+ overview

Maya bay is a wonderful bay surrounded by 100-metre high sheer cliffs. By being almost separated from the sea, it looks pretty much like a huge natural swimming pool leaving a feeling of secludedness and privacy. The bay is made up of three beaches, two tiny ones and the main beach, a 200m-long stretch of white powdery sand and exceptionally clear water. Maya Bay is where some scenes of the movie “The Beach”, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Virginie Ledoyen & Guillaume Canet, have been shot. Since the release of the movie in 1999, Maya Bay has become the main attraction of the Phi Phi archipelago.

Maya Bay is located on Koh Phi Phi Ley, the second largest island of the Phi Phi islands. The Phi Phi islands are situated in the South of Thailand, off mainland’s Western coast and South East from Phuket. A protected natural reserve, Koh PhiPhi Ley is an (almost) uninhabited island that boasts a pristine, unspoilt environment.

The Koh Phi Phi islands are considered by many as one of the prettiest places in the world, and they really are. But unfortunately this is far to be a secret and the islands experience an important affluence of tourists, especially during high season. That being said, how could a place as beautiful as Maya Bay be as deserted as we would imagine. Thousands of people visit everyday and you can expect up to 20 long tail boats and speedboats parked on the beach. That’s why it may be wise to get there early in the morning or in the late afternoon to avoid the crowd.

+ see & do

As the water visibility is excellent around Maya Bay, it is great for swimming and snorkeling. Numerous colorful corals and fish make a great underwater environment waiting to be explored. Another popular activity in Maya is sea kayaking. It is now also possible to do some camping on the island, with all the fun going with it and more important the opportunity to enjoy the beach really early in the morning, when it’s not so crowded yet.

The only facilities on the island are toilets and a small shop selling snacks and drinks.

+ get there

Different types of boat take you to Maya Bay departing from different places. You can opt either for long tail boats, speed boats or all-inclusive boat tours (sightseeing, diving, food…) that take you to other sites as well.

The shortest way to get there is obviously from Koh Phi Phi main Island, Phi Phi Don, but boats depart also from Phuket and Krabi.

+ other beaches

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