VincentVanderveken.com – Page 3 – Take some time to see the world a bit before you leave it

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 decade 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 by intentionally choosing the sustainable route. Resorts are kept small, beaches are mostly empty and idyllic, and the usual high rises, touts, or jet skis are non-existent. It is an excellent place to escape and get away from it all.

(Last visited December 2024)

Arriving at the resort in the north of Koh Mak: First impressions of the lush tropical surroundings and the quiet atmosphere of the island.

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.

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 Sabai Beach Resort just a few steps from the sea

Beachfront bungalows at Sky Beach Resort Koh Mak — My Bungalow on the left, seen from the beach

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

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