🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
The nice thing about Koh Mak is that you don't have to be a strong diver to have fun. Several beaches are shallow and clear, and you can see the sandy bottom and patches of coral right from the surface. Kids and weaker swimmers can get in too. If you want denser coral and more fish, then it's worth investing in a boat out to the surrounding islands, which really pays off. Below we lay out clearly which spots you can do yourself off the beach, which ones need a boat, and roughly what each option costs.
Snorkeling off Koh Mak's beaches — do it yourself
Koh Mak has clearer water than the bigger, busier islands because there are fewer people and it markets itself as a low-carbon island. On the calm days at Ao Suan Yai (Suan Yai Bay) and Ao Phai Lan you can see staghorn coral and damselfish right from the beach. All you need is a mask and snorkel, no boat required.
- Ao Suan Yai (Suan Yai Bay) — shallow, calm water and a long beach, with patches of coral not far offshore. Good for beginners and kids.
- Ao Phai Lan / west coast — clear water in the late afternoon and a pretty sunset view. Easy, shallow swimming.
- Koh Pii (Koh Pii) — a small rocky outcrop between Ao Suan Yai and Ao Phrao, generally considered the best snorkeling spot close to Koh Mak. Several resorts run half-day trips out here.
Gear
Most resorts will lend or rent you a mask and life jacket, but bringing your own is more comfortable for fit and cleanliness. Pack some reef-safe sunscreen too, so the coral sticks around for the long haul.
Want more out of Koh Mak? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Boat to Koh Kham — the easiest highlight to reach
Koh Kham (Koh Kham) is very close to Koh Mak, a small island with a white-sand beach and clear emerald-green water, plus a stretch of coral right off the beach you can snorkel straight away. It's the easiest and cheapest boat trip, ideal if you want to go out in the morning and back the same day. Small boats run from the Information Point at Koh Mak Resort pier several times a day.
- Boat times — small boats cross several times a day, roughly around 10:30 / 13:30 / 15:00 (times may shift with the weather and how many people show up).
- Rough price — about 300–350 THB per person, usually including the island entry and a drink from the shop on the island.
- On the island — there's a small drinks shop and shaded seating, but food is limited. Bring your own water and snacks.
Straight talk
Koh Kham is a privately managed island, so the goods sold there are pricey with few choices. Bring enough cash, and carry your trash back to Koh Mak — the island is small and its waste handling is limited.
Koh Rang snorkeling boat tour — the real coral spot
If you want dense coral, plenty of fish and deep clear water, head to Koh Rang (Koh Rang), which sits inside Mu Koh Chang National Park. It's the snorkeling spot many people rate as the best on the Trat side. It's farther from Koh Mak than Koh Kham, so you go by half-day or full-day boat tour, with several dive shops on Koh Mak running trips.
Join trip to Koh Rang
Share a boat with other groups — the best value if there are only a few of you. Leaves around 09:00 and returns in the afternoon, stopping at several snorkeling spots around Koh Rang. Some operators include the park fee and lunch.
Koh Pii / around-Koh-Mak half-day trip
Resorts like Cococape and others run half-day boats to snorkel Koh Pii and spots near Koh Mak. Good if you're short on time or want a taster before heading farther out.
Private speedboat charter
Pick your own spots, no waiting on a group. Includes transfers, snorkeling gear, water and light food. Good for groups of friends or families, and the per-head price drops with more people (island fees paid separately).
National park fee
Koh Rang is inside the national park, so there's a separate fee. Snorkeling runs about 200 THB for adults and 100 THB for kids (Thais pay less than foreigners). Some tours include it, others have you pay on the spot — ask clearly when you book.
Dive shops and boat booking points on Koh Mak
Koh Mak has dive shops and boat operators spread along the main beaches. You can book ahead or just walk in and ask. In high season it gets busy, so book a day in advance.
Information Point
At the Koh Mak Resort pier, it runs the boats across to Koh Kham and has info on departure times. Good if you want to reach Koh Kham without any fuss.
Koh Mak Divers (Ao Kao side)
A dive shop on Ao Kao beach that runs snorkeling and scuba trips to Koh Rang and spots around the island.
Wayoon (Ao Kao)
Runs a join trip out to snorkel from 09:00–14:00 for around 1,299 THB including the fee. Good for a tight budget.
Thai Ocean Academy (Ao Nid)
A dive shop on the Ao Nid side with courses and dive trips. Good if you want to learn to dive or head to farther spots.
Check the weather and monsoon season before you go
This matters more than you'd think, because snorkeling at Koh Mak depends entirely on the wind and waves. The clear-water, calm-sea window is November to early May, and December–March is the calmest and clearest. The May–October stretch is monsoon season with strong waves, rain and murky water — many boats stop running and several resorts close for the season. If you go in the rainy season, check carefully that your accommodation and boats are actually open.
- Best — Dec–Mar: clear water, calm seas, great underwater visibility.
- Workable — Nov and Apr–early May: still fine, but the winds start to shift.
- Be careful — May–Oct: monsoon, strong waves, murky water, many boats and resorts closed. Always check before booking.
Check day by day too
Even in high season, some days the wind is strong enough that boats can't go out or the Koh Rang trip gets cancelled. Check the forecast and ask the boat shop the evening before so you can plan a backup, like swimming off the beach or going to nearer Koh Kham instead.
Come prepared, travel like you love the island
- Cash — there are few shops on the island and the surrounding islets, ATMs are limited and prices run high. Bring enough cash for boats, fees and food.
- Reef-safe sunscreen — pick a sunscreen that doesn't harm coral. A long-sleeve sun shirt helps and is more comfortable too.
- Carry your trash back — Koh Mak pitches itself as low-carbon, so don't drop trash in the sea or on the small islands. Carry it back and bin it properly.
- Don't touch the coral or feed the fish — float and look, don't stand on the coral, and don't feed the fish, so the reef lasts.
Plan a full Koh Mak trip — where to stay, what to eat, how to get around
See the Koh Mak travel guide →