Maya Bay, made famous by the movie “The Beach,” is an idyllic paradise located in Phi Phi Ley, Thailand. Surrounded by towering limestone cliffs, the bay boasts pristine white sands and crystal-clear waters. The abundant coral reefs teem with marine life, making it a haven for snorkelers and divers. Visitors can bask in the sun or take a leisurely swim in the turquoise water. The stunning scenery creates a perfect backdrop for photographs, making every angle a postcard-worthy shot. The vibrant atmosphere draws travelers seeking both relaxation and adventure. Maya Bay’s natural beauty is a testament to Thailand’s spectacular landscapes, making it a must-visit destination. Nature lovers will appreciate the lush greenery and diverse ecosystem surrounding this breathtaking bay.
Maya Bay is a breathtaking natural gem nestled in the Phi Phi Islands of Thailand. Made internationally famous by Leonardo DiCaprio’s film “The Beach,” this stunning bay offers visitors a glimpse of paradise with its powdery white sands and brilliant turquoise waters. Flanked by towering limestone cliffs, Maya Bay creates a dramatic backdrop that captivates everyone who sets foot on its shores. The bay is encircled by vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life, providing exceptional opportunities for snorkeling and diving amidst colorful fish and rich underwater ecosystems. Whether you are lounging on the beach, swimming in the clear waters, or exploring the surrounding trails, Maya Bay offers a tranquil escape from the bustling tourist paths. Its natural beauty has become a sanctuary for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike, drawing visitors from all corners of the globe. Despite its popularity, careful measures are being taken to preserve this pristine environment, ensuring that Maya Bay remains as enchanting for future generations as it is today. The allure of this tropical paradise continues to be a beacon for travelers seeking an unforgettable experience in one of the world’s most beautiful locations.
อ่าวมาหยา (เกาะพีพีเล, ไทย) - รีวิว - ThailandAgoda.com
Attractions
6 miles
0.00 miles
1.61 miles
3.39 miles
3.61 miles
3.79 miles
3.83 miles
4.04 miles
4.13 miles
4.15 miles
4.16 miles
Maya Bay is perched on a picturesque hilltop overlooking Thailand
Maya Bay, true to its name, feels like God’s creation of pure beauty. Despite being a popular tourist spot, it is well-managed, offering a hassle-free experience. Truly, beauty at its finest!
It was very clean ,scenery was beautiful and the water was so clean and clear you could be the white sand ,it’s really an awesome place to visit
They demand money to visit the bay . The money is ment for the up keep of the area. It has only 2 beaches inside the bay and one of them is full of rubbish. Sad.
Maya bay is pretty, it’s also busy, it’s also expensive (£9 pp). The most enjoyable part apart from the initial wow factor is people watching all the Instagram pictures being made, my favourite was the man who was breathing in and the girl who lay down as her boyfriend with tech skills captures the shot. The boat tour experience is: pull up at a pier, get herded to the beach, spend 40mins saying wow, laughing and then getting bored and then back to the boat. The boat tours are good.Go early in the morning, we were there for like 9:30 and it was pretty quite getting busier.
We arrived at the island to big waves and our crew were already on their way, debating whether to go at all… It was under a cloud, as it had been the whole week we’d been near Ao Nang, but it didn’t matter, it was still warm (24.11). It was raining/drizzling a bit… The entrance to the floating pier was lined with boats, people getting on, getting off… an endless stream of people, and we weren’t in high season. We were pushed and told to go “fast, fast, fast”… the crew of our boat helped us off and on so that we didn’t get swept away… It reminded me of airports, where each plane has a small time slot that cannot be missed. There was a ramp from the floating pier to the island, divided in the middle so that those going to the island were in one lane and those going back were in the other… I would say super organisation…The sea is a beautiful turquoise at the floating pontoon. There is a nice raised wooden walkway from the beginning of the island to both Maya Beach and the toilet… it looks quite new, well preserved… but this walkway is already shared by people going in both directions and often just not enough for the crowd… sometimes you get pushed next to the wooden walkway to places that probably try to be protected by the walkway… There is also a lookout point on the way to Maya Beach, where we were able to get a glimpse of what it looks like from above. Even though it was raining, there were a lot of people, but not too many head to head… When we got to the beach itself, it was always possible to find a spot where nobody was in the way of the photos, it just took a bit of patience… Most of the tourists were just there for the photos anyway… so they stayed in groups on the left side of the beach… while there was almost nobody at the end of the right side of the beach… which of course I took advantage of…We also saw a baby shark, one of the guides pointed it out. The sea was clear, beautiful, warm, incredible, turquoise and deep blue … the sand was fine … everything was clear … we didn’t have postcard shots with blue skies or dramatic clouds, just a simple rain from a grey sky … overcast. Anyway, the bay was really breathtaking. Swimming is forbidden, but of course you can go a metre or two into the sea and take photos… If you overdo it, or want to sit down or lie down in the sea, there is a guard who immediately whistles and goes to moderate the rule breakers.Rules and regulations welcome you (Violation will be fined 5,000-100,000 baht of the National Park Act, B.E.2562(2019)).. They are all reasonable, and people with working common sense should follow them anyway. Anyway, it is a good reminder – Do not remove coral, coralline,all shells and marine life from national park.- Do not use sunscreens that areful to corals,- Bring polystyrene foam boxes in to this area is prohibited- Littering in this area is prohibited- Do not feed fishes- Do not use drones without permission- Do not drop anchor on coral reefs- Do not to swimThey also ask us to help save baby sharks and Maya Bay – “Please take any trash, garbage, or waste back with you in order to dispose of the trash on land due to difficulty in removing trash from the island”Something to think about: Maya Bay Park Renger Unit 5 – the booth where you pay the entry fee. It says that it is open from 8am to 5pm. I wonder if you pay the entrance fee if you arrive outside these hours. And you can arrive, many people say in reviews that they arrived at about 7am. Then another question comes to my mind. If it is not charged outside these hours, do the captains in the boats take money from tourists for entering this island? (Questions formulated based on several reviews not only from this island… that a tourist pays the entry fee to the captain, but the boat leaves and he has to pay again) To sum up, it was our first time in Thailand, we visited several islands. I do not think this one is that unique in beauty. Don’t get me wrong, it is breathtaking and wonderful… but even during our short visit we saw several similarly wonderful beaches with the same wonderful colours and silky white sand, stones in the view… and there was not such hype as for this one… It was not very relaxing either. You pay a fixed fee to enter, 10x more than the locals. I have to admit that I have never seen the film Beach with Caprio and I don’t intend to 🙂
So many tourists and boats getting in and out. Incredibly busy but not chaotic.Spectacular sights and scenery!It’s worth the 400bht per person but swimming is not allowed though and the securities are constantly screaming on the microphone!
We visited Maya Bay today and were incredibly underwhelmed by the experience. Whilst the beach is clearly beautiful it was ruined by constant boat loads of people being crammed onto the island, filing single file along the paths like ants whilst staff shout/whistle to anyone who dares to pause. There is clearly an incentive to tours to visit as this is the beach they take 400 baht per adult fee from you.I appreciate the reasons for no swimming but overall there are several better beaches you can swim at and not be charged a relative fortune to go to.
Wow, this beach really lives up to all the hype! It is very well preserved, but also enjoyed by visitors. Fluffy fine white sand and incredible clear waters. The viewing platform is well positioned to take photos and the overall view on the beach is spectacular. Must see!
Beautiful spot! My wife and I came here on one of the V Marines tours (which we recommend). So picturesque and even had baby sharks swimming around our ankles. Gets a little crowded but it’s such a must see island.
I hadn’t heard of Maya Bay before our boat tour guide said we had arrived to it. We stopped for an hour and it was probably the most boring stop of our trip. The views are completely unbelievable, but the crowds are unbearable with the entire beach constantly taking instagram pictures on the shoreline whilst a ranger shouts down a megaphone to stay out of the water. A beach you can’t swim at isn’t worthy of this hype in my opinion. The floating dock is chaos (which i actually liked) but definitely not suitable for kids and the elderly when the water is choppy.The only reason this is 3 instead of 1 is that we later went around on the boat into the bay and snorkelled which was unreal (caves, sharks etc.) and so much better in my opinion. If you are booking privately i would suggest avoiding the beach but going into the bay instead.
I think everyone who is going to Maya Bay knows what to spec t really. It is busy, really busy no matter what time of the day you go. Get on to the floating pontoon is chaotic, then you queue to go over the steps and down towards the bay. Takes about 10mins realistically, maybe a tad longer. Once you are on the beach, it is stunning, the water and view is superb and it has rightfully been protected. Boats aren’t allowed in and people are not allowed to swim in the water. Getting out though is the pain. You have to queue and today it took 30mins. We were a couple, but the problem is, every large group would get called through to their awaiting boat. To summarise, glad to have seen it, but in reality, there were a few boats just moored on the edge of the bay, and that view would have been very impressive and saved a whole load of stress. If you are not bothered about actually spending 3 minutes on the beach, then go for that option. Hindsight hey!!
Maya bay is pretty and also busy.You have to come early in the morning to avoid the crowds. At every step, there are ladies lying on the beach and their partners trying to take a million photos of them for Instagram… The beauty of the beach is disappearing…
The bay itself is beautiful – you are given time to take photos, but unable to swim there. Very crowded although the paths are orderly and clearly marked
Beautiful spot! Yes, there are queues to get in, but they move fast.Tour groups are guided through and have a meeting pint so everyone gets back on their boat at a set time.There is a small shop if you need water, snacks, etc.Toilet facilities.Once at Maya Beach, you must remember the water isn’t for swimming.There are security guards with whistles and they will blow it if you go in the water too far.Although crowded, very easy to wait a moment then you can get beautiful pictures without others in the background.Beware of sharks in the water too!
Maya Bay used to be something special. I had the gift of seeing it many years ago, back when it was raw, untamed, and quiet — a place where the turquoise waters met the sheer cliffs without the overwhelming noise of cameras, crowds, and boats. It was a slice of paradise, untouched and unspoiled, where you could actually *feel* the magic of the place. But today? It’s just another overrun tourist trap, stripped of everything that made it worth visiting.The bay itself is still beautiful — no doubt about that. The sand is white, the water is still that perfect shade of blue — but it’s all been swallowed by the hordes. Boats are everywhere, the crowds are relentless, and the feeling of being in a special, secret place is completely gone. It’s been commodified, sanitized, and packaged for Instagram likes. The serenity I remember has been drowned out by the sound of engines and selfies.It’s a shame, really. Maya Bay could have been a place that stayed pristine, a part of Thailand’s wild heart, but instead it became a victim of its own fame. Maybe it’s still worth a visit if you’ve never seen it, but it’s no longer the quiet, untouched paradise it once was. It’s just another postcard, faded and overexposed.
beatuful beach. BUT total kaos, so many people, crasy crowdet and a lot of boats. All turist was put in a long line, like sheeps. If you dont follow the line, they wil shout at you. we had 45 min. and then back in line and race to the boats.So sad…
Definitely worth a half day (or more) to take the ride over from Koh Phi Phi. The area is highly trafficked (same as Phi Phi) but provides a stunning backdrop for pictures and (a short ride away) snorkeling amid schools of fish. Know going in that you can only wade in briefly for pictures before the loudspeaker issues warnings of fines. If that’s what it takes to keep the ecosystem safe, then I’m OK with that. There are other opportunities nearby to swim and snorkel. Tours are run efficiently and without needless wait times. We did the speedboat tour, but the slower longboats look to be a more charming option.
Oof. Maya Bay itself is stunning and one of the most picturesque places I have ever seen. Unfortunately, the busyness of it is horrendous, completely overcrowded with tourists and just one giant trap. There is not a single space on the waters edge, reps everywhere yelling down microphones and hurrying you up & 30 minute queues to get off the island! It was absolute chaos and it is a shame as I can imagine once upon a time it was incredible before it became the worst kept secret. Avoid avoid avoid & go somewhere else. It just is not worth it.