Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0 Maya Bay reopened in 2022 after a four-year closure, with new rules designed to stop the damage that mass tourism caused. Here is what to expect on your visit.
Quick answers
| Rule | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Annual closure | Closed 1 August – 30 September each year, reopening 1 October |
| Swimming | Not allowed — paddling up to about knee depth only |
| Boat landing | Boats no longer land on the beach; you arrive at Loh Samah Bay and walk a boardwalk |
| Time limit | Visits are managed in slots — usually around one hour in the bay |
| Visitor cap | A reported limit of about 375 people in the bay at once |
| Park fee | About 400 THB per foreign adult, often included in tours |
| Sunscreen | Products with certain chemicals (e.g. oxybenzone, octinoxate) are banned in Thai marine parks |
The annual closure
Since reopening, Maya Bay closes during the peak of the southwest monsoon, from 1 August to 30 September, so the reef can recover and the blacktip reef sharks can breed undisturbed. Phi Phi tours still run during these months but skip the bay — look for itineraries that spend longer at Pileh Lagoon, Bamboo Island and snorkelling sites.
Why you can't swim
Maya Bay is a nursery for blacktip reef sharks, and the coral was badly damaged by anchors and crowds before 2018. Swimming is banned to protect both. You can still walk the full length of the beach and wade at the water's edge — and you will often see small sharks in the shallows.
How the landing works
- Your boat moors at a floating pier in Loh Samah Bay, on the opposite side of the island.
- You walk a short boardwalk through the forest — a few minutes.
- You enjoy the beach for your allotted time, then return the same way.
Deal Phi Phi Private Longtail: Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon & Snorkel
- Free cancellation
- Booked 21 times yesterday
From
$110 $105
per group up to 2
Deal Phuket: Phi Phi, Maya Bay & Khai Island Day Tour with Lunch
- Free cancellation
- Booked 14 times yesterday
From
$52 $42
per person
Deal From Phi Phi: Half-Day Longtail Tour to Maya Bay & Snorkeling
- Free cancellation
- Booked 13 times yesterday
From
$22 $18
per person
Park fee
The Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park fee is around 400 THB for foreign adults (less for children). Most organised tours include it. If you hire a private longtail on Phi Phi Don, carry cash to pay at the park booth.
What to bring
- Reef-safe sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
- Water shoes for the pier and the lagoon stops
- A dry bag for phones and cameras
- Cash for the park fee if it isn't included
- Patience — you'll share this beach with others, especially from late morning
Find a tour that includes the park fee and an early arrival.
See all tours