Maya Bay
Maya Bay is a small, enclosed bay on Koh Phi Phi Leh, made famous by the 1999 film “The Beach.” The bay is surrounded by towering limestone cliffs on three sides, with a strip of white sand and shallow turquoise water. It is one of the most photographed spots in Thailand.
Maya Bay was closed to tourists from 2018 to 2022 to allow the ecosystem to recover from years of overcrowding. Since reopening, visitor numbers are controlled, and boats can no longer land directly on the beach. Visitors now arrive by boat to a pier on the back of the island and walk through a short path to reach the bay.
The bay is included in most Phi Phi Island day trips from Phuket, either by speedboat or longtail. Swimming is allowed in the bay, but snorkelling equipment must be left on the boat. Time on the beach is limited to about one hour per visit.
For the full guide, including how to visit, tour options, and current rules, see Maya Bay.
