BEACH
Ao Kao is one of Ko Mak’s better known bays and is located in the southwestern corner of the island, a great place to visit. A creek divides the southwestern bay into 2 beaches, Ao Kao and Ao Khatuang.
The beach of Ao Kao is very photogenic because of the pearly white fine sand and palm trees you will find along the small bay. The water is clear and has a beautiful blue color but be aware that at high tide the beach largely disappears and that you have a great chance of finding sand fleas on this beach. You should be aware of this possibility and protect yourself with the special oil and spray sold nearby.
WHERE TO STAY
Most of the stays at Ao Kao’s beach are mid-range and upper range, starting at around 2000 baht. We liked the bungalows at Lazy Days. Another recommendation is Ao Kao White Sand Beach Resort, which is a more crowded upper range option with a small pool in the backyard.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly stay, we recommend Koh Mak Island Huts, which offers basic bamboo and wooden bungalows. All stays have their own 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. There is one ATM on the island.
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.
