Maya Bay, splendidly located on the fantastic Phi Phi Leh Island, is a top dream destination among travelers. Known for its beautiful crystal clear turquoise waters, magnificent limestone cliffs, and pure white sands, it’s not hard to see why this gorgeous beach has earned a name as one of the most photogenic and desirable places to visit in Thailand. Its fame soared worldwide after being featured in the 2000 movie, The Beach, with Leonardo DiCaprio and, today, Maya Bay is in an end of the list that connotes the bucket-list voyage. However, with mounting popularity comes responsibility for conservation work to maintain its natural beauty.

Now open again to the public for 2025, Maya Bay had to be closed for an environmental recuperation period during 2024. So if you’re ready to explore, here’s everything you need to know regarding the visit to this slice of paradise.
The Natural Beauty of Maya Bay
Maya Bay, which lies among towering limestone cliffs, presents real drama to beachgoers. The water – so clear it is almost unreal – shines in turquoise hues and makes one imagine being in a dream. The beach itself has that very fine white sand and boasts the shallows where the young baby sharks cavort, all giving that real touch of nature.
For many, the beauty of Maya Bay epitomizes the tropical paradise. But very often, such qualities are countered with the fact that it is crowded. The best time of year to visit Maya Bay is wise planning relative to its peak crowd since, after all, its popularity has just recently grown. If you visit at the right time, you can experience the calming aura of the beach without fighting the crowds.
How to Get to and Visit Maya Bay
This is one magnificent bay because the Phi Phi Islands discovered in Thailand’s Andaman Sea are almost 25 miles southeast of Phuket from the last mainland. The last island is accessible by a boat as there are no straight flights going to Phi Phi Leh. A ferry or a speedboat gets you to the island from either Phuket or Krabi. The timing ferry rides are about two hours from the ferry while it’s only through an hour in the speedboat.
Now when you reach the island of Phi Phi Don-which is the only inhabited island within this archipelago-you would still require some kind of transport to take you over to Phi Phi Leh to visit Maya Bay. Most travelers actually opted for the very straightforward and simple option, which is to book a day tour that includes transfers to and from the islands, take a guided tour with lunch included, and return you back by those very same services. Whether you choose a shared tour or a private one, all of them will allow you also to have the best experience: stopping at their most famous sites, like Monkey Bay, Pileh Lagoon, and, of course, Maya Bay.
For this all, without trouble, we suggest using an option such as GetYourGuide, which is full-day organized tours including hotel transfer, arranging boat tickets, etc. It becomes easier to visit the islands without much effort and maximum pleasure by using such tours.
Expectations to see when you arrive at Maya Bay
Upon arrival at Phi Phi Leh, you will be disembarked at Loh Samay Bay and take a short, shaded walk through the jungle towards the iconic Maya Bay beach. It’s about 5 minutes easy walking and probably the only way to reach the beach at this point since straight landings by boats have been prohibited by conservation efforts.
This may appear inconvenient to some but has actually made the beach free from noise and free from boats and has added to the serene quality and has made it more effective for the protection of the environment. The end result is a cleaner, pristine beach that is still just as photogenic as ever. It has a main stretch of 250 meters long and has a shallow cave at its far end, which makes for a great picture-taking spot.
Swimming in the bay is no longer permitted in order to protect the reefs and much of its diversity, but people can still wade into the shallow water, enjoy the sandy beach, and all the great views.
Usually, a visit to Maya Bay lasts around one hour, a good period of time to walk around, photograph, and enjoy the wonders of this world-famous spot. And though it tends to host around 5000 tourists during the day, Maya Bay is still remarkably clean thanks to park ranger efforts.
The Admission Costs for Visiting
There is a national park fee of 200 baht (roughly $6 USD) for visitors to Maya Bay, which is collected upon arrival at the beach. This fee will also include access to other nearby sights like Bamboo Island, so it might come in handy if you are taking a multi-day tour or visiting Maya Bay multiple times.
When to Go to Maya Bay
For the most part, between November and April, it is best to visit Maya Bay when it is dry and sunny. However, it is certainly peak tourist season, which means the crowds will be bigger during these months. If you don’t mind the rain, visit during the wet monsoon months of May through October because they offer a more peaceful experience, albeit with the occasional rain and thunderstorm in the late afternoons and evenings.
Bear in mind that Maya Bay is usually open for conservation purposes in August and September, so check whether it’s open when you wish to visit.
Accommodation Nearby
There is no resort at Phi Phi Leh, but the island opposite it, Phi Phi Don, is a haven for lodgers, whether budget or luxury. Here, on Phi Phi Don, there is more of the restaurant, shop, and comfortable infrastructure, making it a better place to spread out to explore the islands.
More Attractions around Phi Phi Islands
Maya Bay is, of course, the largest of all the attractions here; however, there is much more available on offer upon exploring within these islands. Do not forget to check out Pileh Lagoon, whose waters take on the brightest blue color, and then visit Viking Cave which is a breathtaking natural experience but also a bit on the historic side cave. Then take a tour on Monkey Bay where you would find playful macauques who are almost always on the move.
Then for that rice of fun and exhilaration, there are a few short hikes into viewpoints that give panoramic views of the entire Phi Phi archipelago.
Travel Advices
Sunscreen: Although there is some shade in the vessels, the sunlight can be quite strong. Be sure to bring sunscreen and a hat.
Snacks and Drinks: Although not laden with food options, Maya Bay is better equipped with these. Carry your snacks and water. They are available at Phi Phi Don island before boarding the boat.
Snorkeling Gear: Carry your masks and snorkel if you want to peek through those crystal clear waters.
Waterproof Bag: Protection for your gadgets from moisture is a waterproof bag, which on a boat trip is obligatory.
Drones: No drones are permitted to be flown within national parks, including Maya Bay. Some areas may permit drone flying, such as Pileh Lagoon or Viking Cave, but make sure you are discreet about it.
Conclusion Want to see the many natural wonders of the world? You must visit Maya Bay. Breathtaking views, a world-renowned beach for just chilling, or an entry on the bucket list: it has all of it- Maya Bay. With the reopening due in 2025, it is the perfect time to plan a trip and relish this scenic marvel.

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