Looking for the best Koh Mak hotels? The choice is small on this little island in eastern Thailand: there are no big hotel chains, just small resorts and bungalows along the beaches. That is exactly why the area matters: the beaches differ a lot in infrastructure, water conditions and peace and quiet, and some resorts are so remote that you can hardly get around without a scooter.
In this guide we show you the best areas to stay on Koh Mak, explain how they differ, and introduce the hotels we would look at for families, couples and small budgets. If you are planning to visit the neighboring island as well, take a look at our guide on where to stay in Koh Chang.
Last updated: October 2026
In a Rush? Our Favorite Hotels on Koh Mak
Budget stay: BaanYai Beach Resort in the south of the island – Click here for rates & availability*
Mid-range resort for families: Koh Mak Resort on Ao Suan Yai – Click here for rates & availability*
Beach resort with a pool: Seavana Koh Mak Beach Resort on Ao Suan Yai – Click here for rates & availability*
Where to Stay on Koh Mak? How to Plan Your Base
Koh Mak is small and belongs to the Trat archipelago. Boats from the mainland dock at different piers depending on the operator: at Ao Nid Pier in the east, at Makathanee Resort pier on Ao Kao or at the Koh Mak Resort pier on Ao Suan Yai. Check which pier your boat uses before you choose your hotel. The most popular beaches are in the south and northwest: Ao Kao in the south has the best infrastructure, Ao Kratueng right next to it is wider and quieter, and Ao Suan Yai in the northwest is a long beach with only a few resorts. Ao Pra lies on the west coast. Even farther off the beaten path you will find a few resorts on the east coast, in the north and at the very southern tip.
The tides matter here. On some beaches, especially on the east coast and in the north, the sand almost disappears at high tide, or swimming is difficult depending on the water level. If you want to swim in the sea every day, it is better to choose one of the main beaches in the south or northwest.
Where to Stay on Koh Mak: The Best Areas Compared
| Area | Best for | Vibe & evenings | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ao Kao & Ao Kratueng | Short distances, small budgets, restaurants | Busiest area on the island, restaurants and shops within walking distance | € to €€ |
| Ao Suan Yai | Families, couples, beach days | Long, quiet beach, relaxed evenings | €€ to €€€ |
| Ao Pra (west coast) | Couples, families with higher standards, luxury | Quiet and remote, meals mostly at the resort | €€€€ |
| East coast, north & southern tip | Peace seekers with a scooter | Very quiet, sometimes lonely, swimming depends on the tides | € to €€€€ |
The price levels are rough guides (€ = budget, €€ = mid-range, €€€ = upscale, €€€€ = luxury). Hotel prices on Koh Mak vary a lot with the season and are highest from December to February, so always compare current rates before you book.
Where to Stay on Ao Kao and Ao Kratueng: Best for Short Distances and Small Budgets
Ao Kao in the south is the most popular beach on Koh Mak and has the best infrastructure on the island. The beach is narrow, palms and trees reach down to the water at high tide, and the sunsets are beautiful. Right next to it lies Ao Kratueng, a wide beach that stays visible even at high tide and has calm, shallow water. Between Makathanee Resort and the beach section called Monkey Island you will find shops and restaurants. This is where you are most likely to get around without a scooter, but evenings are a bit livelier than on Ao Suan Yai.
Miss You Beach Resort (Best Simple Bungalows on Ao Kao)
Price level: €
Miss You Beach Resort sits right on Ao Kao and offers simple, friendly bungalows. It is an easy choice if you want to stay in the busiest area of the island without spending much.
The bungalows are painted blue, some have sea views, and there are bungalows for four people for families. The transfer from the port is free, there is a water dispenser and an honesty bar, and you can use the kayaks for free.
Expect a basic standard rather than resort comfort. If you prefer it quieter, look at the hotels in the northwest first.
Miss You Beach Resort | Check Prices*
BaanYai Beach Resort (Best Budget Stay on Koh Mak)
Price level: €
BaanYai Beach Resort is a small, family-run resort in the south of the island with a few bungalows close to the beach. It is the cheapest recommendation in this guide and fits if you want to stay simply and centrally.
The bungalows sit in the garden and have garden views, there is sometimes live music in the evening, and the restaurant has a good reputation. The sunset is one of the reasons travelers like the location.
There are only a few bungalows, so book early, especially in high season. The facilities are basic and there is no pool.
BaanYai Beach Resort | Check Prices*
Where to Stay on Ao Suan Yai: Best for Families and Beach Days
Ao Suan Yai in the northwest is a beach about two kilometers long with fine sand and plenty of palms. From here you look out to the island of Koh Kham, which you can reach by boat in a few minutes. The eastern part of the beach is hardly developed and has only two small resorts, while the western end is rockier. Several of the best family resorts on the island are here, and evenings are much quieter than on Ao Kao.
Koh Mak Resort (Best Mid-Range Resort for Families)
Price level: €€
Koh Mak Resort sits right on the beach at Ao Suan Yai and offers bungalows in different sizes. It is a solid choice for families who want to stay mid-range and still live right on the water.
Choose from Comfort Bungalows right on the beach for two people, Family Bungalows for four, and Deluxe Family Bungalows on the beach for up to five people. The bungalows have air conditioning, a private bathroom and a balcony or terrace, there is a restaurant, and you can snorkel straight from the beach without needing a boat.
The standard is that of a simple three-star resort, so do not expect a big resort program. Check-in hours are limited (2 to 5:30 p.m.), so plan your ferry to arrive in time and let the hotel know in advance if you arrive later.
Koh Mak Resort | Check Prices*
Koh Mak Cococape Resort (Best Resort with a Pool and Many Bungalow Types)
Price level: €€
Koh Mak Cococape Resort sits right on the beach at the western end of Ao Suan Yai and has its own beach area and two pools. It is a good choice if you want to pick from many room types and use a pool right by the sea.
The choice ranges from cottages and studios to villas with two bedrooms and sea-view suites for four people, with around 15 room types in total. There is also a restaurant and a jetty with a bar over the water.
The western end of Ao Suan Yai is rockier than the rest of the beach, so check carefully how you get into the water. The restaurant is small and the facilities match a simple three-star standard.
Koh Mak Cococape Resort | Check Prices*
Seavana Koh Mak Beach Resort (Best Upscale Beach Resort)
Price level: €€€
Seavana Koh Mak Beach Resort sits right on the beach at Ao Suan Yai and has a pool. It is one of the upscale resorts on the island and suits couples in particular who want more comfort without leaving Koh Mak.
Choose from Superior rooms with sea views or a spa bath, as well as Deluxe rooms and suites right on the beach. The restaurant serves continental, Asian, vegetarian and vegan dishes, and there are yoga, massages and kayaks.
All room categories are designed for two people, so if you travel with children, ask about the options before booking. There are only a few restaurants around the resort and no nightlife, and check-in is only possible from 2 to 6 p.m., so plan your ferry accordingly.
Seavana Koh Mak Beach Resort | Check Prices*
Where to Stay on Ao Pra: Best for Luxury and Quiet on the West Coast
Ao Pra on the west coast is quiet and remote. There is hardly any infrastructure within walking distance, so most guests eat at the resort or ride a scooter to the restaurants on the main beaches.
Mira Montra Resort (Best Luxury Resort on Koh Mak)
Price level: €€€€
Mira Montra Resort is a beach resort with around 40 rooms and villas on Ao Pra. It is the first choice if you are looking for luxury, privacy and a quiet beach on Koh Mak.
Choose from hillside rooms with sea views, Deluxe villas on the beach and family villas of around 140 square meters for up to six people. The resort has a pool with sea views and a separate children’s pool, a private beach area for snorkeling, kayaks and paddleboards, plus a Thai restaurant and a café.
The hillside rooms sit above the beach, so you have to walk a bit downhill to the sand. Hardly anything is within walking distance from here, so a scooter is worth it, and the shuttle from the ferry may cost extra.
Mira Montra Resort | Check Prices*
Where to Stay on the East Coast, in the North and in the South: For Total Peace and Quiet
Away from the main beaches there are a few resorts that are very quiet and sometimes almost isolated. On the east coast, for example, you will find the Plub Pla Koh Mak Retreat with an infinity pool and beach villas, but the beach there is often gone at high tide.
In the north you will find the Little Moon Villa and The Mak Trat right on the beach, where swimming depends on the tides. At the southernmost tip of the island, guests stay very quietly with sea views at the Pano Resort or Ta-Lay Time. All of these corners require a scooter or a transfer, and the sandy beach is sometimes far away.
Koh Mak Hotels with a Pool: Where You Can Swim Even at Low Tide
On some beaches swimming depends on the tides, and a hotel pool is then a real advantage. These resorts from this guide have a pool:
- Seavana Koh Mak Beach Resort: outdoor pool right on the beach at Ao Suan Yai.
- Koh Mak Resort: pool at the resort on Ao Suan Yai.
- Koh Mak Cococape Resort: two pools at the western end of Ao Suan Yai.
- Mira Montra Resort: pool with sea views and a separate children’s pool on Ao Pra.
- Plub Pla Koh Mak Retreat: infinity pool with a children’s area on the east coast.
- The Mak Trat: infinity pool on the north coast.
Which Area Is Right for You?
- You are traveling with children: Ao Suan Yai, where there are family bungalows right on the beach, or Ao Kratueng with calm, shallow water.
- You want short distances to restaurants and shops: Ao Kao and Ao Kratueng.
- You are on a small budget: the south of the island, for example BaanYai Beach Resort.
- You want comfort, a pool and quiet on the beach: Ao Suan Yai, for example Seavana.
- You want luxury and privacy: Ao Pra with Mira Montra Resort.
- You want total peace and quiet and have a scooter: east coast, north or southern tip.
Getting Around Koh Mak from Your Hotel
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Koh Mak lies about 40 kilometers from the mainland and has no airport. Most travelers go via Trat and take a boat from there. Boats from the mainland use Ao Nid Pier, Makathanee Resort pier on Ao Kao or the Koh Mak Resort pier on Ao Suan Yai, depending on the operator. Boats to Koh Chang and Koh Kood (Koh Kood in high season only) dock at Ao Suan Yai or Ao Kao, depending on the wind. Departure times change, so check them shortly before your trip. Many hotels pick guests up from the port, and Miss You Beach Resort, for example, offers a free port transfer, while others charge for it.
On the island, most accommodations rent out scooters or bicycles. A scooter gives you the most freedom, especially if you stay on the west coast, in the north or in the south. The roads are not good everywhere, and you should always wear a helmet. On Ao Kao and Ao Kratueng you can also reach restaurants and shops on foot.
Is It Safe to Stay on Koh Mak?
Yes, Koh Mak is generally a quiet and relaxed island with little traffic. The biggest risk is scooter accidents: only rent a scooter if you have experience, do not ride in the dark and wear a helmet. When swimming, watch out for currents and the water level, and mosquito repellent is worth it in the evening. Do not leave valuables out in the open on the beach.
Booking Tips
-
- Mind the season: November to April is the best time to visit, and prices are highest from December to February. In the low season from May to October, many smaller resorts close temporarily, and boats run less often.
- Book early: In high season the small resorts book out quickly, especially around Christmas and New Year.
- Plan your arrival: Many hotels have fixed check-in times, which have to fit the ferries. Tell the hotel in advance if you arrive late.
- Sort out the transfer: Ask before booking whether the hotel offers a port transfer and what it costs.
- Check the distance to the beach: Not every accommodation is right on the sand, and on some beaches swimming depends on the tides.
FAQ: Where to Stay on Koh Mak
What Is the Best Area to Stay on Koh Mak?
It depends on your trip. Ao Suan Yai is the best choice for families and beach days, Ao Kao and Ao Kratueng for short distances to restaurants, and Ao Pra for luxury and quiet.
Where Is the Best Place to Stay on Koh Mak with Kids?
We would choose Ao Suan Yai. Koh Mak Resort has Family Bungalows for four and Deluxe Family Bungalows for up to five people right on the beach, and Mira Montra has family villas and a children’s pool. Ao Kratueng has calm, shallow water.
Where Is the Most Going On on Koh Mak?
Most is going on at Ao Kao in the south, the most popular beach with the best infrastructure. Ao Suan Yai in the northwest and the west coast are much quieter.
Do You Need a Scooter on Koh Mak?
It depends on the hotel. On Ao Kao and Ao Kratueng you can reach restaurants and shops on foot. If you stay on the west coast, in the north or in the south, a scooter or transfer is very handy, and most accommodations rent out scooters or bicycles.
Is Koh Mak Cheap?
It depends on the accommodation. According to Google Hotels, simple bungalows cost around 30 euros per night in October, mid-range resorts like Koh Mak Resort are around 57 euros, and upscale resorts like Seavana cost around 100 euros. Prices rise in high season from December to February.
When Is the Best Time to Book a Stay on Koh Mak?
The best time to visit Koh Mak is from November to April. Prices are highest from December to February. In the low season from May to October, many smaller resorts close temporarily, and boats run less often.
How Many Nights Should You Stay on Koh Mak?
We recommend three to five nights. That is enough for beach days, snorkeling and a boat trip to the small neighboring islands without getting bored on the quiet island.
Final Thoughts on Where to Stay on Koh Mak
Koh Mak is quieter and more manageable than many other islands in Thailand, and the area you choose shapes your trip more than the individual hotel. If you remember just one thing from this guide: decide first whether you want short distances to restaurants or peace and quiet on the beach, and then pick the right Koh Mak hotels for that area. For families we would choose Ao Suan Yai, for a small budget the south, and for luxury Ao Pra. And if you have stayed on Koh Mak yourself, tell us in the comments where you stayed and what we missed.
Planning more of Thailand? Check out our tips on where to stay in Koh Chang and where to stay in Koh Phangan, and tell us in the comments what you would like to read next.