A virtual tour of the amazing Maya Bay beach. The sand is white and so soft it’s like walking on powder. I managed to beat the crowds and have virtually the beach entirely to myself. Plus I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to swim with glowing bioluminescent plankton when the sun goes down.
Updated: 02/09/2020
- Added more 360 images and updated information
Maya Bay is closed to the public from June 2018 for two years until June 2021.
- About 10,000 corals have been replanted around the Maya Bay area. The park is planning to install a new floating dock, an eco-focused boardwalk and new washrooms. An electronic ticketing system is also being developed to ensure daily visitor numbers are limited to around 1,200 people per day, divided into four time blocks. Prior to its closure, the bay was receiving an estimated 5,000 visitors per day. Presently, boats are allowed to enter the outer limits of the bay. Maya Bay shores are off limits, but visitors can still view the beach from their boat. Snorkeling in the front of the bay is also still permitted.
I’ve been lucky enough to have been here twice, both times with the sleep aboard. Maya beach is a major tourist attraction and it doesn’t take long before it becomes rammed with people and longtail boats all lining up along the beach. Of course this ruins the experience and tranquility of the beach while you’re there. You can however avoid all that. We stumbled across the Maya Bay Sleep Aboard and I can not recommend this highly enough, i’ve done it twice. They usually take a group of around 20 at a time, so i’d book as soon as you know when you’ll be there as it fills up fast. It’s a whole day out, they take you to other islands and beaches on route to Maya Bay including, Viking Cave, Pileh Lagoon and Loh Samah bay for some snorkeling.
The boat anchors in the bay and you take a smaller boat to the Island, if the tides out you’ll have to walk over all the rocks, just take care as they can be sharp and slippery. There’s actually a few things you can do. There’s a bit of an adventure trail across to the back of the islands with tunnels and rope swings to navigate, you can hike to the view point near the top of the cliff or just chill on the beach and watch the sunset. The sand on the beach is so soft, I’ve never felt any beach like it, it’s like walking on flour. We stayed on the beach to watch the sunset before gathering together to play some drinking games. My second visit, we had to watch the sunset back on the boat.
When night falls we all gather together and introduce ourselves and play some games and of coarse eat and drink what was brought along by the staff. The second time we weren’t aloud to stay on Maya bay beach at night, so we were taken to another smaller beach just on the edge of the bay.
Around 23:30-midnight we made our way back to the boat, but that wasn’t the end. We went snorkeling in the dark, are you mad? you might be thinking, but there was reason behind our madness. At night tiny little bioluminescent plankton come alive in the bay and when your in the water your movement makes the plankton respond with light. I was transfixed and just had my head down in the water doing what can only be described as a doggy paddle watching with amazement as the plankton wafted around glowing bright yellow before my eyes. When I eventually looked up i realised I’d floated off a fair distance, so just keep that in mind to keep one eye on the boat, I had a bit of a swim to get back. We were all made to put life jackets on before getting in, so that helped.
The party carries on on the boat until you drop, i think there was only 5 of us awake including 2 staff chatting at the back of the boat when we finally gave in and fell asleep. The following morning which felt like 10 minutes later, your back on the beach for a bit, get a group shot. Then its head back to Phi Phi, stopping for some more snorkelling on the way. My second visit unfortunately our group had to leave early to catch a boat to our next destination Koh Samui, the staff were great and took us on the small boat back to Phi Phi so we wouldn’t miss our boat.
Famous turquoise cove & white sand beach sheltered by 100-meter high limestone cliffs on three sides. It was made famous by the movie ‘The Beach’ featuring Leonardo Di Caprio, which was filmed here in 2000.
- Maya Bay is closed to the public from June 2018 for two years. With the amount of visitors the coral and marine life are being badly affected, so in order to help rejuvenate the park, the bay will be closed.
to all boats for four months during the low season. However, tourists will still be able to visit the famous beach as their boats will land in Samah Bay, and the tourists can then walk across the island to Maya Bay. This could become an annual thing. - Sleep Aboard for 1 adult 3500 THB (£80) and includes, Dinner, Supper, Breakfast. Mask, Snorkel. Luggage storage, Sleepinging bags, Mattress (yoga mat), pillow. Water, Fruit & a free Bucket (drink). You’ll want to bring, Swimmers, towel, change of clothes, insect spray & camera. Take some money with you if you would like more drink, there is a bar with alcoholic drinks for sale 100 THB for 1 beer and 250 THB for 1 bucket. The boat leaves at 3pm and returns to the pier by 10am the next day. More info at Mayabaytours.com
- Climb to the viewpoint.
- Diving
- Kayaking
- Snorkeling
- Walk to Loh Samah Bay at the back of the island
Depending on the tide getting to the beach can be a little tricky. If the tide is out you’ll have to walk over the rocks which are very jagged and sharp. Once on the beach though it’s all flat and amazingly soft sand, it’s like walking on flour. If you go to the rear of the island Loh Samah Bay, there are one or two rope ladders to scale, so not advisable for those that could find this difficult.
Only accessible by boat. There are many tours around especially longtails, but you get there and every man and his dog will be to. The beach gets rammed as soon as the sun comes up to dusk. I would recommend the sleep aboard that way you can wave everyone off and then it’s just you and your small group left with the beach to yourselves.
Sleep Aboard meet at the main ferry pier between 2.30pm and 2.45pm. If you choose to go via longtail, then you’ll want to be up and on your way as soon as they let you to beat the crowds. From Phi Phi Don you can rent a longtail for 1,000 baht for three hours or for 2,000 baht for a full day.
- Don’t waste your time taking a longtail day trip and do the sleep aboard.
- Climb to the viewpoint.
- Walk to Loh Samah Bay at the back of the island
- A small shack a little back from the beach sells drinks and snacks.
- There is no proper food outlet available here. Fires are not allowed but there is a permanent barbeque stand for cooking.
- Further back from the beach are toilets but you’d only want to use them if you’re desperate
- Sleep Aboard for 1 adult 3500 THB (£80).
- Book as soon as you know when you’ll be there as it fills up fast.
- The boat leaves at 3pm and returns to the pier by 10am the next day.
- Take some money with you if you would like more drink, there is a bar with alcoholic drinks for sale 100 THB for 1 beer and 250 THB for 1 bucket.
- More info at Mayabaytours.com
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