Eastern Thailand · Island destination
Koh Mak
Koh Mak is a small, car-free island off Trat province, reached by speedboat from one of two different mainland piers depending on which ferry operator is booked: Laem Ngop or Laem Sok.
Overview
Overview
Koh Mak is a small, car-free island off Trat province, reached by speedboat from one of two different mainland piers depending on which ferry operator is booked: Laem Ngop or Laem Sok.
The island is car-free — a scooter handles everything, including unpaved beach tracks, while an electric golf cart only works reliably on paved roads.
Stay
Where to stay
See how the two main beaches on Koh Mak differ in atmosphere and arrival pier.
Ao Kao
A long, laid-back beach with soft sand and swim-friendly waters.
Ao Suan Yai
The island's postcard beach -- palms, soft sand, and views toward Koh Kham -- with a mellow sunset scene and a common arrival point.
Plan your visit
Plan your visit
When to go
November–April is the main travel season, with December–March typically offering the calmest water, clearest skies, and most reliable boat connections. May–October is the rainy season, when some resorts and restaurants close and boat schedules reduce.
Getting there & around
Getting there
Getting to the island starts with choosing a mainland pier: Koh Mak–dedicated operators (Leelawadee, Panan, Koh Mak Ferry) typically depart from Laem Ngop Pier, while operators that also serve the Koh Kood route (Boonsiri, Koh Kut Express, Chonratee) depart from Laem Sok Pier instead — a different pier in a different direction from Trat. Which island-side pier a traveler arrives at then depends on the operator: Panan speedboats dock at Ao Suan Yai Pier, while Leelawadee speedboats dock at Ao Kao. This operator-to-pier pairing pattern can change over time — confirm the booked operator's current departure and arrival piers before travel.
Getting around
The island is car-free — a scooter handles everything, including unpaved beach tracks, while an electric golf cart only works reliably on paved roads.
Your trip
How Koh Mak fits your trip
May suit travelers who want a quiet, car-free island base, with a choice between a long, laid-back beach and a postcard sunset beach that is a common arrival point for some operators.
Dates, other stops, and what matters on this trip can make this fit clearer.
Add dates and other stopsInformation used
Information used
Wherely research — This page covers Ao Kao versus Ao Suan Yai, which mainland pier and operator to use, the island's car-free internal mobility, and seasonal timing. Exact ferry fares and crossing times aren't included because they change too often to publish as fact.
Photo credit
Hero photograph: Sunset on the beach of tropical island. Koh Mak, Thailand. by Vyacheslav Argenberg, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What to do next
What to do next
Return to Eastern Thailand when you want the wider geography, or save this Place when it still fits.