Maya Bay (Ko Phi Phi Leh)
The cliff-ringed cove made famous by the film 'The Beach', reopened after a multi-year closure with visitor caps and a no-swimming rule at the beach.
- Category
- Diving & Snorkeling
- Entrance fee
- National park fee ~400 THB adult / 200 child (foreigner) as of 2026, confirm locally
- Hours
- ~07:00–17:00; periodically closed for reef recovery (Aug–Sep closures common) — check before booking
- Best time
- Nov–Apr; first boat of the day (arrive ~07:30) to avoid crowds
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours at the bay (part of a Phi Phi tour)
About Maya Bay (Ko Phi Phi Leh)
This is the cove from 'The Beach', and the scenery is every bit as spectacular as the film made it look. After a multi-year closure to let the reef recover, it reopened with visitor caps, a no-swimming rule on the beach itself, and boats now docking at a rear pontoon and boardwalk.
Here is the honest read: it is stunning but heavily managed and crowded. On the earliest boat of the day it is magical; by midday it is a scrum of people funneling through the same walkway.
So it is worth it only if you commit to arriving first thing. And always check ahead, because it closes periodically for reef recovery.
Highlights
- The cliff-ringed cove made famous by 'The Beach'
- Dramatic limestone walls around the bay
- Managed access via rear pontoon and boardwalk
- Best experienced on the first boat of the day
Tips
- Arrive on the earliest boat, around 07:30, or it is a scrum
- Swimming is not allowed at the beach itself
- Check before booking, it closes periodically for reef recovery
- National park fee applies
How to get there
Speedboat/tour from Ao Nang or Krabi (~1.5–2 hr) or from Phi Phi Don ~15 min; access via the rear pontoon and boardwalk