⛱️ Entry and rules of Maya Bay: what changed by 2026

Maya Bay on the island of Phi Phi Leh reopens to tourists every October. From August through September, the bay is closed so the sand and corals can recover after the high season. A few years ago, getting here was impossible: the bay was kept closed for ecosystem restoration.

Phi Phi Leh has three bays, and Maya Bay is only one of them. Nearby are Pileh Lagoon and the Viking Cave. Monkey Beach with its wild macaques is on neighboring Phi Phi Don. Maya Bay is where the movie "The Beach" with Leonardo DiCaprio was filmed.

We've put together practical information about this spot: how much entry costs, when the bay is closed, how to get there from Phuket and Krabi, and what to see on the island in one day.

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Where Maya Bay is located

💡 In short:

Maya Bay lies on the uninhabited island of Phi Phi Leh in Krabi province.
Entry to the national park: 400 baht for adults.
Seasonal closure: annually from August 1 to September 30.
Ferries, fees, and transfers: 09/2026, verified on the carrier's website.

Maya Bay is on Phi Phi Leh, the southern of the two large islands in the archipelago. From Phuket to the bay is about 45 km, from Krabi slightly less. The island itself is uninhabited: there are no hotels on it, all accommodations are on neighboring Phi Phi Don.

The bay is surrounded by sheer limestone cliffs nearly a hundred meters high. Only a narrow passage from the sea remains open. The cliffs shelter the bay from the wind, so the water here is almost always calm, and it stays flat even in the rainy season.

The beach inside the bay has a gentle slope, with fine, light sand. Entering the water is easy for both adults and older children. The depth increases slowly, but farther from shore the bottom drops off noticeably more sharply.

Why Maya Bay is so popular

The water in the bay is transparent, and you can see the coral reefs through it. Divers and snorkeling enthusiasts come here for them. Touching corals and marine life is prohibited, and taking sand or shells is also not allowed. National park rangers enforce this.

Panoramic view of Maya Bay with tourists

The beach is constantly maintained: trash is removed every day, the path from the pier is kept up, and a wooden boardwalk was built over the sand so that the feet of hundreds of visitors don't scatter it. Boat mooring near the shore is prohibited, so the view of the bay is no longer blocked by dozens of speedboats. This is the main change since reopening.

In high season, the pier area is still crowded. Groups arrive in waves, and hundreds of people can be on the shore at the same time. If you want calm shots, ask the operator for the first departure and get to the beach before everyone else.

The catch: time on shore is limited, usually about an hour, and it's set by the tour operator.
Who it's for: those who want to see the bay from the movie and don't mind an early start.
Not for: those looking for a deserted beach for the whole day.

How to get to Maya Bay

All routes to Maya Bay go by water. Choose an option based on time and budget.

Option	Travel time	Price
Ferry Phuket (Rassada) - Phi Phi Don	2-3 h	from 700 baht (as of 09/2026, Andaman Wave Master)
Ferry Krabi (Klong Jilad) - Phi Phi Don	about 2 h	from 450 baht (as of 09/2026, Andaman Wave Master)
Speedboat as part of a tour	under an hour	included in the tour price

The simplest option is a group tour from Phuket, Krabi, Ao Nang, or Lanta. You're picked up from your hotel, taken by speedboat, fed lunch on Phi Phi Don, and brought back. The national park fee is already included in the tour price, so you don't need to pay separately at the pier, and your ticket will be handed to you before boarding the boat.

Phi Phi Islands tours are best booked in advance: at the pier in Rassada the same tours cost more, and spots on morning boats sell out by evening.

Maya Bay beach with limestone cliffs and boats

The second option starts from Phi Phi Don. In Tonsai you rent a boat with a local captain and head to Phi Phi Leh along the cliffs, with stops at Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave. The price is negotiated on shore and depends on the number of stops and the season.

The third option is an overnight stay near the island. Some operators offer sleeping in a cabin on the boat. In the morning you find yourself in the bay before the tour groups arrive, and that is the best hour for photos. You cannot stay overnight on the island itself; mooring is allowed only nearby.

The movie "The Beach" and the natural scenery

Alex Garland's novel was adapted for the screen in 2000, and Phi Phi Leh was chosen as the filming location. In the story the action takes place on a different island, but the directors were specifically looking for an enclosed bay with white sand and rock walls.

Some of the scenery was added digitally: there was never a waterfall in the bay. For the film set, sand dunes were leveled and some palm trees were cut down. The studio paid fines for the damage to the ecosystem and funded the beach restoration.

Viking Cave

Next to the bay there is a cave that locals call Tham Phaya Nak. It got its European name from the rock paintings: the boat silhouettes resemble Viking ships. There were never any actual Vikings here.

Inside the cave live swiftlets, whose nests are considered an expensive delicacy, so collectors climb up to the very ceiling on bamboo ladders and remove the nests by hand. Because of this trade, the cave entrance is closed to tourists; you can only view it from the water.

Cliff with a cave and bamboo forests by turquoise water

Monkey Beach

Monkey Beach lies on the western side of Phi Phi Don. It is a short strip of sand between cliffs, and you can only reach it by water. From the land side, the beach is cut off by a limestone wall and dense vegetation.

The name translates as "monkey beach," and it is accurate: long-tailed macaques live on the slopes. They are used to people and come close, especially if they see food. Swimming here is not exactly peaceful, with boats constantly passing by.

Monkeys on a sandy beach among rocks and cliffs

Coral reefs are visible near the shore, so snorkeling is also popular here. The views open onto the neighboring Loh Dalum Bay and the cliffs across the water. There is no infrastructure on the beach: no cafes, no loungers, no showers.

The catch: no shade and no water on the shore, you need to bring everything with you.
Who it's for: for those who want to see macaques up close and are okay with busy water.

Monkeys at Monkey Beach: rules of conduct

Feeding the macaques is officially prohibited, and there is a sign at the entrance saying so. The ban is often violated, and that is when bites and scratches happen. After a bite you need vaccinations, which costs money and time.

Macaques grab anything left unattended. A backpack or bag on the sand risks losing its camera and glasses. Keep your belongings with you or leave them on the boat, and do not let children get close to the animals.

Macaque eating fruit on a rock by the sea

Well-fed monkeys behave more calmly, but you cannot predict their mood. Do not show food from your hands and do not leave bottles open. Medical insurance on a day like this is a good idea: in Thailand it is standard practice.

Watching macaques is interesting even without feeding them. They jump through the vines, steal finds from each other, and sit for long stretches on the rocks above the water.

The catch: bites happen exactly where tourists hand-feed the animals.
Not for: those who want to lie peacefully on the sand with a bag next to them.

How to get to Monkey Beach

The beach can only be reached from the water, and there are three options. The cheapest one suits active travelers, while the most convenient one suits those who don't want to paddle.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok at sunset

First option: rent a kayak in Loh Dalum Bay and follow the coastline. You'll paddle about a kilometer across calm water, and the trip takes under an hour. Morning hours are better: by midday, groups start gathering on the beach.

Second option: arrange a boatman on Phi Phi Don. He'll take you to the beach and pick you up at the agreed time. The advantage is that you choose the schedule, not the tour operator.

Third option: a group tour from Phuket or Ao Nang. The itinerary usually includes Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, and lunch on Phi Phi Don, with Monkey Beach scheduled after lunch. This option is convenient if you only have one day for the islands.

In the morning, the sea is calmer and the macaques are more active. Bring water, breakfast, and sun protection: nothing is sold on the shore. Before noon, you'll have time to swim, take photos, and head back before the crowds arrive.

Pileh Lagoon: a saltwater lake in the cliffs

Pileh Lagoon is surrounded by cliffs on almost all sides, with a narrow passage leading to the sea. It's smaller than Maya Bay, but deeper.

Turquoise Pileh Lagoon surrounded by sheer cliffs with boats

People come here not for the beach, but for the water itself. The turquoise color holds even on cloudy days, because the depth reflects less light. The surrounding cliffs are covered with vines, moss, and shrubs.

Geography of Pileh Lagoon

The lagoon lies in an enclosed bowl between limestone walls. At the base of the cliffs, waves have carved out narrow grottoes over thousands of years.

Turquoise lagoon surrounded by limestone cliffs with boats

What tourists do in Pileh Lagoon

In the lagoon, people swim, snorkel, and photograph the cliffs. Boats pass through the channel constantly, so pick a moment when they've cleared out.

By midday, the water turns turquoise, and the cliff walls reflect in it almost like a mirror. In the evening, the light is softer, and long shadows stretch across the water.

Longtail boats in an emerald lagoon by the cliffs

Divers also swim here: the depth near the cliffs is suitable for diving. It's better not to bring small children: the shore is shallow, but further out there's a deep section, and boats are constantly moving around.

Sometimes daredevils jump into the water from ledges on the cliffs. You shouldn't repeat this: underwater rocks aren't visible from above. There are no lifeguards in the lagoon.

The catch: boats pass close to swimmers, and the water near the bottom is colder.
Who it's for: those who love swimming and are willing to get out on the water early.

Hotels in Phuket for a Phi Phi trip

You can stay overnight in Phuket or on Phi Phi Don: Phi Phi Leh itself is uninhabited. Phuket has a wider choice of hotels, from budget to five-star.

Dusit Thani welcomes families: air-conditioned rooms, a pool with a terrace, and a children's playground. Saturdays Residence is more compact, with a sauna, a gym, and free bicycles. Chaofa West is chosen for its spacious rooms with kitchens and on-site parking.

All three options are within half an hour to an hour from Rassada Pier, where boats depart for the islands, so getting to the dock won't eat up your entire day. Phuket hotels on Trip.com show prices for your dates and preferred areas.

Tickets, entry, and park rules

Maya Bay is part of a national park, and all visitors pay an entry fee. The park fee is 400 baht for adults and 200 baht for children from other countries. Keep your ticket: it's checked at different points around the islands.

Swimming in the bay itself is allowed only up to the knees. Boats don't approach the beach; they dock at the pier at Loh Samah and wait for passengers in a nearby holding area. Eating, smoking, pitching tents, and flying drones are prohibited on the shore.

The closure season repeats every year: from August to September, the bay is closed to visitors, no one is allowed ashore, and boats pass by only to show the bay from the water. The park confirms exact dates in the summer, and they may shift by a day or two.

Ferry prices and fees were checked on 09/03/2026 on the carrier's official website. Check the schedule before your trip: there are fewer departures in the low season.

Tours and tickets in Phi Phi

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The catch: at the pier, you have to wait in line under the open sun.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Can you swim in Maya Bay?

In the bay itself, you're only allowed to wade in up to your knees; full swimming is prohibited. This was decided after the restoration: the wake from swimmers stirs up sand and harms young corals. If you want waist-deep water, choose Pileh Lagoon or the beaches of Phi Phi Don, where there are no such restrictions.

When is the bay closed to tourists?

Every year from August to September, the bay is closed for restoration. This is usually the monsoon season, when waves are more common at sea. The bay reopens in the first days of October.

How much does it cost to enter Maya Bay?

The national park fee is 400 baht for adults and 200 baht for children (as of 09/2026, park rates for 09/2026). On a group tour, this fee is already included in the tour price, so you don't need to pay separately at the pier.

How do you get to Monkey Beach?

Only by water: by kayak from Loh Dalum Bay, with a boatman from Phi Phi Don, or as part of a group tour. There are fewer people on the beach in the morning.

What to see near Maya Bay?

Nearby are Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, and Monkey Beach with its macaques. A typical day tour includes two or three stops plus lunch on Phi Phi Don. If you have time, stay overnight on the island: the lagoon looks completely different in the morning.

Video and map of Maya Bay

The video shows how disembarkation at the pier works and what the path to the beach looks like. The video was filmed during an island tour, and the route matches the one described above.

In short: what's worth booking

If you only have one day: take a group tour from Phuket, it covers Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, and Monkey Beach in a single trip. If you're staying on Phi Phi Don: rent a boat with a captain and start early in the morning, while the bay is still empty. If you're traveling with kids: choose a boat with a canopy and don't count on swimming in the bay itself.

Compare Phi Phi Leh tours on GetYourGuide and check whether the park fee is included in the price.

Maya Bay: when the bay is open for tourists and how much entry costs