Koh Chang vs Koh Mak
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More scope for a modest-budget stay
Local eateries and a range of guesthouses help with value, while ferry transfers and island transport add to the total. Another assessed advantage: more island-hopping options.
Easier exploring without a scooter
The small island is well suited to cycling, with resort taxis and arranged rides for longer trips. Walking alone will not connect every beach or stay. Another assessed advantage: a quieter setting.
Side by side
What feels different
Our editorial assessments · Select a factor to see how we scored each place.
Why we rate Koh Chang 8/10
Several long west-coast beaches make beach days easy, though the sand and swimming vary by bay and season.
Why we rate Koh Mak 8/10
Several attractive, quiet beaches suit swimming and relaxed days, though the island has fewer choices than larger beach destinations.
What we assess
Beach appeal, convenient access and variety during a beach-focused stay, within the destination itself.
Why we rate Koh Chang 8/10
A mountainous rainforest interior, waterfalls and curving bays give Koh Chang more than a beach-only landscape.
Why we rate Koh Mak 7/10
Low hills, coconut groves and sheltered bays make a pleasant, peaceful landscape rather than a dramatic one.
What we assess
The visual impact of natural surroundings and how central those landscapes are to a typical stay.
Why we rate Koh Chang 4/10
Fishing communities, temples and local island life add some cultural interest, but major heritage sights are limited.
Why we rate Koh Mak 3/10
Small villages and local plantations offer a little island context, but there are few major visitor-facing heritage sights.
What we assess
The variety, depth and practical access to historic places, temples, architecture, traditions and cultural experiences during a typical stay.
Why we rate Koh Chang 6/10
Seafood, Thai restaurants and familiar international meals are available along the west-coast bases.
Why we rate Koh Mak 5/10
Thai meals and seafood are available at resorts and a few local restaurants, with limited variety across the island.
What we assess
Food quality, variety, distinctive local cooking and how readily visitors can find good places to eat, regardless of price.
Why we rate Koh Chang 4/10
Beach bars and casual live music are available, but evenings are generally low-key outside a few strips.
Why we rate Koh Mak 2/10
The island is geared to quiet evenings, with only a small number of casual bars.
What we assess
The choice, variety and liveliness of evening venues, their opening hours and how easily you can enjoy a typical night out.
Why we rate Koh Chang 7/10
Quiet beaches and forested stays are easy to find away from the busiest west-coast centres.
Why we rate Koh Mak 9/10
Low-key development and a relaxed pace make peaceful stays easy to find.
What we assess
How easily you can enjoy a peaceful stay, considering traffic, nightlife noise, crowds and practical quieter bases.
Why we rate Koh Chang 8/10
Boat trips reach nearby islands and snorkelling sites, though routes and frequency depend on season and departure bay.
Why we rate Koh Mak 5/10
Nearby islands and snorkelling sites can be visited by boat, but excursions are limited and often seasonal.
What we assess
The variety of worthwhile sea-island trips, convenient departures, journey times and flexibility under normal operating conditions.
Why we rate Koh Chang 5/10
Shared songthaews and organised trips cover popular stops, but routes are limited and the island’s steep, spread-out roads constrain flexibility.
Why we rate Koh Mak 8/10
The small island is well suited to cycling, with resort taxis and arranged rides for longer trips. Walking alone will not connect every beach or stay.
What we assess
Freedom to explore without renting a scooter, using walking, public transport, taxis, tuk-tuks, ride-hailing or boats; transport price is assessed separately.
Why we rate Koh Chang 7/10
Local eateries and a range of guesthouses help with value, while ferry transfers and island transport add to the total.
Why we rate Koh Mak 5/10
Basic stays and local food help, while limited transport, boat connections and accommodation choice raise the cost of reaching and exploring the island.
What we assess
How easily you can enjoy a typical stay on a modest budget, including simple accommodation, food, realistic transport and characteristic activities.
Scores out of 10 · Higher means more of that characteristic About these scores
How to read the scale
Scores run from 0 to 10 and describe how strongly a destination offers each characteristic.
Higher does not always mean better
A higher nightlife score means a livelier scene. A higher quietness score means a calmer atmosphere. The right balance depends on your trip.
Close scores mean similar experiences
Small differences should not decide your trip on their own.
Koh Chang
Choose Koh Chang if...
- You want a beach holiday with rainforest and waterfall outings too.
- You like a green, mountainous island with several different beach bases.
- You prefer casual beach evenings and quieter stays over a major party scene.
The trade-off
The island is spread out, with steep roads between some areas. Shared taxis and organised trips help, but beach-hopping and independent exploring take more planning than on a compact island.
Koh Mak
Choose Koh Mak if...
- You want peaceful beach days on a small island with a relaxed pace.
- You like the idea of cycling between coconut groves, local stops and beach areas.
- You prefer a few simple outings and quiet evenings to a packed itinerary.
The trade-off
Restaurant, nightlife and excursion choices are limited compared with larger islands. Some beach areas are a longer ride apart, and boat connections still need planning around their schedules.
Plan your trip
When to go
See how temperature, rainfall and travel conditions change through the year. Select a month to focus your comparison.
| Factor | Koh Chang | Koh Mak |
|---|---|---|
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 51 mm | 51 mm |
| Rainy days | 4.9 | 4.9 |
| Crowds | High | High |
| Stay prices | High | High |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Calm |
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 82 mm | 82 mm |
| Rainy days | 7.4 | 7.4 |
| Crowds | High | High |
| Stay prices | High | High |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Calm |
| Average daytime high | 33°C | 33°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 140 mm | 140 mm |
| Rainy days | 12.6 | 12.6 |
| Crowds | High | High |
| Stay prices | High | High |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Calm |
| Average daytime high | 33°C | 33°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 196 mm | 196 mm |
| Rainy days | 14.9 | 14.9 |
| Crowds | Moderate | Moderate |
| Stay prices | Typical | Typical |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Calm |
| Average daytime high | 33°C | 33°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 420 mm | 420 mm |
| Rainy days | 21.9 | 21.9 |
| Crowds | Low | Low |
| Stay prices | Low | Low |
| Sea conditions | Variable | Variable |
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 777 mm | 777 mm |
| Rainy days | 25.4 | 25.4 |
| Crowds | Low | Low |
| Stay prices | Low | Low |
| Sea conditions | Rough | Rough |
| Average daytime high | 31°C | 31°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 1024 mm | 1024 mm |
| Rainy days | 26.6 | 26.6 |
| Crowds | Low | Low |
| Stay prices | Low | Low |
| Sea conditions | Rough | Rough |
| Average daytime high | 31°C | 31°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 970 mm | 970 mm |
| Rainy days | 27 | 27 |
| Crowds | Low | Low |
| Stay prices | Low | Low |
| Sea conditions | Rough | Rough |
| Average daytime high | 31°C | 31°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 816 mm | 816 mm |
| Rainy days | 24.8 | 24.8 |
| Crowds | Low | Low |
| Stay prices | Low | Low |
| Sea conditions | Rough | Rough |
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 338 mm | 338 mm |
| Rainy days | 21.3 | 21.3 |
| Crowds | Moderate | Moderate |
| Stay prices | Typical | Typical |
| Sea conditions | Variable | Variable |
| Average daytime high | 33°C | 33°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 85 mm | 85 mm |
| Rainy days | 9.1 | 9.1 |
| Crowds | High | High |
| Stay prices | High | High |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Calm |
| Average daytime high | 32°C | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 28 mm | 28 mm |
| Rainy days | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Crowds | High | High |
| Stay prices | High | High |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Calm |
| Destination | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daytime high | ||||||||||||
| Koh Chang |
32°C
|
32°C
|
33°C
|
33°C
|
33°C
|
32°C
|
31°C
|
31°C
|
31°C
|
32°C
|
33°C
|
32°C
|
| Koh Mak |
32°C
|
32°C
|
33°C
|
33°C
|
33°C
|
32°C
|
31°C
|
31°C
|
31°C
|
32°C
|
33°C
|
32°C
|
| Monthly Rainfall | ||||||||||||
| Koh Chang |
51 mm
|
82 mm
|
140 mm
|
196 mm
|
420 mm
|
777 mm
|
1024 mm
|
970 mm
|
816 mm
|
338 mm
|
85 mm
|
28 mm
|
| Koh Mak |
51 mm
|
82 mm
|
140 mm
|
196 mm
|
420 mm
|
777 mm
|
1024 mm
|
970 mm
|
816 mm
|
338 mm
|
85 mm
|
28 mm
|
| Rainy days | ||||||||||||
| Koh Chang | 4.9 | 7.4 | 12.6 | 14.9 | 21.9 | 25.4 | 26.6 | 27 | 24.8 | 21.3 | 9.1 | 3.5 |
| Koh Mak | 4.9 | 7.4 | 12.6 | 14.9 | 21.9 | 25.4 | 26.6 | 27 | 24.8 | 21.3 | 9.1 | 3.5 |
| Crowds | ||||||||||||
| Koh Chang | High | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | High | High |
| Koh Mak | High | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | High | High |
| Stay prices | ||||||||||||
| Koh Chang | High | High | High | Typical | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Typical | High | High |
| Koh Mak | High | High | High | Typical | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Typical | High | High |
| Sea conditions | ||||||||||||
| Koh Chang | Calm | Calm | Calm | Calm | Variable | Rough | Rough | Rough | Rough | Variable | Calm | Calm |
| Koh Mak | Calm | Calm | Calm | Calm | Variable | Rough | Rough | Rough | Rough | Variable | Calm | Calm |
Temperatures are historical average daytime highs, not the highest temperatures you might experience. Rainfall and rainy days are monthly averages, not a forecast. A rainy day need not mean rain all day.
Stay prices are relative to each destination’s usual rates. Holidays can bring extra crowds and higher prices. Sea conditions vary by beach and day; check local conditions before boat trips.
Koh Chang: Thai Meteorological Department — TRAT, 1991–2020.
Koh Mak: Thai Meteorological Department — TRAT, 1991–2020.
