When Does Maya Bay Open? Phi Phi Le Visiting Guide 2026
Maya Bay on Phi Phi Le opens every day from about 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The park entry fee is around 400 baht for foreigners and 200 baht for Thai visitors. But there are new rules you need to know. Boats can't park in the bay. Each time slot has a max number of visitors. And the bay closes every year from August 1 to September 30 so corals can rest. Here's how to plan a smooth trip.
Why Maya Bay Has Such Strict Rules
Maya Bay is a small bay on Phi Phi Le island, part of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in Krabi. It got famous from the movie The Beach in 2000. After that, thousands of tourists came every day. The corals broke. The sand got trampled. The place was dying.
So in 2018, Thailand's park department closed Maya Bay. They wanted nature to heal. The bay stayed closed almost 4 years. It reopened in January 2022 with strict new rules.
In 2026, the rules are still strict. They might change based on season or coral health. Always check with your tour operator before you go. Rules can change anytime.
If you're planning a Phi Phi trip, read the Phi Phi Islands travel guide first.
Opening Hours and Closed Days
Maya Bay opens daily from about 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Most tours visit between 9 AM and 3 PM when the sea is calm and the light is best.
Days you can't go:
- August 1 to September 30 every year. The bay closes so corals and sand can recover.
- Stormy days during monsoon season (May to October). Boats don't run.
- Days the park closes for cleaning or boardwalk repairs.
Best time to visit? November to April. Clear skies, calm seas. February to April is the busiest. Book 1-2 weeks ahead in those months.
Entry Fees and Costs
The park entry fee is something every visitor pays. It's separate from the tour cost. Here's what to expect:
| Item | Thai (THB) | Foreigner (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Park fee, adult | 200 | 400 |
| Park fee, child | 100 | 200 |
| Boat docking fee | 200 | 200 |
| Half-day tour from Phuket | 1,200-2,000 | 1,500-2,500 |
| One-day tour from Krabi | 1,500-2,500 | 1,800-3,000 |
Prices are rough. They change with the season and operator. Most tours include the park fee. Some cheaper tours collect it at the pier. Always ask before you book.
A private boat charter starts at 8,000-15,000 baht per boat (4-8 people). Great for families or small groups who want to skip the crowds.
How to Get to Maya Bay
Maya Bay is on Phi Phi Le island. There are no hotels or restaurants there. You can only visit on a day trip from one of three places.
Option 1: From Krabi
Start at Ao Nam Mao Pier or Khlong Jilad Pier. A speedboat takes about 1.5 hours to Phi Phi Le. A 2-deck boat takes longer, around 2.5 hours. Tours leave 8:00-8:30 AM and get back by 4-5 PM.
The Krabi route is great because the water is clearer than from Phuket. You also pass Monkey Bay and Viking Cave.
Option 2: From Phuket
From Chalong Pier or Rawai Pier, a speedboat takes about 50 minutes to 1 hour. This is the busiest route since Phuket has a big airport.
The downside? Super crowded between 11 AM and 1 PM. Dozens of tours arrive together. Photos won't be as good as if you go early.
Option 3: From Phi Phi Don
Already staying on Phi Phi Don? Take a longtail or half-day tour from Tonsai Pier. Only 30 minutes to Maya Bay. The quickest option. Tours cost 800-1,500 baht.
If you can't decide between staying on Phi Phi Don or doing a day trip, read Phi Phi Don vs Phi Phi Le to choose.
If you're new to Phi Phi and not sure how to get there, check how to travel to Phi Phi from Krabi first.
New Rules at Maya Bay You Must Know
After the 2022 reopening, there are several new rules every visitor must follow:
Rule 1: Boats can't dock in Maya Bay. They park at Loh Samah Bay around the back. You walk to the main beach through a wooden boardwalk. Takes 5-10 minutes.
Rule 2: Visitor limits per time slot. The park sets a max per hour. Each slot fits about 300-375 people. If your tour shows up late, you might wait for the next slot.
Rule 3: No swimming in the main bay. Only some areas at some times. Most visitors just walk and take photos. To swim, head to Loh Samah Bay where boats park.
Rule 4: Don't step on coral. Don't take shells. Don't feed fish.
Rule 5: No reef-unsafe sunscreen. Sunscreen with oxybenzone or octinoxate kills coral. Use reef-safe instead.
Rule 6: No trash. Pack out everything. Even cigarette butts and tissues.
Rules can change anytime. Check with your tour operator before you go.
Tips to Actually Get In
Tip 1: Book an early tour. Tours that leave at 7:00-7:30 AM reach Maya Bay 1-2 hours before others. You get the first slot. Fewer people. Better photos.
Tip 2: Pick an operator with park access. Big operators book time slots ahead. That means you don't risk a long wait.
Tip 3: Skip Songkran and Chinese New Year. These are the busiest times. Lines can be an hour long.
Tip 4: Stay on Phi Phi Don for 1 night. Take a half-day tour from there. You can hit Maya Bay early before the big Phuket tours arrive.
Tip 5: Wear good shoes. The boardwalk and sand need shoes you won't lose. Skip flimsy flip-flops.
Book Through Railay Eco Tour for Easier Access
Railay Eco Tour is a Krabi-based operator with official park access for Phi Phi. Every time we run a tour, we book Maya Bay time slots in advance. You don't have to risk waiting around.
Our guides are Krabi locals who've worked the Phi Phi route for years. They know the quiet time slots. They know the photo spots without other tourists. And they understand all the new rules — so they remind you so you don't slip up.
Want an easy day for the family? Check the Phi Phi Islands one-day trip. Or contact Railay Eco Tour to book a private trip with a guide who really knows Maya Bay.
Quick Recap
Maya Bay opens every day 7 AM to 6 PM. It closes every year August 1 to September 30. Park fee is around 400 baht for foreigners and 200 baht for Thai. You can get there from Krabi, Phuket, or Phi Phi Don.
The big new rules: boats don't dock in the bay, visitor numbers are limited, no swimming in the main bay, no reef-unsafe sunscreen, no trash. Always double-check with your operator before you go because rules can change.
Want to actually get in? Go early. Book with an operator that has park access. Skip the holiday rushes. And bring good walking shoes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim at Maya Bay?
Not in the main bay. Swimming is only allowed in some spots at certain times. If you want to swim, head to Loh Samah Bay around the back where the boats park. The water is clear and you can see corals.
Can young kids visit Maya Bay?
Yes. But watch them on the boat and the boardwalk. Speedboats might be too rough for kids under 3 because of the waves. Pick a 2-deck boat or a private tour for a smoother ride.
How long can you stay at Maya Bay?
Most tours give you 30-45 minutes at the bay. Enough to walk around and take photos. Private tours can be flexible but still have to follow the park's time slots.
Is the park fee included in the tour price?
Depends on the operator. Most big tours include it. Some cheaper ones charge it separately at the pier. Read the fine print when you book and ask the operator to confirm.
What's the best season to visit Maya Bay?
November to April is best. Calm sea, clear skies, great underwater visibility. February and March are the busiest months. The bay is closed August 1 to September 30 every year for coral recovery — no visits allowed.
References
- Wikipedia: Maya Bay general info and history
- Wikipedia: Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park
- Bangkok Post: Maya Bay 2022 reopening coverage
- TAT Newsroom: Tourism Authority of Thailand updates
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