How to Travel to Koh Mak
Getting to Koh Mak, especially during the main tourist season, isn’t as difficult as you might imagine. The speedboats to the island depart from mid morning to mid afternoon.
Boats to Koh Mak leave from two mainland piers, Krom Luang pier – near Laem Ngop and Laem Sok pier, on the Laem Sok peninsula south of Trat, several times a day. Passenger boats from Koh Chang and Koh Kood also run several times a day.
In November 2013 the new high speed Boonsiri catamaran service began operating between Laem Sok on the mainland, Koh Mak and Koh Kood. This combines the speed of the speedboat with the comfort and safety of a larger vessel. it’s not surprising that it has proved so popular.
If you are flying to Trat, driving or coming by bus from Bangkok the most convenient pier to head to is Krom Luang. Parking is available at the tour agents office at the pier. Boonsiri Ferry have a combined bus and boat ticket from Bangkok to either Koh Mak or Koh Kood.
If you are staying the night in Trat town then you can take a pick up truck taxi to either of the piers. The speedboats operating from Laem Sok pier also provide transport from Trat town centre to the pier.
From June to October, there’s no Koh Chang – Koh Mak – Koh Kood service but boat services still run from the mainland to Koh Mak. The Koh Mak speedboat times are shown below.
Boat Timetables to Koh Mak (High Season)
Slow Boat (Wooden boat for up to 50 passenger ) between Krom Luang pier, Laem Ngop – Ao Nid pier, Koh Mak
Journey time 3 hrs. Ticket price 200 Baht/person
Depart Krom Luang pier at 11:00 am and arrive at Koh Mak ( Ao Nid pier ) at 11.00am on Saturday.
Depart from Ao Nid Pier, Koh Mak at 8:00 am and arrive at Krom Luang Pier, Laem Ngop pier at 08:00 am Friday.
( These boats are also used for transporting good to the island)
Panan Speedboat, between Krom Luang pier, Laem Ngop – Koh Mak Resort pier, Koh Mak
2 x 200HP engines, 30 seats, journey time 50 minutes. Ticket price 450 Baht/person
Daily Departure from Krom Luang pier, Laem Ngop pier at 13:00 & 16:00, arriving at Koh Mak Resort pier.
Daily Departure from Koh Mak Resort pier at 09.00 and 13.30, arriving at Krom Luang pier, Laem Ngop pier.
Leelawadee Speedboat, between Krom Luang pier, Laem Ngop – Makathanee Resort pier, Koh Mak
2 x 200HP engines, 30 seats, journey time 50 minutes. Ticket price 450 Baht/person
Daily Departure from Krom Luang pier, Laem Ngop pier at 10:30 & 14:00 arriving at Makathanee Resort pier.
Daily Departure from Makathanee Resort pier at 08.00 & 11:30, arriving at Krom Luang pier, Laem Ngop pier.
Suansuk Speedboat, between Krom Luang pier, Laem Ngop – Ao Nid pier, Koh Mak
2 x 200HP engines, 30 seats, journey time 50 minutes. Ticket price 450 Baht/person
Daily Departure from Krom Luang pier, Laem Ngop pier at 11:30 & 15:00 arriving at Ao Nid pier.
Daily Departure from Ao Nid pier at 10.00 & 12:30, arriving at Krom Luang pier, Laem Ngop pier.
Seatales Speedboat, between Krom Luang pier, Laem Ngop – Ao Nid pier, Koh Mak
2 x 200HP engines, 30 seats, journey time 50 minutes. Ticket price 450 Baht/person
Daily Departure from Krom Luang pier, Laem Ngop pier at 11:30 & 14:30 arriving at Ao Nid pier.
Daily Departure from Ao Nid pier at 10.00 & 12:30, arriving at Krom Luang pier, Laem Ngop pier.
Koh Chang to Koh Mak Island Hopping
If you are planning to go from Koh Chang to Koh Mak you can take a wooden boat or speedboat during the High Season ( 1 November – 30 April ) only.
Wooden Boat between Bangbao pier, Koh Chang – Koh Mak
Operated by Bangbao Boat, 40 passengers, journey time 1 hour 45 minutes. Ticket price 400 Baht/person – includes transfer from your resort to the boat.
Daily departure from Bang Bao pier at 9.30am, arrive at Koh Mak Resort pier, Koh Mak.
Daily departure from Koh Mak Resort pier, Koh Mak at 12.00pm, arrive at Bang Bao pier.
Bangbao Boat Speedboat between Bangbao pier, Koh Chang – Koh Mak
Operated by Bangbao Boat, 20 passengers, journey time 50 minutes. Ticket price 600 Baht/person – includes transfer from your resort to the boat.
Daily departure from Bang Bao pier at 12.00pm, arrive at Koh Mak Resort pier, Koh Mak.
Daily departure from Koh Mak Resort pier, Koh Mak at 10.30am, arrive at Bang Bao pier.
Kai Bae Hut Speedboat between Kai Bae , Koh Chang – Koh Mak
Operated by Kai Bae Hut Speedboat, 20 passengers, journey time 1 hour. Ticket price 600 Baht/person – includes transfer from your resort to the boat.
Daily departure from Kai Bae Hut, Kai Bae at 09.00am, arrive at Makathanee Resort pier, Koh Mak.
Daily departure from Makathanee Resort pier, Koh Mak at 12.00pm, arrive at Kai Bae Hut, Kai Bae.
Speedboat between Koh Kood – Koh Mak
The main pier is located at Bang Bao pier, Koh Kood but the boats will stop at other piers near resorts i.e. Klong Chao pier, Sa Pan Nam Luek pier and Klong Mas pier.
Operated by Koh Kut Express Speedboat, 30 passengers, journey time 30 minutes. Ticket price 350 Baht/person – includes transfer from your resort to the boat.
Daily departures from Bang Bao pier, Koh Kood at 09.30am & 12.00pm, arrive at Ao Nid pier, Koh Mak.
Daily departures from Ao Nid pier, Koh Mak at 9.40am & 1.40pm, arrive at Bang Bao pier, Koh Kood.
** Current Low Season Schedule **
There are no scheduled services between Koh Chang and Koh Mak from mid May – 31 October . The exact date services stop is determined by the weather and demand, but it is usually in the first or second week of May. Likewise services will definitely begin again on 1 November. But some might run earlier if there is a demand.
From the mainland pier in Laem Sok. . .
Boonsiri Ferry is running daily from Laem Sok departing at 11:45am arriving at Koh Mak ( Ao Nid pier ) at 12:45am. 400 Baht.
Koh Mak ( Ao Nid pier ) to Laem Sok at 10;15am. 400 Baht
Leelawadee speed boat changed the timetable. Running only 1 time a day.
Laem Ngop to Koh Mak ( Makathanee pier ) 14:00 PM 450 baht
Koh Mak ( Makathanee pier ) to Laem Ngop 8:00 AM 450 baht
Panan is still running 2 times a day
Laem Ngop to Koh Mak ( Koh Mak Resort pier ) 12:30 PM 450 baht
Laem Ngop to Koh Mak ( Koh Mak Resort pier ) 16:00 PM 450 baht
Koh Mak ( Koh Mak Resort pier ) to Laem Ngop 9:00 AM 450 baht
Koh Mak ( Koh Mak Resort pier ) to Laem Ngop 13:30 PM 450 baht
Getting from Bangkok to Laem Ngop Pier
By Car:
Driving time from the centre of Bangkok to Krom Luang Pier is approx 4 to 4 and a half hours. Head out of Bangkok on the motorway ( Highway 7) After the second toll booth take the Highway 344 signposted to Ban Bueng and Klaeng. You’ll then join Highway 3 in Klaeng. Follow the signs for Chantaburi and Trat. You can either head to Trat, pass through the town centre and stay on the same road to the centre of Laem Ngop village – from where Krom Luang pier is only a kilometre away OR turn off Highway 3 about 23KM before you reach Trat and take the 3156 to Laem Ngop. This route takes you past the piers for Koh Chang. When you see a sign for the Naval Memorial, turn off and this will take you to Krom Luang Pier.
For Laem Sok it’s easier to head into Trat, drive through the town centre, follow the signs for Laem Ngop. A couple of kilometres south of the town turn left at the traffic lights. This road leads to Laem Sok, another 15 – 20 minutes drive away.
By Bus / Minibus:
The easiest way is to take the air-conditioned bus from Ekkamai Eastern Bus Terminal Station direct to Laem Ngob, Trat, leaving three times a day at 06:30 am , 07:30 am and 09:45 am. And returning from Laem Ngop at 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm and 4.00pm. Journey time is approx 5 hours and ticket price is 250 Baht/person.
Alternatively take a bus to Trat from Ekkamai Bus Station or the Transportation Terminal at Bangkok Airport. These will connect with shared pick up truck taxis that will take you from Trat bus station to the ferry pier for an additional 60-80 Baht/person
Minivans from Victory Monument, Bangkok to Trat, and the ferry piers to Koh Chang and Koh Mak, also run every hour from 05.00am to 06.00pm. These cost 300 Baht. They are more cramped than the big bus but are fast and good if you don’t have much luggage. The minibus back to Bangkok from the mainland pier can be booked when you are on Koh Mak.
Laem Sok pier is harder to get to as it is in an out of the way location. However, Boonsiri Ferry and the speedboat companies provide free transport from Trat Bus Station or from near Trat Department Store in the town centre to the pier, 20km away.
Boonsiri Ferry also sell combined bus and boat tickets for people coming from Bangkok who want to simplify the task of getting from the city to the island.
By Air:
There is only one airline flying from Bangkok to Trat, Bangkok Airways, which has 3 flights per day to Trat Airport. Book online at www.bangkokair.com. From Trat Airport the airport minibus can take you to Krom Luang Pier for 500 Baht/person. Alternatively a private transfer can be arranged which would work out much cheaper for families or groups travelling together.
By Private Van:
Pick up at your hotel in Bangkok or Bangkok Airport direct to Krom Luang pier, Laem Ngob. Driving time is approximately 4 to 4 and half hours. The driver will be happy to stop for snack, coffee, lunch on the way.
Private Transfer Prices
4,400 Baht by private car – 2 persons Maximum.
4,900 Baht by VIP minibus ( Toyota Commuter ) – 5 persons Maximum.
5,100 Baht by VIP minibus – 5 to 8 persons Maximum.
Prices include VAT, driver, gasoline and expressway tolls but do not include boat tickets to Koh Mak. These can be bought at the pier. Payment can be made in advance by Paypal or in cash , to the driver, on the day of the transfer.