Maya Bay is the stunning cove on the small island of Phi Phi Leh in southern Thailand, made famous by the film The Beach. White sand, sheer limestone cliffs and clear green water made it one of the most visited beaches in the world, until it was closed for several years to let the coral and sharks recover. It has since reopened with strict rules and limited numbers. This Maya Bay guide explains where it is, how to get there from Phuket, Krabi and Phi Phi Don, how to get around, where to stay, what to see on a Phi Phi trip, ticket and rule basics, the best time to go and how many days you need.
In this guide:
- Where is Maya Bay?
- How to get to Maya Bay
- How to get around
- Where to stay
- What to see around Phi Phi
- Maya Bay FAQ
- Fees and rules
- Best time to visit
- How many days do you need?
- Tours and what to see next
Where Is Maya Bay?
Maya Bay is on the island of Phi Phi Leh, part of the Phi Phi archipelago in the Andaman Sea, about 48 kilometres from Phuket and 42 kilometres from Krabi. It sits inside the Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. The bay is almost enclosed by 100-metre cliffs, with a crescent of fine white sand and calm, shallow water. The six islands of the group include Phi Phi Don, the larger island where visitors stay, and Phi Phi Leh, which is uninhabited.
The bay was closed to visitors in 2018 after years of overcrowding damaged the corals. It reopened in January 2022 with new measures to protect nature, including limits on visitor numbers and a ban on swimming from the beach.
How to Get to Maya Bay
There is no direct public transport, so most visitors take a boat tour or charter. The usual routes are shown below.
- From Phi Phi Don: Longtail boats and speedboats take about 30 to 45 minutes to Phi Phi Leh. This is the closest and most flexible option.
- From Phuket: Speedboats and large ferries take 1 to 2 hours, depending on the boat. Many day tours leave from Chalong Pier or Royal Phuket Marina, and some include lunch and snorkelling.
- From Krabi: Boats leave from Ao Nang, Railay or Klong Jilad Pier and take around 45 minutes to 2 hours.
- By private charter: A private longtail or speedboat gives you more control over timing and can help you avoid the crowds.
Boats do not dock inside Maya Bay. They stop at a new pier at Loh Samah Bay on the other side of the island, from which visitors walk along a short boardwalk to the beach.
How to Get Around
Phi Phi Don has no cars or motorbikes. You walk, and porters carry luggage with carts from the pier. Longtail boats are the local taxis and can be hired for island hopping. Phuket and Krabi have taxis, ride-hailing and songthaews. Ferries run between the Phi Phi pier, Phuket, Krabi and Koh Lanta, and schedules change by season. Buy your ticket in advance in the high season, and arrive early at the pier.
Where to Stay
Phi Phi Don
Staying on Phi Phi Don puts you closest to Maya Bay and lets you take an early boat before the day-trippers arrive. Tonsai Village, near the pier, has hostels, restaurants and nightlife, while quieter resorts sit in bays such as Long Beach and Laem Tong. Book ahead, as rooms are limited, and expect higher prices than on the mainland.
Phuket
Phuket has the widest choice of hotels and flights, and day trips to Phi Phi are very popular. Patong is lively, Kata and Karon are family-friendly beaches, and Rawai is closer to the piers.
Krabi, Ao Nang and Railay
Ao Nang is the main beach resort in Krabi, with shops and restaurants, and Railay is a dramatic peninsula with cliffs, climbing and beaches reachable only by boat. These are calmer than Phuket and excellent bases for boat trips.
What to See Around Phi Phi
Maya Bay
Today, visitors can stay for about an hour at the beach, walking along a path and a boardwalk. Swimming at the beach is banned to protect the baby blacktip reef sharks that return to the bay, and boats do not enter the bay. The experience is more restrained than in the past, but the scenery is still magnificent. Arrive early in the morning, when the bay is quiet and the light is soft.
Pileh Lagoon
A hidden turquoise lagoon surrounded by cliffs on Phi Phi Leh, where boats stop for swimming and kayaking. The water is deep and calm, and it is a good spot for a refreshing dip. Some tours also let you snorkel in the clear water.
Viking Cave
Viking Cave is a limestone cave where local people collect edible birds’ nests, and it has paintings of ships carved into the walls. You can see the cave from the boat. Entry is restricted, and visitors should respect the work of the collectors.
Phi Phi Don Viewpoint
A steep 20-minute climb from Tonsai Village leads to a famous viewpoint over the island’s twin bays, with a narrow sandy isthmus between them. Go at sunrise or sunset when the light is best and the heat is lower. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes.
Monkey Beach
Monkey Beach is a small cove where wild macaques come to the water’s edge. Do not feed them or leave food unattended, as they can be aggressive and carry diseases. Admire them from a distance.
Snorkelling and Diving
The waters around the Phi Phi islands offer coral gardens, colourful fish and sometimes turtles and reef sharks. Snorkelling trips stop at sites such as Bamboo Island and Shark Point. Divers can explore reefs and wrecks. Use reef-safe sunscreen and never touch the coral.
Day Trips to Krabi’s Islands
From Ao Nang you can visit nearby islands such as Koh Poda and Chicken Island on a four-island tour, with sandbars at low tide and good snorkelling. These are less famous than Maya Bay but beautiful and often quieter.
Tips for Visiting Responsibly
The recovery of Maya Bay shows how fragile popular places can be. Choose operators that respect the capacity limits and brief guests about the rules, and avoid companies that promise to enter the bay by boat or to let you swim on the beach. Wear reef-safe sunscreen or a rash guard, take your rubbish with you and do not stand on coral when snorkelling. Keep a respectful distance from marine life, including turtles and sharks, and never touch or chase them. Bring a refillable water bottle to reduce plastic waste, and tip the crew if you enjoyed the trip. A small effort from each visitor helps keep the islands beautiful.
A Sample Two-Day Plan
On the first day, take a morning ferry from Phuket or Krabi to Phi Phi Don, check in, climb to the viewpoint before sunset and have dinner in Tonsai Village. On the second day, board an early boat to Maya Bay to arrive soon after it opens, then continue to Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave, snorkel at a reef and stop at Monkey Beach before returning to Phi Phi Don. Catch an afternoon ferry onward. If you want a longer stay, add a day to relax on Long Beach or take a kayak trip. Check the weather the night before, because rough seas can change the schedule.
Maya Bay FAQ
Is Maya Bay open?
Yes, but with limits. It has reopened after the closure, and it closes seasonally. Check the current status before booking.
Can I swim at Maya Bay?
No. Swimming from the beach is not allowed, but you can swim at nearby spots such as Pileh Lagoon, depending on your tour.
Is it too crowded?
The new rules limit the number of visitors at a time, so it is much calmer than before, though mid-morning can be busy. Go early or choose a late-afternoon tour.
What should I bring?
Bring a swimsuit, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, water, a towel, cash for the park fee and a waterproof bag.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, with supervision. Boat rides can be bumpy, so consider seasickness tablets.
What is the best way to avoid crowds?
Start early. The first boats of the day reach Maya Bay shortly after opening, when the light is soft and the sand is nearly empty. Late-afternoon visits, when day-trippers have left, are also quieter. Staying on Phi Phi Don and booking a private longtail gives you the most control over timing.
Can I visit without a tour?
Yes, you can hire a longtail boat from Phi Phi Don and pay the park fee at the pier. Agree the price and the route in advance.
Fees and Rules
Visitors pay a national park entrance fee for foreigners, which is usually collected at the pier or included in some tour packages. Tour prices vary by boat type, season and inclusions such as lunch and snorkel gear. Visitors are asked to follow rules such as no swimming from the beach, no feeding fish, no plastic waste and no touching marine life. The bay usually closes for a period during the monsoon, often in August and September, so confirm dates with the national park website or your tour operator.
Best Time to Visit
The best time is from November to April, the dry season in the Andaman Sea, with calm water, blue skies and good visibility. December to February is the peak season, with high prices and crowds. May to October is the wet season, with rain, rougher seas and fewer visitors. Boat trips may be cancelled in bad weather. Early morning and late afternoon are quieter at any time of year.
Getting Between Phuket, Krabi and Phi Phi
Ferries run several times a day between Phuket, Krabi and the Phi Phi pier. The crossing from Phuket takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, and from Ao Nang or Krabi town about 1.5 to 2 hours. Fast boats and slower ferries differ in price and comfort, so choose according to your budget and sea conditions. In the monsoon season, schedules are reduced and some crossings are rough. Buy your ticket directly from the operator or a trusted agent, and keep your luggage tagged and close. Hotels on Phi Phi Don often arrange porters to meet you at the pier, which is helpful because of the narrow sandy lanes. Allow plenty of time for connections, since delays can happen.
How Many Days Do You Need?
A day trip is enough to see Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon, but staying overnight on Phi Phi Don allows you to enjoy the islands before and after the day-trippers. Plan two to three days for Phi Phi and a week for Phuket, Krabi and the islands.
Tours and What to See Next
Choose a small-group tour or a private boat, and pick operators that follow the park rules. Other southern Thailand highlights include Khao Sok National Park, Koh Lanta and Phang Nga Bay. For more tropical island ideas, read our guides to the Palau Rock Islands tour and the best beaches in Aruba.