Maya Bay is open again. The beach on Phi Phi Leh reopened on 1 October 2026 after its annual two-month closure, and the rules are strict: no swimming, no boats on the sand and about an hour on the beach. Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi is still one of the most photographed places in Thailand, but a visit today is a short, regulated walk and not a beach day.
This guide covers the reopening and closure dates, the current rules, the entry fee, the best time to go and the tours that include the bay. It draws on Time Out Bangkok, Phuket 101, The Manduls, the national parks page and two live GetYourGuide listings that we checked on 26 October 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm them with your operator before you go.
- Status
- Open since 1 Oct 2026
- Annual closure
- 1 Aug to 30 Sep
- Time on the beach
- About 1 hour
- Swimming
- Not allowed
- Entry fee
- ฿200 to ฿400
- Visitor cap
- 375 per hour
Can you visit Maya Bay now?
Yes. It reopened on 1 October 2026. You land at a pontoon in Loh Samah Bay, walk a short boardwalk to the beach, stay about an hour and cannot swim. It closes again every August and September.
Is Maya Bay Open Now? Reopening and Closure Dates
Yes. Time Out Bangkok reported on 29 September 2026 that the bay would reopen to visitors on 1 October after its closure in August and September, which falls in the southwest monsoon. The break gives the shoreline and marine life time to recover, and it keeps boats away when the sea is rough.
The closure repeats every year. Phuket 101 says the national park normally confirms the exact dates in July and that they can shift by a day or two. During the closure you can still join a Phi Phi day trip and see the bay from the water, but you cannot land. If you travel in August or September, check the dates and your operator's itinerary before you book, because access can also depend on the sea on the day.
A short history of the closures
The bay was closed completely in June 2018 after years of overtourism. Phuket 101 says that at the worst point up to 5,000 visitors and 200 boats a day crowded the bay and that about 80% of the coral was destroyed. Coral was replanted, blacktip reef sharks returned and the beach reopened on 1 January 2022 with new rules. Annual closures followed.
How to check the bay is open on your date
Three checks save a wasted trip. First, ask your operator to confirm that the landing is open for your date, since access depends on the sea as well as the calendar. Second, read the park's latest notice if you travel near the start or end of the closure. Third, book a tour with free cancellation so you can change the date if the weather turns.
Maya Bay Rules in 2026: Swimming, Time Limit and Visitor Cap
The rules below come from recent guides and the national park's own conservation measures. They are the same for everyone, whether you arrive on a tour or on a private boat, and rangers enforce them on site.
| Rule | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Swimming | Not allowed. You may wade to knee depth |
| Time on the beach | About one hour per group |
| Visitor cap | 375 people per hour |
| Boats | None enter the bay; they moor at a pontoon in Loh Samah Bay |
| Walking route | A boardwalk of 5 to 10 minutes from the pontoon |
| Sunscreen | Products with oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4MBC or butylparaben are banned in Thai national parks, with fines up to ฿100,000 |
| Drones | Not allowed without permission from the national park |
| Collecting | No sand, shells or coral; take your rubbish with you |
| Sharks | Do not feed them or wade toward them |
Early reports in 2022 described a designated swimming area, according to Lonely Planet. Current guides, and the Time Out Bangkok report on the 2026 reopening, say swimming is prohibited to protect the coral, so follow today's rules and the rangers' instructions.
Why the rules exist
The limits respond to the damage of the peak years. With thousands of visitors and hundreds of boats arriving daily, the coral suffered and the beach eroded. Capping numbers, keeping boats out of the bay, banning swimming and closing the bay for two months a year all give the reef time to recover. Visitors also see the benefit, since sharks and marine life have returned to the shallows.
How to behave on the beach
- Follow the rangers' instructions and leave when your group is called.
- Stay in the shallows and wade only to knee depth.
- Do not feed the sharks or fish, and do not chase them.
- Leave sand, shells and coral where they are.
- Take every piece of rubbish back to the boat.
How to Get to Maya Bay: Boats, Loh Samah Bay and the Boardwalk
Boats cannot enter Maya Bay, so every visit follows the same route. Your boat ties up at a floating pontoon in Loh Samah Bay on the other side of Phi Phi Leh, and a boardwalk leads through to the beach.
Join a boat tour or hire a boat
From Ton Sai Pier on Phi Phi Don, The Manduls gives about 20 to 30 minutes by speedboat. From Phuket or Krabi you add the crossing, which our guides to Phuket to Phi Phi and Krabi to Phi Phi explain.
Moor at Loh Samah Bay
Your boat ties up at the pontoon. The neighbouring bays close with it during the August and September closure, according to Tisland Travel.
Walk the boardwalk
The path through the cliffs takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Wear shoes you can walk in and carry only what you need.
Spend about an hour on the sand
Rangers manage the time limit and the visitor cap. Return to the boat when your group is called.
If you want the earliest slot, sleep on Phi Phi Don, since sunrise tours start there. Our guide to where to stay in Phi Phi compares the areas, and our guide to Phi Phi Leh describes the island that holds the bay.
Maya Bay Tours: Sunrise and Half-Day Options
Most visitors reach Maya Bay on a boat tour, because the operator handles the route, the pontoon and usually the park fee. These two live listings both include the bay as a headline stop. Our guide to the Phi Phi island tour options compares every format, including full-day and private trips.
Sunrise Maya Bay tour from Phi Phi Don
A sunrise departure is the best answer to the crowds, because you reach the beach before most day-trip boats. The listing below starts on Phi Phi Don, so you need to be staying on the island.
From Phi Phi: Sunrise Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon Speedboat Tour
A speedboat tour that reaches the beach for sunrise, then snorkels at Pileh Lagoon and stops at Viking Cave and Monkey Beach. Choose the half-day option or a longer day with lunch on Bamboo Island.
Check on the listing before you book
- Price and start time for your date
- Meeting point near Ton Sai Pier
- What is included, including the park fee
Powered by GetYourGuide. Price, duration and availability depend on your date.
The listing is rated 4.5 out of 5 from 130 reviews and shows one hour at the bay. It also says the half-day option leaves out lunch and the stop at Bamboo Island. The page showed a price from about US$49 per person when we checked, though prices change by date.
Half-day Maya tour Phi Phi by speedboat
A half-day tour fits one morning or afternoon and still covers the bay, Pileh Lagoon and a snorkeling stop. It is the simpler choice if you do not want a dawn start.
Phi Phi: Half-Day Speedboat Tour to Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon & Snorkeling
A guided speedboat trip to the bay, Pileh Lagoon and a snorkeling stop, with a choice of morning or afternoon departure. The afternoon option adds a sunset and a plankton swim.
Check on the listing before you book
- Price and start time for your date
- Meeting point
- What is included, including the park fee
Powered by GetYourGuide. Price, duration and availability depend on your date.
This listing is rated 4.7 out of 5 from 190 reviews and describes about an hour at the bay. If you would rather have a boat to yourselves, The Manduls quotes private longtail half-day trips from about ฿3,300 for the whole boat, so it can be cheaper per head for a family.
Which tour should you choose?
The right pick depends on where you sleep and how much you want to see in a day. The table sets the main formats side by side.
| Format | Length | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise speedboat from Phi Phi Don | 4 to 8 hours | The quietest visit, if you stay on the island |
| Half-day speedboat | 4 to 6 hours | A first visit with a morning or afternoon free |
| Full-day speedboat tour | 7 to 9.5 hours | Adding Bamboo Island, lunch and sunset |
| Private longtail | 3 to 7 hours | Families and groups who want their own pace |
Full-day and private options are covered in detail in our Phi Phi island tour guide, with prices and park fees. If you only have a few hours, the half-day listing above is the simplest way to see the beach and one swim stop.
Best Time to Visit Maya Bay: Season and Time of Day
The best months to visit Maya Bay are November to April, when the sea is calmer, according to The Manduls. From May to October the weather is less predictable and boat trips are more likely to be cancelled. The bay reopens at the tail end of the rainy season, so expect sun and showers in October, according to Phuket 101.
The time of day matters more than the month for the crowds. The Manduls says most tours arrive after 9 AM, and a Krabi operator says the cap fills by about 10:30 AM in peak season. Use the table to pick a slot.
| Departure | What to expect | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise, around 6 AM from Phi Phi Don | The fewest day-trippers, per The Manduls | Photographers and early risers |
| Early morning | Ahead of most tours, which arrive after 9 AM | A calmer visit |
| Late morning | Peak time; the cap fills by about 10:30 AM in high season | Fixed tours from Phuket or Krabi |
| Afternoon | Offered on the half-day listing, with sunset and plankton | Combining the bay with a night swim |
For help with the seasons around the whole island, see our guide to the best time to visit Phi Phi.
Maya Bay Entry Fee and Costs
Sources disagree on the Maya Bay fee. Thai National Parks lists ฿200 for foreign adults and ฿100 for children aged 3 to 14 for the Phi Phi islands park, while Phuket 101, The Manduls and Tisland Travel quote ฿400 for adults and ฿200 for children at the bay. The sunrise listing above names the national park entry fee among its inclusions, and The Manduls says private-boat visitors pay in cash at the ticket booth.
| Item | Quoted price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Park fee, foreign adult | ฿200 to ฿400 | Sources differ; often included in tour tickets |
| Park fee, child | ฿100 to ฿200 | Children aged 3 to 14 on the park page |
| Shared sunrise tour | From about US$49 | GetYourGuide listing, 26 October 2026 |
| Private longtail, half day | From about ฿3,300 per boat | The Manduls |
| Toilets at the bay | A small fee | Carry coins |
What Maya Bay Is Like Today
The Beach and the film
The bay became famous through The Beach, the Leonardo DiCaprio film shot there in 1999 and released in 2000, according to Phuket 101. Our guide to the Beach location on Phi Phi covers the film. The bay is the same sheltered cove ringed by tall cliffs, but the experience is different now.
What you actually see
At Maya Bay you see the cliffs, the pale sand and clear shallow water from a boardwalk and the shoreline, with rangers nearby. Blacktip reef sharks have returned to the bay, according to Phuket 101, and one operator reports around 40 in the shallows on a typical day. Keep your distance and never feed them. Facilities are basic, with small-fee toilets and no shops, according to The Manduls.
Phuket 101 is honest that it still feels crowded, and the ballet of speedboats in Loh Samah Bay can be off-putting. Go in expecting a short, scenic stop and you will enjoy it more than if you expect an empty beach.
Good
- Dramatic limestone cliffs and clear water
- A protected beach where the coral is recovering
- Sharks and marine life are back
- Easy to combine with Pileh Lagoon
Not so good
- No swimming, wading to the knees only
- About an hour on the beach
- Still busy at peak times
- Closed every August and September
Is it worth it?
For most visitors, yes, as long as expectations match the rules. The scenery is as dramatic as the photos, and the visit slots neatly into a day that also includes a swim and a snorkel. If you expect to lie on the sand, you will be disappointed. If you want a protected, beautiful stop and a few good photographs, it delivers.
Families and accessibility
Children can visit, and the sunrise listing sells child tickets for ages 4 to 11. The same listing says the tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments, since there is a boat transfer and a boardwalk walk. Check the conditions on the booking page for your group.
What to Bring to Maya Bay
There are no shops on the beach, so pack for a short walk and a busy boat day. The list below covers what matters.
- Your own water and snacks, since The Manduls says there is no food or drink for sale on the beach.
- Sunscreen that is free of the four banned filters, and a hat.
- Coins for the toilets.
- Swimwear and a towel for Pileh Lagoon and the snorkeling stops, even though you cannot swim at the bay.
- A bag for your rubbish, which you must take with you.
- Shoes you can walk in on the boardwalk, and a light layer in October.
- A camera or phone, but not a drone.
Pileh Lagoon and Other Stops Near Maya Bay
Most boat trips pair the bay with a handful of stops around Phi Phi Leh. This is how they compare, and our guide to things to do in Phi Phi shows what else the island offers.
Pileh Lagoon
Pileh Lagoon is a sheltered emerald bay enclosed by high cliffs, and it is where tours stop to swim and snorkel, which makes up for the swimming ban at the beach. Phuket 101 warns that longtails and speedboats come and go nonstop, so expect company.
Viking Cave, Monkey Beach and Bamboo Island
Viking Cave is a photo stop, Monkey Beach is a cove with wild macaques, and Bamboo Island is a white-sand beach for lunch and snorkeling. Our guides to Monkey Beach and Bamboo Island cover each stop, and our Phi Phi island hopping guide shows how the routes link up. For the whole circuit, see our Koh Phi Phi guide.
What to Do Instead When Maya Bay Is Closed
From 1 August to 30 September you cannot land, but a Phi Phi trip is still worth taking. Phuket 101 says you can join a day trip and see the bay from the water, and the other stops are unchanged. Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach and Bamboo Island all remain on the usual route, and the snorkeling is a good reason to go.
On land, the viewpoints above Tonsai Village and the beaches on Phi Phi Don are open all year. Our list of things to do in Phi Phi sorts them by type. The sea is rougher in the monsoon, so choose a booking with free cancellation and watch the forecast.
Maya Bay FAQ
Is Maya Bay open?
Yes. It reopened on 1 October 2026 after the annual closure and stays open until it closes again each August and September.
Can you swim at Maya Bay?
No. Swimming is prohibited to protect the coral, and you may only wade to knee depth. You can swim at Pileh Lagoon and at snorkeling stops on the same tour.
How long can you stay on the beach?
About one hour per group. Some guides quote 30 to 45 minutes, and the operator sets the time for your tour.
How much is the Maya Bay entry fee?
Sources quote ฿200 to ฿400 for foreign adults and ฿100 to ฿200 for children. Many tour tickets include it, so check before you pay.
When does the bay close each year?
Every August and September. The national park confirms the dates each year, normally in July.
What is the best time of day to visit?
Early morning or sunrise, before most tours arrive after 9 AM. The best months are November to April.
How do you get there from Phi Phi Don?
By speedboat from Ton Sai Pier, which takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Boats moor at a pontoon in Loh Samah Bay and you walk a short boardwalk to the beach.
Can you take a drone to the beach?
Not without permission from the national park, according to The Manduls. Leave it at your hotel unless you have approval.
Ready to see Maya Bay?
Check dates and start times for the half-day speedboat tour to the bay, Pileh Lagoon and a snorkeling stop.
Photo credits: Beach view by AramilFeraxa (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Welcome sign by AramilFeraxa (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Turquoise water by Vyacheslav Argenberg (CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Loh Samah Bay by Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Pileh Lagoon by Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons). Tour photos: GetYourGuide.
Disclosure: InsideSamui may earn a commission when you book through some of the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This guide is compiled from published park, operator and traveler information, checked on 26 October 2026. We have not run these trips ourselves for this page. Prices, schedules, fees and rules around Koh Phi Phi change often, so confirm with your operator before you travel. Tour bookings are handled by GetYourGuide.