Phi Phi Don · Krabi · Thailand
Maya Bay
Your boat idles outside the channel while the park ranger checks tickets and counts heads. Inside, the bay curves like a amphitheater, cliffs rising vertical from sand that's been closed to swimmers since 2018 to let damaged corals regenerate.
Reading live conditions…
Live from Open-Meteo · sea surface temperature and wave data modelled at 1-km grid resolution for Maya Bay. Numbers refresh at the hourly tick.
- Purity
- 0%
- Conditions
- 0%
- Crowd
- 0%
- Vibe
- 0%
The OnlyBeaches Index weighs four pillars against your chosen persona. Purity comes from water clarity and air-quality heuristics; Conditions from Open-Meteo waves, wind and temperatures; Crowd from historical patterns; Vibe from nearby events within 50 km. The score rebalances throughout the day.
Your boat idles outside the channel while the park ranger checks tickets and counts heads. Inside, the bay curves like a amphitheater, cliffs rising vertical from sand that's been closed to swimmers since 2018 to let damaged corals regenerate.
Photos
8 captures from Maya Bay
About this beach
Where it is
Maya Bay
Phi Phi Don, Krabi, Thailand
7.6701°, 98.7678°
Top things to do
At Maya Bay
Restoration Reef
Juvenile corals and blacktips
Film Location Hunt
Recreate that iconic shot
Channel Current
Eastern cut pulls strong
Cliff Viewpoint
Trail from backside beach
Near this beach
Places, rentals, tours and events within walking and driving distance of Maya Bay.
Questions people actually ask about Maya Bay.
Is Maya Bay open and safe for swimming?
Maya Bay's access status has changed over recent years due to environmental restoration efforts. The bay was closed from 2018 to early 2022 to allow ecosystem recovery from overtourism. It has since reopened with strict regulations: limited daily visitors, no swimming allowed, no boats entering the bay (visitors land at Loh Samah Bay and walk over), and time limits. These rules protect the recovering coral and marine life. While you cannot swim, you can walk on the beach for photos. Always check current regulations before visiting, as rules may evolve based on conservation needs.
When is the best time to visit Maya Bay?
The best time to visit Maya Bay is during the dry season from November to April, when weather is optimal with calm seas, clear skies, and minimal rainfall. This period offers the most reliable boat access and comfortable touring conditions. However, visitor numbers are now strictly controlled regardless of season to protect the environment. The bay may close during monsoon season (May-October) due to rough seas and park management schedules. Arriving on the earliest possible tour (before 9am) helps you experience the bay with fewer people and better lighting for photography of this iconic location.
