If you’ve started researching quieter Thai islands, you’ve probably come across both Koh Mak and Koh Kood, and at first glance, they can feel almost identical.
They’re both less developed, far calmer than places like Phuket or Koh Samui, and sit close to each other near the Cambodian border.
But having now visited Koh Kood twice and Koh Mak once, I can confidently say they offer very different experiences, and choosing the wrong one for your travel style could completely change how your trip feels.
This guide is here to make that decision simple.
Both islands are beautiful. You’re not going to make a “bad” choice. But one will suit you much better than the other.
If you’re still deciding where to go in Thailand, start here:
Koh Mak vs Koh Kood: Quick Answer
Choose Koh Kood if you want the best beaches, luxury hotels, and an easy trip
Choose Koh Mak if you want something quieter, simpler, and more off-grid
Quick Comparison: Koh Mak vs Koh Kood
Koh Mak
- Smaller island
- Flat and easy to cycle
- Very low-key and simple (this is what I loved the most)
- Limited infrastructure
- Feels untouched and nostalgic
Koh Kood
- Much larger island
- Jungle-covered
- More luxury and boutique hotels
- Some of the best beaches in Thailand (trust me!)
- More facilities
Which Island is Better for You?
Choose Koh Kood if:
- You want beautiful, standout beaches
- You’re planning a honeymoon or special trip
- You like luxury or boutique hotels
- You want ease (taxis, transfers, more options)
- You don’t mind spending a bit more
Koh Kood is the easier island.
It’s also surprisingly good for families. I saw plenty of them staying at resorts like High Season where the sea is calm, shallow, and very safe for paddling.
Choose Koh Mak if:
- You want something quieter and simpler
- You like cycling, scooters, or slower travel
- You don’t need luxury
- You want somewhere that feels undiscovered
- Sustainability is most important to you
Koh Mak feels like Thailand 20 years ago.
Sample Itineraries: Koh Kood vs Koh Mak
🌴 Koh Kood: 5-Day Relaxed Itinerary
If you want a slower, beach-led trip with a touch of luxury, this is how I’d plan it.
Day 1: Arrival + Settle In
Arrive via ferry and transfer to your hotel. Keep the day simple, beach time, pool, and an early dinner.
👉 Stay at:
- High Season Pool Villas & Spa (families, luxury, calm swimmable beach)
- The Hideout Koh Kood (affordable luxury, more design-led)
Day 2: Khlong Chao Beach + Waterfall
Spend the morning at Khlong Chao Beach, one of the most swimmable and accessible beaches on the island.
In the afternoon, head to Khlong Chao Waterfall for a short jungle break.
Day 3: Bang Bao Beach (Slow Beach Day)
Base yourself at Bang Bao Beach for the day.
Soft sand, calm water, and a slightly more “resort-style” feel. I love this beach firstly because it's beautiful, but it's also the more 'sociable beach' with a beach bar (Monkey Bar), as well as Koh Kood Resort at the north end of the beach which is a great place to get lunch and cocktails.
Day 4: Ao Noi + Hidden Beaches
Explore quieter corners of the island.
- Morning: Khlong Hin Beach, the most pictue perfect beach on the island in my opinion.
- Late afternoon: Ao Noi Beach, a gorgeous palm tree lined beach with hardly any other people. Stay for sunset, this is one of the best on the island and still feels quite untouched.
Day 5: Slow Morning + Leave
Breakfast, swim, and a slow checkout before your transfer back to the mainland
🌿 Koh Mak: 3-Day Simple Island Itinerary
Koh Mak is much more about slowing down so don’t try too ver-plan this (my mistake when I visited...).
Expect cycling, beach hopping, and very little structure.
Day 1: Arrival + Ao Kao Beach
Arrive, rent a bike or scooter, and head to Ao Kao Beach.
This is one of the main stretches:
- Easy access
- A few beach bars
- Great for sunset drinks
Stay at:
- The Mak Trat (stylish, boutique, more elevated stay)
- Lazy Day The Resort (laid-back, simple, beautiful beachfront, great vibe)
Day 2: Ao Suan Yai + Koh Kham
Morning at Ao Suan Yai, probably the most beautiful beach on Koh Mak.
From here, take a short boat or kayak to Koh Kham:
- White sandbank
- Bright turquoise water
- Small beach bar
Day 3: Slow Exploring + Sunset at Ao Tao
Spend your final day exploring the island slowly:
- Cycle through coconut plantations
- Stop at quiet, empty beaches (the eastern side of Ao Kao Beach stretches all the way to Lazy Days and this was my favourite part of the beach).
Finish at Ao Tao Beach (near the pier) for sunset and dinner.
Beaches: Koh Mak vs Koh Kood
Koh Kood
- Wide, soft white sand beaches
- Clear, turquoise water
- Backed by jungle and palm trees
- Some of the best beaches in Thailand
Koh Kood is visually more impressive, it has that classic “tropical paradise” look. I knew I had to visit the first time I ever saw pictures, and the reality was even better.
Koh Mak
- Smaller, simpler beaches
- Less dramatic scenery
- Aeas feel more rustic
The beaches in Koh Mak were beautiful, there is just less of them as the island is much much smaller. My only caveat is I didn’t love the north of Koh Mak, the water was a bit murky and the beaches weren’t as pristine.
But the south and west coast? Completely different story, quiet, peaceful, and so so beautiful, with barely anyone else to share it with.
If beaches are your priority: Koh Kood wins
Hotels & Accommodation
Koh Kood
- Strong luxury and boutique offering (Kiri Private Reserve is earmarked to open soon)
- Private villas, beachfront resorts
- More polished overall experience
This is where Koh Kood really stands out, it feels like a luxury island escape.
👉 Check out my full guide on the best hotels in Koh Kood for all budgets
Koh Mak
- Mostly mid-range and simple stays
- Small boutique hotels and bungalows
- More rustic than refined
There are lovely places to stay, but you’re not coming here for ultra-luxury.
Atmosphere & Vibe
Koh Mak
Koh Mak felt completely stripped back in the best way.
Everyone was relaxed, no one was in a rush. There’s very little “tourism energy”, just people quietly enjoying the island.
There is very little development.
Koh Kood
Koh Kood is also very relaxed, but in a different way.
It’s:
- More spread out
- More resort-focused
- Slightly more developed
You’ll still get that quiet island feeling, but with:
- Better infrastructure
- More comfort
- More choice
It’s relaxed, just with a bit more polish
Getting Around (Important Reality Check)
Koh Kood
- Taxis available (but not cheap, I paid 400–500 THB per ride in 2025)
- Hotels often arrange transport
- Easy to get around without driving if you get the number for a taxi driver
Koh Mak
This is where some people struggle.
- Very few taxis
- You’ll need:
- Scooter
- Bicycle
- Or golf buggy
I actually had a scooter crash here, so ended up renting a buggy instead, which cost around 1500 THB per day, significantly more than a scooter.
Getting There & Logistics
Both islands are accessed via ferry from the mainland (Trat). I found the trip surprisingly easy, it looks a lot more daunting on paper.
Koh Kood
- More frequent ferry options
- Easier transfers
- More organised logistics
Koh Mak
- Slightly fewer connections
- Still straightforward, just less frequent
Is Koh Mak or Koh Kood Better for First-Time Visitors?
For most people: Koh Kood
Why?
- Easier transport
- More accommodation options
- Better beaches
- More forgiving if you don’t plan everything perfectly
Koh Mak is better suited to:
- Repeat Thailand visitors
- Slower travellers
- People who don’t need structure
- Those who want to go further off the beaten track
This being said, the islands are just 30 minutes apart by direct ferry. If you have the time, I recommend visiting both islands - you won't regret it, I didn't!
Check out my Koh Chang, Koh Kood and Koh Mak island hopping itinerary here.
The Downsides (this shouldn't put you off)
Koh Kood
- More expensive than other Thai islands
- Getting slightly busier (new hotels built 2024–2026)
- Taxi costs add up quickly
That said, huge parts of the island are protected, so it will never feel overdeveloped.
It’s also near the Cambodian border, which sometimes raises questions, but there have been no issues recently and a ceasefire is in place.
Koh Mak
- Very limited transport
- Fewer “wow” beaches overall
The biggest issue is simply: it’s too quiet for some people
Final Verdict
It's a simple answer:
- Koh Kood = more impressive, more luxurious, easier
- Koh Mak = simpler, slower, more untouched
If you want a special, easy, beautiful trip, choose Koh Kood
If you want a quiet, slow, almost nostalgic experience, choose Koh Mak
There’s no wrong choice, just the right fit for you. If you really want to do it right, then go to both!
FAQs: Koh Mak vs Koh Kood
1. Koh Mak vs Koh Kood: which is better?
Koh Kood is generally better for most travellers due to its beaches, hotels, and ease of travel. Koh Mak is better for those seeking a slower, simpler experience. The main draw to Koh Kood is having some of the best beaches in Thailand.
2. Which island is quieter, Koh Mak or Koh Kood?
Koh Mak is quieter than Koh Kood overall, with fewer tourists and less infrastructure, it's also a lot smaller.
3. Is Koh Mak worth visiting?
Yes, Koh Mak is definitely worth visiting and it's up there with one of my favourite islands in Thailand, alongside Koh Kood and Koh Lipe. It's especially tempting if you want a peaceful, low-key island with a very relaxed atmosphere.
4. Is Koh Kood too quiet?
For some travellers, yes. There’s very little nightlife, it’s focused on nature and relaxation. Night times are very quiet, there are limited restaurants too. There are a couple of very casual beach bars on Bang Bao Beach, but not much other than that!
5. Which island has better beaches?
Koh Kood and koh Mak both have beautiful beaches, but due to Koh Kood's size, there are more options. The beaches in Koh Kood are wider and less affected by the tide.
6. Which island is more luxurious?
Koh Kood if the more luxurious island when compared with Koh Mak, by a long way. It has high-end resorts and boutique hotels. Soneva Kiri which is in the north of the island is up there as one of the most luxury resorts in Thailand.
7. How do you get to Koh Mak vs Koh Kood?
Both islands are reached by ferry from Trat. Koh Kood has more frequent and easier connections, the islands have a direct ferry operating between them.
8. Can you visit both islands in one trip?
Yes, Koh Mak and Koh Kood are close together and can easily be combined into a brilliant island hopping itinerary.
9. Which island is better for couples?
It depends what you're looking for! Both islands have a romantic feel, but I would say Koh Kood is more geared to a special occasion holiday.
10. Which island is cheaper?
Koh Mak is cheaper than Koh Kood, especially for accommodation and daily costs.
11. How many days do you need?
- Koh Kood: 3–5 days
- Koh Mak: 2–4 days
About the author:
Hannah is a UK-based travel creator and founder of Postcards by Hannah, sharing destination guides and hotel recommendations for travellers planning considered, experience-led trips.
She has travelled extensively across Europe and Asia, working with tourism boards and luxury hotels, and has visited Thailand multiple times, exploring Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui across several trips.
Her favourite islands in Thailand are Koh Kood (for the gorgeous beaches!!) and Koh Lipe (she loves the blue sea!).
Hannah has been back to Thailand 7 times since her first visit in 2012 where she spent 6 weeks visiting Chiang Mai, Bangkok and the southern islands.
