Planning a trip to Maya Bay Best Tours To See Clear Water Beaches and curious about what awaits you? Look no further!
This article serves as your comprehensive guide to exploring the renowned Maya Bay in Thailand. From transportation tips to activities to indulge in upon arrival, we’ve got you covered.
Famed for its towering cliffs, pristine waters, and powdery white sand, Maya Bay stands as one of Thailand’s most iconic and frequented beaches. But does it live up to the hype?
Join us as we delve into the details and help you unravel the answer to that burning question.
While I may not be an expert, having visited Thailand four times, the Phi Phi Islands thrice, and Maya Bay twice, I bring a wealth of personal experience to the table.
So, what’s holding you back? Let’s embark on a journey to uncover all there is to know about Maya Bay!
What is Maya Bay?
Maya Bay stands as an iconic gem among Thailand’s many beaches. Immortalized in the cinematic masterpiece “The Beach,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, this coastal wonder became an instant must-visit for travelers.
Nestled within a relatively petite cove, Maya Bay boasts a shoreline spanning just a few meters. However, its allure lies in its enigmatic depths, sheltering a lagoon of profound serenity. The bay’s claim to fame rests upon the majestic cliffs that encircle it, seeming to guard the lagoon’s tranquil sanctuary.
Elevated by its crystalline emerald waters, verdant towering cliffs, and powdery white sands, Maya Bay presents a landscape of unparalleled beauty. Its allure is an invitation to experience nature’s splendor at its most pristine.
Is Maya Bay open?
Indeed, as of today, Maya Bay stands as a testament to the impact of human presence on delicate ecosystems.
Following its feature in the film “The Beach,” Maya Bay swiftly ascended to become Thailand’s premier tourist destination, attracting an unprecedented influx of visitors. Regrettably, this surge in tourism exacted a heavy toll on the beach, seabed, and local wildlife, leaving behind significant environmental degradation.
In response, Maya Bay underwent a period of closure from 2018 to 2022, aimed at facilitating the recovery of its fragile ecosystem from the ravages of over-tourism.
Reopening its shores at the close of 2022, Maya Bay emerged with stringent regulations in place. While accessible for visitation, swimming in its azure waters is no longer permitted. Visitors are allowed to wade in the water up to knee-depth, but venturing any further is strictly prohibited.
Lifeguards vigilantly patrol the beach, ensuring adherence to these restrictions. Any attempt to breach the imposed limits is promptly halted, with lifeguards issuing warnings and preventing individuals from delving deeper into the water.
Maya Bay location
Maya Bay sits on the western edge of Koh Phi Phi Leh within the stunning Phi Phi Islands cluster. While officially a part of Krabi province, its proximity to Phuket makes it a must-see destination for many Phuket-bound adventurers. Check out the map below for its precise location.
How to get to Maya Bay
Being such a popular tourist destination, Maya Bay is fairly easy to get to. Being a beach on a deserted island without human settlements, you can’t just walk there, but there are plenty of boat options to get you there.
How to get to Maya Bay from Phuket
Many tourists opt for a day excursion from Phuket to the picturesque May Bay. Accessible by a 90-minute speedboat ride, organized tours offer a convenient means to explore this stunning locale.
These excursions typically encompass a comprehensive Phi Phi Islands day trip, showcasing additional renowned attractions such as Monkey Beach, Bamboo Island, snorkeling adventures in Phi Leh Lagoon (renowned as one of Thailand’s premier snorkeling spots), and a visit to Phi Phi town.
How to get to Maya Bay from Krabi
The journey from Krabi to Maya Bay is slightly shorter, taking only one hour by speedboat.
Similarly to Phuket, you can travel to Maya Bay on one of these speedboats on an organised tour, which will include other stops in the Phi Phi Islands.
I have listed below some popular Krabi to Maya Bay tours.
You can also take the ferry from Krabi, which takes around 1.5 hours and arrives in Koh Phi Phi Don. From here, you then have to arrange a boat to Maya Bay.
Since the ferries take longer than speedboats, both from Krabi and Phuket, if you do choose this option over an organised day tour, I suggest spending at least one night in Koh Phi Phi Don.
How to get to Maya Bay from Phi Phi
If you’re planning a journey to Maya Bay from Koh Phi Phi Don via ferry, here’s a straightforward guide to help you navigate your way.
Reaching Maya Bay from Koh Phi Phi Don couldn’t be simpler. Head to the harbor on Koh Phi Phi Don and hop onto a long-tail boat. In around 20 minutes, you’ll find yourself at Maya Bay.
During my initial visit to Maya Bay, we opted for spontaneity. We strolled down to the pier and negotiated with local Thai sailors for a private long-tail boat ride to Maya Bay. Not only did this afford us the luxury of having the entire boat to ourselves, but it also came at a significantly lower cost compared to booking online.
However, recognizing that not everyone shares the same penchant for impromptu adventures, you might prefer to arrange your Maya Bay excursion in advance.
What to do at Maya Bay
To be completely frank, with swimming prohibited in Maya Bay, the range of activities available there has significantly dwindled.
Upon arriving at Koh Phi Phi Leh, visitors embark on a pleasant 10-minute stroll through the lush forest to access Maya Bay.
Before setting foot on the beach, there’s a viewing deck where one can admire the scenery from the shelter of the trees.
Once on the beach itself, visitors typically engage in capturing the iconic Maya Bay snapshots and unwinding on the pristine white sands, soaking in the breathtaking views.
Yet, those activities essentially sum up the extent of what one can do there. Photography, beach lounging, and reveling in the natural splendor are the main attractions now.
My experiences at Maya Bay
My adventures took me to Maya Bay twice, first in November 2016 and then again in January 2024. Although I explored the Phi Phi Islands in February 2019, I missed out on Maya Bay’s splendor as it remained closed at the time.
My initial encounter with Maya Bay transported me to the untamed allure depicted in “The Beach,” akin to Leonardo DiCaprio’s portrayal.
Arriving by long-tail boat, we anchored on the opposite side of Koh Phi Phi Leh, requiring a swim followed by a climb over a rope ladder to set foot on dry land.
Traversing a verdant tropical forest for about 10 minutes, we emerged from the foliage to behold the breathtaking expanse of Maya Bay. Despite the heavy rain and solitary presence, we relished the serene isolation of this paradisiacal beach, a rarity even then.
Though the beauty was undeniable, the overcast sky muted the azure brilliance of the sea, tempering my initial awe of Maya Bay.
