Maya Bay, Phi Phi

Nestled amidst 100 m high limestone cliffs, the clearest azure water, and a beautiful blue sky, Maya Bay is a dream destination for every traveler on a trip to Thailand. Famous for its timeless beauty, it came to highlight after getting featured in the famous Hollywood movie Beach.

Situated in the Andaman Sea, Maya Bay lies in the Strait of Malacca in Krabi, Thailand. It comes under the Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park and is now a preserved area. The bay comprises several small beaches (visible only during low tides) with the major one being around a 200 m long stretch. Covered with silky soft powdery white sand and rich in underwater coral and exotic fish, the bay is an unimaginably beautiful big reef.

Home to exotic coral reefs and beautiful colored fish, this place is a haven for marine life lovers. It is amongst the most serene spots in Thailand to indulge in snorkeling or scuba diving. Paddling a kayak over the crystal clear water is another not to be missed water sports activity here. Camping at the beach is another adventure that you must try if you have the capacity to spend a night right under the star-lit sky. Capturing the beautiful views of surroundings or clicking selfies with an amazing backdrop of limestone cliff or majestic sea also leaves you with timeless memories.

A small shack sells some snacks and drinks on the beach. If you are camping here, bring your own water and food. Fire is not allowed here, but you can cook at the designated BBQ stand. To get to Maya Bay, you need to either book a speedboat tour, a private long-tail boat tour, or rent a kayak. Both half and full-day tours are available from Phuket and Krabi that you can book as per your likings and budget.

The best time to visit Maya Bay lies between November and April as during this time seas are calm, making the access to the bay quite straightforward. The beach remains crowded with long-tail boats and ferries, so if you are not a crowd appreciator, plan your visit in the early hours of the morning or after 5 pm.

• A heavenly destination, Maya Bay came to the limelight after being shot in the famous Hollywood movie, The Beach, starring Leonardo Dicaprio.
• It is a preserved area and comes under the Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.
• 100 m high limestone cliffs surround the bay from three sides.
• It houses several small beaches, and the primary one is 200 m long.
• The bay is one big gorgeous Coral Reef and is an ideal place to enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving.
• Camping is allowed here on alternate days, but you have to bring your own supplies like food and water
• Crystal clear water, beautiful seascapes, and amazing marine life make this place one of the most loved and photographed destinations in Thailand.

Maya Bay is only accessible through water. You can either come here through a speed boat tour from Phuket or Krabi or by booking a long-tail boat. You can even come here by paddling a rental kayak from Phi Phi Don.

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Places to Visit near Maya Bay 

1. Ko Phi Phi Lee: Located 43 km west from Krabi, Ko Phi Phi Lee is a small archipelago comprising 6 islands; Koh Phi Phi Don, Koh Bida Nok, Koh Phi Phi Leh, Koh Bida Nai, Koh Phai, and Koh Young. The natural elegance of the place is second to none and amuses the tourists with unmatched sea and land spectacle. It is an uninhabited island and has only one beach at Maya Bay. Complete with clear-crystal azure waters, powdery white sand, and lush tropical vegetation, it offers plenty of postcard clichés in just one place.

2. Viking Cave: Sitting north of Pi Leh Bay, the Viking Cave is famous for being a home of swift’s nests. The presence of some 100 years old wall inscriptions and paintings resembling Viking ships gave the cave its name and presents a sight to behold. Locals harvest these nests from February to April and sell them for thousands of dollars per kilo. They use the nests in the Chinese delicacy bird’s nest soup. The caves are not open for tourists, but they can have a glimpse from the outside.

3. Phi Le Lagoon: Phi Leh Lagoon is situated on the west coast and is one of the most beautiful destinations near Maya Bay. Enclosed with 100m vertical cliffs, this lagoon offers splendid opportunities for snorkeling, swimming and scuba diving. The lagoon is pretty shallow and is only accessible through speedboats and long tails tours. It remains in the shed throughout the day except for a few hours between 11am and 1pm, making it the best time to capture the exceptional beauty of its emerald green water and surroundings.

4. Ton Sai Beach: Tonsai beach offers not only an untouched vibe but is a hub for adventure activities. Known for its rock climbing possibilities, it is a great place to test your stamina and fitness, no matter if you are a novice or an experienced climber. You can even learn the tips of rock climbing or rent a rock climbing gear here. For relaxing souls, its beach offers captivating surroundings and for water sports lovers, kayaking can satisfy their cravings. The sunset views and fire shows hosted by the resorts in the evening add more fun to your trip. 

5. Monkey Bay: Known as Ao Ling, Monkey Bay is a popular tourist spot situated on Phi Phi Don Island. It is a small cove (like Monkey Beach) featuring bright yellow and thick sand. Home to crab-eating macaque monkeys, it also offers memorable snorkelling, diving, and swimming opportunities. You can reach Monkey Bay by hiring a long-tail boat or through speed boat tours but paddling your own sea kayak to this beautiful location is truly an extraordinary experience. 

6. Ko Bida Nok: One of the southernmost islets of the Phi Phi Islands, Ko Bida Nok is actually a simple limestone rock rising from the Andaman Sea. About 1.5 km south of Koh Phi Phi Leh, it offers splendid diving opportunities for adventure enthusiasts. It is also home to a vast variety of marine life, including zebra sharks and stingrays. The place also attracts cave explorers and divers for its beautiful cave beneath the cliff.