Island comparison
Koh Mak vs Koh Kood
Two neighbouring islands in Trat province, both reached from Laem Sok pier — but they suit different trips. Here is the honest comparison: size, beaches, sport, diving, food, boats and what you actually pay.
Short answer
Small and active, or large and resort-led
Pick Koh Mak for a small, flat island you can cycle end to end in two hours, family-run stays, lower prices and a genuine sports scene — Muay Thai, tennis, pickleball, yoga and diving. Pick Koh Kood if you want a much larger island with big resorts, waterfalls and widely spaced bays, and you are happy to pay more and use transport between beaches. The nature on Koh Kood is definitly beautiful.
Side by side
How the two islands differ
| Topic | Koh Mak | Koh Kood |
|---|---|---|
| Size & feel | 16 km², flat and easy to cycle. One connected village community, family-owned resorts, no 7-Eleven by choice. Small enough that you recognise faces after two days. | About 105 km² and hilly, spread over distant bays. More resorts overall, including large five-star properties, but bays feel separate and you rely on transport between them. |
| Beaches | Long shallow bays: Ao Kao for sunsets, Ao Suan Yai for the widest sweep, Ao Nid for sunrise and the pier, plus the sandbar crossing to Koh Kham. | Bigger, deeper-water beaches such as Klong Chao and Ao Tapao, with waterfalls inland. Sand is excellent, but distances between beaches are much greater. |
| Sport & training | The unusual part: a Muay Thai camp, tennis courts, pickleball, fitness gyms, beachfront yoga, cycling and running routes, plus stay-and-train packages. | Mostly resort-based activities — kayaking, snorkelling trips, spa and waterfall hikes. No comparable training scene. |
| Diving & snorkelling | Dive centre on the island with day trips to the Koh Rang marine park; Koh Kham and Koh Rayang reefs are minutes away. | Also reaches Koh Rang, usually as a longer boat trip. Good, but Koh Mak sits closer to the park. |
| Food & nightlife | Local kitchens, beach bars and cafés at village prices; evenings are quiet and end early. | More resort dining and higher average prices; nightlife is equally low-key. |
| Getting there | Speedboat or car ferry from Laem Sok pier near Trat, roughly 45–90 minutes depending on the boat. | Speedboat from Laem Sok too, usually a longer crossing — many services call at Koh Mak on the way. |
| Budget | Wide range from island huts to villas, with genuine long-stay and solo-traveller rates when you book direct. | Skews higher: strong luxury segment, fewer cheap independent options. |
Practical notes
Doing both on one trip - stay minimum 5 nights on Koh Mak
- Different gateways: Koh Kood leaves from Laem Sok pier near Trat only. Koh Mak leaves from Laem Ngop (faster and no crowds) and also from Laem Sok (Boonsiri only) — see the Koh Mak ferry and speedboat timetable and the route from Bangkok.
- Island hop: many speedboats call at Koh Mak first, so Koh Mak to Koh Kood is a short leg. Split minimum five nights each, rather than island-hopping, instagram-motivated day-tripping. Stay longer with a purpose.
- Season doesn't matter for the islands: check the best time to visit — green-season boats are reduced for both.
- Getting around on Koh Mak: bicycles and scooters cover the island; see getting around Koh Mak. On Koh Kood, you will need transfers between bays and from your resort.
FAQ
Koh Mak vs Koh Kood — questions
Koh Mak or Koh Kood — which island should I choose?
Choose Koh Mak if you want a small, walkable and cyclable island, family-run places, low prices and an active side with Muay Thai, tennis, pickleball, yoga and diving. Choose Koh Kood if you want a larger island with big resorts, waterfalls and dramatic bays, and you do not mind transport between beaches and higher prices.
Is Koh Mak or Koh Kood cheaper?
Koh Mak is generally cheaper. Its accommodation runs from simple island huts to villas, most of it independently owned, and booking direct gets long-stay and solo-traveller rates. Koh Kood has a stronger luxury segment and fewer budget options. Average price on Koh Kood: 5.000 Baht, on Koh Mak: 2.500 Baht
Which island is better for sports?
Koh Mak is perfect for running and cycling, emphasizing several sports facilites such as Muay Thai, Tennis, Yoga, pickleball, basketball & fitness gyms. This kind of community, you find only on Koh Mak.
Can I visit both Koh Mak and Koh Kood on one trip?
Yes. Many speedboats from Laem Ngop and Laem Sok call at Koh Mak before continuing to Koh Kood, so an island-to-island hop takes well under an hour. A Minimum five nights on Koh Mak with sporty activities and three nights on Koh Kood is a comfortable split.
Which island is better for diving and snorkelling?
Koh Mak sits closer to the Koh Rang Marine Park and has reefs at Koh Kham and Koh Rayang within minutes, so day trips are shorter. Koh Kood reaches the same park but usually with a longer boat ride. Koh Kood offer the bigger beaches.
Is Koh Mak quieter than Koh Kood?
Both are quieter compared with Koh Chang. Koh Mak feels quieter socially because there are no big crowds or jet skis, while Koh Kood feels quieter simply because it is large and spread out. You hang out in your resort mostly. Koh Kood is very busy on week-ends from Bangkok travellers.