Attractions & Culture
Maya Bay
9.4 Exceptional · 12,611 reviews
Duration
Half day (3–5 hours on site)
Category
Attractions & Culture
Difficulty
easy
Price
$12
Maya Bay sits on the uninhabited island of Phi Phi Le, about an hour by speedboat from Ao Nang. It became famous as the filming location for The Beach (2000), and the bay itself justifies the reputation — sheer limestone walls on three sides, clear blue-green water, and a white sand beach. Since 2022 it has operated under strict conservation rules: no anchoring in the bay, landing via the back beach at Loh Samah, a maximum of 380 visitors on-site at any time, and a one-hour time limit per visit. Entry requires a ฿400 national park fee (฿200 child), which covers Phi Phi Le including Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave on the same day. Most visitors come on a day tour from Krabi or Phuket — independent access requires chartering a boat.
Highlights
Limestone cliffs on three sides of the bay
The Beach movie filming location
Clear blue-green water with coral
Pileh Lagoon included in same park entry
Conservation rules mean fewer crowds than pre-2022
What's included
National park entry (฿400 adult / ฿200 child) usually included in day tours
Snorkelling gear on most day tours
Boat transport (must be part of a day tour or private charter)
Food and drinks
