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LEISURE
ISLANDS - KOH CHANG
KOH MAAK (Koh Mak)
Lying between Koh Chang and Koh Kood (Koh Kut), about 40 kms from
the mainland is a group of 9 islands called the Moo
Koh Maak (Koh Mak). Only 4 of these islands, including Koh
Maak (Koh Mak), Koh Kradad, Koh Kham and Koh Rayang Nok are occupied.
Koh Maak (Koh Mak), with an area of only 16 square kilometers
and a 27 km coastline, is the third largest island of the Marine
Park. It has a flat terrain with plenty of coconut and rubber
plantations. The main attractions are the long beaches and clear
seawaters. There are only a few hundred people living here, most
of them related.
In order to get there from Koh
Chang, there are daily trips leaving early in the morning
from Bang Bao pier. These are usually large boats offering snorkeling
excursions to the four main islands of Koh Maak, Koh Wai, Koh
Kradang and Kho Kham who drop you off at your place of choice.
There are two operators that drop people off, namely companies
like Bang Bao Boat and Greham Boats. A one-way trip to Koh Maak
from Bang Bao costs 300 Baht. From other parts of Koh Chang situated
closer to Koh Maak, prices can start at 80 Baht when you rent
a long-tail boat.
Koh Maak is an island with shores of soft sand beaches, with a
particularly scenic beach on the northwest. Inl and,
there is a vast area of rubber plantations and coconut plantations.
Visitors get around by renting motorbikes on days when they're
not at the beach.
Accommodations are mostly charming bungalows like the Koh Mak
Resort at the north-west of the island. Bungalows are situated
right by the beach and the resort is geared up to satisfy your
seaventure fantasies. Architecturally interesting resort bungalows
like Cococape Resort also offer different design themes for their
rooms, including that of a traditional Thai bungalow to a mediterranean
family room. Places like Holiday Beach Resort and Kooh Mak Buri
Hut Natural Resort feature colorful bungalows and a community
atmosphere of locals and visitors alike. Kooh Mak Buri Hut Natural
Resort offers short trips to a nearby temple and rubber plantations
besides cliff climbing.
There are about 10 resorts mostly situated at the northwest or
southwest of the island. Almost all the resorts are sold on full
board packages with sightseeing trips and transportation. Some
good examples are the Koh Mak Cococape Resort and Koh Mak Resort
which offer packages that include 2 nights ccommodation plus snorkeling
trips by speed boat or fishing boat. Koh Mak is shaped like a
cross. The best beaches are on the south-west coast at Ao Kao,
and the northwest coast at Ao Suan Yai, where the tiny Koh Kham
lies in the distance. The main pier to Laem Ngob is the Ao Nid
Pier, east of the island. Infrastructure is limited but there
is a road system that conveniently links up the island. Ao Suan
Yai, to the northwest has the longest and most beautiful beach
where you can view Koh Raet, Koh Phee, Koh Kham as well as the
captivating sunset. The beach is lined with lazy coconut trees.
There are some fine restaurants here too. During low tide a sand
dune appears between Koh Maak (Koh Mak) and Koh Kham (Koh Kham)
allowing you to walk across.
Ao Khao on the southwest is another spectacular site of fine beach
with clear waters and great views of Koh
Kood (Koh Kut), Koh Rayang Nai (Koh Rayang Nai), Koh Rayang
Nok and the beautiful sunset. There are some reefs teeming with
plentiful fishes and is a favourite site for the anglers.
There is no public transport on the island. Visitors walk or rent
bikes to get around. Some of the resorts have cars and vans for
quick trips at a minimum fee. From November to April, one boat
a day leaves from Laem Ngob boat pier to Ao Nid on Koh Maak's
southeastern coast.
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Provided by Tourism Authority
of Thailand
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