BEACH
Located in the southwestern corner of the island, Ao Khatuang is a nice bay to visit. A creek divides this southwestern bay into 2 beaches, Ao Kao and Ao Khatuang. The beach of Ao Khatuang is the most social beach on the island, where you will mostly find stays in the budget and mid-range category.
We like the western end of the beach best. Here, the beach is wide and further away from the road. On the eastern part of the bay there is little beach left during high tide, but it is still possible to relax in the grass or in one of the hammocks. Go snorkeling and sunbathing at Ko Rayang just in front of the bay. This small island is a great place to see beautiful fish and just unwind!
WHERE TO STAY
Good budget stays are T.K. Beach Resort, Rayang Nature Beach Bungalows and Monkey Island Resort, offering cheaper bungalows with showers and toilets.
The mid-range Sabai Beach Resort and the more upper range Big Easy Koh Mak are both located in the nicest part of the beach. We like the nicely designed bungalows of Big Easy Koh Mak.
There are a variety of dining options, though we recommend eating at Thai Food Style Restaurant near Monkey Island Resort.
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.
