Phuket is Thailand's largest island, but definitely not the best. And that's despite the fact that I've grown to appreciate Phuket more and more in recent years – I actually really like the island now.

I mention this not to refer to this particular island, but to illustrate a more general point: a bigger island isn't always better. And, as I'll explain in the following sections, this seems to be strongly related to the fact that the island in question is a "sup bar".

I'm referring, of course, to the age-old debate of Koh Kood vs. Koh Mak. Can you guess which of these islands in Trat province is my favorite paradise?

I admit my bias towards Koh Mak.

In a way, I made the decision between Koh Kood and Koh Mak a long time ago. After all, Koh Mak was the very first island I visited in Thailand—in fact, my first place in Thailand. Ironically, I didn't particularly like it back then. On the other hand, because of its significance in my travel memories, I'll always have a certain fondness for Koh Mak, especially since all my visits there have been wonderful.

I actually really enjoyed Koh Kood on my first visit, which is why I'm surprised that it doesn't appeal to me as much now. My second trip was also lovely—at least the island itself; however, I had to deal with some…romantic problems that distracted me and somewhat affected my photography. Unfortunately, this last visit (which may also have been my last) left an incredibly bitter aftertaste.

Ways to compare Koh Kood with Koh Mak

Size

Koh Kood is significantly larger than Koh Mak – over 100 square kilometers compared to just 16. In fact, Koh Kood is the fourth largest island in Thailand after Phuket, Koh Samui, and Koh Chang. The sheer size of Koh Kood is also impressive: long roads, rolling hills, and lush green landscapes separate the individual beaches. On Koh Mak, by contrast, you often have the feeling that you can see the entire island from anywhere.

Ease of movement

This aspect of Koh Kood and Koh Mak is directly related to their size. Although it can be strenuous on very hot days, Koh Mak is practically accessible on foot (or alternatively by bicycle); golf carts can also be rented there. On Koh Kood, however, a motorized vehicle is essential, be it a motorbike, a car, or one of the songthaews that operate as shared taxis on the island.

beaches

Koh Mak is roughly star-shaped, and between its five points lie essentially four beaches. My personal favorite is Ao Soun Yai in the northwest, although the others are also very beautiful. On Koh Kood, my favorite beach is probably Bang Bao in the southwest, although many other secluded beaches in the far south (I've been particularly fond of Ao Jark lately) are gorgeous, if not quite as tropical.

Day trips and excursions

This is another important difference between Koh Mak and Koh Kood. Koh Kham is directly opposite Koh Mak; boats run regularly and will take you across in just a few minutes. Koh Wai (more on that later) is even theoretically reachable as a day trip if you plan well. From Koh Kood, however, day trips or excursions are not realistically possible.

Price for food and accommodation

Both Koh Mak and Koh Kood are quite expensive for what they offer, which is really frustrating after the long journey and high costs. You can probably find somewhat cheaper options on Koh Kood, as there are significantly more accommodations there, but generally speaking, neither island is a bargain. The same applies to food: with a few exceptions (Koh Kood does have a fair amount of street food), the prices for food and drinks on both islands are too high for foreigners.

Should you visit Koh Wai after Mak and Kood?

As I've mentioned elsewhere on this site, I'm a huge fan of Koh Wai. Although the island is significantly smaller than Koh Kook and Mak (perhaps even too small if you're spending more than a day there), Koh Wai is objectively the most beautiful of Trat's main islands and certainly the most unspoiled. You won't find crowds there, practically no one at all, which makes relaxation easy. Almost compulsive.

Whether you start your trip on Koh Mak or Koh Kood, Koh Wai is on the way back to both Koh Chang and the Trat mainland. Therefore, it's a good idea to stop here on your return journey (even if you don't stay overnight) so you don't wonder for years whether you should have. (As an aside: I personally prefer Koh Wai to Koh Kood, while Koh Mak is usually a tie.)

More frequently asked questions about Koh Mak and Koh Kood

Which is better: Koh Mak or Koh Kood?

Personally, I prefer Koh Mak. Reasons for this include its easy accessibility on foot, the greater variety of accommodations and activities, and its proximity to the mainland. While Koh Kood may objectively have more beautiful beaches, they are much further apart.

How do I get from Koh Mak to Koh Kood?

Regular speedboats and ferries connect Koh Mak with Koh Kood, stopping on Koh Mak along the way, either between Koh Kood and Koh Chang or on the mainland at Trat. The one-way trip takes about 30 to 60 minutes. I generally recommend booking your transfer online, either through 12go.asia or directly with the boat operator.

Is Koh Mak cheaper than Koh Kood?

Koh Mak isn't necessarily cheaper than Koh Kood – hotels and restaurants are similarly priced, and you still have to take the expensive flight (or the long bus ride) from Bangkok to Trat. However, since you don't necessarily need to rent a vehicle on Koh Mak, it could be cheaper overall.

Conclusion

For me, the question of Koh Kood vs. Koh Mak is quite simple. Koh Kood certainly has its charm, but nothing about it compares to what you'll find on Koh Mak. Although Koh Kood is a much larger island, it has essentially the same number of beautiful beaches as Koh Mak, and almost all of them (at least on Koh Mak) are within walking distance. Speaking of accessibility, Koh Kood is about twice as far from the mainland of Trat (and from Koh Chang) as Koh Mak, which further diminishes its appeal. If time and money are no object, I would, of course, recommend visiting both islands and seeing for yourself. And that you entrust me with planning your Thailand trip to ensure everything runs smoothly.