Maya Bay Phi Phi Leh Holidays
Phi Phi Leh — Maya Bay
Holidays
The most famous beach in Southeast Asia — the filming location of The Beach, now restored and more beautiful than ever after its conservation closure
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Flight Time
11–12h to Phuket, then 1.5h ferry to Phi Phi Don
Best Time
November to April (dry season)
Country
Thailand
Suppliers
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Phi Phi Leh — Maya Bay Holiday Guide
Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh is the most famous beach in Southeast Asia — the filming location of The Beach, now fully restored after its conservation closure and more beautiful than ever. The coral reef has recovered completely and blacktip reef sharks have returned.
Visitor numbers are strictly controlled — book a timed entry slot in advance. The best time to visit is early morning. Viking Cave is a fascinating addition to any Phi Phi Leh trip.
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Popular Areas in Phi Phi Leh — Maya Bay
Average Temperatures
Jan
29°C
Feb
30°C
Mar
31°C
Apr
32°C
May
30°C
Jun
29°C
Jul
29°C
Aug
29°C
Sep
28°C
Oct
28°C
Nov
28°C
Dec
29°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Phi Phi Leh — Maya Bay
The world-famous beach, restored coral reef and extraordinary limestone scenery that make Maya Bay the most iconic destination in the Phi Phi Islands.
Maya Bay — The Beach
Maya Bay is the most famous beach in Southeast Asia — a perfect natural amphitheatre of towering limestone cliffs enclosing a brilliant white sand beach and turquoise water of extraordinary clarity. The bay was the filming location of the 2000 film The Beach and has been one of the most visited sites in Thailand ever since. The setting is as extraordinary as the film suggested.
Conservation & Restoration
Maya Bay was closed to all visitors from 2018 to 2022 to allow the coral reef and beach ecosystem to recover from the damage caused by mass tourism. The restoration was extraordinarily successful — the coral reef has fully recovered, blacktip reef sharks have returned to the bay, and the beach is in better condition than at any time in the past 20 years. Visitor numbers are now strictly controlled.
Snorkelling
The snorkelling at Maya Bay is now among the finest in the Phi Phi Islands — the restored coral reef is healthy and abundant, with blacktip reef sharks, turtles, rays and a huge variety of tropical fish visible in the clear water. Snorkelling is permitted in designated areas around the bay. The water clarity is exceptional.
The Beach
Maya Bay's beach is one of the most beautiful in the world — a wide stretch of brilliant white sand enclosed by towering limestone cliffs on three sides, with the turquoise Andaman Sea on the fourth. The beach is now managed to prevent overcrowding and the experience is far better than before the closure. Swimming is permitted in designated areas.
Viking Cave
Viking Cave (Tham Phaya Nak) on the northeast coast of Phi Phi Leh is one of the most fascinating sites in the Phi Phi Islands — a large sea cave decorated with ancient paintings of boats (believed to be 1,000–2,000 years old) and used by sea swallows to build their nests. The nests are harvested for bird's nest soup. The cave is accessible by longtail boat.
Visiting Practicalities
Maya Bay is a day-trip destination only — no overnight stays are permitted on Phi Phi Leh. Visitor numbers are strictly controlled and timed entry slots are required. The bay is best visited early in the morning (before 9am) or late afternoon (after 3pm) to avoid the peak crowds. Entry fees apply and are included in most organised day trips.
Day Trips
Maya Bay is most commonly visited as part of a day trip from Phi Phi Don (30 minutes by longtail or speedboat) or from Phuket (2 hours by speedboat). Most day trips combine Maya Bay with snorkelling at the surrounding reefs, a visit to Viking Cave and stops at other Phi Phi Leh sites. Organised tours are the most convenient option.
Phi Phi Leh
Phi Phi Leh is the smaller, uninhabited sister island of Phi Phi Don — a dramatic island of towering limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons and pristine beaches accessible only by boat. In addition to Maya Bay, the island has several other beautiful bays and snorkelling spots. The scenery is the most dramatic in the Phi Phi Islands.
Explore Phi Phi Leh — Maya Bay on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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