Maya bay
Bay Scenic bay with limestone cliffs and clear water
A Phi Phi Leh cove framed by sheer limestone cliffs and white sand; boats and snorkelers visit for the sheltered bay, clear water and dramatic cliffs.
Maya Bay is a small, sheltered bay on the island of Phi Phi Leh in Krabi province, southern Thailand, made internationally famous by the 2000 film The Beach. The bay is framed by steep limestone cliffs and contains a crescent beach of roughly 300 metres.
The site is noted for its turquoise water, coral reef and snorkeling close to the sheltered shoreline. The bay is surrounded by limestone walls that rise steeply from the water and on clear days offer views across the Andaman Sea; boat access is required and trips from nearby Koh Phi Phi Don typically take about 20-30 minutes.
Maya Bay was closed by Thai authorities in 2018 for ecological recovery after heavy visitor pressure and damage to coral and beach. It was later reopened under strict management with limited visiting times and restrictions on swimming and anchoring to allow ongoing habitat recovery.
The bay sits on the uninhabited island of Phi Phi Leh in Krabi province, part of the Phi Phi archipelago in the Andaman Sea. The nearest inhabited island and launch point is Koh Phi Phi Don; the mainland centres of Krabi and Phuket lie further away and are served by organized day tours.
- Visitor access: Reopened after an extended ecological closure with regulated access, fixed visiting hours, and limits on visitor numbers to protect reef and sand.
- Best time and access: Dry season from November to April offers calmer seas and better visibility for snorkeling; organized boat trips run from nearby Koh Phi Phi Don and Krabi.
What to See #
- Main beach (Maya Bay): A curved white-sand beach roughly 300 metres long backed by shallow, clear water and a coral-fringed lagoon popular for snorkeling and short boat stops.
- Inner lagoon: A shallow inner lagoon enclosed by the surrounding limestone cliffs, accessed by small boats for snorkeling and viewing marine life near the reef.
How to Get to Maya bay #
Maya Bay is reached by boat from Ko Phi Phi Don (Tonsai Bay), Krabi or Phuket. Regular longtail-boat trips and organised day tours run from Tonsai Pier on Phi Phi Don (about 20-30 minutes by longtail). Check with licensed operators and national park authorities for current access rules and permitted visiting times.
Tips for Visiting Maya bay #
- Book a licensed longtail boat from Phi Phi Don (Tonsai Bay) or hire a day tour from Krabi/Phuket - private speedboats are faster but more expensive.
- Travel early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the peak mid-day tour crush; the bay now has strict visitor limits and time windows.
- Respect the park rules: swimming, anchoring and prolonged stays at the beach are controlled to protect the recovering ecosystem.
Best Time to Visit Maya bay #
Because of ecological restoration and visitor limits, check current park regulations and book boats in advance; mornings outside the high season are the nicest times for clearer water and softer light.
Weather & Climate near Maya bay #
Tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 24°C to 34°C. Heavy rainfall (2103 mm/year), wettest in September with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is hot, feeling like 34°C due to high humidity. The driest month with just 29 mm and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is hot, feeling like 34°C due to high humidity. Moderate rainfall (37 mm).
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March
March is hot, feeling like 35°C due to high humidity. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is the hottest month, feeling like 37°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (127 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is hot, feeling like 36°C due to high humidity. Heavy rain (207 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is hot, feeling like 36°C due to high humidity. Heavy rain (204 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is hot, feeling like 34°C due to high humidity. Heavy rain (240 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is hot, feeling like 34°C due to high humidity. Heavy rain (302 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (335 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (302 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (196 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
