By the Koh Mak Village team · Last updated 29 October 2026
Short answer: Book Christmas and New Year on Koh Mak as early as you can. Peak season runs from late December to 10 January, when rates are higher than high season and most places ask for a 10-night minimum. Rooms and boats fill first, the weather is at its driest and coolest, and the island still feels calm rather than crowded.
When is peak season on Koh Mak over Christmas and New Year?
Peak rates apply from late December to 10 January. The exact start differs a little by property: the Penthouse, Owners Beachfront Villa and Pineapple Villa start on 22 December, while Sugarcane Villa, Rambutan House and Little Bay House start on 24 December. If your dates are close to the start, ask us to confirm which rate applies.
Before that, high season runs from about mid-October to mid-May on most properties. Our best time to visit Koh Mak guide explains how the rest of the year compares.
How much does a villa cost at Christmas and New Year?
These are direct booking rates in Thai baht, checked in October 2026. The first places are priced per night and the three houses per week.
| Property | Low season | High season | Christmas & New Year | Peak minimum stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garden Suites One | ฿1,700 | ฿3,000 | ฿4,500 | 10 nights |
| Penthouse | ฿2,500 | ฿3,700 | ฿4,500 | 10 nights |
| Pineapple Villa | ฿4,000 | ฿6,000 | ฿7,500 | 10 nights |
| Owners Beachfront Villa | ฿3,500 | ฿5,700 | ฿7,500 | 10 nights |
| Property | Low season | High season | Christmas & New Year | Peak minimum stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rambutan House | ฿12,000 | ฿18,000 | ฿23,000 | 10 days |
| Little Bay House | ฿14,000 | ฿24,000 | ฿30,000 | 10 days |
| Sugarcane Villa | ฿15,000 | ฿27,000 | ฿35,000 | 10 days |
Compared with high season, the peak premium is 22% to 50% on the nightly properties and 25% to 30% on the weekly houses. Solo travellers get 15% off the weekly rate on the three houses. You can compare everything in one place on the where to stay page.
How do you book, and what happens to your deposit?
Booking is done directly with the on-island team, with no commission added:
- Message us on WhatsApp (+66 65 307 1160, text only) with your dates and number of guests, and we check availability.
- Once your dates are confirmed, we send payment details for Wise (in euros), Revolut, PayPal or a Thai bank transfer.
- You pay a 20% deposit, and the balance is settled on arrival or as agreed in your confirmation.
The accommodation deposit is refundable if you cancel at least 14 days before check-in, minus a ฿1,000 administration fee. Later cancellations are not refunded. The full terms are on the deposit and payment page. Direct bookings also include free pier pick-up, discounts on Muay Thai, tennis and yoga classes, and a best-price promise: if you find a lower price elsewhere, we beat it by 10%.
What is the weather like on Koh Mak in December?
December is one of the best months of the year. Days reach about 31°C, evenings cool to around 23°C, the sea sits near 28°C and rain is very low. Water clarity is at its best for snorkelling around Koh Rang. The only downside is that the New Year weeks are the busiest of the season. The Koh Mak weather by month page has the full figures.
Will Koh Mak be crowded at New Year?
It will be busy by Koh Mak standards, but still calm. The island is far quieter than Koh Chang all year, and its busiest weeks (Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year and Songkran) are when Thai and European visitors overlap. Popular restaurants fill up in peak weeks, so book a table for the evenings that matter most. The where to eat on Koh Mak guide shows what is worth planning ahead for.
How do you get to Koh Mak over the holidays?
Peak season has the fullest boat timetable of the year, and the sea is usually calm. The last boats leave the mainland at about 15:00 to 16:00, and holiday crossings fill up, so book your boat in advance and arrive at the pier early.
The fastest route from Bangkok is a one-hour flight to Trat with Bangkok Airways, then a taxi and a boat. Flights and boats fill up around New Year, so book them as soon as your dates are fixed. Check which landing times connect to the last boat in Trat Airport to Koh Mak, or compare every option in how to get to Koh Mak. If you are using the Laem Sok pier, see the Koh Mak ferry guide.
What is there to do at Christmas and New Year?
Koh Mak is not a party island. The peak weeks are for beaches, snorkelling, bike rides and training. The water around Koh Rang is clearest from November to February, and Muay Thai, tennis, pickleball and yoga run all year (see things to do on Koh Mak). A scooter, from about ฿250 a day, is the easiest way around; the getting around Koh Mak guide covers rentals, bikes and taxis.
Quick checklist before you book
- Decide your dates first: peak rates start on 22 or 24 December and need 10 nights.
- Message us for availability before you buy flights or boat tickets.
- Pay the 20% deposit to hold the property, and note the 14-day cancellation rule.
- Book your flight to Trat and your boat early.
- Book a table for New Year’s Eve dinner.
- Arrive at the mainland pier well before the last boat.
Frequently asked questions
When is peak season on Koh Mak over Christmas and New Year?
Peak rates apply from late December to 10 January. The Penthouse, Owners Beachfront Villa and Pineapple Villa start on 22 December, while Sugarcane Villa, Rambutan House and Little Bay House start on 24 December. Ask us to confirm the exact dates for the place you want.
What is the minimum stay at Christmas and New Year?
The properties listed on this page ask for at least 10 nights (10 days for the weekly-rate houses) during the Christmas and New Year peak. Outside peak weeks the minimum is 3 to 7 nights, depending on the property.
How much does a villa cost on Koh Mak at Christmas?
Peak nightly rates run from ฿4,500 (Garden Suites One and the Penthouse) to ฿7,500 (Pineapple Villa and Owners Beachfront Villa). The three houses are priced per week, from ฿23,000 (Rambutan House) to ฿35,000 (Sugarcane Villa). Solo travellers get 15% off the weekly rate.
How much deposit do I pay, and can I get it back?
A 20% deposit secures a house, suite or villa. It is refundable if you cancel at least 14 days before check-in, although ฿1,000 is always kept as an administration fee. Later cancellations are not refunded.
What is the weather like on Koh Mak in December?
December is dry and bright, with daytime highs around 31°C, evenings around 23°C and sea temperatures around 28°C. Rain is very low and the water is clear, but the New Year weeks are the busiest of the year.
Are boats to Koh Mak running at Christmas and New Year?
Yes. Peak season has the fullest boat schedule of the year, and the sea is usually calm. The last boats leave the mainland at about 15:00 to 16:00, and boats fill up over the holidays, so book your crossing in advance.
Plan your Christmas or New Year on Koh Mak
Send us your dates and number of guests on WhatsApp (+66 65 307 1160, text only), and we will check availability and the best direct rate.