Maya Bay, the Phi Phi Leh bay made famous by The Beach, is closed to visitors for two months every year so its coral and marine life can recover. This guide covers when it closes, what still works on a Phi Phi tour during the closure, and what the rules are once the beach reopens.
Maya Bay Closure Dates
The national park closes Maya Bay every year from 1 August to 30 September for environmental recovery. Park authorities set the dates, so confirm them with your tour operator before you book.
2026: closed from 1 August to 30 September 2026, with the beach scheduled to reopen on 1 October 2026. Thai media reports that the closure also covers the neighbouring Loh Samah and Ao Lo Kha bays.
What You Can Still Do During the Closure
Phi Phi boat tours keep running. Boats cannot enter Maya Bay or land passengers on its beach while it is closed, but you can still see the bay from the water at a set distance, and the rest of the Phi Phi Islands stay open. Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach and the beaches of Phi Phi Don are common alternative stops.
Itineraries change during these two months, so ask your operator which stops replace Maya Bay and how long you will have at each. You can compare our Phi Phi Islands tours and read what a Phi Phi tour usually includes before you choose.
What to Expect When Maya Bay Is Open
Boats do not dock at Maya Bay itself. Visitors land at Loh Samah on the opposite side of the island and walk a short boardwalk to the beach. Opening hours are generally reported as 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and visits are time-limited, typically around an hour.
Swimming in the bay is not allowed under the park’s rules and rangers enforce them, so check the current rules with your operator.
Foreign visitors pay a national park fee, currently 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child in cash. Some tour packages include it and some list it separately, so check what your booking covers.
Choosing a Phi Phi Tour Around the Closure
If seeing the beach itself matters to you, plan your trip outside 1 August to 30 September. If you are travelling during the closure, the islands are still worth the trip: Pileh Lagoon and the snorkelling stops do not depend on Maya Bay, and boats are not queuing for the beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Maya Bay close each year?
Maya Bay’s beach is closed every year from 1 August to 30 September for coral recovery. The park announces the dates each year, so confirm them with your tour operator. In 2026 the closure runs from 1 August to 30 September, with reopening scheduled for 1 October.
Can I still see Maya Bay during the closure?
Yes, from the water at a set distance. Boats cannot enter the bay or land passengers on the beach, but the rest of the Phi Phi Islands stay open and tours adjust their stops.
Can you swim at Maya Bay when it is open?
Not in the bay itself under the park’s current rules. Visitors reach the beach on foot from Loh Samah along a boardwalk, and visits are time-limited. Check the latest rules before you go.