SeaTV · Thailand · Eastern Gulf · Trat Province · Koh Mak & Koh Kham
Sailing Koh Mak & Koh Kham — The Five Family Clans, Cococape Pier & the Day-2 Anchorages
Six anchorages around Koh Mak and Koh Kham · A14 Koh Kham (Sigal’s favourite — 200฿ fee, abandoned resort, sand bar at low tide), A15 North Koh Mak (Cococape Pier sunset bar, Seavana the best restaurant on the island), A16 SE Koh Mak (NE shelter, paddle the W-coast caves), A17 Ao Phra (primary NE anchorage · ⚠ treacherous shoal), A18 Koh Rayang Nok (100฿ fee, alternative to busy Koh Mak), A19 Ao Ta Nit (commercial port, German Bakery, museum). Outside the Marine Park · no park fee · ATM on island but unreliable.
Koh Mak is different from the other islands in the archipelago. Flat (not hilly) so cycling is the way to explore · the “Eco Trail” sign-posted route was originally designed as a bicycle trail and takes in the rubber tree farms and coconut plantations at a relaxed pace. The island’s history dates back to the late 1800s and was administered by appointed “Officers of Chinese Affairs” under King Rama V · their descendants make up the five family clans that today own most of Koh Mak island. The wealth of these families has brought interesting characters, artists, and architects whose work is scattered across the island. No park fee — Koh Mak is outside the Mu Ko Chang Marine Park boundary. ⚠ One ATM in the middle of the island that doesn’t always have baht — bring cash. Hotels exchange foreign currency at bad rates. Sail SE from the outer islands on Day 2 to reach this group.
️ Interactive Map — Eastern Gulf Anchorages
→ Full interactive map of the SeaTV Eastern Gulf anchorages · use the layer toggles to filter by category · pinch to zoom on mobile · charts 120 (Koh Chang) + 151 (S to Koh Kut)
⚠ Reality check for Koh Mak & Koh Kham:
→ ⚠ Koh Kham NOT NE-monsoon overnight · squalls blow up at night from NE · day stop only in NE season
→ ⚠ Between Koh Kham & Koh Mak: large sandbank · CANNOT pass through
→ ⚠ Ring of rocks around Koh Kham W to N shore + southern tip — stay well off the pier when transiting
→ ⚠ Ao Phra treacherous shoal lines the entire shoreline · NEVER beach the dinghy · use the pier
→ ⚠ Cococape Pier: reef + sea urchins under the end · know the tide · leave before low
→ ⚠ Underwater obstructions along Koh Mak North beach — dinghy ashore E of pier only
→ ⚠ Ao Ta Nit pier sharp shells lining steps · damage dinghy · NO beach landing here
→ ⚠ Watch currents through Koh Rayang Nok pass — can be quite swift
⚓ Koh Mak at a Glance
Anchorages
6 (A14-A19)
Park status
Outside Marine Park (no fee)
Local fees
Koh Kham 200฿ · Koh Rayang Nok 100฿
Terrain
Flat — best for cycling
Primary NE anchorage
A17 Ao Phra (huge bay)
ATM
1 only · unreliable · bring cash
Best food
Seavana Resort (North Koh Mak)
Sunset bar
Cococape Pier · Chai bartender
⛵ The Six Anchorages
A14 · Koh Kham — Sigal’s Favourite (Sand Bar & Abandoned Villas)
5-7 m sand · 200฿ fee · ⚠ NOT NE-monsoon overnight
Koh Kham is Sigal’s favourite anchorage in the Eastern Gulf. The island has an abandoned modern resort with vines covering the concrete walls in great contrast to the white sand beach and black lava boulders leading out to a sand bar at low tide. 200฿ entry fee gets you a cold drink and use of one of the swings or seating areas — worth the fee for the rim trail with great views, the abandoned villas for sunset, and bathrooms / showers you can use.
Anchorage:
→ SE of the long pier in 5-7 m · watch the depth as it shallows toward the sandbar quickly.
→ Alternative: south toward Koh Mak in 7-10 m · winds from north creep into the bay but easterly is well protected.
Dinghy:
→ Bring the dinghy to the sand bar OR the beach east of the pier.
→ ⚠ DO NOT take the dinghy west of the pier · very shallow + sea urchins covering the sea floor.
⚠ Critical hazards:
→ Between Koh Kham and Koh Mak (E): large sandbank — CANNOT pass through.
→ Ring of rocks around the islands W to N shore + southern tip · stay well off the pier.
Seasonal strategy:
→ NE season (Nov-end Jan): day stop only · squalls blow up at night · NOT advisable overnight.
→ SW season strong winds: can wrap around Koh Rang from W into the north bay · rolly & uncomfortable.
→ SW-easterly winds: fine anchorage.
A15 · North Koh Mak — Cococape Pier & Seavana
5-10 m N off Koh Mak Pier · sand · sunset stop
North Koh Mak’s long sandy beach is worth the visit. Behind the pier is the Koh Mak Resort with a great pool to the west · toilets and three showers surrounded by greenery and flowers.
Anchorage:
→ Anchor 5-10 m north off Koh Mak Pier and away from the speedboat route.
→ Dinghy ashore east side of the pier on a sandy bottom.
→ ⚠ Underwater obstructions all along the beach · best to bring the dinghy ashore in this area only and walk from there.
Ashore (W to E along the path):
→ Seavana Resort — domed thatch roof · the best food found on the island · friendly service · reasonable prices.
→ Cococape Pier bar (further W) — stretches over the water · snorkelling from the pier · fresh-water shower at the end · sunset spot · drinks by Chai (the friendliest bartender in Thailand) · NO food served (bring snacks).
→ Islanda Resort — short walk up the hill from Cococape or Seavanna · views over Koh Kham and to the north.
→ Koh Mak Information & mini-mart behind the i-Talay bar.
⚠ Cococape Pier critical:
→ Reef + sea urchins under the end · know the tide before tying up · leave BEFORE it gets too low.
A16 · SE Koh Mak — Sheltered Bay & Cave Paddle
8-10 m middle of bay · NE shelter · day stop or quiet overnight
SE Koh Mak is a sheltered little bay with not much going on other than that it’s well protected in the NE · use it for the protection rather than the action.
Anchorage:
→ Anchor middle of the bay 8-10 m with enough swing room to clear the surrounding reefs.
⚠ Critical:
→ Do NOT attempt to bring the dinghy around the north of Ko Rayang Nai or to shore — very shallow water with lots of rocks.
The fun part:
→ Great day stop for a paddle / SUP up the W coast of Koh Mak · lots of caves and large schools of small fish in the clear water.
A17 · Ao Phra — The Primary NE Anchorage (Huge Bay)
5-7 m off pier · primary NE anchorage · ⚠ treacherous shoal
Ao Phra is a huge bay · the primary place to anchor during NE winds.
Anchorage:
→ Anchor 5-7 m off the wooden pier by at least 100 m.
→ Move to the W to gain more protection from Ko Rayang Nai · take care not to venture too close.
→ ⚠ This beach has a TREACHEROUS SHOAL that lines the entire shoreline · ALWAYS have a lookout on the bow as you come in to anchor.
Going ashore:
→ The rocky shoal is too shallow to take the dinghy to the beach · access via the pier ONLY · stay to the W approaching the pier.
→ Board at the steps · move dinghy along the pier so you don’t block access for other boats.
Ashore — what’s there:
→ W of pier: beach resorts with a relaxing atmosphere and good food.
→ Up the road: Koh Mak Art House — live music · great tea and cocktails outdoors.
→ Across the street: good cheap local food, will deliver while you enjoy the music.
→ Right at street entrance: wide range of eateries, bars, knick-knack shops, bike rentals, resorts.
→ Market: well-stocked veggies and basics · big white freezers out front · stock up on ice.
→ BB Divers: scuba operations on the island.
→ Monkey Island Resort: the party option.
→ Mini-mart: on the street to the left · well-stocked with often-decent wine selection (no 7-Elevens on Koh Mak).
A18 · Koh Rayang Nok — Quiet Alternative (100฿ Fee)
7-10 m sand E of beach · 100฿ fee · escape from Koh Mak hustle
Koh Rayang Nok has an exquisite little beach in the north · if you’d like a change from the hustle and bustle of the ferries and speedboats rocking the Koh Mak anchorage during the day, this is the option.
Anchorage:
→ Anchor 7-10 m on sand just east of the beach.
→ 100฿ fee for daytime visit · includes refreshment, chair, and umbrella.
→ ⚠ Watch currents through the pass — can be quite swift · don’t let anyone drift away when not looking.
Use it as: peaceful day-stop alternative to A15.
A19 · Ao Ta Nit — Commercial Port & German Bakery
Well-protected anchorage · commercial port · museum · bakery
Ao Ta Nit is the home of the commercial port and Ao Nid pier that services the island. Although not unpleasant, it doesn’t offer anything in particular to the cruising yachtsman except that it’s a well-protected anchorage.
Ashore:
→ Koh Mak Seafood just N of the pier · over the water with a small Koh Mak museum serving local history inside.
→ Small beach resorts along the shore with shaded beaches.
→ Koh Mak Steakhouse & German Bakery at the base of the pier · fresh bread baked daily · homemade sour cream (steaks not recommended).
⚠ Approach hazards:
→ Sharp shells lining the pier steps — can damage the dinghy.
→ Beach landing is NOT advisable at this anchorage.
Bonus — Koh Kradat (Day Trip from Koh Mak)
Koh Kradat is the low-lying island NE of Koh Mak · privately owned · fun for kids.
→ 100฿ entry fee includes a deer-spotting tractor tour of the island that stops half-way at the beach for 30 minutes.
→ ⚠ Surrounded by shallow water and hidden rocks · do NOT approach by yacht.
→ Visit only via tour from Koh Mak.
Quick Information Sheet — Koh Mak
→ Koh Kham: 200฿ maintenance fee · cold drink, white sand beach, sand bar, hike, snorkel for turtles SW.
→ Koh Mak Resort: sand bottom E of pier for dinghy · motorbikes from Koh Mak Info · happy hour 17:00-19:00 · ice at the bar.
→ Koh Mak Resort pool: showers in the foliage.
→ Seavana Resort: best restaurant on the island.
→ Cococape Pier Bar: sunset spot · tie up to end of pier · move out of way for swimmers.
→ Islanda Resort: view of Koh Kham & north.
→ Koh Mak Art House: live music most nights · great drinks · cheap Thai food across the street.
→ Market: 2 white freezers out front · fresh fruit & veg · eggs, bacon, cheese, tofu, beer, juice.
→ Koh Mak Steakhouse & German Bakery: fresh bread baked daily · homemade sour cream.
→ Koh Mak Seafood: over the water with small museum.
→ Koh Rayang Nok: 100฿ fee · cold drink + chair + umbrella.
→ ATM: 1 only · in middle of island · unreliable.
Emergency & Contacts
Island Spirit — Phil: +66 81 813 8023 (24hr WhatsApp)
Island Spirit — Kim: +66 93 131 0844 (24hr WhatsApp)
Tourist Police: 1157 or 039 557 287
Bangkok Koh Chang Hospital (W side): 039 532 735
Koh Chang International Hospital (E · Dan Mai): 1719
Marine Emergency & SAR: 1196
VHF Distress: Ch. 16
Continue the Eastern Gulf Charter
→ 1. Charter Base · Island Spirit Yacht Charter
→ 2. Salak Phet & Koh Chang East
→ 3. Koh Chang Outer Islands & Koh Wai
→ 4. Koh Mak & Koh Kham (this page)
“Koh Mak is different · the five family clans own most of the island and the wealth has brought architects and artists and the kind of authentic infrastructure that makes a place feel like home · A14 Koh Kham my favorite, the abandoned modern resort with vines covering the concrete walls and the white sand beach with the black lava boulders leading out to the sand bar at low tide and the two hundred Thai baht fee that gets you a cold drink and access to the rim trail and the abandoned villas for sunset · A15 North Koh Mak with Cococape Pier and Chai the friendliest bartender in Thailand and the Seavana Resort that serves the best food on the island · A16 the sheltered southeast bay for the cave paddle up the west coast · A17 Ao Phra the huge bay that is the primary northeast anchorage with the treacherous shoal that lines the entire shoreline and the bow lookout when coming in to anchor and the pier access only because the dinghy cannot reach the beach · A18 Koh Rayang Nok the quiet escape with the swift current through the pass · A19 Ao Ta Nit the commercial port with the German Bakery making fresh bread daily · the one ATM that does not always have baht so you bring cash · this is not the Andaman Coast and the difference matters.”
— SeaTV · Eastern Gulf Edition · Koh Mak & Koh Kham
