LATEST NEWS: Maya Bay Will Close Again in 2024.
Full Details Here MAYA BAY CLOSING 2024
Maya Bay, Phi Phi is one of the best beaches in Thailand IF not the world, and was featured in the movie The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio which was filmed over 20 years ago.
Maya Bay Beach was closed for over 2 years by the Thai Government to help the environment as it had become ruined by over-tourism, and it reopened in January 2022 with new rules and regulations that help to manage the tourists and how they access the bay.
Host of 5 Star Marine YouTube Channel Jay Leshark with 5 Star Marine Guide Alex head to Maya Bay before it closes again in August for another few months, and see what it is like and how the new management of Maya Bay works and look for Black Tip Reef Sharks that since the closure has returned to the bay.
Maya Bay, Thailand with its towering limestone cliffs, clear waters, coral reefs, and white sandy beach, is one of the most beautiful locations in Thailand. The main beach on Maya Bay is about 200 meters long, with soft white sand and exquisitely wonderful Corals, in fact, the whole bay is one big beautiful Coral Reef.
Although small in size just 200 meters long and 15 meters wide — the bay has drawn global attention since it featured in the Hollywood movie The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, filmed there in 1999 and released in 2000.
The Beach movie was directed by Danny Boyle and was based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Alex Garland. It was not a huge hit at the box office and Leonardo DiCaprio who played Richard, a young American seeking adventure, was actually nominated for a Raspberry award for the worst actor the year the movie was released. He lost to John Travolta as Terl from Battlefield Earth and as Russ Richards in Lucky Numbers.
Here’s a fact: Ewan McGregor was cast as the main character of The Beach, before leaving due to disputes with the director.
Maya Bay will be closing again on the 1st August 2022 for 2 months for the local authorities to do some research on how the opening has affected the bay and if the restrictors that they have put into place are working to help the environment.
The Thailand Pass (for international travelers wishing to enter Thailand) has moved from an approval process to a simple registration process. On May 20th the CCSA (Centre of Covid-19 Situation Administration) held a meeting to discuss the latest entry rules. You can watch the latest update here, plus we have outlined the changes below for ease.
For international arrivals from June 1st 2022, the Thailand Pass has been eased significantly. So, when you submit your information, you will automatically get your QR code and approval to enter Thailand. Essentially it has moved from an approval system to a simple registration process only. For more information on this, you can visit the Tourism Authority of Thailand dedicated page.
With the old version of the Thailand Pass, you had to go into the Thailand Pass system and submit more types of documentation. Then you would have to wait to be approved, or otherwise to enter Thailand. It was an approval system vs the new Thailand Pass registration process.
The Thailand Pass has been updated and streamlined in the process. The rules are simple, you only need to show your vaccination status and proof of travel insurance. Please note, that for the Thailand Pass you are not required to be vaccinated, but you do need to declare your vaccination status. You can apply here for the new Thailand Pass.
So that’s basically it; just enter your vaccination status and proof of travel insurance and your Thailand Pass will be registered, a QR code is given automatically and you can enter Thailand. It really did just get that simple. We are happy to say that this is the end of the more complicated Thailand Pass, although we foresee you will need to pre-register your information to be able to travel into Thailand for the next couple of months; then it could possibly be scrapped altogether.
It is now easier than ever to enter Thailand, so you get the chance to come on holiday here easily for the first post Pandemic (or even Endemic) low season. Phuket has so much to offer, a tropical paradise just waiting to be explored. There is also lots to see and do, with a good percentage of the island opened up; and with more tourists we expect even more restaurants, bars and tourist attractions to reopen their doors.
5 Star Marine has been providing informative and up-to-date information on all aspects of entry rules, from the Thailand Pass updates right back to when they were giving information on the Sandbox schemes and entry measures, since around July 2021.
5 Star Marine runs fully customized private tours on their luxury fleet of speedboats. Here’s some inspiration you can plan with them for your upcoming Thailand adventure:
So, what are you waiting for? With the simple Thailand Pass now in place, we look forward to welcoming you to Phuket.
For bookings or Information:
+66-93-720-6221
Full Details Here MAYA BAY CLOSING 2024
After a big reopening early in 2022, Krabi’s Maya Bay, at Phi Phi, is to temporarily close again on the 1st August for 2 months to allow time for the Thailand authorities to check the impact of the last few months of the bay being open, after allowing tourists back on to the beach, and also giving the bay time again to let the wildlife and environment breath.
Owner of 5 Star Marine Shaun Stenning and host of the 5 Star Marine YouTube Channel host Jay Leshark from Shark 13 Productions discuss the closure of Maya Bay as well as talk about other Phuket News stories and also talk about the Phuket Weather during the Low season, or Rainy season, or Green season. It has many names.
Maya Bay is the most notable “Beach” in the Phi Phi Island group, made famous by the 2000 film “The Beach’. The Beach is an adventure drama film directed by Danny Boyle, from a screenplay by John Hodge, based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Alex Garland. In the movie, Richard, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, travels to Thailand and finds himself in possession of an odd map that is rumored to lead to an island paradise. Accompanied by a few friends, he sets out to find it.
Since the reopening, almost 100,000 people have visited Maya Bay, bringing in over 20 million baht of income, according to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.
Maya Bay’s 3-year closure was very successful at bringing back plant and animal species that had disappeared due to tourist overrun. The most notable animal to return to breed in the bay is the blacktip reef shark. In March, a park ranger told NPR that before the park closed, when there could be over 6,000 tourists a day, no one would ever think of seeing the local sharks. He said now, on a good day, 160 sharks can be seen.
Enjoy 5 Star Marine’s Phi Phi Island Private Boat Tour, where you and your select group of friends can experience the ultimate and iconic scenery on your very own luxury day trip. Discover this world-famous location in style, onboard a 5 Star Marine VIP and upgraded speedboat.
The renowned Bay reopened to day trippers earlier this year, on 1st Jan, after being completely closed to tourists for almost 3 ½ years (by order of The Department of National Parks Wildlife and Plant Conservation).
However, for purposes of natural rehabilitation, Maya Bay will once again close for 2 months from August this year. However, fear not – this does not mean you cannot enjoy Maya Bay on your Phi Phi Island Private Boat Tour. As per the original closure period, you can still take in the beauty of the Bay from our private speedboats, yet you simply cannot walk on the actual beach during this short rehabilitation time.
Maya Bay still remains one of the most iconic areas you should visit on your Phi Phi Island Private Boat Tour; whether the beach is open to walk on or not.
5 Star Marine will ensure that you enjoy the beauty of Maya Bay, whilst practicing responsible tourism to help keep the area protected and allow it to continue regenerating; all this can be part of your Phi Phi Island Private Boat Tour.
The Marine Park have worked tirelessly to get Maya Bay back to its previous paradise condition; so, we ensure that our tours adhere to the new rules and help demonstrate respectful tourism.
Our experienced captains and crew know just how to miss the crowds on your Phi Phi Island Private Boat Tour, so you can sit back and relax knowing you are in safe and capable hands.
During your tour you will get the chance to enjoy the stunning coral reefs around Phi Phi which are bursting with colourful marine life, as well as experiencing the natural beauty of the area. Take your time swimming and snorkelling in crystal clear tropical lagoons as our captains guide you around the area.
Shaun Stenning
+66 (0) 93720 6221
Experience stunning seascapes, tropical islands, and limestone karsts around Phuket and the surrounding islands in absolute comfort onboard one of 5 Star Marine’s Phuket Private Tours.
On your Phuket Private Tour, we will send a proposal with a suggested itinerary. Why do we say “suggested”? Well, when you arrive at the pier for your Phuket Private Tour, our experienced crew will talk through the plan for the day. They can make suggestions based on variables outside of our control such as the sea, wind condition, tide, etc.
The choice really is yours because when you book a Phuket Private Tour with us, you get to carve out your bespoke and unique itinerary with the help of our professional and knowledgeable guides. Enjoy your collaborated itinerary planning on the day, for a perfectly balanced experience.
On your Phuket Private Tour, you might select to explore hidden bays, canoe through caves, relax on deserted white beaches, experience exotic marine life in crystal clear waters or even adventure up to breathtakingly high viewpoints. When you book a Phuket Private Tour with 5 Star Marine, we are able to tailor a bespoke itinerary just for you on your day trip / multi-night tour.
You can pick from a range of exotic and stunning island locations on offer, or why not try our “Phuket By The Sea Tour” which is our unique Phuket Private Tour program that leaves from the 5 Star Marine pier in Boat Lagoon and travels under the Sarasin bridge before you could make your way down to Banana Beach past Surin, Kamala and Patong for example, stopping off at a few of Phuket’s top-class beach clubs.
A few examples of exotic journeys you can make with 5 Star Marine on your own bespoke Phuket Private Tour:
We like to look after all our guests, so you can sit back and relax knowing that your Phuket Private Tour will include the following:
Explore the best destinations around Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay, and beyond in ultimate luxury, with your very own, bespoke Phuket Private Tour.
+66-93-720-6221
So, as we start to see trickles of tourism return to the island, we have been answering lots of questions from many of our 1st time bookers as well as our return guests. Let’s explore some of the most common questions we’ve been asked:
When you hire a private boat with 5 Star Marine, you get sent a proposal with a suggested itinerary. Now, we stress the ‘suggested’ part, and this is why; when you arrive at the pier for your private luxury tour, we will talk through the plan for the day. We make suggestions because there are variables outside of our control such as the sea, wind condition, tide, etc. Our concept is a joint idea between you and your guide on the day, for the best experience.
We take into account your requirements for your day out, and we apply the variables to come up with the best tour itinerary for the day. For example, if the tide is high on your Phi Phi private luxury tour date, we suggest you go to Phi Phi Ley first (explore Maya Bay, Pi Ley Lagoon, go snorkeling near the Viking cave), and then in the afternoon head over to Phi Phi Don.
However, on another day there will be low tide in the morning and high tide in the afternoon; therefore, the itinerary would need to change in order to see Maya Bay at its most beautiful, for example.
This is why the itinerary is suggested, not set in stone. We allow for you to add in more snorkeling stops if you please, and take your time; there are no set schedules of rushing for the next stop like you might experience on group tours.
The answer is simple, it is however long you want it to be. As it is a private boat, essentially the boat is yours and your captain and crew on the day are there to give you the ultimate day out so they will take into account your requirements and help guide you.
We are starting to see a slight uplift in tourism, and hope that towards December we will see further recovery.
We get asked a lot; how do we avoid the crowds? As a private boat hire you do have the option to go out early, however, this isn’t the only way to avoid the crowds. What we suggest is that we help you retime your tour.
Our experienced guides know that Maya Bay, for example, will be busy between 10 am -11 am but afterward, when the group tour boats leave to go for lunch you can take the opportunity to miss the crowds then. We might suggest you leave the pier at 10 am and get to Maya Bay at 11 am, as other group tours will go to lunch between 12:30-2:30 at Phi Phi Don, so you can find quieter spots by retiming – not necessarily by leaving super early or later.
Out teams know how to create better timings for the destinations, which we refer to as “reverse timing” so we are not following the group tour timings/program. With our private boats, you get the ultimate flexibility and privacy to allow for this.
Although there are now more crowds than during the peak of international shutdowns with Covid-19, there are still plenty of stunning and beautiful places to explore, so now is a great time to get out and see for yourself whilst tourism isn’t back at the same level as before.
+66-93-720-6221
Enjoy our Phi Phi Islands Private Tour, where you get to experience the ultimate and iconic scenery on your very own private day trip. With 5 Star Marine, you can discover this world-famous location in luxury, onboard one of their VIP, upgraded speedboats.
Our experienced captains and crew know just how to miss the crowds on your Phi Phi Islands Private Tour, so you can sit back and relax knowing you are in safe and capable hands. During your Private Tour, you will get the chance to enjoy the stunning coral reefs around Phi Phi which are bursting with colourful marine life, as well as experience the natural beauty of the area. Take your time swimming and snorkelling in crystal clear tropical lagoons as our captains guide you around the area.
Maya Bay only just reopened in January 2022 (and is definitely one of the most iconic areas you can visit on your Phi Phi Islands Private Tour); made famous after being featured in the 2000 movie, “The Beach” starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
This widely-known bay was completely closed to tourists for 3.5 years, by order of The Department of National Parks Wildlife and Plant Conservation. This was necessary after sadly mass tourism destructed the coral life, reefs and marine ecology.
However, during this time the whole Maya Bay area underwent a significant and impressive rehabilitation project, which included planting new corals on the reefs over more than 4 acres in and around the bay. Parts of the beach were regenerated and protective walkways were constructed.
5 Star Marine will ensure that you enjoy the beautiful sandy Maya Bay, whilst practising responsible tourism to help keep the area protected and allow it to continue regenerating; all this can be part of your Phi Phi Islands Private Tour experience. The Marine Park has worked tirelessly to get Maya Bay back to its previous paradise condition; so, we ensure that our tours adhere to the new rules and help demonstrate respectful tourism.
Shaun
+66 (0) 93720 6221
www.5starmarinephuket.com
5 Star Marine has a growing fleet of VIP, luxury speedboats available for private boat hire in Phuket. Experience stunning seascapes, tropical islands, and limestone karsts around Phuket and the surrounding islands in absolute comfort. Their entire fleet has been custom built and enhanced to ensure you get the most luxurious time on the sea as a family, couple, or group of friends during your very own customizable private boat hire in Phuket.
5 Star Marine specialize in private tours, whether you want to explore hidden bays, canoe through caves, relax on deserted white beaches, experience exotic marine life in crystal clear waters or even adventure up to breathtakingly high viewpoints; if you book a private boat hire in Phuket with them, they can tailor a bespoke itinerary just for you on your day / multi-night tour.
For the ultimate private boat hire Phuket experience, you can trust 5 Star Marine’s Captain’s Choice to bring you itineraries that are only available to small and private groups, and not offered with any other boat tour company. So, why not sit back and relax whilst you enjoy the bespoke selection of untouched paradise locations on offer with 5 Star Marine?
When we talk about a private boat hire in Phuket with 5 Star Marine, you can get so much more out of the experience versus a group speedboat charter:
5 Star Marine has been providing private boat hire in Phuket under their TAT SHA approved status since 2020. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) awarded this certification, and the TAT Safety and Health Administration Plus Certificate is proudly held by the company also.
As one of the first tourism services to gain TAT SHA Plus status in 2021, 5 Star Marine was recognized as adhering to public health measures regarding Covid-19 safety. This means that all guests can rest assured and feel safe and secure on board a 5 Star Marine during your private boat hire in Phuket.
To make sure you have the best time on your private boat hire in Phuket, 5 Star Marine add in a few little extras for your comfort and convenience during your trip:
Payments for your private boat hire in Phuket can be made on the day; 5 Star Marine do not take deposits so there is no need to worry about refunds or lost money if the weather turns poor. Obviously, we cross our fingers and toes for smooth seas and bright skies, but in the event that the tour date is predicted to be poor weather, 5 Star Marine will re-schedule with you.
Contact 5 Star Marine now to get out and explore, there are so many places to be discovered on your private boat hire Phuket.
We look forward to welcoming you on board for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
From the 5 Star Marine Team
Contact Information:
Location: Boat Lagoon, Pier L, Phuket, Thailand
+66937206221
After 20+ months of recovery time, the Phi Phi Islands has restored back to what it was 15+ years ago. In fact, I would say that it is looking better than I have ever seen it in the entire time I have been here in Phuket Island Hopping.
That’s why Jay and I feel so lucky to be taking you on tour with us to this beautiful destination. Add to that, this week had his family on board and FINALLY saw a SHARK.
Watch it all here:
We are excited to remain open for the entire Christmas and New Year period, and are looking forward to welcoming you on board for a tailor-made and festive private speedboat tour with us during this time!
Reflecting on the last 12 months, we would like to say a heartfelt THANK YOU for the level of support we received from all of our wonderfully loyal, local customers, who have helped us during the past 20 months. Without you, we would not still be operating as we are today, and for that our company, team, captains, and tour guides are immensely grateful.
As a company, we managed to take time to regroup and focus on reprioritizing our efforts, and this meant rolling up our sleeves and getting busy. We keep continuing to support the vulnerable communities and the people around us via our charity efforts, with 5 Star Marine involved in all packing and delivery efforts of essential food relief parcels and bags. We focused on the upside wherever we could see or create one. We wanted to look at where we could add value to our community and what we should be doing during this time.
Living Waters Phuket Foundation was born from this desire to help and continue to support our community; it was set up to build brighter futures for communities in need and provides financial grants for projects around relief areas including sustainable food security, education requirements, renewable energy, and environmental issues. We are excited to report that already in only 6 weeks, 4 major funded projects have been completed and many, many more have applied for funding and are undergoing our impartial review process for approval.
Find out more on the website You can also watch our YouTube video on some of our latest grants:
We were thrilled to see many new destinations open back up for our day tours, and now offer over 11 stunning destinations including the Similan Islands, Phi Phi, Racha, Phang Nga Bay, Coral Island, Krabi tours, Mai Ton Dolphin Spotting plus many more tailor-made options to ensure you had the perfect day out. We saw a rise in popularity of our dual tour to Phi Phi and James Bond Island which literally has something for everyone; plus, we are awaiting the much-anticipated opening of Maya Bay on 1st January 2022.
You can watch more on Maya Bay and Shaun’s personal thoughts here:
Our YouTube channel has gone from strength to strength and we appreciate all the love and support we are getting. If you haven’t done so already, please subscribe and follow here:
5 Star Marine was lucky to welcome so much interest and publicity from bloggers and news reporters – we are grateful for the coverage and interest in our community efforts. Chris Parker, (from Retired Working For You), joined to see our food packing and delivery efforts first hand to see exactly what goes on behind the scenes of each vital life bag.
We also gained and appreciate hugely the support of local and international media, including but not limited to:
During the last year, we also had a chance to more than double the size of our fleet; we now have 15 Private VIP Speedboats and a VIP Luxury Cruiser which is a proud extension to our current speedboat fleet and offers a truly unique experience on the water. In addition, to accommodate our growing fleet size, the domestic market support, and prepare for the return of international tourists, we moved piers and into a new office at Boat Lagoon, Phuket. We love our new glass-fronted office which has been a more welcoming environment for all our loyal VIP customers.
So, to wrap it up – it has been a year of highs and lows, of challenges and new opportunities. We are thankful, grateful, and happy to be where we are and we will continue to help those in the community who need it most; and will always be grateful to our loyal customers for making 2021 the year it was for us.
Thank you,
Shaun and the entire 5 Star Marine Team