Koh Mak truly lives up to its reputation of being a “hidden gem”. There are no 7-Elevens or resort chains to be found here, instead a handful of sleepy little roadside cafes and intimate family-run hotels dot the landscape. The lack of mass-tourism is noticeable as soon as you hop off the boat and take a songthaew or golf cart to your accommodation, weaving through bumpy dirt tracks and lush coconut groves.

One fascinating thing we learned about Koh Mak is that it’s primarily owned by 5 families, all of whom are descended from a man named Luang Prompakdee who purchased the island back in 1904. Over the years, these families have banded together to resist commercialization and to promote sustainability. Most of Koh Mak is covered in coconut and rubber plantations, keeping the island green, while local initiatives to reduce single-use plastics and lower carbon emissions have kept the island relatively pristine.

It has everything you could ever want in a tropical island paradise: golden beaches, swaying palm trees, long wooden piers stretching out into the sea and some of the calmest waters we’ve seen in Thailand. While its neighbors, Koh Chang and Koh Kood, are worth visiting in their own right - there’s something extra special about Koh Mak. It might be the slow-going vibe, the total absence of crowds or just the simple pleasure of riding scooters under a canopy of coconut trees. Whatever brings you to Koh Mak, just know that you’re in for a real treat.

Koh Mak - Koh Kham Aerial View — *Koh Kham near Koh Mak*

What it’s Like to Visit Koh Mak

We had the opportunity to visit Koh Mak for 4 nights in the month of February, one of the best months weather-wise for Thai islands. From Bangkok, our route took us east to Chanthaburi (Kat’s hometown) and then to Trat, before boarding the boat to Koh Mak. We managed to find an amazing boutique resort online called Little Moon Villa, which really took our experience to the next level.

The villas were stunning, perched on a grassy hill with ocean-facing balconies. Watching the sunrise or sunset everyday from our balcony became an essential activity. The rooms were also very spacious, equipped with comfortable beds and a massive bath. We ended up eating dinner at Little Moon Villa’s restaurant most nights, not because we had to, but because the food was that good! One drawback to Koh Mak is that it doesn’t have a huge dining scene, so staying somewhere with a great restaurant makes all the difference.

We rented scooters at the resort and set off on daily explorations. We relaxed at untouched beaches, got lost in the coconut groves, and stopped for banana cake and Thai milk tea at the cute little roadside cafes. We even took a Muay Thai class one morning, just to work off all the cake we were eating! One place we returned to a few times was Blue Pearl Bar, a rustic beach bar set on a long wooden wharf. It became our favorite spot on the island.

Another highlight was the day trip we took to Koh Kham. This tiny island is a stone’s throw away from Koh Mak and offers a truly unique experience: incredibly white sand, shimmering turquoise waters, black volcanic rocks and an abandoned luxury resort. We spent the good part of a full day on Koh Kham, relaxing on the beaches and taking photos of the resort that honestly looked like an art installation.

All in all, we found Koh Mak to be a breath of fresh air. It was laidback, beautiful and full of character. We never felt bored, but 3 full days was probably enough time to enjoy this small, star-shaped island. If you’re looking for an island that resembles the Thailand of old, you’ll find it in spades on Koh Mak.

Koh Mak - Little Moon Villa Renting Scooters — *Little Moon Villa*

Koh Mak - Wooden Pier to Sea — *Blue Pearl Bar*

Koh Mak - Muay Thai Private Lesson — *Muay Thai Class on Koh Mak*

Koh Mak - Koh Kham Surf Boards — *Koh Kham*

How to Spend 3 Days in Koh Mak

Day 1: Arrive, Check in & Explore the Beaches

Arriving in Koh Mak

Getting to Koh Mak is pretty straightforward. Just head to Laem Ngop Pier in Trat province and book the 50-60 minute speedboat ride. The water surrounding Koh Mak is famous for being calm like glass (especially during the dry season), so most of the boat ride should be smooth and comfortable.

The main entry point is Ao Nid Pier, situated on the eastern coast. Your accommodation provider should arrange a porter to pick you up, which was the case for us when we booked at Little Moon Villa. He packed our bags in the back of a golf cart and off we went! Golf carts, along with songthaews, are more common than cars in Koh Mak. The ride there takes you across the island, through both paved and dirt roads, until you arrive at your destination.

Koh Mak - Little Moon Villa Beach — *Beachfront at Little Moon Villa*

Check in to Little Moon Villa

We had a wonderful time at Little Moon Villa and highly recommend it for other couples, families or groups of friends. It’s technically a 3-star hotel but in our opinion it feels much closer to a high quality 4-star. The villas offer sweeping views of the sea and there’s plenty of green space throughout the property. The large bathtub was a romantic touch as well. If you do choose to stay here, simply drop your bags, have a drink or some lunch at the restaurant and settle in. This place is tailor-made for a slow arrival.

Koh Mak - Little Moon Villa Rooms — *Little Moon Villa*

Rent Scooters

There’s a couple of different ways to get around Koh Mak: scooters, bicycles, golf carts and songthaews (local taxis). Although the island looks small on a map, cycling from one side to the other in the mid-day heat can be strenuous. Golf carts can also be slow and songthaews are more unreliable. That’s why scooters are the best mode of transportation, and can easily be rented through your resort or hotel. Koh Mak’s roads are quiet, flat and (in many areas now) paved. Some are still bumpy, old dirt tracks but that just adds to the adventure!

Koh Mak - Rent a Scooter — *Renting scooters at Little Moon Villa*

Afternoon Beach Swim

Koh Mak’s small size and flat terrain makes an afternoon of beach-hopping incredibly easy. The island is so small that you can cross it in 15-20 minutes via scooter. The most popular beaches are Ao Kao Beach, home to the highest concentration of restaurants and bars, and Ao Pra Beach, tucked away on the northwest coast offering some of the island’s softest sand. For something a little more “off-the-beaten-track”, you can head to Turtle Beach - considered the most beautiful and pristine but accessed via a tricky dirt track - or try the completely untouched Laem Son Beach famous for its pine trees.

Koh Mak - Beaches — *Beaches of Koh Mak*

Koh Mak - Hammock — *Beaches of Koh Mak*

Dinner at Little Moon Villa

We found the restaurant at Little Moon Villa, officially called Little Moon Dine & Cafe, to be outstanding. After our first meal here, we couldn’t help but keep coming back! The beachfront eatery has a relaxing atmosphere, nestled in an open-air pavilion, surrounded by lush greenery and tropical gardens. Come at golden hour for beautiful lighting and delicious, authentic Thai food. Try everything from pineapple curry and green curry, to spicy noodle soup.

After dinner, take a slow walk around the property and beach, and look up at the stars, or return to your villa for a relaxing soak in the tub. The next morning, you’ll be able to head back to the cafe and try homemade baked goods such as bagels, croissants and brownies in addition to specialty coffee - espresso and cappuccinos to start the day right. Their baristas are known for making latte art in stylish glassware, which will look fantastic on your Instagram stories.

Koh Mak - Little Moon Villa Balcony — *Balcony at Little Moon Villa*

Day 2: Koh Kham & Seafood Dinner

Take the Boat to Koh Kham

We recommend setting aside a full day to visit Koh Kham, arguably the most unique island in all of Thailand. Getting there is easy, whether you choose to take the 10-minute boat ride which departs from Koh Mak Resort or rent a kayak from Ao Suan Yai Beach. Just know that a 200-300 THB private island entry fee applies.

The main highlights of Koh Kham are the black volcanic rock beaches and the abandoned luxury resort called Ananya Hideaway. We expected to only spend a few hours on the island but ended up staying for the majority of the day, relaxing at the beach and exploring the abandoned structures of the resort which are slowly being swallowed up by the jungle.

Koh Mak - Boat to Koh Kham — *Boat to Koh Kham*

Koh Mak - Koh Kham Sign — *Koh Kham sign*

Koh Mak - Koh Kham Beach — *Going for swims at Koh Kham*

What To Do on Koh Kham

Relax at the pristine beaches, home to some of the whitest sand in Thailand.
Take photos of the black volcanic rocks at low-tide when they look the most dramatic and snap photos of the beach shack with its vintage surf boards.
Explore the different skeletal structures of the unfinished resort including the villas, stairways, and empty pools.
Have a swim in the calm, crystal-clear waters.
Bring some lunch, snacks and water as facilities are limited on the island.

Koh Mak - Koh Kham White Sand Beach — *White sand beaches of Koh Kham*

Koh Mak - Koh Kham Volcanic Rocks — *Volcanic rocks on Koh Kham*

Koh Mak - Koh Kham Abandoned Luxury Resort — *Abandoned resort on Koh Kham*

Dinner at Koh Mak Seafood

After returning from Koh Kham and freshening up at your villa, make a beeline for Koh Mak Seafood, just a 10-minute scooter ride away. This is the most popular seafood restaurant on the island with live seafood tanks where you can see the catch of the day, underscoring their reputation for freshness. Set over the water near the Ao Nid Pier, the restaurant sits between mangroves and the harbor - giving it a rustic charm as the tide moves beneath the wooden deck.

The menu offers all the Thai classics in relation to seafood: steamed whole fish, fresh squid, prawns, oysters and a famous jungle curry. Kat ordered her favorite spicy seafood salad, while Cam sat back with a Singha beer and enjoyed some light bites of spring rolls. Come before sunset to secure a table by the water and watch the dusk colors light up the sky.

Koh Mak - Singha Beer — *Koh Mak Seafood*

Koh Mak - Spring Rolls — *Koh Mak Seafood*

Day 3: Muay Thai, Cafes & Blue Pearl Bar

Muay Thai at Elite Fight Club

Unlike the busy Muay Thai gyms in Phuket and Koh Samui, the sleepy little gym at Elite Fight Club in Koh Mak allows you to take group or private classes without the crowds. We arrived at 10:00 AM for our private session and pretty much had the entire place to ourselves, which was awesome! Our trainer guided us through a series of different drills including technique tips, boxing and kicking combinations, and some intense stretching exercises. Cam, for one, thought his leg was going to snap at one point, but after the stretching our bodies felt amazing.

We left absolutely drenched in sweat, yet bursting with energy to take on the rest of the day. We can’t recommend Elite Fight Club enough, especially if you’ve never taken a Muay Thai class before. Their trainers are friendly and super passionate about their sport, making it ideal for both serious trainers and beginners (like us).

Koh Mak - Muay Thai Session at Elite — *Elite Fight Club, Koh Mak*

Koh Mak - Muay Thai Class — *Elite Fight Club, Koh Mak*

Koh Mak - Muay Thai Lesson — *Elite Fight Club, Koh Mak*

Cake & Thai Milk Tea at a Roadside Cafe

One of the reasons we chose to take a Muay Thai class was due to the amount of cake and Thai milk tea we were consuming in Koh Mak. These charming, family-run roadside cafes are dotted all across the island - so you’ll have no problem finding them. They sell homemade cakes, banana bread, Thai milk tea and coffee, the perfect spots to pull over and take a break in the shade while listening to the gentle sounds of the island. It’s one of Koh Mak’s simplest pleasures.

Koh Mak - Cake & Tea — *Banana cake and Thai tea*

Explore the Coconut Groves

The first thing you notice when you arrive at Koh Mak is the clusters of coconut trees that are spread out across the island. They cover most of the interior and spill out all the way to the sea. Riding scooters through these groves is an activity in itself. Just head down random dirt tracks and see where the road leads, you’ll no doubt get lost in the coconut and rubber plantations that make up Koh Mak’s agricultural heart.

Koh Mak - Coconut Groves — Coconut tree groves, Koh Mak

Koh Mak - Palm Trees — *Coconut tree groves, Koh Mak*

Blue Pearl Bar: Relax, Swim & Drink

In the afternoon, make your way to Koh Mak Cococape Resort where Blue Pearl Bar awaits at the end of a long wooden wharf. Order a cold beer or fresh coconut, and relax with spectacular views of the ocean and surrounding islets. It’s the type of place where a quick stop can easily turn into a few hours. You can even swim and snorkel directly from the pier, if you’re wanting spend the whole afternoon here.

Koh Mak - Blue Pearl Bar — *Blue Pearl Bar*

Koh Mak - Blue Pearl Bar Pier — *Swimming spots at Blue Pearl Bar*

Koh Mak - Signs — *Views at Blue Pearl Bar*

Best Time to Visit Koh Mak

The best time to visit Koh Mak is from November to April, in Thailand’s dry season when the skies are clear, sea is calm, and temperatures and humidity levels are lower. We visited in February and couldn't fault the weather at all - it was literally perfect, apart from a few hazy/cloudy hours around sunset one evening.

From May to October, in Thailand’s rainy season, the Koh Chang Islands receive significantly more rainfall than other islands such as Phuket and Koh Samui. Short but heavy downpours, and rough seas, can complicate travel plans and many resorts close their doors during this period. However, if you want to risk the rain for lower prices, the months of May or October might be worth giving a shot.

Tips for Visiting Koh Mak

Bring Cash (Crucial): There’s only one ATM on the island and it can be unreliable. We’ve been to Thailand many times when our card gets swallowed in the machine never to be seen again. Bring enough cash for your food and activities, and some extra just in case. Little Moon Villa did accept card payment when we stayed, so many of our meals were just added to our bill.
Protect your Skin from Sandflies: The beaches of Koh Mak are all beautiful in their own unique way but just remember sandflies can be prevalent, especially on the more remote beaches like Turtle Beach. Be sure to pack some coconut oil so your legs don’t get bitten too much!
Download Offline Maps: Phone coverage can be hit or miss on Koh Mak, especially if you’re not using 4G/5G data from providers like AIS. Downloading offline maps solves this problem. Don’t get too worried if you get lost, you’re never too far from home in Koh Mak.

Final Thoughts on Koh Mak

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay on Koh Mak and can’t sing its praises enough. For such a small island, we were blown away by its character: from abandoned resorts, to quirky roadside cafes, to quality Muay Thai gyms, it literally has it all! Koh Mak offers just enough amenities to make it feel alive, while still retaining its peaceful atmosphere.

If we had to choose between Koh Mak and Koh Kood, we would go with the latter just because we’ve made so many special memories there over the years. But that doesn’t take anything away from Koh Mak. On the contrary, you should aim to combine both islands into one trip. You’ll slow down in Koh Kood and then completely come to a stop (in the best way possible) in Koh Mak. Feel free to read our Koh Kood travel guide to learn more about this tropical paradise.

Koh Mak - No Plastic Straws Sign — *Sign at Blue Pearl Bar*

Koh Mak - Little Moon Villa Flowers — *Flowers at Little Moon Villa*

Koh Mak - Koh Kham Palm Tree Beaches — *Koh Kham*

How to Spend 3 Days in Koh Mak (Slow-Travel Itinerary)