LATEST NEWS: Maya Bay Will Close Again in 2024.
Full Details Here MAYA BAY CLOSING 2024
Maya Bay in Phi Phi is OPEN
Maya Bay, in Phi Phi, the most famous beach in Thailand, if not the world, is back open as of 1st October 2022. The iconic Maya Bay, in Phi Phi, closed on the 1st of August 2022 so that the Thailand National Park Authorities could assess the effect that the new rules and regulations that they had put into place since January, have had on the bay and the beach.
YouTube host Jay Leshark and his kids, got up before sunrise to head down to Maya Bay, with Cameraman, and 5 Star Marine Phuket tour guide Alex to try to be the first people on Maya Bay and see what it’s like after the 2 months that it had been closed.
Arriving at 8 am they were the first people, apart from the National Park Staff, to come back to Maya Bay.
There was some very encouraging news, as they saw some very young Black Tip Reef Sharks feet from the beach, and not only baby sharks but also some young juvenile Black Tips as well. It seems that even though the new rules and regulations they set out in January did allow people back on to “The Beach” the sharks that had returned after the over 2-year closure are still there and still breeding. This is very good news.
As of writing this, we have not seen the full report from the Thailand National Park Authorities about the effects on Maya Bay, and when we do get this report, we will be sure to share it here.
The rules and restrictions that they put in place in January are still in effect, so many tourists will be restricted per day and no swimming in the bay, plus boats are only allowed to drop tourists off at the backside of Maya Bay.
We recommend that if you want to see Maya Bay on one of our Private Phuket Boat Tours then you leave as early as you can, as the Bay early in the morning is so beautiful and you will definitely miss the crowds. CLICK HERE to see the Phi Phi Tour
Maya Bay, Phi Phi is one of the best and most beautiful beaches in Thailand the bay and the beach were featured in the movie “The Beach” with Leonardo DiCaprio filmed over 20 years ago.
In the past few weeks, Maya Bay and the movie producers of “The Beach”, known as 20th Century Fox, now named 20th Century Studios have been in the news as the Thailand Supreme Court has fined them 10 million Baht to restore the beach.
The 10 million Baht will be used by Thailand’s Department of Forestry to restore the natural environment at Maya Bay to its natural state.
It will be very interesting to see what happens with this news story.
Phuket News | Which Phuket Islands are Open? | Maya Bay Closing | July 2022
What’s Open in and around Phuket
In the Phuket News today we find out what Islands around Phuket are open and which islands are closed or closing. Shaun the founder of 5 Star Marine Phuket also talks about the new Phuket Waterpark Andamanda Phuket and gives you an update on Phuket Charity work that is being done by Living Waters Phuket.
The biggest news is that Maya Bay, Phi Phi, one of the best and most beautiful beaches in Thailand IF not the world is closed from the 1st August 2022.
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 closing it allow its ecosystem to recover from the impact of thousands of visitors each day
It reopened in January 2022 with new rules and regulations that help to manage the tourists and how they access the bay.
Other islands around Phuket that are currently closed are:
- Surin Islands which are an archipelago of five islands in the Andaman Sea, 60 km from the Thai mainland and part of the Phang Nga Province.
- Similan islands which are also part of Phang Nga province and also an archipelago is closed as normal for 6 months of the year, May 1 to October 31 each year, to help preserve the nature
- Koh Haa and Koh Rock which are some of the best scuba diving spots in Thailand. Located within the Koh Lanta Marine Park, Andaman Sea, Krabi Province are also closed from May to October
Our tours to Phi Phi Islands, and Phang Nga Bay to see James Bond Island are all still running as well as our tours to the awesome Khai Islands, coral islands are all open.
What’s open in Phuket right now?
The brand new Andamanda Phuket, which opened in June this year is arguably Phuket’s only real waterpark, although Splash Jungle up in Mai Khao is a waterpark, but not on the scale of this brand-new feature to Phuket. Blue Tree Phuket, has also been described as a waterpark, but that is really an activity lagoon with a host of different activities to do, it does have Thailand’s longest Superfly (slip and slide).
So, there you have it. What’s open and what’s not here in Phuket
Please take a minute to check out the amazing work done by Living Waters Phuket.
2022 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award
5 Star Marine is extremely honored to have once again been given a ‘Travelers’ Choice Award’ for 2022; which recognizes businesses that consistently deliver great service.
Shaun Stenning, CEO of 5 Star Marine commented: “We feel extremely grateful to receive this achievement from Tripadvisor for the 2nd year in a row. It gives us all at 5 Star Marine a sense of pride to know that our customers are consistently delighted with the whole experience they get with us.” He added thanks to his team also. “We sincerely thank all our wonderful guests for their continued support throughout the last few years, and of course our crew and staff for their dedication, hard work and continued efforts.”
This award makes 5 Star Marine part of an exclusive group, ranking among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor. It highlights only the top companies who consistently manage to deliver the very highest levels of customer satisfaction for their experiences. With luxury speedboat day and multi-night bespoke and private trips, 5 Star Marine is delighted to have continued to earn top guest reviews.
As the top 10% of businesses on Tripadvisor for two years in a row, 5 Star Marine is now celebrating being the ‘best of the best for ‘things to do in Phuket. Their team of dedicated and experienced crew, captains, and tour guides ensure that each and every trip is customized to their guests, working together to find the perfect itinerary to make each experience a memorable one.
As challenging as the past few years have been, 5 Star Marine has managed to maintain their consistently high service levels to ensure all of their welcomed speedboat guests received a truly 5-star experience.
“Congratulations to the 2022 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Winners,” said Kanika Soni, Chief Commercial Officer at Tripadvisor. “The Travelers’ Choice Awards recognize the best in tourism and hospitality, according to those who matter most: your guests. Ranking among the Travelers’ Choice winners is always tough — but never more so than this year as we emerge from the pandemic. Whether it’s using new technology, implementing safety measures, or hiring outstanding staff, I’m impressed by the steps you’ve taken to meet travelers’ new demands. You’ve adapted brilliantly in the face of adversity.”
Hong Krabi Private Boat
With 5 Star Marine, you can hire one of our luxury VIP speedboats for an exclusive Hong Krabi Private Boat tour. Take the opportunity to experience the stunning beauty of Ko Hong Krabi and the smaller Krabi province archipelagos in deluxe comfort. Plus, you get to enjoy all of this at your own pace when you book a Hong Krabi Private Boat tour with us.
The sheer natural beauty you encounter on our Hong Krabi Private Boat trip is breathtaking. This area provides you with everything you could want from a day out. Indulge in a swim to cool off in the emerald green lagoons, try a spot of snorkeling, discover the white sandy, private beaches, or take a hike to enjoy an incredible 360o viewpoint and sightseeing – there is something to keep everyone happy.
Our Hong Krabi Private Boat VIP tour is completely flexible, so you can customize your day with the help of our expert crew and captains to get an experience that is perfect for you.
Ko Hong Krabi is the perfect stop on your Private Boat tour; it sits in-between the Koh Yao Islands and Krabi mainland and boasts a remarkable emerald green lagoon which you enter through a narrow passageway. Once inside you are greeted by the scenic and mesmerizing Ko Hong Lagoon. This striking turquoise body of shallow water is surrounded by high rock walls lined with lush mangroves giving a forgotten world feeling to it. Only accessible by small boat or longtail, some areas are so clear and shallow you can easily see your feet underwater on the soft sand.
For a little more on the adventurous side; why not make your way around to the more recent addition to the island on your Hong Krabi Private Boat. The breathtaking 360o Viewpoint has an impressive metal staircase structure which was just built in 2020. It gives panoramic 360o views of Krabi and the surrounding islands and is arguably one of the best seascape views of the Krabi island sets, Phang Nga Bay and surrounding islands in the national park that you can get.
With so much to offer at Ko Hong Krabi, you might get your fill just here. However, if you feel inclined to, then after enjoying these stunning panoramic seascapes, you can make your way to Railay Beach for a walk around, discover some caves or stop for a spot of lunch. Alternatively, we can arrange a private western or Thai menu lunch on the beach during your Hong Krabi Private Boat day. In the afternoon, you could enjoy some snorkeling at Chicken Island or explore the nearby Ko Poda beach.
The choice really is yours, because when you book your Hong Krabi Private Boat 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.
Why Book a Hong Krabi Private Boat?
With so much to see and do, the Hong Krabi Private Boat tour is a perfect mix of sightseeing, adventure, snorkeling, and some of the best beaches in the area. 5 Star Marine are experts when it comes to the wide selection of islands and sightseeing spots around Krabi, and can sometimes get you to stunning locations with nobody else around.
Krabi Private Tour Inclusions
We like to look after all our guests, so you can sit back and relax knowing that your Hong Krabi Private Boat will include the following:
Explore the best spots on and around Hong Krabi in ultimate luxury, with your very own, bespoke Hong Krabi Private Boat.
Contact us to book your Krabi Private Tour:
+66937206221
Testing a Mini Scuba Tank with a Hand Pump That Lets You Dive for 10 Minutes The Scorkl Pro
Scorkl is a mini scuba device that can be pumped up by hand and it allows you to dive for up to 10 minutes. Well, that’s what the marketing words say.
SCORKL – Breathe underwater with TOTAL freedom
5 Star Marine YouTube host Jay Leshark spent 2 days testing the Scorkl at Blue Tree Phuket to see how easy it is to use.
The Scorkl is sold as a shallow diving kit that lets you breathe freely under the surface with no bulky scuba equipment to get in the way of your exploring. No scuba certification is required. The starter kit, which includes a hand pump, sells for around $500 USD The Scorkl cylinder is manufactured to the same specifications and manufacturing standards as a normal SCUBA cylinder. Scorkl is lightweight, portable, refillable via hand pump, and gives you up to 10min underwater.
They say the benefits are:
- Compact, portable, and Lightweight
- Breath underwater for up to 10 minutes
- Refillable by hand pump
Watch the Video about this benefit……
Scuba diving can be very dangerous and although Snorkl makes diving more accessible, we do not recommend that anyone uses it unless they are trained.
Check out The Phuket Boat Tour to Coral Island Video. Our next Phuket Adventure (WITH 15 Kids)
Host of 5 Star Marine YouTube channel Jay Leshark joins a family-friendly trip to Coral Island. 2 boats and 15 kids, how will Jay cope? The only way to find out is to watch the video below.
If you are looking for a perfect family boat tour then this trip is a must. Coral Island, also known locally as Koh He, is an easy and family-friendly day-trip destination from Phuket.
It is one of the most popular tours taken by the Phuket locals and expats families as it’s a short boat trip, so not too long for small children to be on the boat, and it can be part of a dolphin-spotting trip. We might not be able to guarantee dolphins, however, the team are are experienced in knowing the best times and locations to maximize your chances of seeing these playful animals.
BUT we can promise that this trip to Coral Island is awesome.
Coral Island, known locally as Koh Hae or Ko He, is a beautiful destination only a few km southeasts of Phuket. The island has 2 main beaches: Long Beach and Banana Beach. Snorkeling off Banana Beach is really good, especially for young children as you can snorkel right off the beach and children are able to stand up as it’s not too deep.
On Coral Island, you can find a handful of restaurants, enjoy a few different snorkeling spots or just relax on its sandy beaches. There are also an array of activates to do such as Banana boating, parasailing and they even rent out see-through canoes, which are perfect for those who are not too keen on snorkeling but still want to see the amazing Phuket marine sea life.
And for those influencers out there are some awesome Instagram-worthy setups ready for you and your thousands of followers.
This tour, as in all our Phuket boat tours at 5 Star Marine includes soft drinks, water, fresh fruit, life jackets, snorkeling equipment, and of course the excellent team that will guide you on this awesome tour.
Phuket Private Tour
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.
Phuket Private Tour Destination Inspiration:
A few examples of exotic journeys you can make with 5 Star Marine on your own bespoke Phuket Private Tour:
- Phang Nga Bay to visit the infamous James Bond Island
- Phi Phi, including Maya Bay (which opened again to guests in January 2022) – the location of The Beach film
- Racha Islands soft white sandy beaches and abundant marine life
- Dolphin spotting at Koh Mai Ton
- Coral Island with full beach club, massage, and restaurant amenities at Banana Beach Club
- Krabi, Hong Krabi lagoon, and the 360-degree viewpoint
- Koh Ha and Ko Rok for something a little more exotic and lesser-known
- Easy to access and shallow snorkeling at the Khai Islands
- Tropical paradise in Koh Lipe
Tup Island
Your Very Own Phuket Private Tour
- Our crew will be dedicated entirely to you, your family, or friends on board; attending to your requirements for the ultimate Phuket Private Tour
- We can tailor a unique and customized program, to ensure the day exceeds your desires
- We are flexible on pick-up and drop-off locations to suit you (hotel, pier, beach, etc.)
- You can choose to remain at a lagoon or private beach for longer if you would like; you won’t have to fit in with a tour group timetable
- With a small and intimate group of people, you get the flexibility to make the day what you want
- You will get to discover hidden coves and caves that you will not experience on group tours
- We can organize a private beach picnic for your Phuket Private Tour
Phuket Private Tour Inclusions
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.
Contact us to book your Phuket Private Tour:
+66-93-720-6221
Looking For A Memorable Experience? – The Official Monthly Newsletter
It’s been another great month of tours. Seeing the smiling faces of our team, our guests and reading the amazing reviews online has really inspired us all to keep fighting forward. We are moving now into some of the best sea conditions of the year so it’s time to get out explore and find new places.
One of my new favorite places to visit is Koh Mook, with our team heading over there almost weekly at the moment. Swimming into Emerald Cave, exploring Koh Kradan (arguably the best beach in the area), and seeing the Dugongs.
Hoping to see you on board again soon!
– Shaun
IN THIS MONTH’S NEWS!
- Tours Of The Month – Bond, James Bond!
- Volunteerism And How You Can Get Involved.
- 5 Star Vlogs.
Tours Of The Month – Bond, James Bond!
- With a custom Phang Nga Bay tour, 5 Star Marine will guide you around hidden coves and lagoons, as well as stopping off at the iconic James Bond island which became a major attraction after featuring in the 1974 Bond movie, The Man With The Golden Gun.
Volunteerism And How You Can Get Involved.
- One of our very good friends (who started out as a Guest) Amy Tan writes this wonderful monthly newsletter highlighting what we like to refer to as “Volunteerism“. In her newsletter this month she focused on the Life Bag project that we have run here at 5 Star Marine.
5 Star MarineLife Bags
Staff Profile of The Month
- Name: Alex
- Position: Tour Guide
- Favorite tour to go on: Koh Rok/Koh Ha
- Favorite activity to do in Phuket when not working: Relaxing at the beach and spending time with family.
- Favorite food: Any Phuket seafood. Phuket seafood is the best.
5 Star Vlogs
Have you liked and subscribed?
Stay up to date with the latest Phuket News, see one of our tours, and find things to do in Phuket.
We also have challenges for our YouTube host Jay Leshark who last month learned how to do Brazilian Ju-Jitsu on the beach. Well, we say learned, it was more of a… well best watch to find out what happened.
Go to our YouTube page and make sure you like and subscribe. Join the 5 Star Universe.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LATEST NEWS:
THE SEA IS CALLING!
Jump On Board On One Of Our VIP Private Speedboats And Explore The Amazing Islands Of Phuket – At A Discount – Contact Us To Discuss Our Discounted Returning Guest Rates.
Phone
+66 93 720 6221
+66 93 720 6221
Private Boat Hire Phuket – Reclaim Your Sense of Adventure
Luxury Private Speedboats
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?
Private Boat Hire Phuket Advantages
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:
- Our Captain and crew will be dedicated entirely to you, your family, or friends on board
- 5 Star Marine are able to tailor a unique and customized program, to ensure the day exceeds your desires
- We can be flexible on pick-up and drop-off locations to suit you (hotel, pier, beach, etc.)
- You have the flexibility on timing; it is your own private boat hire in Phuket
- You can choose to remain at a lagoon or private beach for longer if you are would like; you won’t have to fit in with a group timetable
- With a small and intimate group of people, it is a more Covid-19 safe environment, with fewer people on board and more space to yourselves
- You will get to discover hidden coves and caves that you will not experience on group tours because time does not allow
- We can organize a private beach picnic to enjoy for your private boat hire in Phuket
In 5 Star Safe Hands
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.
Luxury Inclusions
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:
- Tour Photos and Video
- Masks and Snorkels
- Fins (Adults)
- Fresh Fruit
- Soft Drinks and Water
- Picnic or Thai Sharing Lunch (available on request at an extra cost)
- Licensed Guide
- Life Jackets
- Beach Mats
- Hand Sanitiser
- Insurance
Flexible Cancellation Policy
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.
Private Boat Hire Phuket Destinations
- Phang Nga Bay to visit the infamous James Bond Island
- Similan Islands abundant sea life
- Phi Phi, including Maya Bay – the location of The Beach film starring Leonardo di Caprio
- Racha Islands soft white sandy beaches
- Dolphin spotting at Koh Mai Ton
- Coral Island with full amenities at Banana Beach Club
- Hong Krabi lagoon and the 360-degree viewpoint
- Koh Ha and Ko Rok for something a little more exotic and lesser-known
- Easy to access and shallow snorkeling at the Khai Islands
- Tropical paradise in Koh Lipe
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
And That’s A Wrap
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
