BEACH
Ao Ka Noon, located at the eastern end of Ko Mak, is an intimate bay with fine sand of a particularly coppery color. You are in the middle of nature, making it extremely quiet and peaceful. We love the color of the sand, and although the water is somewhat troubled at low tide, you can enjoy swimming.
You can relax in one of the hammocks here, the beach is about 6 kilometers away from the busier beaches. It may not be the most beautiful beach of the island, but it is a beach without sand fleas, which is a major advantage for us on Ko Mak.
WHERE TO STAY
Villa Allure is the only place to stay and is a good mid-range option, offering wooden bungalows with a simple but good design. Villa Allure’s restaurant has reasonable prices and friendly staff, making it a good place to relax. It is a 3-to-6-kilometer drive to other restaurants.
ISLAND
Ko Mak is located in the Gulf of Thailand, near the maritime border with Cambodia. Ko Mak is known for its serene beaches surrounded by palm trees and the islands natural beauty. A small non-tourist island, it is only 16 square kilometers in size. Here you will not find large resorts and mass tourism, but rather small-scale accommodations and a good selection of restaurants. The atmosphere on the island is very laid-back, although there is some construction along the 2 main beaches.
For all information you would like to know about the island and transport, go to the friendly lady at Koh Mak Info Point, located right next to Koh Mak Resort. For diving you can go to BB Divers or Koh Mak Divers. On Ko Mak there is only one ATM, so bring some cash just in case..
WHAT TO DO
The island’s landscapes are idyllic, with coconut groves and fruit orchards while the coastline is dotted with picturesque bays and coves. Ko Mak is a good destination for cycling. The roads are flat and mostly in good condition. You can visit viewpoints, nature trails, and even a fishing village to get a glimpse of the local way of life.
Visit one of the various islands around Ko Mak! On Ko Kradat you can take beautiful walks and have a drink in the small village. Ko Rayang has a beautiful sandy beach where you can enjoy sunbathing and snorkeling. Unfortunately, there is no good coral, but be sure to admire the many beautiful fish here. It is easy to paddle to Ko Rayang with the kayak. Remember to bring cash because sometimes you have to pay a small entrance fee.
The only downside to Ko Mak is the sand fleas on most beaches. Only on Ao Ka Noon and Ao Pai there are usually no sand fleas. Be aware of this and protect yourself with the special oil and spray sold nearby. Despite this drawback, we visit Ko Mak often.
TRANSPORT
From Bangkok, there are several good bus and minibus connections to Trat, which take about 5 hours. From Trat, a taxi or minibus will take you to Laem Ngok Pier, a 20-minute ride, where you can take several boats to Ko Mak. An alternative way is to fly from Bangkok to Trat. Boat services connect Ko Mak with Ko Chang, Ko Kut and Ko Wai. Make sure to check the internet for the timetables.
At Ko Mak, most accommodations offer a free pick-up service from one of the 3 piers. Otherwise, a taxi will cost between 50 and 100 baht. On the island it is easy to rent bicycles and scooters.
