Maya Bay Is CLOSED | Is Phi Phi Island Closed? | August 2023
Maya Bay Is CLOSED | Is Phi Phi Island Closed? | August 2023
Maya Bay Has Reopened From 1st October 2023. Please read the full details here: https://5starmarinephuket.com/2023/08/13/maya-bay-opening-1st-october-2023/
Maya Bay is CLOSED but what about Phi Phi?
Today the 1st of August 2023 Maya Bay in Phi Phi, Thailand will be closing its beach for 2 months. The beach being closed at Maya Bay, Phi Phi is to give the Thailand National Park Authorities time to check and assess the effects of tourists being allowed back on the beach during this past high season.
Maya Bay in Phi Phi will open again on the 1st of October 2023.
Is Phi Phi Open?
The bottom line here is that Phi Phi is OPEN.
It is only the beach at Maya Bay that is closed. You can still visit all the other stunning locations at Phi Phi BUT you just cannot walk on Maya Bay Beach.
Pileh Lagoon – Open
Monkey Beach – Open
Nui Beach – Open
Camel Rock – Open
Viking Cave – Open
You can even still enter Maya Bay via the front side. There is a roped-off area marked out by buoys that you go to and get that beautiful picture of Maya Bay. In fact, some might say that this picture looking into the bay is a better picture than from the beach. Plus, for the next two months, there will be no one on the beach to photo-bomb you.
Why is Maya Bay, Phi Phi Famous?
Maya Bay in Phi Phi, Thailand, is famous for several reasons:
“The Beach” Movie:
Maya Bay gained international fame after it was featured in the 2000 movie “The Beach,” directed by Danny Boyle and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The stunning scenery and crystal-clear waters portrayed in the movie captured the imagination of viewers worldwide, attracting tourists eager to experience the real-life paradise depicted in the film.
Natural Beauty:
Maya Bay is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty. The bay is surrounded by tall limestone cliffs covered with lush green vegetation, giving it a secluded and picturesque ambiance. The bay’s clear waters and white sandy beach create a postcard-perfect tropical paradise.
Snorkeling and Diving:
The area around Maya Bay offers excellent opportunities for snorkeling and diving. The bay is part of the Phi Phi Islands, known for their diverse marine life and colorful coral reefs, making it a popular destination for underwater enthusiasts.
Maya Bay is situated in the Phi Phi Islands archipelago, which is a well-known tourist destination. The Phi Phi Islands offer visitors a chance to explore other beautiful beaches, coves, and viewpoints, making Maya Bay a must-visit spot for travelers exploring the area.
It’s important to note that popularity comes with its downsides. The excessive influx of tourists to Maya Bay, Phi Phi led to significant environmental degradation, threatening the very beauty that made it famous. In response to this environmental impact, the Thai government took measures to preserve the delicate ecosystem and temporarily closed Maya Bay to visitors from mid-2018 onwards. The closure aimed to allow the damaged coral reefs and marine life to recover.
Then after COVID, the government reopened Maya Bay but with strict regulations in place to protect its natural resources.
They also continue to close the beach of Maya Bay every year for 2 months to assist with the environmental situation.
Shaun Stenning
Shaun is the Co-Owner and Founder of 5 Star Marine Phuket. After visiting Phuket for a holiday he never left and over 13 years later he calls Phuket home with his wife and kids. Shaun is passionate about Phuket and the Islands surrounding Phuket and loves helping fellow travellers explore.
