How to Visit Maya Bay: Best Tours, How to Get There, Top Tips & More!

Planning a visit to Maya Bay, but not sure what to expect? You’ve come to the right place!

In this article I have outlined everything you need to know about visiting the famous Maya Bay in Thailand. Including how to get there, what to expect, what you can do once there and more.

With its towering cliffs, crystal clear water and soft white sand, Maya Bay is one of the most famous and visited beaches in Thailand. But is visiting it worth the hype?

In this article I will also help you find the answer to that question.

Having visited Thailand four times, the Phi Phi Islands three times and Maya Bay twice, I can’t claim to be an expert, but I do have some experience when it comes to Maya Bay.

So what are you waiting for, let’s dive in, and discover everything you need to know about Maya Bay!

What is Maya Bay?

Maya Bay is one of the most popular beaches in Thailand. It featured in the famous travel movie The Beach, with Leonardo di Caprio, which instantly added it to everyone’s Thailand itinerary.

It’s a relatively small cove, with a beach of only xx metres, but hidden in a very deep lagoon. It’s particularly famous for the towering cliffs that surround it, which appear to seal away the entrance to the lagoon.

With its clear emerald water, towering green cliffs and pristine white sand, Maya Bay is blessed with a truly unique scenery.

Is Maya Bay open?

As of today, yes it is. 

After appearing in the movie The Beach, Maya Bay became one of the most (if not THE most) visited beach in Thailand. This lead to considerable environmental damage to the beach, seabed and local fauna.

Maya Bay was closed from 2018 to 2022, to help the beach ecosystem recover from the damages of over tourism.

It opened up again at the end of 2022. However, it is no longer possible to swim in Maya Bay. You can stand in the water up to knee-length, but you can’t go any further.

There are lifeguards on the beach checking that this doesn’t happen, and they will whistle at you and stop you if you attempt to get in the water deeper than knee-length.

Maya Bay location

Maya Bay is located on the western side of Koh Phi Phi Leh, in the Phi Phi Islands archipelago.

Although it’s technically part of the Krabi province, it’s quite close to Phuket, which is why many travellers visit Maya Bay as part of their Phuket itinerary.

You can see the exact location in the map below.

How to get to Maya Bay

Being such a popular tourist destination, Maya Bay is fairly easy to get to. Being a beach on a deserted island without human settlements, you can’t just walk there, but there are plenty of boat options to get you there.

How to get to Maya Bay from Phuket

Most travellers will visit May Bay on a day tour from Phuket. You can get to Maya Bay from Phuket in around 90 minutes by speedboat on an organised tour.

These tours will usually include a wider Phi Phi islands day tour, visiting also other famous sights like Monkey Beach, Bamboo Island, snorkelling in Phi Leh Lagoon (one of the best snorkelling spots in all of Thailand!) and the Phi Phi town.

I have listed below some popular Phuket to Maya Bay tours.

Phuket: Maya, Phi Phi, and Bamboo Island with Buffet Lunch: This is the classic Maya Bay tour from Phuket. It includes a buffet lunch, a visit to Viking Cave and a snorkel at Bamboo Island.

Click here to book your Phuket to Maya Bay tour with lunch!

From Phuket Or Khao Lak: Phi Phi Islands Early Bird Tour: This tour is pretty similar to the above, but with the added benefit of setting off earlier, which means less crowds in Maya Bay!

Click here to book your early bird tour to Maya Bay from Phuket!

Phuket: Phi Phi Islands Day-Trip by Speed Catamaran: If you want to treat yourself, this tour is a great way to do so! This luxury speed catamaran will add that extra wow effect to your Phuket to Maya bay tour.

Check out prices & availability for your luxury catamaran tour to Maya Bay from Phuket!

 

Alternatively, you can also get to Maya Bay from Phuket independently by ferry, without an organised tour.

The ferry however will only get you to Koh Phi Phi Don, from there you then need to arrange a boat to Maya Bay (more on that in a moment).

The slow ferry takes up to 2 hours, while the fast ferry takes 60-90 minutes. The ferries run three times a day. You can see the ferry times here, or book one below.

Click here to book your ferry fransfer to/from Koh Phi Phi from Phuket, or check prices & availability in the calendar below!

 

How to get to Maya Bay from Krabi

The journey from Krabi to Maya Bay is slightly shorter, taking only one hour by speedboat.

Similarly to Phuket, you can travel to Maya Bay on one of these speedboats on an organised tour, which will include other stops in the Phi Phi Islands.

I have listed below some popular Krabi to Maya Bay tours.

From Krabi: Phi Phi Islands Speedboat Day Tour: This is the classic Maya Bay and Phi Phi Islands day trip, with stops at Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach and Pi Leh Lagoon. The only difference is it sets off from Krabi.

Click here to book your speedboat day trip to Maya Bay from Krabi!

You can also take the ferry from Krabi, which takes around 1.5 hours and arrives in Koh Phi Phi Don. From here, you then have to arrange a boat to Maya Bay.

Since the ferries take longer than speedboats, both from Krabi and Phuket, if you do choose this option over an organised day tour, I suggest spending at least one night in Koh Phi Phi Don.

How to get to Maya Bay from Phi Phi

If you choose to travel to Koh Phi Phi Don by ferry, and then make your way to Maya Bay from there, this is how you can do so.

Getting to Maya Bay from Koh Phi Phi Don is super easy. You can just get a long tail boat at the Koh Phi Phi Don harbour, and it will get you to Maya Bay in 20 or so minutes.

On my first trip to Maya Bay, we easily arranged our trip to Maya Bay by walking down to the pier and asking the local Thai sailors how much they wanted to take us to Maya Bay.

That way we had a whole long tail boat for ourselves, for considerably less than if you booked online.

That said, I know not everyone is an impromptu traveller, and you might want to have your Maya Bay trip booked beforehand.

If that’s you, then I suggest one of the tours below, so that you can also read reviews from previous travellers.

Phi Phi: Private Longtail Boat to Maya Bay with Snorkeling: This tour is the one I recommend the most. Spend the night in Phi Phi Don, and then book yourself an early bird private boat, so you can beat the crowds.

Click here to book your private long tail boat to Maya Bay from Phi Phi Don!

What to do at Maya Bay

To be entirely honest, now that you’re no longer allowed to swim in Maya Bay, there’s not really an awful lot to do there.

When you first dock at Koh Phi Phi Leh you will do a pleasant 10-minute walk through the forest to reach Maya Bay.

There is a viewing deck just before reaching the beach, if you want to enjoy the view from the shade of the trees.

Once you’re on the actual beach, you can spend some time snapping those iconic Maya Bay photos, and then relaxing on the white sand, enjoying the stunning scenery.

However that’s pretty much all you’re allowed to do there. You can take some photos, relax on the beach and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

My experiences at Maya Bay

I visited Maya Bay twice, once in November 2016 and more recently in January 2024. I also visited the Phi Phi Islands in February 2019, but wasn’t able to visit Maya Bay then as it was still closed.

The first time I visited Maya Bay, it felt as wild and pristine at it Leonardo di Caprio makes it appear in The Beach.

Our long tail boat dropped anchor on the other side of Koh Phi Phi Leh, we had to swim to shore and climb over a rope ladder to reach dry land.

From there we then walked 10 minutes through a lush tropical forest, and walked out of the trees and into the beauty that is Maya Bay. It was raining quite heavily, and we were the only people there.

We sat on the beach, swam in the sea and enjoyed this unique beach without other tourists. Even back then, I knew it was a fairly uncommon sight.

It was undoubtedly beautiful, but due to the heavy grey sky that dulled the colour of the sea, I wasn’t amazed by Maya Bay.

I returned to Maya Bay only recently, as I brought my parents to Thailand for their first trip, and there is nowhere more iconic than Maya Bay for a first-time trip to Thailand.

Thanks to the bright sunshine and blue sky, I was able to admire Maya Bay in all its glory, as well as the crowds of boats and tours that were there to admire it with us.

We were staying in Railay Beach, and visited Maya Bay on a private tour. Knowing it would be busy, we set off earlier than most day tours, arriving in Maya Bay around 11AM.

The cove on the other side of Phi Phi Leh has now become a harbour, full of long tail boats and speedboats lining its sides, waiting for their tourists to return.

Gone is the old rope ladder, its place substituted by a more practical and accessible dock.

Due to the sheer number of tourists and boats, your boat will drop you off, agree a time and then go wait elsewhere for you to return.

You still have to walk through the forest to reach the beach, although it’s now less wild, having been equipped with a wooden walk-board, toilets and a cafe along the way.

Before reaching the beach, you will walk past a viewing deck, from which you can enjoy the view over Maya Bay.

I was happy to return to Maya Bay and show this beautiful place to my parents, even if there’s not as much to do there know that you can’t swim in the water.

The crowds also make it a bit insufferable, which is why I suggest either a private tour or an early morning one.

The best Maya Bay tours

If you want to have your Maya Bay tour booked before you get there, the best place to do so is GetYourGuide.

That’s because they offer free cancellation up until 24 hours before the tour date, and you can see reviews online by other travellers.

Here are some of the most highly reviewed Maya Bay tours available.

Phi Phi: Private Longtail Boat to Maya Bay with Snorkeling 

Having visited Maya Bay both from Phi Phi Don, and on a day trip from Krabi, I can confidently say that this is the tour I suggest the most.

Take the ferry to Phi Phi Don, spend the night there, and then book yourself an early bird private boat, so you can beat the crowds and get Maya Bay all to yourself.

It’s also much more affordable than visiting Maya Bay on a day trip from Phuket or Krabi, and a more traditional experience on a wooden longtail boat than on a speedboat.

Click here to book your private long tail boat to Maya Bay from Phi Phi Don, or check out prices & availability in the calendar below!

 

Krabi: Phi Phi Sunrise & 4 Islands by Speedboat with Lunch

If you can’t spend the night in Phi Phi Don, and want to visit Maya Bay on a day trip, then I suggest doing so from Krabi on a tour like this one.

This tour is pretty intense, since it sets off super early to see Maya Bay before the crowds arrive, and beyond the Phi Phi Islands it also includes also the four islands close to Krabi. It’s basically two tours in one!

It will make for a pretty intense day, but it’s perfect especially for those who don’t have long in Thailand.

Check out prices & availability for your Maya Bay & 4 Islands speedboat tour from Krabi!

 

From Phuket Or Khao Lak: Phi Phi Islands Early Bird Tour 

Most travellers visit Maya Bay from Phuket. If that’s you, then this early bird tour is a great option, as it means less crowds in Maya Bay!

It also includes snorkelling in Pileh Lagoon, Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach, breakfast and lunch. It’s a pretty complete Maya Bay tour from Phuket.

Click here to book your early bird tour to Maya Bay from Phuket, or check out prices & availability in the calendar below!

 

Phuket: Phi Phi Islands Day-Trip by Speed Catamaran

If you want to treat yourself, this tour is a great way to do so! This luxury speed catamaran will add that extra wow effect to your Phuket to Maya bay tour.

It does all the same stops as all tours to the Phi Phi Islands, but it does so on a luxury speed catamaran, not a cramped speedboat.

Click here to book your luxury catamaran tour to Maya Bay from Phuket, or check out prices & availability in the calendar below!

 

How much does it cost to visit Maya Bay?

The final price ultimately depends on how you decide to visit Maya Bay, whether you choose a group tour, a private one, or even make your own way there by ferry.

It can cost you anywhere between 20 – 100 EUR for a ferry and overnight stay in Phi Phi Don, or around 40 EUR for a group day trip, or even 200 – 300 EUR for a private day trip.

The one expense you’re sure to have, is the 400 THB per person for entrance to the Maya Bay National Park. Most smaller tours won’t include it, and you will need to pay this at the entrance to Maya Bay.

Is visiting Maya Bay worth it?

Yes and no. There is no denying that Maya Bay is an absolutely stunning and iconic Thai beach, which for many travellers symbolises the peak of what a Thai beach trip should include.

However, the fact that it’s so famous and beautiful also means that it’s incredibly busy. 

On my second trip to Maya Bay I was honestly shocked by the amount of people there, and we even went fairly early in the morning! I can’t imagine what it’s like at peak times in high season. 

In my opinion, there are other stunning beaches and islands in Thailand that you could visit instead.

Such as the Similan Islands, Surin Islands, Railay Beach, Koh Lipe and Koh Poda (which you can visit on the Four Islands day tour from Railay Beach) amongst others.

Some of these islands are more known than others, but generally speaking, they will all give you a similar Thai beach experience; with crystal clear water, soft white sand, rich marine life and beautiful scenery.

If you have your heart set on Maya Bay I understand, after all, it was a big item on my travel bucket list too.

That said, if you do want to visit Maya Bay, I urge you to spend a few nights in Phi Phi Don, and not just visit on a day trip.

There are plenty of other fun things to do in the Phi Phi Islands beyond just visiting Maya Bay, which are well worthy of your time.

Plus, that way you will also be able to visit Maya Bay early in the morning, without fighting the crowds of day trippers from Phuket or Krabi.

Where to stay to visit Maya Bay

As you can see, there are different places where you can choose to base yourself if you want to visit Maya Bay. I have stayed in all of them, and depending on your budget, I can suggest these hotels.

In Koh Phi Phi Don

As I have already said, the best place to stay to visit Maya Bay is Phi Phi Don. It’s the closest, it will allow you to visit May Bay early before the day trippers arrive, and it’s a beautiful island in and of itself too.

Here are some great places to stay in Phi Phi Don for every budget.

Budget: Sweet Dee Hostel – Phi Phi is a bit of a party destination, so if that’s what you’re looking for, a hostel like this is a great place to be. They only offer dorms with lockers, and are centrally located in Phi Phi.

Click here to book your stay at Sweet Dee Hostel in Phi Phi!

Mid-range: Papaya Phi Phi Resort – This is where I stayed on my second trip to the Phi Phi Islands. It’s not particularly fancy, but has a lovely view, and all the rooms have small balconies where you will be served breakfast in the morning.

Check out the latest prices and availability at Papaya Phi Phi Resort

Luxury: Phi Phi Cliff Beach Resort – I stayed here on my first trip to Phi Phi and can honestly say it’s great. It’s a 10-minute walk from the harbour, in a quieter part of the island, with a great pool and view.

Check out the availability & prices at Phi Phi Cliff Beach Resort

In Krabi

If your Thailand itinerary doesn’t allow for a few nights in Phi Phi, and you want to visit on a day tour, then I suggest doing so from Krabi. We spent almost a week in Railay Beach and loved it.

Here are the best places to stay in Railay Beach for every budget.

Budget: Railay Viewpoint Resort – This budget option is great for those who want spacious rooms and a pool with view for an affordable price. It’s tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the main road of Railay Beach.

Click here to book your stay at Railay Viewpoint Resort!

Mid-range: Railay Princess Resort & Spa – This is where we stayed for a week and really enjoyed it. The property is clean, the rooms spacious, it offers a lovely breakfast buffet, has a great pool with view and is in an easy position to reach close to East Railay Pier. What more could you need?

Click here to book your stay at Railay Princess Resort & Spa!

Luxury: Rayavadee – If you want to treat yourself, this is the place to do so! Located in Phra Nang Beach (the only hotel there) this luxury property offers gorgeous private villas nestled in nature.

Check out prices & availability at Rayavadee here!

In Phuket

I didn’t personally love Phuket, but it’s one of the most popular beach destinations in Thailand for a reason.

If you’re planning lots of day trips in the Gulf of Thailand, you should stay on the Eastern side of Phuket, so you don’t have to drive as much within Phuket to get to the harbour and boat trips.

Here are some great places to stay in Phuket for every budget.

Budget: Bodega Phuket Party Hostel  – I haven’t stayed here personally, but if you’re in a party mood, I’ve heard this hostel is the place to be in Phuket.

Click here to book your stay in a hostel in Phuket!

Mid-range: The Crib Patong – I stayed here on my second trip to Phuket. It’s a really cute boutique hotel that was close to the nightlife of Bangla Road, but just far enough that the noise wasn’t annoying at night.

Check the latest prices and availability at The Crib Patong here!

Luxury: Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa, Karon Beach – I stayed here on my first trip to Phuket. Located right on the beach and away from the chaos of Patong, it’s the perfect place if you’re looking for a fancy stay.

Check out the availability & prices at Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa, Karon Beach

What to pack to visit Maya Bay

For a full breakdown of what you should pack for Thailand, check out my Thailand packing list. Here I just included a few essentials that you will need for Maya Bay.

Fast drying towel – Even if you can’t swim in Maya Bay, all tours include swimming spots. I love these towels because they are quick to dry and they don’t take up much space.

Waterproof jacket – If you visit in rainy season, you’ll be glad to have one of these!

Dry bag – To keep your valuables safe and dry during the boat trip.

Power bank – You don’t want your phone to die on you just as you’re about to snap a gorgeous photo of that beautiful Maya Bay scenery!

Final thoughts on visiting Maya Bay Thailand

There you have it, the ultimate guide to visiting Maya Bay in Thailand! Have you been to Maya Bay or Thailand before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below! 

There is no doubt that Maya Bay is one of the most stunning places in Thailand. With its unique cliff formations, pristine white sand beach and clear emerald water, it’s blessed with a pretty stunning scenery.

However there’s also no doubt that this makes it one of the busiest and most visited places in Thailand.

You’re the only one who can decide whether you’re willing to brave the crowds to see this beach, and if it will be worth it for you.

There are other beautiful must-see sights in Thailand, that don’t involve beaches, such as Bangkok, Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, with their unique Thai temples and engaging elephant sanctuaries.

This variety is actually one of the things that I love most about Thailand. The possibility of seeing picture perfect temples one day and learning about their unique history, and then relaxing on a world famous beach the next.

I hope you found this guide to Maya Bay useful! If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below!

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