesday (08.30 too) and Friday at Seavana Resort, 300bt per person, beginners welcome. Private classes can be booked too. Head to Maitime for updates.
In the past, there may also be specific weekly (or longer) retreats with reknowned teachers. These tend to book up well in advance, so you should follow updates on Facebook pages such as Island Yoga (though they have not been active since March 2022).
It’s easier enough to find a massage on the island (300bt an hour usual price) but for the full treatment, head to The Mak over on the north coast. They offer a full body salt scrub, herbal compress and aroma oil massage for 4,500bt – 150 minutes.
UPDATED July 23 for 23/24 Season
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