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Vincent Vanderveken.com

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Koh Maak

Koh Maak

by Vincent April 22, 2020
by Vincent April 22, 2020 0 comment

Located between the bigger islands of Koh Chang and Koh Kood in the eastern Gulf of Thailand. Koh Maak is part of a little cluster of picturesque islands near the Cambodian border that I’ve been increasingly attracted to over the last few years for their quiet and undeveloped charms. Unlike many other islands of Thailand that have become overrun by tourists, Koh Mak has managed to keep a good balance between number of visitors, nature and infrastructure. Resorts are kept small, beaches are mostly empty and idyllic. No high rises, touts, jet skis or banana boats to be found here. Just an excellent place to escape and get away from it all.

Arriving in Koh Mak resort in the north of the island

Another thing I love about the island is it’s size, at just 15 square kilometers, Koh Maak is relatively small and very easy to explore since most of it’s beaches are limited to the western portion of the island. While you might encounter a few rolling hills when crossing from the north to south, the rest of the island is flat and fairly easy to navigate on foot.

View from Koh Mak Cococape Resort
Viewpoint from Koh Mak Cococape Resort of the Northern Coast of at the highest point of island


Suan Yai Bay and the Northern coast beaches

Ao Suan Yai is the main beach on the northern coast, home to only a handful of resorts it is praised for it’s quiet beachfront and kayaking opportunities to the stunning island of Koh Kham nearby.

Beachfront at Ao Soun Yai Beach
Beachfront along Koh Mak resort in the North is one of my favorite spots in the island
Beachfront at Happy Days Resort
Sun loungers along Ao Soun Yai Beach
Ao Soun Yai pier in Northern Koh Maak.
Near the Panan Pier on Ao Suan Yai beach
Happy Days Koh Maak
The laid-back Happy Days resort at the eastern end of Ao Suan Yai beach
Happy Days Resort bungalows
Rustic bungalows a few meters away from the beach at the Happy Days resort 


Koh Kham

Just one kilometer off the Nothern coast of Koh Maak lies the tiny paradisiac island of Koh Kham. While privately owned, tourists can visit it independently by either renting a kayak off Ao Suan Yai Beach and paddle their way in 20 some minutes or hire a Long-tail boat that will gladly bring you there for around 300 baht/person. There is a 200 baht entry fee (Included if you take the long tail-boat) which gets you a voucher for a drink from the bar.

The island initially was initially purchased with the intention of becoming a high end resort, The Ananya Hideaway and designed by one of Thailand’s leading architects, Duangrit Bunnag. Things eventually didn’t go as planned and the construction was abruptly stopped before completion and had to be permanently abandoned after the police raided the island due to the fact the developer was building without the proper permits and encroaching on the forest. For those interested in purchasing the private island, the owner unable to complete his project is selling the island. The asking price is 1.5 Billion Baht.

Koh Kham island at a distance
Khoh Kham and it’s sandbar seem from a high vantage point on Koh Mak hills
View from the pier of beautiful Koh Kham island
Landing on the pier I was instantly charmed by it’s crystal clear water and pearl white sand at a distance
Reading a book on Koh Kham
Soft powdery white sand, few wooden chairs shaded by coconut trees and a small hut that serve drinks are the amenities available
Sand bar in Koh Kham
Koh Kham offers a stunning palate of colors, mixing dark volcanic rock with pearly white sands and turquoise water
High end accomodations being built on Koh Kham island
Some of the near finished high-end bungalows can be seen abandoned and slowly being taken back by nature
Beautiful sandbar in Koh Kham
Koh Kham has a lovely snake-shaped sandbar going out to the sea
Going for a dip at Koh Kham island
The shallow and clear water makes for some good snorkeling opportunities so bring your gear if you want to explore sea life
Koh Kham beach
Walking around the small island
Beach at Koh Kham
The beautiful and near empty main empty beach of Koh Kham
Woman walking along the sandbar in Koh Kham
At the tip of the island there is a sand bar lapped by gentle turquoise waves.
Sandbar in Koh Kham
Walking out into the sea on the Koh Kham sand bar
Arriving in Ko Kham in a kayak
Taking a last of Koh Kham before heading back for the 20 minutes kayak ride to Koh Mak


Ao Khao and the Southern coast beaches

Ao Kao on the south-west coast is, at 2.7 km the longest and busiest beach on Koh Mak. Most of it’s dozen or so bungalow style resorts located about 500 meters east and west of it’s Pier. A little narrow roadside strip lies behind the beach with a selection of laid back cafes and restaurants, dive shops and tour agencies.

 Ao Kao Beachfront
Beachfront along Ao Khao is pleasant and seems to stretch on forever, although those expecting a pure pearly white sand color as described by it’s Thai name “Ao Khao” meaning “White beach” might be a bit disappointed by it’s more golden taint.
Inside my beachfront bugalow at Sky Beach Resort Koh Mak
View from inside my beachfront Bungalow at Sky Beach Resort Koh Mak just a few steps from the sea
Beachfront bungalows at Sky Beach Resort Koh Mak
My Bungalow on the left, seen from the beach
Restaurant in Sky Beach Resort Koh Mak

The panoramic view of the beachfront from the restaurant in Sky Beach Resort Koh Mak (click to get a better view )

Arriving by boat in Koh Maak

Tourists coming and going at the Makathanee pier on Ao Khao beach

Ao Kao beach in the southern Koh Maak
The Eastern portion of Ao Khao beach is far less developed and offers more raw nature than the west
Low end bungalows at Ao Khao beach
This area also offers some cheaper no-frills accommodations right on the beach
Monkey bar
Monkey bar along Ao Khao beach
Sunset along Ao Khao
Sun slowly setting along Ao Khao beach eastern end
End of Ao Khao beach
Raw nature of the Southeastern coast of Koh Mak
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Vincent Vanderveken

Make sure to take some time to see the world a bit before you leave it

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