Short answer
Maya Bay is open in 2026, but closed annually from August 1 to September 30 (annual conservation closure, National Park/DNP). The rest of the year, access is open but very supervised:
- Annual closure: from August 1 to September 30 (conservation, DNP) — reopening on October 1
- Quota: 300 simultaneous visitors maximum
- Duration on site: 1 hour (timed by the rangers)
- Entrance fee: 400 THB / foreign adult
- Anchorage: prohibited in the bay, disembarkation by Loh Samah (the rear bay)
- Swimming: authorized in a buoy area, snorkeling prohibited in the main bay
- One-off closures: possible for the rest of the monsoon if the swell is too strong
We returned from a Maya Bay tour last week. This is what they don't tell you in the brochures. — The team
History in 30 seconds
| Period | Status | For what |
|---|---|---|
| Before 2018 | Saturated | Up to 5,000 visitors/day, anchorage of 200 boats, 80% dead coral |
| June 2018 → January 2022 | Total closure | Reef restoration, coral replanting, reintroduction of blacktip sharks |
| January 2022 → today | Open with quota | Strict regulation by the DNP |
| 2026 | Open (except August 1–September 30) | Annual conservation closure; no permanent re-closure planned |
The 4 year closure really worked. When I saw Maya Bay in March 2022 just after reopening, it was unreal: no people, crystal clear water, corals growing back, juvenile sharks 50 cm from the shore. In 2026 it is less spectacular than in 2022 (before the crowds), but infinitely better than in 2017.
How access works today
The landing by Loh Samah
No more boats enter Maya Bay. Disembarkation takes place in Loh Samah Bay, the small bay located at the back of Phi Phi Leh, on the east side. From there, a wooden pontoon and an 80-meter path lead to the beach barrier of Maya Bay.
It’s quick (5 minutes on foot), accessible in flip-flops, but can be a little slippery after the rain. No walking per se — flat path.
The quota of 300 visitors
The DNP has set a strict ceiling: 300 people maximum simultaneously on the beach. Concretely, this means that operators (and therefore agencies like ours) must reserve time slots — often 90 minutes to accommodate disembarkation, time on site, and re-embarkation.
If the quota is reached, the next boats wait outside. This happens regularly between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in high season.
Duration on site
1 hour sharp, timed by the rangers. The whistles sound, we board again. This hour includes:
- 5 min walk one way via Loh Samah
- 45 min from beach / swimming / photos
- 5 min walk back
- The re-boarding
Realistic: 40 minutes with your feet in the sand.
Entrance fee to Maya Bay 2026
The entrance fee to Maya Bay in 2026 is 400 THB per foreign adult (200 THB per child 4-11 years old, free under 4 years old), to be paid in cash on arrival. It is never included in the price of the excursion.
| Category | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign adult | THB400 | To be paid upon arrival, preferably in THB cash |
| Foreign child 4-11 years old | 200 THB | With passport |
| Child < 4 years | Free | |
| Thai adult | 60THB | National rate |
| Thai child | 30THB |
Important: this entrance fee is never included in the price of the excursion sold by the agencies (ours included). It’s a national park rate, we don’t touch it. Bring the money in cash: the rangers do not have TPE.
Tip: take new 500 THB notes. Wrinkled or very worn banknotes are sometimes refused.
The real budget for a day in Maya Bay
We are often asked the question: “all inclusive, how much does it cost?” » Here is a realistic 2026 range, per person, for a full Phi Phi Leh day departing from Phi Phi.
| Job | Fork | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shared speedboat tour (6 hours, multi-spots) | 1,300 – 1,900 THB | Maya Bay + Pileh + Viking Cave + Bamboo + snorkel |
| Maya Bay entrance fee | 400 THB | National park, never included, in cash |
| Bamboo Island entrance fee (if included) | 200 THB | Same park, sometimes billed separately |
| Snorkel mask rental | 0 – 100 THB | Often provided on board |
| Lunch | 0 – 250 THB | Included on most tours |
| Realistic total | 1,900 – 2,700 THB | ≈ €50-70 for the day |
A private longtail (Maya + Pileh, departure 7 a.m.) costs 2,500-3,500 THB for the entire boat: very interesting for 2-4 people if you want the bay before the crowds. The only really incompressible cost is the entrance fee of 400 THB – everything else depends on the tour format you choose.
Can you swim in Maya Bay?
Yes, but only in an area demarcated by buoys along the shore, and no fins or mask/snorkel in the main bay — the rule is enforced by the rangers. To really swim and snorkel, we go to Loh Samah (just behind) or Pileh Lagoon. Please note: from August 1 to September 30, Maya Bay is closed to disembarkation (annual closure of the national park) and swimming is then only possible in Pileh and Loh Samah.
What you can (and can't) do in Maya Bay
Allowed
- Walk on the beach (area limited by buoys on the ground)
- Swim in the water area delimited by floating buoys
- Photograph
- Take a break in the shade of the sand protection ropes
Forbidden
- Anchor a boat in the bay
- Snorkeling with mask/snorkel/fins in the main bay
- Touch the sand beyond the ropes (regeneration zones)
- Drink alcohol, picnic, smoke
- Touching the corals (penalty 100,000 THB)
- Bring an inflatable buoy
Snorkeling is done at Loh Samah (right next door, much calmer and better reef today) or at Pileh Lagoon (5 minutes by boat, turquoise lagoon closed by cliffs).
Best time to go
From what I observe when doing the tour 2-3 times a week:
| Niche | Crowd | Light | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:30-8:30 a.m. | Very calm | Soft, golden | 5/5 |
| 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. | Moderate | Beautiful | 4/5 |
| 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Saturated | Flat to hard | 2/5 |
| 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m. | Moderate | Hard | 3/5 |
| 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. | Calm | Beautiful, golden | 4/5 |
If you are staying on Phi Phi (Tonsai), book a private longtail departure at 7 a.m.: you arrive at 7:45 a.m., you have the bay to yourself for 30 minutes before the arrival of the Phuket speedboats.
If you come on a day trip from Phuket or Krabi, you will inevitably arrive in the heart of the saturated niche. This is why sleeping at least one night in Phi Phi changes everything. For all detailed time slots and boat choice, see our complete Maya Bay 2026 guide.
Maya Bay month by month in 2026
The whole year is “open”, but the experience changes greatly depending on the season. This is what we observe on the ground:
| Month | Sea | Crowd | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| January – February | Calm, clear water | Very strong (high season) | Beautiful but crowded — aim for 7:30 a.m. |
| March – April | Calm, warm | Forte | Excellent, the clearest water of the year |
| May – June | Moderate swell possible | Moderate | Good calm/weather ratio, lower prices |
| July | Variable | Moderate | Correct, a few days of swell |
| August – September | CLOSED (August 1–September 30) | — | Maya Bay closed: annual conservation closure (DNP) |
| October | Calming sea | Low to moderate | Underrated: green nature, few people |
| November – December | Calm returned | Strong at the end of the year | Very nice lift, ideal mid-November |
Our favorite period for the beauty/tranquility ratio: late October to mid-December and May-June. For details season by season, see our guide on the best time to visit Maya Bay.
Where to go from to Maya Bay: Phi Phi, Phuket or Krabi?
You can visit Maya Bay by day trip from Phuket (1h45-2h speedboat), by day trip from Krabi / Ao Nang (45-90 min), or by sleeping on site in Phi Phi (15-25 min). The starting point determines the time you arrive at Maya Bay — therefore how many people you will find there.
| Departure | Journey to Phi Phi Leh | Typical arrival in Maya | Crowd on arrival |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phi Phi (Tonsai) | 15-25 min in longtail/speedboat | 7:45 a.m.-8:30 a.m. if early departure | Very weak |
| Krabi / Ao Nang | 45-90 min by speedboat | 10am-11am | Forte |
| Phuket | 1h45-2h in speedboat | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Maximum |
The conclusion is always the same: sleeping at least one night on Phi Phi opens up the only window where Maya Bay is calm (7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.). Day trips from Phuket and Krabi are practical but all arrive at peak attendance. If you can't stay on the island, leave as soon as possible - or bet on Pileh Lagoon, often more beautiful and less crowded.
Occasional closures to anticipate
Beyond the annual closure from August 1 to September 30, the DNP may occasionally close Maya Bay for safety or environmental reasons. Statistically:
- December-March: almost never closed
- April-July: rare closures (1-3 days)
- August 1 – September 30: total annual closure of Maya Bay (conservation, DNP) — the bay is closed continuously these two months
- October: still in monsoon, a few days of occasional closure possible depending on the swell
- November: return to normal
The announcement arrives the evening before on the park’s official account. Serious agencies will refund you or postpone the excursion free of charge in the event of an official closure. Check this point in the T&Cs before booking.
What the brochures don't tell you
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The beach is smaller than in aerial photos. On official drones it appears immense. In reality, it is 250 meters long and 15-20 meters wide at high tide. With 300 people on it, it’s dense.
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Pileh Lagoon is often more beautiful than Maya Bay itself. More turquoise water, higher cliffs, far fewer people. All good tours include both on the same day.
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You will not get the photo of Leonardo DiCaprio. Planting zones prohibit access to 70% of the sand. You stay on a narrow strip on the water side.
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The noise of the boats at Loh Samah has not disappeared. When 30 speedboats are anchored on the other side of the cliff, we can hear them. It’s not the desert island silence you imagine.
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The ranger will whistle exactly at 1 o'clock. Don't hang around when getting back on board, you will be the last to board and you will be blocking 50 people.
Should we still go there?
Yes — it’s legendary, it’s regulated and therefore preserved, and the bay itself is beautiful. But treat it as one stop on a Phi Phi Leh tour, not the sole objective.
My advice: a 6-hour speedboat tour which combines Maya Bay + Pileh + Viking Cave + Bamboo Island + a snorkel spot. You pay the Maya Bay entrance fee once and you see 5 amazing places. To arrive in the quiet 7:30 a.m. window, watch our First Sunrise at Maya Bay tour.
Do you want us to organize your Phi Phi Leh day with the right timing for Maya Bay? Write on WhatsApp, we'll find the ideal slot according to your date and your accommodation.
Sources and updates
- Department of National Parks (DNP) — Hat Noppharat Thara - Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park
- Field observations: weekly tours of the agency since 2022
- Updated: June 2026
