Koh Chang vs Koh Kood vs Koh Mak?

Koh Chang, Koh Kood, and Koh Mak are three popular islands on the eastern Gulf of Thailand. They are great beach getaways from nearby major cities like Bangkok and Pattaya. They also offer more laid-back experience than the busier islands in South Thailand.

In this article, I will compare the group of three islands, Koh Chang, Koh Mak, and Koh Kood. I will outline the differences and similarities of these islands based on their locations, accommodations, beaches, shopping, nightlife, food, and attractions.

I’ve spent a lot of time traveling across Thailand and experiencing all these islands firsthand. I hope to give you useful information to help you decide which island to visit and stay on.

Which island is better, Koh Chang, Koh Kood, or Koh Mak?

I really enjoyed staying on all of these islands. Koh Chang is the biggest and most developed island with lots of tourist amenities and lively atmosphere, Koh Kood and Koh have a more laid-back and local vibe.

Koh Mak is the smallest, so it is easy to get around even on foot. Koh Kood is larger and more spread out, so getting around requires a rental scooter or a private driver.

Koh Chang is the most popular of the three islands because it is closer to the mainland and easier access than other islands. Additionally, the island has a large selection of tourist amenities, activities, and attractions, which attracts travelers of all budgets and preferences.

Generally speaking, if you are first-timers to Thailand, Koh Chang is the best choice, especially if you want lots of activities, vibrant nightlife, amenities and convenience.

If you (either families with kids, couples, or solo travelers) want serene natural beauty, tranquil beaches, and a slower pace of life, Koh Mak and Koh Kood is the place to go.

Between Koh Mak and Koh Kood, I recommend Koh Kood if you want a wide range of activities including both jungle and beach activities. I recommend Koh Mak if you just want to chill on the beach as Koh Mak has flatter terrain and its attractions are all about the beaches.

Many people visit both three islands at the one visit because they are located very close to each other. It is only a 1 hour boat ride from Koh Chang to Koh Mak, 1.5 hours from Koh Chang to Koh Kood, and 30 minutes from Koh Mak to Koh Kood. Direct boats run regularly between islands in high season.

If your time is allowed, it is best to stay on each island for a few nights to explore everything the region has to offer. In my last visit, I stayed in Koh Chang 3 nights, Koh Kood 2 nights, and Koh Kood 3 nights. I was able to explore most things. Many people I meet have similar itineraries.

My recommended places to stay in Koh Mak:

Mid-range: Koh Mak Resort
Mid-range: Seavana Koh Mak Beach Resort
Budget: Sabai Beach Resort

My top pick hotels in Koh Chang:

My recommended places to stay in Koh Kood:

Location & How to Get There

These three islands are located on the eastern Gulf of Thailand, off mainland Trat. They are located 6–8 hours from Bangkok.

Ko Chang Koh Mak and Ko Kood location on map

Koh Chang is located closer to the mainland. Koh Mak is located 20km south of Koh Chang. Koh Kood is located 15km south of Koh Mak and 30km south of Koh Chang.

From mainland Trat, you can take boats from Aow Thammachat Pier to Koh Chang (around 30 minutes), from Laem Ngop Pier to Koh Mak (50 minutes), and from Laem Sok Pier to Koh Kood ( 60 minutes).

To reach these islands from Bangkok, you need to travel to the pier on mainland Trat first. You can take an airplane to Trat Airport, or a bus to Trat Bus Station. After that, you’ll need to use further transport (local taxi, shared songthaew) to get to the appropriate pier.

In the high season, there are frequent direct boats between these islands. In the low season, traveling between islands may require returning to the mainland and heading to another designated pier to reach the next island.

Size & Landscape

Koh Chang is the biggest island, and Koh Mak is the smallest island. Koh Chang is 30 km long and 18 km wide. Koh Mak is around 10km long and 5km wide. Koh Kood is 22 km long and 9 km wide.

Koh Chang is the most mountainous island. Koh Mak is the flattest island. Koh Kood also has mountainous terrain but not as steep as Koh Chang.

Koh Chang and Koh Kood have some interesting jungle activities. In Koh Chang, there are many hiking trails, which are great for enthusiastic hikers. Both islands have some nice viewpoints, waterfalls to explore due to its mountainous interior.

Koh Mak is all about the beaches, so if you just want to relax on the beach, and don’t mind having other extra activities, this island is a great choice.

All three islands have beautiful beaches. In Koh Kood and Koh Chang, most popular beaches are set on the west coast, while beaches on Koh Mak are scattered around the island.

Beaches

Both Koh Chang, Koh Mak, and Koh Kood have quiet and uncrowded beaches unlike the busy beaches in the south like Phuket or Krabi. The beaches on Koh Chang have the most lively atmosphere with fireshow and dinner on the beach in the evening, but it is still quieter than beaches in southern Thailand.

The common things to do on the beaches on these three islands are swimming, sunbathing, chilling, kayaking, paddle padding, and watching the magnificent sunset.

Koh Chang has a variety of beaches with different atmospheres. The island is home to both party and quiet beaches. Most popular beaches on Koh Chang are White Sand Beach, Kai Bae Beach, Lonely Beach, and Klong Prao Beach.

Koh Mak has two main beaches: Ao Soun Yai Beach and Ao Kao Beach. There are a range of smaller and more secluded beaches and coves scattered around the island.

Koh Kood has two main beach areas including Klong Chao Beach and Bang Bao Beach. Other more remote beaches are the Klong Hin, Klong Jark, Ao Phrao, and Ao Taphao Beach.

In my opinion, Koh Kood has the best beaches due to their fine white sand quality and breathtaking sunset at every beach on the west coast.

Accommodations

Both three islands Koh Chang, Koh Kood, and Koh Mak have a wide range of accommodations for all budgets and preferences.

As a more developed and tourist oriented island, Koh Chang has more budget backpacker hostel options. Koh Kood and Koh Mak’s accommodation are often in the mid-range and luxury category.

Whether you choose to stay, make sure to book your accommodation well in advance. Like many other places in Thailand, accommodation is often in high demand in the peak season from November to May.

If you book at the last minute, you will not be able to find anything good, or you will have to pay a ridiculously high price for accommodation. Trust me, I’ve been in that kind of spontaneous situation many times while traveling in Thailand, and it was not pleasant.

See more:

Shopping

Koh Chang has a better shopping scene than Koh Kood and Koh Mak. You can find a good range of shops and popular supermarkets like Big C and 7-Eleven in popular beach towns such as White Sand Beach, or Kai Bae Beach on Koh Chang.

You can easily find typical Thai souvenir items, like handcrafts, sunglasses, hats, and swimwear at independent shops on the main road of Koh Chang. Places like White Sand Beach Night Market and Bang Bao Fisherman’s Village are also popular shopping destinations on Koh Chang.

Koh Mak and Koh Kood have limited shops and convenient stores. There are no Big C and 7-Eleven on these islands. You can shop for snacks and essentially groceries at local stores. There are just a few tourist shops on Koh Mak Walking Street and around Klong Chao in Koh Kood.

Nightlife

Koh Chang has livelier nightlife than Koh Kood and Koh Mak. So, Koh Chang is the best choice if you’re looking for a vibrant atmosphere and a good range of bars.

In popular beach towns of Koh Chang such as White Sand Beach, Kai Bae, Chai Chet, and Lonely Beach, you can find a good range of bars on the main towns and along the beachfront.

On White Sand Beach, there is dinner on the beach from sunset. Many bars organise fire shows to entertain its guests. These places have tables, chairs, and bean bags on the sand, creating a romantic and lively atmosphere.

Koh Kood and Koh Mak are all about natural beauty and relaxation. There are just a few beach bars on the beachfront area where you can enjoy a chill drink, watch the sun go down at sunset.

Food

Koh Chang has a wider range of food, including restaurants serving both Thai and international dishes. Koh Kood and Koh Mak have limited food options, mainly about Thai food, which is good to experience the more authentic side of Thailand.

In Koh Chang, there are a range of restaurants and street food stalls on the main towns like White Sand Beach, Kai Bae, Lonely Beach, and Klong Prao Beach.

In Koh Mak, you can find a cluster of local restaurants on the Walking street near Ao Kao Beach. On Koh Kood, there are more restaurants around the Klong Chao Beach area. Koh Kood is very spread out, and it is hard to find a good place to eat if you don’t plan a scooter or stay in the central area.

Waterfall, Viewpoints, Hiking

Koh Kood and Koh Chang have more mountainous landscapes, so these islands offer more jungle attractions and activities. Koh Mak is flatter, and is packed with coconut fields and rubber plantations.

In Koh Kood, you can visit waterfalls such as Klong Chao Waterfalls, Huang Nam Khiao Waterfall, and Khlong Yai Kee Waterfall. These places are great spots for swimming in a jungle setting. They are all free to visit, which is a bonus when visiting Koh Kood.

Koh Chang is also home to some nice waterfalls like Khlong Phlu Waterfall, Than Mayom Waterfall, and Khlong Nonsi Waterfall. Unlike Koh Kood, most waterfalls in Koh Chang have an entrance fee around 200 baht if you’re a foreigner.

Koh Chang has more steep terrain, which is a great place to hike and check out some viewpoints. You can hike to the peak of Salak Phet Mountain at the southern end of the island, or visit some nice viewpoints like Kai Bae Viewpoints and White Sand Beach Viewpoints.

Cultural Attractions

These three islands do not have significant cultural attractions like other parts of Thailand, but they have several interesting places to visit like temples, love gardens, and ancient trees.

Koh Chang is home to a colorful Chinese Temple near White Sand Beach and the island’s main pier. There is also a local temple called Salak Phet near Salak Phet fishing village and Salak Phet Mangrove forest.

Koh Mak has a small temple near Ao Nid Pier and an interesting sculpture love garden called SomChai’s Love Garden near Koh Mak resort. Nestled in a bamboo jungle, it’s fascinating to make your way to this hidden gem.

Koh Kood is home to the Big Buddha near Ao Salad Pier. Additionally, you can explore the ancient trees that are around 500 years old like the Giant Maca Tree, and Sai Yai – Big Chai Tree.

Traditional Fishing Village

These islands, particularly Koh Kood and Koh Chang, have nice fishing villages where you can see locals making the net, explore their floating houses, and try delicious seafood with the views of the seas and the mangrove forests.

In Koh Kood, I like to visit Ao Yai fishing village, Ao Salad Fishing Village, and Klong Mad fisherman village. I enjoyed eating fresh seafood fried rice at the Noochy Seafood in Ao Yai.

In Koh Chang, Bang Bao fishing village is a popular place to visit for tourists. This area is around a 1km area that leads to the pier. It is home to wooden floating houses, lots of shops selling souvenirs, and seafood restaurants.

Getting Around

Getting around Koh Mak is easiest because it is a tiny island. You can walk between beaches, or rent a scooter, bicycle, or electric golf cart to explore the island. It has flat terrain with small gentle hills, so cycling and walking are not challenging in Koh Mak.

Getting around Koh Chang is also easily done with local songthaews, taxi, and motorbike rentals. You can easily find a drive in most popular beach towns. The island has many steep roads, so make sure to be careful when self driving.

Koh Kood is a large and less developed island. There weren’t any local taxis and songthaews around popular areas like in Koh Chang. You need to book a local taxi through your hotel. Driving a scooter here is the best way to explore the island.

So you have it, my comparison of three popular islands on the eastern Gulf of Thailand. Overall, Koh Chang is the most popular island and is ideal for those who want lively nightlife and a variety of tourist attractions, amenities, and activities.

Koh Kood and Koh Mak are less developed and are ideal for those seeking a tranquil beach holiday away from the crowds. If you want a small island vibe and easy getting around on foot and bicycle, Koh Mak is the best choice. If you like bigger islands with more activities and plan to rent a scooter to explore, Koh Kood offers a better experience.