Maya Bay Thailand reopened on October 1, 2026, after its August–September conservation closure. Located on Koh Phi Phi Leh, the famous beach now allows limited, timed visits but prohibits swimming. Foreign adults pay a 400 THB national park entrance fee, and all boats use the Loh Samah Bay landing pier rather than Maya Bay’s beachfront. This guide covers Maya Bay rules, the closure season, national park tickets, swimming restrictions, visitor time limits and boat tour options from Phi Phi Don, Phuket and Krabi.
Maya Bay Thailand: Opening Hours, Fees and Rules
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 7:00 AM–6:00 PM daily (weather permitting) |
| Entrance fee | 400 THB foreign adults, 200 THB children |
| Visitor cap | Up to 375 visitors per timed entry round |
| Time on the beach | Up to approximately 1 hour per scheduled group |
| Swimming | Not permitted; wading to knee depth only where rangers allow |
| Annual closure | August 1–September 30; reopened October 1, 2026 |
Maya Bay Thailand: Entrance Fee and Visitor Limits
The park fee is separate from private boat hire unless the operator explicitly includes it. A couple visiting together pays 800 THB in national park admission before boat costs. Children and other eligible visitors follow the park’s applicable categories.
Maya Bay Rules: Why Swimming and Boat Entry Are Restricted
Maya Bay closed in 2018 after heavy tourism damaged coral and marine life. It reopened to visitors on January 1, 2022, under rules protecting the reef and the blacktip reef sharks that use the shallow bay as a nursery. Boats must use the rear Loh Samah landing, visitor entry is time-limited, and swimming in Maya Bay remains prohibited.
How to Visit Maya Bay: Loh Samah Pier and Boardwalk
Tour boats and privately chartered longtail boats land at the floating pier in Loh Samah Bay on the opposite side of Phi Phi Leh. From there, visitors follow a 5–10-minute boardwalk to Maya Bay. Boats are not allowed to land on Maya Bay’s beach. The boardwalk and landing steps can become busy, so allow time for disembarkation.
Can You Swim at Maya Bay Thailand? Visitor Rules
Swimming and snorkelling are not permitted in Maya Bay itself. Visitors may wade no deeper than knee level where rangers allow it. Do not approach sharks or other wildlife, collect shells, step on coral, leave rubbish or operate a drone without the required authorisation. Follow the park’s designated paths and staff instructions.
Maya Bay Rules: What Visitors Can and Cannot Do
| Activity | Allowed? | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Walk on the open beach | Yes | Stay within designated visitor zones |
| Take photographs | Yes | Keep routes clear and respect wildlife |
| Wade up to knee depth | Where rangers permit | No deeper water access |
| Swim or snorkel | No | Protects reef and shallow-water wildlife |
| Land boats on Maya Beach | No | All visitor landings use Loh Samah |
| Feed or approach reef sharks | No | Do not disturb marine wildlife |
| Fly drones without authorisation | No | National park restrictions apply |
| Stay beyond the allocated round | No | Timed visitor management |
Visitors who want to swim should book a tour that includes a permitted separate swimming or snorkelling stop, rather than expecting water access inside Maya Bay.
Maya Bay Closure Season: August and September
Maya Bay and its Loh Samah landing area were closed to visitor landings from August 1 through September 30, 2026, for marine conservation and monsoon safety, and the beach reopened on October 1, 2026. The regular seasonal closure is August–September; other parts of the Phi Phi Islands may remain open, subject to sea conditions. The next closure is expected in the same seasonal window, but future dates depend on park announcements.
Maya Bay Thailand: Best Time for Fewer Crowds
The first entry window around 7 AM is usually the best choice for fewer visitors. Staying on Phi Phi Don makes it easier to organise an early longtail boat before large day-tour groups arrive from Phuket or Krabi. Even early visits can be busy in December–March, so expect shared access rather than a private beach.
Maya Bay Thailand: Best Month and Time of Day
| Period | Conditions | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00–9:00 AM | Generally fewer large day-tour boats | Best for beach photographs |
| Late morning and midday | Popular mainland day-tour arrival window | Expect more visitors |
| December–March | Popular, generally calmer Andaman seas | Reserve early departures |
| April–July | Hotter or increasingly variable sea conditions | Allow flexibility for weather |
| August–September | Conservation closure | No Maya Bay visitor landing |
| October–November | Reopened, variable weather early in season | Plan a backup day for boat cancellations |
Maya Bay’s scenery is beautiful throughout its open season, but visitors seeking the calmest crossing generally favour December–March. No departure time guarantees an empty beach.
Maya Bay Boat Tour: Phi Phi Don, Phuket and Krabi
Maya Bay is reached by boat, but a group tour is not mandatory: visitors staying on Phi Phi Don can charter a private longtail boat from Tonsai or join a shared excursion. Both options must use Loh Samah Pier and comply with national park visitor limits. Full-day speedboat excursions also operate from Phuket and Krabi. Before paying, check whether the 400 THB national park fee is included. See our guide to where to stay in Koh Phi Phi.
Maya Bay Boat Tour: Which Departure Point Is Best?
| Departure base | Typical trip | Time commitment | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phi Phi Don / Tonsai | Private longtail or shared tour | 3–5 hours | Early arrival and flexible timing |
| Phuket | Speedboat tour | 8–11 hours including stops | Visitors staying in Phuket |
| Ao Nang / Krabi | Speedboat tour | Full day | Visitors staying on the Krabi coast |
| Koh Lanta | Seasonal shared boat or arranged excursion | Most of a day | Visitors already on Koh Lanta |
From Phi Phi Don, the boat journey to the Loh Samah landing commonly takes 20–30 minutes. The 7 AM Maya Bay opening is easiest to reach from a nearby island base. Large tours from Phuket and Krabi include extra transfer time and other sightseeing stops.
Maya Bay Thailand: Private Longtail Boat Cost
Private longtail charters from Phi Phi Don commonly start around 2,500 THB for a short two-hour route for up to three people, with longer routes and additional passengers costing more. Add the separate 400 THB adult national park admission. Two hours is tight for multiple stops; a three- or four-hour route gives more flexibility. Always confirm the price before boarding.
What a Good Maya Bay Boat Tour Includes
Choose a route with a legal Loh Samah landing, one timed Maya Bay visit, life jackets and stops suited to weather. Popular additions include Pileh Lagoon, the exterior of Viking Cave, Monkey Beach viewpoints and snorkelling in permitted areas. Confirm the meeting pier, total cost and whether national park admission is included when booking.
Maya Bay Boat Tour: What to Bring
- Carry 400 THB per foreign adult or 200 THB per child for the park entrance fee if it is not included in your tour. Keep Thai baht in cash for on-site payments.
- Use sun-protective clothing, a hat and shade; follow the national park’s restrictions on sunscreen products.
- A dry bag or waterproof phone pouch for the boat crossing and boardwalk walk.
- Non-slip sandals suitable for the boat landing and 5–10-minute boardwalk walk.
- Realistic expectations about time: plan your photos and exploring around the roughly one-hour window rather than a leisurely half-day visit.
Is Maya Bay Thailand Worth Visiting Without Swimming?
Maya Bay is best treated as a scenic stop for its limestone cliffs, white sand and shallow-water colours, not as a swimming beach. The boardwalk entrance through jungle is its own small experience. For swimming and snorkelling, choose a permitted stop such as Pileh Lagoon or another suitable Phi Phi location included in your excursion.
Maya Bay Thailand: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maya Bay open right now?
Yes. Maya Bay reopened October 1, 2026, after the August–September closure. The standard visitor window is 7 AM–6 PM, subject to weather and park operations.
How much does it cost to visit Maya Bay?
The entrance fee is 400 THB for foreign adults and 200 THB for children. Some tours include this fee in the advertised price; private longtail trips often charge it separately.
Can you swim at Maya Bay?
No. Swimming and snorkelling are prohibited in Maya Bay. Rangers may allow wading up to knee depth in a designated area.
How long can you stay at Maya Bay?
Visits are organised in entry rounds lasting up to about one hour, with a maximum of 375 visitors per round.
Why is Maya Bay closed in August and September?
The park closes Maya Bay during August and September to protect the recovering ecosystem and reduce risks from southwest monsoon seas.
Do boats still land directly on Maya Bay’s beach?
No — boats now dock at Loh Samah Bay on the island’s rear, and visitors walk a 5-10 minute boardwalk through the jungle to reach the beach.
Can you visit Maya Bay without a group tour?
Yes. Charter a private longtail boat from Phi Phi Don and use the same park-approved landing and timed entry as group tours.
How much does a Maya Bay private boat cost?
Short private longtail charters from Phi Phi Don commonly start around 2,500 THB for up to three people; national park admission is additional. Confirm prices before boarding.
Is Maya Bay suitable for a Phuket day trip?
Yes. Phuket speedboat trips typically take eight to eleven hours for the full excursion, including island stops and return transfers.
Can you see Maya Bay during the August closure?
Visitor landing is prohibited during the conservation closure. Some excursions may offer permitted distant coastal views while visiting other open locations.
Where can you swim near Maya Bay?
Choose a boat trip that stops at Pileh Lagoon or another approved swimming area. Sea conditions and national park rules still apply.
Maya Bay Boat Tour: Combine with Phi Phi Highlights
A Maya Bay visit fits easily with a separate Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint hike on a separate morning rather than trying to fit both into one rushed day — the viewpoint requires no booking and can be done any time, while Maya Bay needs a scheduled boat tour with a fixed departure window. Splitting the two across different days also means neither activity feels compressed by the other’s timing.
Maya Bay Closure Season and Best Weather
November–April is generally the more reliable period for Andaman Sea boat trips, with December–March particularly popular. Outside the August–September closure, storms or unsafe seas may still cancel Maya Bay landings. See our full guide to the best time to visit Koh Phi Phi for a season-by-season breakdown.
Maya Bay Thailand: Alternatives During Closure
When Maya Bay is closed, consider suitable Phi Phi Don beaches or boat excursions to open sites such as Bamboo Island, Pileh Lagoon or the Bida Islands when the park and sea conditions allow them. These alternatives can have their own entrance fees or access restrictions; do not assume any location is uncapped or available in rough monsoon weather. For a land-based day, explore Phi Phi Don’s viewpoints and quieter beaches.
