🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Koh Mak lies in Koh Kood district, Trat province. It used to be private land owned by a single family, so it never got built up with tall hotels the way other islands did. The whole island is flat, with concrete roads linking the various beaches and a backdrop of coconut and rubber plantations. The draw here isn't anything flashy — it's the quiet, and water that turns remarkably clear during the dry season.
Why go to Koh Mak
Compared with livelier Koh Chang and the bigger, more distant Koh Kood, Koh Mak lands right in the middle — both in size and in pace of life. Because the island is flat, cycling is easy with no steep hills to push up, and the loop around the island is short enough to stop at several beaches in one day.
- Small enough to cycle around — flat terrain with roads connecting beach to beach, ideal if you'd rather not ride a motorbike
- Quiet beaches, clear water — especially in the dry season (Nov–Apr), when the water is clear right down to the sand and there's none of the crowding you get on the famous islands
- No late-night parties — the vibe is all about resting: grab a drink at a beach bar for the sunset, then turn in early
- A base for the smaller islands nearby — Koh Kham, Koh Kradat, and the dive site at Koh Rang are all within a short boat ride
Want more out of Trat? Book tours & activities
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Getting to Koh Mak
Boats to Koh Mak leave mainly from the Trat side. The most commonly used pier is Krom Luang Chumphon Pier at Laem Ngop (about 16 km from Trat town), and there's another option at Laem Sok Pier, south of town. Most boats are speedboats, taking roughly 50 minutes to an hour, and the fare runs about 450 THB per person each way in high season.
Speedboat from Laem Ngop (Krom Luang) Pier
The main route, with several operators to choose from — Panan, Leelawadee, Suansuk, Seatales and others. Each one docks at a different pier on the island (Koh Mak Resort pier / Makathanee pier / Ao Nid pier), so check which pier is closest to your accommodation before you book.
Boonsiri boat/catamaran from Laem Sok Pier
A good choice if you're continuing on to Koh Kood or arriving from the south side of town. Van transfers to the pier are available, and on some days it keeps running through the rainy season when the other speedboat routes cut back their schedules.
Slow wooden boat (budget option)
A traditional wooden boat that takes around 3 hours but costs much less. Departures are limited and it doesn't run every day, so it suits travelers who aren't in a hurry and want to save money.
Check before you book
Each boat operator docks at a different pier on the island, so before booking, ask your accommodation which pier is closest — that way you avoid a long ride across the island. And in the rainy season (May–Oct), boats run fewer departures and some days don't run at all depending on the wind and waves, so always check the latest schedule with the boat company before you travel.
As for reaching Trat itself: if you're coming from Bangkok, it's about a 4 to 4.5-hour drive to Laem Ngop pier, or you can take a bus straight from Ekkamai bus terminal to Laem Ngop, which takes around 5 hours. The other option is to fly into Trat Airport and continue by car to the pier, which saves a lot of time if you'd rather not sit through the long road trip.
Cycling around the island
This is the activity that sets Koh Mak apart from other islands. With flat terrain and roads that all connect, cycling is the most enjoyable way to get around. Many resorts lend or rent out bikes for just a few dozen baht a day, so you can cycle past coconut groves and open fields, stopping at quiet beaches as you go.
- Cycle in the morning or evening — midday sun is harsh and hot; the late afternoon near sunset has the best atmosphere
- Bring water and sun protection — there aren't many shops along the way, so carry water with you
- If cycling isn't for you, rent a motorbike — available for about 250–350 THB/day, handy if you want to go further or hit several beaches in one day
Beaches and spots you shouldn't miss
Ao Kao (White Sand Beach)
A long beach with fine white sand and coconut palms leaning over the water — the best sunset spot on the island. Resorts and restaurants line the shore.
Ao Suan Yai
A calm, quiet beach that's perfect for lounging and relaxing. There are only a handful of resorts, wide sea views, and several beachfront places to stay here.
Cococape Pier (Blue Pearl Bar)
A long wooden jetty reaching out over the sea, with a bar at the end where you can sip a drink and watch the sunset. It's one of the island's most popular photo spots.
Cape Tuk Tuk
A viewpoint on the west side, with rocky outcrops and sunset views. A good stop for evening photos before heading back to your room.
Ao Nid (fishing village)
A small pier and village where you can see local fishing life, with restaurants and local snacks to stop for.
Koh Kham
A small island near Koh Mak with shallow, clear water and black volcanic rock — great for snorkeling. You can take a boat over from Koh Mak.
Want to hop to the smaller islands?
Beyond exploring Koh Mak itself, you can take a boat on to Koh Kham, Koh Kradat (which has a herd of deer in the afternoons), or go diving at Koh Rang, where the coral is beautiful. Many resorts offer boat tour packages, and you can book right at the resort's front desk.
How to choose where to stay on Koh Mak
Accommodation on Koh Mak is spread across the main beaches, mostly low-rise beachfront resorts — there are no tall hotels. Pick the beach you like and weigh it against the pier you'll arrive at, so you don't end up traveling far across the island.
Seavana Beach Resort
On Ao Suan Yai beach, with sea-view rooms and activities like kayaking, snorkeling, and cycling. Good for groups who want a beachfront stay with plenty to do.
Koh Mak Cococape Resort
Right on a private beach, with the wooden jetty over the sea and Blue Pearl Bar for sunset. It runs boat tours to Koh Kham.
Makathanee Resort
On Ao Kao with its own pier (the Leelawadee boat docks here), so the beach is an easy walk away. Ideal if you want to step off the boat and be right at your accommodation.
Islanda Resort Hotel
On Ao Suan Yai, about a 5-minute walk to the beach, with scooters for rent and an open-air restaurant serving Thai, Western, and seafood dishes.
Want ranked comparisons and reviews of beachfront stays on Koh Mak?
See the Top 10 places to stay in Trat →When to go
The best time is November through April — clear skies, calm seas, the clearest water, and boats running their full schedules. The rainy season (May–Oct) is quieter and accommodation is cheaper, but boats run fewer departures and some days don't run at all depending on the weather. If you're coming in the rainy season, keep your plans flexible and check the latest boat schedule first.