Koh Mak is located in the Trat province in eastern Thailand. It’s nestled between the larger islands of Koh Chang and Koh Kood. It’s certainly one of the smaller gems in Thailand. Learn what you can do on this tiny island and why visiting here is a great idea.
Koh Mak is one of the lesser travelled islands in Thailand. Most people tend to head to places like Phuket, Krabi or Koh Samui. The true beauty however lies in smaller and lesser travelled places. Koh Mak is exactly that. Hidden between Koh Chang and Koh Kood.
How to get here?
From Bangkok you can either travel by bus or car to Trat or take a flight with Bangkok Airways to Trat Airport. Speedboats run several times a day from the Laem Ngop Pier. We drove from Bangkok to the pier directly. There are possibilities to park your car nearby. A small shuttle tuk tuk will commute you from there to the pier for a small fee.
Speedboat leaving the pier on the mainland for Koh Mak. The journey takes around 45-60 minutes. During rain or bad weather the ride can be a bit bumpy. One arriving on Koh Mak there are small transfer services available. Some hotels included it in their accomodation package.
How to get around Koh Mak?
As mentioned above the easiest way is to arrange transfer from the pier to the hotel and back ahead. To get around the island the best option would be either a bicycle or a motorcycle. If you want to get to the very eastern part of the island I would go for the motorbike.
The first two nights we spent at the southwestern part of Koh Mak. The “By The Sea” is a small cozy hotel with friendly owners and an excellent Restaurant. The rooms were wonderfully decorated and the a la carte breakfast was amazing.
A pier with the wonderful colors of the sea.
Koh Yayang Nai, just off the shore of Koh Mak.
Wat Koh Mak is located in the proximity of the Ao Nid Pier. So nearly every visitor to the island will pass this temple.
The Ao Soun Yai Beach is amongst the most beautiful ones on Koh Mak.
Remote roads lead through the island.
Even colorful on a rainy day. The pier at the Makathanee Resort.
Tropical flora on Koh Mak.
The other two nights we decided to change to another resort. The Seavana Beach Resort at Ao Soun Yai Beach offers a stunning seaside setting with super cute and well equipped bungalows.
Seavana Beach Resort Koh Mak with the small bungalows.
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Palm trees on Koh Mak.
Beach at the Makathanee.
Welcome drinks at the Seavana Beach Resort.
Snorkling trip with the Kanu to Koh Kham. The small island on the northern part of Koh Mak is a National Forest but actually private owned. So you have to pay a fee once arriving there.
The Cinnamon Scenic Boardwalk pier in the very eastern part of Koh Mak.
It was July 2020. Covid-19 was still going on. Most shops were closed as not many foreign visitors came to the country.
What else to consider?
There is one ATM on the island. If you need cash better bring it along from the mainland. The ATM seemed to be constantly broken or out of cash. Bigger restaurants and hotels accept payment by credit card (against a fee) or with direct wire from by Bank (Thai Banks only).