Ko Mak
Welcome to Ko Mak
The insider's travel guide to Ko MakUnlike its two larger neighbours, Ko Chang and Ko Kut, Ko Mak consists mainly of rolling farmland rather than jungle-draped mountains.
It’s a fun place to rent a bicycle and take a leisurely spin, stopping to make friends in the cafes and to watch the pineapples, cashews and rubber trees grow.
Ko Mak’s relaxed vibe and close-knit community make it a favourite of long-stay travellers. Small resorts that are ideal for families and couples back the two longest beaches, Ao Kao and Ao Suan Yai, while backpackers often choose the cheap huts on Laem Tukkata Beach.
The Ko Mak atlas
1 picks Places & Experiences You Won't Find Elsewhere-
The Thai islands have some reputational baggage when it comes to the all-night party vibes, but there are plenty of islands that are perfectly suited for kids and family travellers. I'd put Ko Mak and Ko Kood firmly on the kid-friendly list. On star-shaped Ko Mak you can rent bicycles to explore the gently rolling terrain blanketed in pineapple and rubber farms, and Ko Rang, the prime snorkelling and diving destination in the archipelago, is easily reached. There are islets accessible by kayak or private boat tour, the largest of which is Ko Kradat, where herds of deer roam freely. The white sand of Ko Kham is also a hit near Ao Suan Yai, one of Ko Mak's two main beaches. Ko Kood is a larger island with more than a dozen beaches that are among the finest in Thailand. When not relaxing seaside you might kayak the mangrove-draped rivers, cool off at one of three waterfalls, and marvel at 500-year-old macca trees that tower amid the mountainous interior. Ko Mak is easy to get around, but some of Ko Kood's beaches are remote and traversing the island can be expensive and tricky with younger kids. Sand flies become a problem on both islands at times, especially on Ko Mak. In the dry season, you could first head to the larger island of Ko Chang and then catch up with island-hopping ferries that stop at Ko Mak and Ko Kood, as well as the smaller island of Ko Wai.
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Family-friendly island escape
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