Koh Mak is a small island located in the Gulf of Thailand, between Koh Chang and Koh Kood. It is known for its beautiful beaches and laid-back atmosphere. If you’re looking for a quiet holiday away from tourist crowds, Koh Mak is a great place to visit.
To get to Koh Mak from mainland Thailand, you need to get to The Pier in Trat Province first, then take the ferry to get to Koh Mak. There are two piers: Krom Luang pier and Laem Sok pier. Krom Luang pier is closer to Bangkok.
If you are already in popular Koh Chang and Ko Kood, you can easily take a direct ferry from these islands to Koh Mak, especially in the high season.
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How to get to Koh Mak from Koh Chang
There are direct ferries and speed boats between Koh Chang and Koh Mak in the high season (November to April); The direct boats between Koh Chang, Koh Mak, and Koh Kood are not available in the low season. The journey ranges from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
If you can’t book a direct boat in the low season, you’ll need to travel the mainland Trat first (Krom Luang pier or Laem Sok pier), and use another boat to get to Koh Mak.
There are several boat companies running boats between Koh Chang and Koh Mak, including Boonsiri, Koh Kood Express, and Kai Bae Hut Speedboat. You can easily book boat tickets at tour agencies, your hotel, or online in advance.
Boonsiri and Koh Kood Express depart at Bang Bang Pier on Koh Chang, Kai Bae Hut Speedboat depart at Kai Bae Pier. Boonsiri arrive at Ao Nid Pier on Koh Mak, Koh Kood Express arrive at Panan Speedboat Pier, and Kai Bae Hut arrive at Ao Kao Beach Pier.
All boat companies offer pick up from your hotel in Koh Chang to their pier. From the pier on Koh Mak, you can easily walk to your hotel or use songthaew for 50-100 baht.
My hostel in Klong Prao Beach helped me to book a ticket to get to Koh Mak. I took a wooden boat ride with Koh Kood Express. The driver picked me up at my hotel around 8am, dropped me off at Bang Bao Pier, then I walked to the Pier and got in the boat to Koh Mak.
The boat arrived at Panan Speedboat near Koh Mak Resort around 11 am. From the Pier, I used a shared songthaew taxi to get to my hotel in the town center. It was only 50 baht, shared with two other people. If you go alone, it will be 100 baht.
How to get to Koh Mak From Bangkok
Bangkok to Koh Mak by air
Koh Mak does not have an airport. The closest airport to Koh Mak is Trat Airport, located 20 km away from Laem Ngop Pier. You can book a flight from Bangkok to Trat Airport.
From Trat airport, you can use an airport minibus or private transfer to get to Laem Ngop Pier. Bangkok Airways has two flights everyday. The flight is around 1 hour.
Bangkok to Koh Mak by bus/minivan
In my opinion, booking a combo ticket that includes a bus ride and boat ride, is the best way to get from Bangkok to Koh Mak on a budget. The tour company will align bus time and boat time, so you don’t have to worry if you miss the last boat.
I recommend booking a combination ticket with Boonsiri Ferry, which includes a bus transfer from Bangkok to Trat Pier and a boat to Ao Nid pier.
You need to find the way to their office Khao San Road or Bangchak Rama 9 Gas Station to start the journey from Bangkok to Koh Mak. It is around 7 hours in total.
Another way is to do it by yourseld by taking the bus from Ekkamai Bus Station To Trat (5 hour bus ride). Ekkamai Bus Terminal is located in central Bangkok on Sukhumvit Road, within walking distance from Ekamai BTS Station.
Bus 999 take you to Laem Ngop Bus Station, from where you can take Songthaew to toKrom Luang pier to catch the speed boats to Koh Mak.
If bus 999 is full, you can take a Cherdchai Tour bus from Ekkamai Bus Station to Trat. Trat Bus Station is located 20 km away from Krom Luang pier, you’ll need to get a taxi to get to the pier.
Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok to Koh Mak
From Suvarnabhumi Airport, you can take bus number 999 at the Airport Transportation Terminal to Laem Ngop bus station. You can use the free shuttle bus on the Arrivals level to get to the stop of bus 999.
From the Laem Ngop bus station, you can take Songthaew to get to Krom Luang pier to take speedboats to Koh Mak. The pier is around 4 km away from the bus station.
You can also book a combination of bus transfer and boat ticket from Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok to Koh Mak, or Koh Kood Express or Seudamgo boat company, online here.
How to get to Koh Mak from Pattaya
There are several companies offering a transfer from Pattaya to Koh Mak, including Seudamgo Catamaran, Boonsiri Ferry, and 35 Group Pattaya. I personally used the transfer of 35 Group and Boonsiri Ferry, and I had a smooth experience with both of them.
You can book tickets at their office or travel agencies in Pattaya or book a ticket online. The journey is ranging from 5-7 hours, including a van transfer and a ferry ride.
How to get to Koh Mak From Koh Kood
The journey from Koh Kood to Ao Nid Pier in Koh Mak is around 30 minutes. There are several companies running these routes including Koh Kood Express, Koh Kood Chonratee, Boonsiri Ferries, and Seudamgo.
Most companies offer a pick up from your hotel in Koh Kood to Ao Salad Pier, to get the boat to Koh Mak. The ticket is easily booked in the high season, from your hotel or right at the pier. You can book online here.
Best ways to get around Koh Mak
Koh Mak is a relatively small island, around 9 km long and 6 km wide. You can easily explore on foot, by bicycle, motorbike, or golf cart. There are lots of shared songthaew on the island, but I only use it to travel between the pier and the hotel. The island is also quite flat, making it easy to get around.
Getting around Koh Mak on foot
A walk from one side of Koh Mak (Ao Kao Beach) to the other side of the island (Ao Suan Yai Beach) is only around 30 minutes. I explored all the town center with its walking street on foot. It is lined with several restaurants, tour agencies, massage shops, and local convenience stores.
I walked all the way from my hotel in Ao Kao Beach to Somchai’s Love Garden, as well as from Ao Kao Beach to Ao Nid Pier passing Koh Mak temple.
Explore Koh Mak on bicycle
If you can’t ride a scooter, riding a bicycle is an affordable option to explore the island. I rented a bicycle for a day. My bicycle was not at its best, and it was a windy day. I walked with it many times when I had to go up a small slope. Make sure you have a good one.
You can easily see all the beaches and attractions of Koh Mak within a day. I explored many places by bicycle including Ao Kao Beach, Cape Tukata, Ao Suan Yai Beach, Somchai’s Love Garden, Cinnamon Boardwalk, Ao Nid Pier, and Banana Sunset.
Explore Koh Mak on a motorbike
Riding a scooter is one of the best ways to explore Koh Mak, especially if you know how to drive it. It is more comfortable than riding a bicycle. You don’t have to put out lots of energy, partially on the windy day or go up a slope.
You can find several motorbike rentals around the island. The price is around 300 baht for a day. The shop will usually require a cash or passport as a deposit.
Getting around Koh Mak on a Golf Cart
If you are with a group of friends or family, you can consider renting a Golf Cart. The price is around 1000 baht for a day.
See more:
- Where to stay in Koh Mak
- How to Spend 2-3 Days In Koh Mak Itinerary
- 16 Wonderful Things to Do in Koh Mak
- Should You Stay Koh Mak or Koh Kood?
These are my quick review of how to get to Koh Mak from Bangkok, Pattaya, Koh Chang, and Koh Kut. I also share with you several ways to get around the island. I hope you have found helpful information from this article and have a great trip on Koh Mak!