I feel like a broken record in writing this, but Koh Mak was the first place I ever visited in Thailand. I’m not sure how I decided upon this, given the primitive state of travel blogging—I hadn’t even started my first one yet!—but I nonetheless hightailed it straight there (well, after a few bumps in the road) from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Sadly, I didn’t look back very fondly on that trip, for a few reasons. Firstly, because while the island was beautiful, I felt (and feel, in retrospect) that it made an awkward introduction to Thailand. And secondly, because my camera broke there, leading me to cut my time on the island short by several days.
I’ve been back several times, including recently, and have formed a more complete opinion of the island. In many ways, this is the Koh Mak itinerary I wish had existed back in 2010, when I was plotting my own maiden voyage.
Where to Stay in Koh Mak
Koh Mak hotels have come a long way since my last trip—and not just because I have far more money to spend these days. On the northwestern coast (in other words, Ao Soun Yai Beach), I’d say that Koh Mak Resort is the most convenience place to stay. Seavana Resort down the coast is a bit fancier, while Koh Mak Cocoscape Resort (which is home to the unique Blue Pearl Bar) is much more upmarket.
On the southern coast (aka Ao Baan Yai Beach), hotels range from extremely simple to rather high end. While I prefer the sand and surf up north, I can’t lie that Makathanee Resort is enticing. Other properties, such as the simpler Baan Yai Guesthouse add less to the equation, apart from the fact that they’re among the cheapest places to stay on the island.
My Favorite Things to Do in Koh Mak
Decide how to get around
The good news? Koh Mak is walkable. The better news? If you don’t want to walk, there are other ways to get around. Most major resorts rent either bicycles or motorbikes, and there’s even a spot on the island that rents golf carts (yes, you read that right).
Make time for the beach
It might seem silly to say that you need to prioritize the beach on a Koh Mak trip. But frankly, there’s so much else to do that you need to make time to swim and sunbathe. This is particularly true if you want to visit multiple beaches. For example, if you’re staying on Ao Soun Yai, but want to spend time at Ao Baan Yai as well.
Say a prayer at Wat Koh Mak
The first time I went to Koh Mak, I don’t remember see Wat Koh Mak, though it might’ve been there. Regardless, I do think there’s a novelty to the fact that an otherwise undeveloped island is home to a pretty legit Thai temple (well, relatively speaking—it has nothing on ones in Bangkok or Chiang Mai).
Wind down at a unique bar
This isn’t the only Koh Mak travel blog to recommend having a drink to end the day. However, rather than simply drinking at your resort’s bar, I suggest going to the aforementioned Blue Pearl Bar, which is part of the Cocoscape Resort. The drinks are average, to be honest, but the ambiance is second-to-none.
Embark on an excursion
If you’re looking for an easy excursion that only lasts an hour or two, go to Koh Mak Resort to take one of the frequent speedboats over to Koh Kham island. Feeling more adventurous? It isn’t easy, but you can theoretically day-trip it from Koh Mak to Koh Wai.
How Long Do You Need in Koh Mak?
Koh Mak is about halfway in size between tiny Koh Wai and large Koh Kood, and significantly smaller than the massive Koh Chang. As a result, I like to think of its as a “city” destination: One you can explore in about as long as it would take you to see a Thai city (well, one that isn’t Bangkok). For me, that translates to about 2-3 days being optimal. though you might need more, depending upon your usual pace of travel.
Indeed, no matter how many days in Koh Mak you decide to spend, you should also be mindful of whether and for how long you’ll be headed off-island. Furthermore, how you get around matters. I can see all of Koh Mak in 2-3 days; I also generally prefer to walk everywhere I go. If you rent a bicycle, motorbike or golf cart, you may be able to cover the same amount of ground I did, but in way less time.
Other FAQ About Visiting Koh Mak
Is Koh Mak worth visiting?
Koh Mak is definitely worth visiting! Whether you want to take a relaxed vacation where you stay at one resort, or one where you explore an entire island (or even multiple islands), Koh Mak is conducive to travelers with a diverse range of interests and travel styles. To say nothing of the fact that it’s drop-dead gorgeous!
Can you walk around Koh Mak?
I know first-hand that yes, you can walk around Koh Mak—well, at least if you have enough time, patience and physical strength. On the other hand, you may also opt to rent any number of vehicle types, be those motorbikes, normal bikes or even golf carts (sounds strange but yes, it’s true).
What is the nicest beach in Koh Mak?
I’ve been shocked, upon perusing various online fora, to learn that the southern beach of Ao Baan Yai is generaly regarded as Koh Mak’s best beach. I like it—don’t get me wrong—but to me it’s rather forgettable, and undeveloped almost to the point of feeling dilapidated. I highly prefer Ao Soun Yai, on the north coast across the water from Koh Kham.
The Bottom Line
I hope you’ve found this Koh Mak itinerary useful, whether you’re coming here on your first trip to Thailand like I once did, or—preferably—if you’re visiting after you have some context to put the island in. Regardless, the jewel of the Trat archipelago (which is itself so often overlooked, if not entirely underrated) is definitely worth exploring, whether you spend your entire time on the main island, or take day trips to nearby Koh Kham or Koh Wai. Need help putting Koh Mak in context, in the first place? In this case, I hope you consider hiring me to plan a custom Thailand itinerary for you.
