Koh Mak Travel Guide

Koh Mak Island Guide 2025

Why Visit Koh Mak?

Koh Mak, an island to the south of Koh Chang, is definitely worth a visit if you plan on exploring this part of Thailand during your holiday. It is a mid-size island which is becoming increasingly popular with couples and families due to its deserted beaches and lack beer bars and ugly concrete block hotels.   It’s a haven for people who want to avoid the bright lights and over development of larger islands but still want more than just a basic beach hut.  

Over 15 years ago, The Sunday Times chose Koh Mak as one of their Top Undiscovered Islands and five years ago the New York Times ran an article on finding  ‘Old Thailand’ on Koh Mak.  That is slowly changing as more visitors and more development come to the island.

Koh Mak is a relatively small, island, far more a typical flat tropical island than the mountainous Koh Chang and Koh Kood. It lies approximately 20 kilometres south of Koh Chang and covers an area of 16 square kilometres.   It’s roughly 10km wide and 5km from north to south.  So it’s too big to walk around, but easy to see by bicycle or scooter.

Bicycles are fast becoming the preferred means of travel on the island.  In part due to the lack of hills and relatively short distances but also because there isn’t a car ferry to Koh Mak.  So there’s very little traffic on the island.  This also ties in with the islanders initiatives to be known as an eco-friendly ‘green’ island. 

But if cycling in 30C heat isn’t your idea of a relaxing holidays, automatic scooters can be rented everywhere for 250 – 300 Baht / 24 hours.  In addition, more resorts now offer electric golf cart rental for guests.  

And as most development is limited to the western side of the island, no matter where you stay you are usually within a walking or cycling distance of wherever you want to go . . . which is just as well as you can’t expect much in the way of public transport. Although there are a handful of songtaews (pick up truck taxis) on the island now which charge 50 Baht/person pretty much regardless of where you want to go.

There aren’t any rivers on Koh Mak, therefore it’s a very arid island which also lacks the jungle clad mountains of Koh Chang and Koh Kood.  So it has a different vibe. It is a still a working island covered predominantly by coconut groves and rubber plantations which account for 80% of the scenery on the island.  So don’t expect much jungle. On the plus side the quiet concrete and dirt roads are shady and it’s an island that’s ideal to explore by mountain bike.

There are two villages on Koh Mak, ‘Baan Ao Nid’ on the Southeastern coast is home to around 50 families plus the island’s school, temple and clinic and ‘Ban Laem Son’ which lies in the northwest corner of the island away from virtually all of the tourist development.   Elsewhere you will find small hamlets of a few homes clustered in areas on the eastern shores.

Party Time!  “But I thought Koh Mak was a sleepy island!?!?”   True, it is  . . . .  for most of the year. But twice a year, Koh Mak shakes off its quiet reputation when two legendary party crews arrive: Thaibreak from Germany and Fly to the Moon from Bangkok.   Fly to the Moon takes over the island at  New Year.  From 28 December – 2 January.  A celebration that brings the best Bangkok DJs to the beach and resorts island wide.  Not only parties but daytime activities such as yoga, paddle boarding and coral conservation are on offer. More information: https://www.flytothemoonfestival.com/ Thaibreak is larger and is usually held for a few days in mid-March.  This has been running for over  a decade. The Berlin-based collective teams up with top Thai DJs for parties across the island. The 2026 schedule hasn’t been released at the time of writing.  Check https://www.thaibreak.net/ for dates.

The Best Time of Year to Visit

Koh Mak follows the Koh Chang archipelago pattern which in brief is Cool  = Nov – Feb, Hot  = Mar – May, Rainy =  late May – Oct. 

January – Peak “blue-sky” month: dry, breezy NE winds, smooth seas, great visibility for snorkelling/diving; book boats and popular rooms early.

February – Still prime: warm days, cooler nights; calm water for kayaking to Koh Kham; crowds thin after mid-month.

March – Hot season arrives; sea stays calm but afternoons feel furnace-like—siesta strategies help; sunsets linger.

April – Hottest month; Songkran cool-downs are welcome. Good for lazy beach time; plan activities early/late in the day.

May – Still hot, humidity building; first proper storms roll through late in the month. Some inter-island runs begin to scale back.

June – Lush, quieter, and cheaper. Boats run but on slimmer schedules; expect occasional choppy days and flexible timings.

July – Mixed bag: bright mornings, squally afternoons. Great for readers who like a half-empty island and don’t mind plan B.

August – Classic monsoon roulette: bursts of rain, then sunshine. Snorkel trips depend on wind/wave; kayaks stay close to shore.

September – Wettest feel of the year; many inter-island boats pause; come only if you’re zen about weather and ferries.

October – Shoulder season tease: showers easing late month, seas settling; value deals before high season wakes up.

November – Switch flips to cool season: sunshine, lighter air, calmer water; island stirs back to life.

December – Sweet spot: sparkling days, cooler nights; perfect for families and first-timers. Boats and restaurants at full swing.

Getting to Koh Mak from Bangkok

The details below are for High Season.   During the rainy season, June – September, not all services run, although you can still get to the island from the mainland.  Only Boonsiri Ferry operate an inter island service between June and mid-October. 

Fly + boat

Take Bangkok Airways PG301 or PG305 to Trat (TDX); from there it’s a ~25-minute road hop to Laem Ngop for the Koh Mak speedboats. Or about 45 minutes to an hour to Laem Sok for a high speed passenger ferry.

In high season, these flights line up neatly with late-lunch crossings; in the wet season, schedules slim down so double-check your flight/boat pairing before you click buy. The last boats of the day are are 16:00 – 16:30.  So if you’re on PG307, landing at 17:10, you can’t get to Koh Mak the same day. 

Private transfer + boat 

Door-to-pier transfers from Bangkok hotels/airports take the faff out of it. Especially if you have with kids or a lot of luggage. Get dropped off at Laem Ngop or Laem Sok.  Drivers can also meet passengers landing at Trat Airport.  

Bus/van + boat 

From Ekamai (the 999 or microbuses) head to Trat or Ao Thammachat, then short local transfer by pick up truck taxi to Laem Sok or Laem Ngop. Or, an easier option is to buy a combined bus and boat ticket which are now offered by some boat companies. These guarantee connections and take some of the stress out of the journey.  

Self-drive & parking 

If you’re road-tripping the East, you can park on the mainland near Laem Ngop or Laem Sok and cross as a foot passenger; there are no car ferries to these islands. There’s covered overnight parking available at both piers.

Laem Ngop vs Laem Sok (which pier for you?)

Laem Ngop = In the past this was always the default for Koh Mak with multiple daily speedboats in high season.  But fewer boats are now using this pier.

Laem Sok = Now becoming the main pier for services to the island.  Due to some speedboat operators moving here and the high speed ferries to Koh Kood also going via Koh Mak.  

Boats & Tickets – what to expect

Mainland ⇄ Koh Mak (Laem Ngop)

Figure on ~1 hour by speedboat and ~฿550 one-way for adults (height-based kids’ discounts). Typical high-season departures to Koh Mak cluster late morning to mid-afternoon (e.g., 11:30, 12:30, 14:00, 16:00), with returns around 08:30-13:30. In the rains, some runs are dropped, so don’t plan tight flight connections. Boats use Makathanee/Koh Mak Resort piers; Ao Nid is the admin/cargo hub.

Laem Sok ⇄ Koh Mak 

High-season services by M Marine, Koh Kut Express, Boonsiri, Seudamgo either route via Koh Mak or run special trips. Times commonly include 10:00 / 11:30 / 12:00 / 15:00 / 16:00 outbound, with morning/early-afternoon returns; fares run ฿500-฿550, crossing 30 to 40 minutes. In the wet season, Boonsiri and Seudamgo usually keep a pared-back schedule but check exact days.

Island-hopping (Koh Chang / Koh Kood / Koh Wai)

When seas are kind (high season), there are daily speedboats/catamarans linking Koh Mak ↔ Koh Chang/Koh Kood.  Most pause from June – September. But Boonsiri Ferry operate a daily service during this time.

Arriving & Getting Around

What actually works on Koh Mak

Bicycles are perfect for the island’s flat (ish) lanes: ฿150-฿200/day for decent mountain bikes.  They probably wont have lights though.

Scooters are a great option at about ฿250/day (deals for multi-day rentals).  Roads to far-flung corners still include sandy ruts, take care going off the beaten track. 

Electric carts can be hired at a handful of resorts and tour agencies.  Good if you have young kids or elderly family members.

Songthaews (pickups) can also be used to do fixed-price hops when it’s storming or you’ve over-ordered lunch.

Thailand’s Secret Island

Koh Mak has been receiving foreign tourists for far longer than you might think.  The first groups of German visitors stayed in the early 1970s.  This was a result of members of the family that still own most of the island sending their kids to study in Europe. But until recently islanders never tried to push for development and so tourism has increased fairly gradually over the years.  Today, as you’ll see in the video below it’s still a laid back spot.

Beaches & Areas  – Choose Your Base

Pretty much all the resorts lie on one of the two main beaches.  But as most resorts are relatively small and there is plenty of undeveloped beachfront land, you’re in no danger of feeling as though you are on a busy, touristy island even in peak season.  It is still easy to wander off and find a few hundred metres of beach to yourself.

In the northwest of the island, Suan Yai Beach, offers sun worshipper’s the chance to toast themselves along a 2 kilometre stretch of white sand beach. For a good photo opportunity, head up the ridge at the western end of the beach, to Islanda Resort.  Here you can enjoy an amazing, panoramic along the length of the beach and north towards Koh Wai and  Koh Chang.

From Islanda it’s only 5 minutes walk to the southwestern shore of the island where you’ll find Ao Kao beach, the western stretch of which is the most developed area on the island which small resorts lining the beach and an increasing number of small cafes and restaurants on the main road which runs along the rear of the resorts. This is the busiest area of the island and it is where many visitors head for dinner or a night out. 

Ao Kao (south-west)

Best for first-timers and lovers of lazy days. It’s the longest, most “complete” beach: easy, swimmable sand; a quiet back road with restaurants, cafés, minimarts, a dive shop and a couple of bars. If you want to stroll to dinner and grab a coffee on the way back, this is the spot.

Ao Suan Yai & Ao Pra (north-west)

Wide, calm, very “Thailand 101”. Resorts are directly on the sand near the pier end, while the northern stretch stays wild. Ao Pra next door is lower-key; the headland between them is Cococape. From here you can see Koh Kham offshore (kayak on glassy days). Sunset bars pop up along the water.

North coast: Ao Taan → Ao Ta Long

A wilder, more photogenic run with a boutique pocket in Ao Ta Long: The Mak (high-end, ultra-chic) sits beside Little Moon Villa on a long sandy line; you’ll also find cheap Thai diners near The Mak’s entrance and a live-music bar (Utopia) at the cross-roads. Trails lead towards Turtle Beach if you fancy a little exploring.

South & east

Prettier coves and viewpoints rather than one continuous “postcard” strand. Think quiet rambles, red-sand pockets, hilltop views and a slower feel; Ao Nid is the admin hub with pier, museum and cooking school. Handy for a seafood lunch and a mooch, even if you’re staying elsewhere.

Which area will suit you?

Ao Kao: walkers, café hoppers, families who like dinner choice within flip-flop range.

Ao Suan Yai/Ao Pra: beach-potatoes, paddle-to-Koh-Kham types, sunset people.

North coast: design-leaning couples, “we came to unplug” folk, light trail-takers.

South/east: adventurers, view-collectors, seafood-for-lunch traditionalists.

This Googlemap will help you get your bearings. Zoom in and click the icons for more information.

Where to Stay 

The most popular and best located accommodation always fill up well in advance for high season.  If you are travelling in December – February it’s best not to just turn up and hope to find a good value bungalow. Book in advance. 

Ao Suan Yai / Ao Pra

Seavana – Boutique beachfront on Ao Suan Yai with a “feet-in-the-sand” daybed vibe and picture-perfect sunset frontage. Handy for coffee at Pineapple Café near the pier and easy boat access. Great if you want all-day lazing with occasional kayak guilt. Top-end in season. 

Koh Mak Resort – Long-running classic next to Seavana on Ao Suan Yai; big sweep of sand, pier out front (useful for Koh Chang/Koh Kood hops). Rooms run from simple to family-friendly; on-site Thai restaurant keeps things easy. Reliable, central, beach-first.

Mira Montra – Up-market pocket on the quieter Ao Pra bay. Think tucked-away, calm water mornings and short wanders to headland sunsets. Choose it if you want boutique polish without the foot-traffic of Ao Kao.  

Cococape – On the rocky headland between Ao Suan Yai and Ao Pra; jetty views, steps into clear water, and easy access to both bays. Good pick for “somewhere a bit different” people who still want to be near the beach.

If these are a bit pricey and you prefer a small beachfront resort with mid-price AC bungalows, then Happy Days and Prompakdee Resort which are 5 minutes walk north along the beach from Koh Mak Resort.  These accommodations are located in the grounds of the ‘old house’.  A huge teak wood villa which is the oldest building on the island.  It was built by the same craftsmen that built the wooden Vimanmek Teak Palace in Bangkok and is the original home of the founders of the island. 

Check Prices and Availability of Koh Mak Resorts on Booking.com

Ao Ta Long

The Mak – High-end, design-forward hideaway on a long sandy strip. Photogenic decks, horizon pool, and that away-from-everything feel. There are a couple of cheap local diners by the entrance when you fancy a change from resort dining; nightlife out here is basically Utopia’s live-music nights.  

Little Moon Villa – Boutique neighbour to The Mak on the same beach. Smaller scale, toes-in-sand energy with “north coast quiet” baked in. Choose it if you want a softer-priced, intimate version of the design-y experience without losing the setting.  

Ao Kao

Ao Kao White Sand Beach Resort – One of Ao Kao’s premier names, right on the best all-rounder beach. Easy walks to dinner spots on the back road; good for families who don’t want to rent wheels every night.

By The Sea – Boutique stays on the Ao Kao drag with its own café out front; near Ball Café and the densest cluster of eateries (Kon Gin Sen, Food Garden, etc.). Good if your perfect day is beach → coffee → pizza → beach.  

Lazy Day The Resort – Classic bungalow feel on Ao Kao for people who want sand, shade and simplicity. Walkable to minimarts, massage and a couple of bars; scooter not required unless you’re roaming.

Makathanee Resort – The small hotel in Ao Kao’s heart; practical rooms above a prime stretch of beach with the convenience of being smack in the dinner zone. Solid “we’re here to beach and eat” base camp.

Baan Koh Mak – Long-loved Ao Kao option with Thai-style warmth and an easy stroll to cafés and shops. A good fit if you prefer simple bungalows and spend days outside anyway.

Other handy picks

Islanda – Very private hilltop hotel with views Ao Suan Yai; nice if you prefer a room with perspective rather than sand on the doorstep.  

Villa Allure – Character stay on the quieter side of the island; suits explorers chasing viewpoints and less-peopled coves. Pair it with a scooter.

Talay Time – Rooms plus a hilltop restaurant with big views to Koh Kood; good for sunset dinners and a “we’re really away” feel, still within reach of Ao Kao for evenings. 

Check Prices and Availability of Koh Mak Resorts on Booking.com

Eating & Drinking 

The short version: dinner clusters along the Ao Kao back road (aka the “Walking Street”), seafood pilgrimages go to Ao Nid. And you’ll find a few very good cafés for civilised mornings. Koh Mak’s “nightlife” is really golden hour plus a last round.

Seafood & Thai 

Koh Mak Seafood (Ao Nid) – long-standing over-water spot with tanks of crabs, oysters and fish; good house jungle curry; museum next door for a post-lunch wander. Book for weekends and peak weeks.

Kon Gin Sen (Ao Kao strip) – big Issan flavours (laab, whole fried fish, som tam) plus a full Thai/western menu; one of the island’s best and longest-running. Food Garden next door handles BBQ and kra ta cook-at-table sets.

Pimjai Thaifood (no-frills, tasty) – Proper cheap-and-cheerful plates; rough-and-ready look, consistently good, inexpensive food.

Q Bar (BBQ + budget Thai, casual drinks) – Handy spot opposite Dara Villa; good for a low-cost grill dinner.

Khun Mam’s Kitchen & Krun Khun Mam Seafood (one-dish & seafood) –  Good for quick rice-topped dishes as well as fuller Thai/seafood plates; just behind Makathanee.

Dum Noodles – Excellent broth noodles and one-dish Thai food near Ao Nid pier.

Maruey Kitchen (north road, near The Mak turn-off) – Handy stop when exploring the north/east; straightforward Thai at friendly prices.

Western & “a bit cheffy”

M.A. Bistro – tiny, bookings-wise place near Makathanee with a changing board: pasta, beef fillet, sashimi, banh mi, homemade desserts and lemonade. Small room, big smiles.

Little Red Oven – thin-crust pies from a bespoke oven; buzzy when full, delivery available. Food Art Hut sits beside it for breads, sandwiches, breakfasts and bakes.

12 Bar – Japanese (sushi/sashimi/soba) on the lane between Good Time and Seavana; opens late afternoon.

Vegan & healthy

Pak Pak Vegan – smart plant-led diner (mung-bean “eggs”, jackfruit massaman, wraps, sourdough). Hours: 08:30-16:00, 18:00-21:00 (Tues-Sun).

Resort dining with a view

On Ao Suan Yai, Day Beds at Seavana and I Talay (by Koh Mak Resort pier) are reliable for a long lunch into sunset. Talay Time in the far south-east wins for panoramas over Koh Kood/Koh Rang.

Coffee & Cake

Food Art Hut (by Little Red Oven) is the old faithful for proper coffee, breads and cakes; Ball Café (mid-strip) is another long-runner with breakfasts; By The Sea café opens 08:30-15:30 with paninis/salads; Pineapple Dessert Café near the Ao Suan Yai pier is a handy pitstop (and home to Panan speedboat check-in).

Sunset & Bars

The Coral Club (ex-Banana Sunset) on the south coast is the classic sundowner; Ao Suan Yai’s pier area has I Talay and Thai Sabay-style spots; on Ao Kao, Monkey Shock keeps the reggae torch lit; Hidden Beach throws the occasional DJ party in the southwest. Manage expectations: this is lounging with a view, not full-moon mayhem

Things To Do

Snorkelling: Koh Rang trips

Easiest way to decent coral is a half-day/full-day to Koh Rang National Marine Park. Join a boat (around ฿800-฿1,000 per person for snorkel trips), or hitch a ride on the dive boat. Marine Park fees are: divers ฿400/฿200 adult/child; snorkellers ฿200/฿100; Thai nationals lower. Conditions are best in the cool/dry season.

Close-to-home snorkel

When seas are calm, the tiny islet Koh Pii off Ao Lom has an excellent reef. Resorts and Cococape can arrange short hops (about ฿1,000 per person for a half-day).

Diving

It’s a friendly, one-operator scene: Koh Mak Divers runs day trips to Koh Rang; 2 fun dives from ฿3,100; the HTMS Chang wreck (Thailand’s largest) is doable as a special day (from ฿3,900 for 2 dives; min. 3 divers). DSD is ฿3,900, Bubblemaker for 8-10 year olds ฿1,800; full PADI courses are also available.

Kayak & SUP

The postcard run is Ao Suan Yai → Koh Kham (on glassy mornings); Ao Kao → Koh Rayang Nok/Nai is also doable. Kayak rentals are around ฿150/hour or ฿500/day; SUP available at several resorts (Prompakdee, Koh Mak Resort, Ao Kao Resort, Baan Koh Mak). Always check wind: afternoons can chop up quickly.

Private boat days

Charter a speedboat to mix Koh Kradat + Rayang Nok/Nai + Koh Kham + Koh Pii (think sandbar pics, deer spotting, and snorkel stops). Expect ฿8,000 or ฿9,000 for a full day excluding each island’s entry fee.

Trails & “secret” beaches

From Ao Suan Yai you can detour past Somchai’s “Kingdom” and the oldest house, then strike north to Turtle Beach (which is as yet still undeveloped and lovely). On the north/east side, Laem Son has views to platter-flat Koh Kradat; in the south-west, Ao Lom and Laem Tookata are easy mini-adventures with Koh Rayang offshore. Bring water, sun cover, and sandals you don’t mind muddying. 

Classes & courts

Smile Cooking School (Ao Nid): two daily classes, 4 dishes for ~฿1,500.  Leng has been running classes here for almost 20 years. 

Phoenix Muay Thai (Ao Kao): group from ฿500, private ~฿1,000; all-comers welcome.

Tennis and badminton: Head to Ao Kao White Sand Beach Resort which has excellent indoor and outdoor facilities.  

Disc golf : A 9 basket course located near Goodtime Resort.

Slow travel bits

Pop into the small but interesting Koh Mak Museum near Ao Nid pier between seafood lunches and boat-watching; the coconut and rubber groves make dreamy cycling if you pick cooler hours.

Day-Trip Islets (how to pick them)

Koh Kham – the famous “white-sand, black-boulder” island off Ao Suan Yai. Easiest by kayak or short boat hop. Entrance typically ~฿200 (some transfers sell a ~฿300 bundle incl. boat+fee). Best on calm mornings; bring water and reef-safe sunscreen.  

Koh Rayang Nok & Koh Rayang Nai – petite twins off Ao Kao; Nok has a simple resort (check seasonal opening), Nai is uninhabited and closer to Koh Mak. Koh Rayang Nok is lovely for swimming, photos and a picnic. Expect ~฿150 entrance when staffed. Easy kayak distance from Ao Kao. 

Koh Kradat – the “deer island” to the north-east. Flat and with basic accommodation used mostly by Thai groups. Go for the vibe and wildlife rather than beaches. Entrance ~฿150; boats can be arranged from Ao Nid or with private charters.  

Koh Pii – just a rock but with decent snorkelling right off it; pair with Ao Lom/Laem Tookata for a half-day that feels intrepid but isn’t. Rent a kayak at Cococape if you fancy visiting under your own steam

Koh Mak Sights

The Low-Carbon Story 

Koh Mak’s secret sauce isn’t a single resort or a we-were-here-first beach bar. It’s a shared decision to stay small.

Most of the land is still coconut and rubber, resorts are family-run, and the island quietly nudges you toward low-impact choices: bikes over pickups, kayaks over jet-skis, refill stations over plastic bottles. It’s not preachy; it’s practical. Visitors who come for the hush tend to protect it.

How to be a good guest (and keep it quiet):

• Move gently. Bike when you can; scooter slow; avoid ripping sandy side-roads after rain.

• Refill & rinse. Carry a bottle, top up at cafés/resorts, and use reef-safe sunscreen.

• Respect the reef. No standing on coral, no touching sea life, and watch your fin kicks in the shallows.

• Soundcheck. Keep music to yourself; drones only where permitted and away from people.

• Waste wins. Many resorts sort trash; do the simple stuff – return glass, refuse bags, reuse towels.

• Night lights. Turtles and seabirds appreciate darkness; switch off beachfront lights and skip the fireworks.

It’s a small island. Everyone notices when you care.

Practicalities

Money

Treat Koh Mak as cash-lean. Card acceptance is wider at mid/up-market resorts and a handful of restaurants, but carry cash for rentals, day boats, local diners and island entry fees. Budget a daily float and keep a separate emergency stash ( you wouldn’t be the first person to lose a few thousand baht when their kayak overturns :-)  )

Connectivity

Resort Wi-Fi is fine for normal use; 4G or 5G mobile data (AIS/True/DTAC) works well on the west and patchier inland/east. Video calls are fine in most areas. But if you absolutely must upload a 5GB file, do it overnight or on Koh Chang.

Health & safety

There’s a public clinic on the island; for anything serious you’ll need to transfer to a hospital in Trat town. Pack a basic medical kit of things you might actually use, for example, antihistamines, rehydration salts, plasters etc. 

Sandflies and Jellyfish

If you’ve read this far then you’re obviously interested in visiting Koh Mak.  However, the island does have a reputation for being home to some vicious sandflies and the occasional Box Jellyfish.  Paradise can be dangerous.

Sandflies like quiet beaches where they can lay their eggs and not get disturbed by people walking on the sand or resorts raking and cleaning the sand.  So they love undeveloped beaches and islands such as Koh Mak.  Not everyone reacts badly to their bites, most people don’t.  But if you are one of the unlucky ones then you’ll be covered in itchy red spots after a day on the beach.  Don’t lie straight on sand.  Try coconut oil and / or a DEET/icaridin spray, and resist scratching the bites, as that can easily cause an infection.

Box Jellyfish can be deadly and are usually found further south in the Gulf of Thailand – for example near Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Pa Ngan.  Unfortunately several people have been badly stung by Box Jellyfish whilst swimming off Koh Mak, so care is needed.  

Many resorts now have jellyfish nets to provide safe areas for people to swim.  And on the beaches you will see  ‘Vinegar Stations’, red poles which contain a bottle of vinegar.  This is the essential initial treatment for a Box Jellyfish sting.

As yet, there haven’t been any confirmed sightings of Box Jellyfish off Koh Chang’s beaches.

Shopping & services

No 7-Eleven.  But there are minimarts and small pharmacies cover the basics (repellent, sunblock, snacks, SIM top-ups). Laundry is everywhere and cheap. Dive shops sell or rent half-decent snorkel gear.  But it’s often better to bring your own mask.

Power & water

Short power blips happen; pack a power bank. Water is precious—short showers, taps off, and go easy on towel changes.

Etiquette

Dress covers shoulders for village/temple visits; beachwear belongs on the beach. Ask before flying drones. Keep music personal. Don’t anchor on coral or seagrass. Smile; it goes further here than anywhere else.

Packing list (the “actually useful” bits)

• Light long sleeves for sun + whizzing around on a scooter

• Reef-safe sunscreen & after-sun

• Thin sarong (shade, seat, temple cover up)

• Decent sandals/trainers for sandy tracks

• Dry bag + phone lanyard for kayak days

• Small first-aid kit; antihistamines for bites

• Cash pouch & spare card

• Refillable water bottle

Koh Mak vs Koh Kood vs Koh Chang

The quick take

• Koh Mak = small, flat, quiet, family-run. Best for slow days, cycling, easy swims, kayak hops to tiny islets.

• Koh Kood = bigger beaches, fewer people, more “wild” feel. Stunning sand, more spread out, pricier logistics.

• Koh Chang = the hub. Easiest access, plenty of choice (and traffic). Great hiking and viewpoints; certain beaches get busy

Topic	Koh Mak	Koh Kood	Koh Chang
Vibe	Low-key, owner-run, early nights	Dreamy beaches, remote feel	Varied: quiet coves to lively strips
Getting there	Laem Sok & Laem Ngop year round	Laem Sok ferries and speedboats	Year round vehicle ferry service
Getting around	Bikes/scooters; short distances	Scooters essential; long distances	Full songthaew network
Beaches	Gentle, swimmable; two main belts	Knock-out beaches all over	Good beaches; some busy
Snorkel/Dive	Trips to Koh Rang; shore spots like Koh Pii	Similar range	Koh Rang + wrecks from west coast
Food & bars	Small but good list; Ao Kao “walking street”	Quality > quantity; spread out	Loads of choice (good & meh)
Costs	Mid-range; cash matters	Room rates creep higher	Wide spectrum: hostel → 5★
Best for	Couples, families who like quiet	Beach purists, honeymooners	Mix of activity, choice, convenience
Dealbreakers	Limited late nights; ATM roulette	Distances; very quiet evenings	Traffic/noise on main west coast

Bottom line: If you want maximum beach with minimum people, pick Koh Kood. If you want choice and easy logistics, Koh Chang. If you want a still-independent island where you can bike, paddle and read your book in peace, Koh Mak.

Budgeting – What It Costs

Numbers are per day, realistic for 2025 -26 high season; rainy-season rates will be much lower.

“Comfortable Couple” (mid-range beach place, occasional splurges)

• Room: ฿2,800-4,500 (beachfront bungalow/hotel, breakfast incl.)

• Meals & drinks: ฿1,800-2,400 (Thai lunch + seafood dinner + coffees/sweets + a couple of beers/wine)

• Getting around: ฿250-300 (scooter day rate or two bicycle rentals)

• Activities: ฿0-1,800 (some days free; other days kayak/SUP or museum + massage)

• Boat days (when you do them): +฿1,600-2,000 for Koh Rang snorkel 
  Typical daily total: ฿5,000-7,000 (non-boat days closer to ฿4,500-5,500)

“Shoestring Solo” (simple fan/AC bungalow, street-side eats)

• Room: ฿800-1,400

• Meals & drinks: ฿200-400 (Thai plates, fruit shakes, noodle shop dinners)

• Getting around: ฿150-250 (bike or scooter)

• Activities: ฿0-200 ( maybe rent a kayak by the hour or visit Koh Kham / Rayang.)

FAQs

Is there an ATM?
Yes. But it’s often empty. Bring enough cash for rentals, day boats and small diners. Some resorts accept cards or do cash advances for a fee.

Which beach is best for kids?
Ao Suan Yai and Ao Kao have long, gently shelving sand and usually calm water. Pick a beachfront place and you’ve solved 90% of family logistics.

Can I island-hop to Koh Kood?
In high season, yes.  There are direct services via Laem Sok/Khao San lines that add a Koh Mak stop or inter-island speedboats. In the rainy season you can still take a boat direct to Koh Kood or Koh Chang once a day. 

Do I need to book boats in advance?
For peak periods (Christmas/New Year, Chinese New Year), yes. Otherwise, 2 or 3 days ahead is usually fine. 

How bad are sandflies, honestly?
They exist. Don’t lie straight on the sand; use coconut oil or repellent; don’t scratch. If you’re bite-prone, pack antihistamines.

Jellyfish -what’s the deal?
Incidents are rare but taken seriously. Swim where nets/signage suggest. Vinegar stations are placed on main beaches, know where they are.

Is it safe to ride a scooter at night?
Generally, yes with lights on and a helmet. Watch sandy ruts, roaming dogs and unlit bikes. Keep speeds island-slow.

Can I work remotely from Koh Mak?
Yes, no problem. Wifi can be found everywhere and the island has 5g coverage. 

Where’s sunset best?
Ao Suan Yai piers and bars; the south coast (e.g., The Coral Club) for fiery skies and silhouettes of the Rayang twins.

Rainy season – should I cancel?
Not necessarily. Expect fewer boats and flexible plans. If you love a quiet island, it can be bliss between showers.  Just don’t make plans too far in advance.

Last update: October 2025

For more information on the island see kohmak.com . And for live weather information, Corsita Resort have a webcam set up with views north towards Koh Wai