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Vyacheslav Argenberg CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Maya bay

Bay

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 Map data © OpenStreetMap contributorsKrabiWat Tham SeuaMaya bay
In this guide

Maya bay essentials

Address: Maya Bay, Ko Phi Phi Leh, Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, Krabi Province, Thailand
Website: dnp.go.th
Hours: National park access and visiting hours restricted; subject to park rules (check current status before travel)
Admission: Approx. 400 THB (foreign adult national park fee) + local boat fee (varies)
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About Maya bay

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.
Things to Do
When to Go

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.

Dry season
Nov-Apr · 24-32°C (75-90°F)
Calmer seas and clearer skies; peak tourist season so expect more boat traffic (though numbers are controlled).
Wet season (off-peak)
May-Oct · 25-31°C (77-88°F)
Fewer tourists but greater chance of rough seas and rain; boat operators may vary schedules.

Weather & Climate near Maya bay

Climate

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.

Air Quality: AQI 51 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
JanuaryFebruaryMarch
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
24°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Very Good 24° - 33° 34° 29 mm partly cloudy 80% 1.8 m/s 2.1 extreme 11.6h
February Very Good 25° - 34° 34° 37 mm some cloud 76% 2.4 m/s 2.5 extreme 11.8h
March Very Good 25° - 34° 35° 54 mm partly cloudy 76% 2.2 m/s 2.6 extreme 12.0h
April Good 25° - 34° 37° 127 mm partly cloudy 78% 1.7 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.2h
May Acceptable 26° - 34° 36° 207 mm overcast 79% 2.2 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.3h
June Acceptable 26° - 33° 36° 204 mm overcast 79% 2.2 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.4h
July Acceptable 25° - 33° 34° 240 mm overcast 79% 2.4 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.4h
August Acceptable 25° - 32° 34° 302 mm overcast 80% 3.2 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.2h
September Acceptable 25° - 32° 33° 335 mm overcast 81% 2.2 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.1h
October Acceptable 25° - 32° 33° 302 mm overcast 82% 1.7 m/s 2.1 extreme 11.8h
November Acceptable 25° - 32° 33° 196 mm overcast 82% 1.9 m/s 1.9 very high 11.7h
December Very Good 25° - 32° 33° 70 mm partly cloudy 81% 2.4 m/s 1.9 very high 11.6h
Getting There & Around

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.