Maya Bay: Day Trips and Tours from Phuket

If you're searching for a breathtaking beach destination, look no further than Maya Bay. This idyllic spot, located on the Phi Phi Islands, is famed for its turquoise waters and dramatic limestone cliffs.

While it may be one of the most photographed island escapes in the world, the bay is even more spectacular in person!

If you are a fan of the 2000's Hollywood movie "The Beach" or a marine animal lover, a Maya Bay day trip from Phuket is definitely for you!

Here's everything you need to know about Maya Bay, one of the most popular destinations for day trips from Phuket.

How to get to Maya Bay from Phuket?

Maya Bay is located on Ko Phi Phi Le — an uninhabited isle within the Phi Phi Island archipelago. It is just under 50 kilometers off the southeast coast of Phuket.

From Phuket to Maya Bay by boat

You can hire a private boat from any of Phuket's marinas to make the 90-minute jaunt to Maya Bay. You can choose between a longtail boat or speedboat, depending on your preferences.

Guided tour to Maya Bay from Phuket

Guided excursions to Maya Bay are the most cost-effective way to see additional sights and ensure you gain entrance to the filming location of "The Beach." You'll benefit from a hotel pickup service between 7:30 AM and 8 AM, and your tour will last approximately nine hours.

How much does the entrance ticket to Maya Bay cost?

• Adults: THB400 (US$11)
• Children: THB200 (US$5)

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Maya Bay from Phuket?

After a convenient hotel pickup, all Maya Bay day tours start by boarding a boat at one of Phuket's many beaches. Generally, you'll travel by speedboat to your first stopping point, which is often Bamboo Island.

This idyllic slice of paradise is known for its pristine beaches and unspoiled waters, and is the perfect place to take a dip. You can attempt to spot marine life or relax on the palm-lined sands before returning to your vessel and continuing on your tour.

You'll pass by Monkey Beach, which is home to an abundance of crab-eating macaques, and duck your head into Viking Cave. The cave is home to the swift bird, whose nests are highly sought after and used to make Chinese soup. This famous dish is brimming with nourishing ingredients for optimal health and longevity.

After Viking Cave, you may continue to Ko Phi Phi Don, which is the optimal place to enjoy a Thai feast. Once you reach Maya Bay, you'll have free time to admire its natural radiance and take the perfect photo. You'll speed through the Andaman Sea to return to Phuket where your Maya Bay day trip ends.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Maya Bay?

Generally, Maya Bay day tours allow you to see several of Thailand's treasures.

Guided tours to Maya Bay plus Phi Phi Islands and Bamboo Island from Phuket

This day tour to Maya Bay travels through the Phi Phi Islands, stopping at several renowned sites. These include the famous Viking Cave, which features ancient wall paintings, as well as bird's nests that are harvested for medicinal soup.

You'll stop at Bamboo Island to snorkel through its waters that are swarming with vibrant life forms. You'll see crab-eating macaques that fill the aptly-named monkey beach, as well as the limestone formations of Maya Bay, which perfectly contrast the turquoise waters.

Snorkeling tour to Maya Bay plus Phi Phi Islands from Phuket

This snorkeling tour allows you to explore the reformed waters surrounding Maya Bay, safely. If you're lucky, you may see a blacktip reef shark swimming peacefully past you as you snorkel around the island.

You'll travel to Khao Nai Island, where you'll spend the afternoon frolicking in the waves and sunning yourself on its shores. As you snorkel through its crystal waters, you may see clownfish, parrotfish and butterflyfish.

Small group day trip to Maya Bay plus Phi Phi Islands and Bamboo Island from Phuket

This day trip to Maya Bay takes place in a small group of 20 participants, which allows for a more peaceful experience. You'll enjoy lunch on Bamboo Island before continuing your boat tour to the world-class beaches of Maya Bay and Pileh Bay.

Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to swim, snorkel or simply relax on deck.

How much does a tour to Maya Bay from Phuket cost?

You can expect to pay between US$70 and US$100 per person for a snorkeling tour. These excursions take you to several spots that are known for their abundance of marine life and great visibility.

Maya Bay day tours that travel to the Phi Phi Islands and Bamboo Island cost approximately US$100 per person.

Small-group Maya Bay day trips also cost around US$100 per person and include lunch, as well as snorkeling equipment.

What will you see and do on a Maya Bay day trip from Phuket?

Maya Bay is one of Thailand's most popular tourist destinations. Situated on the island of Ko Phi Phi Leh, the bay is surrounded by towering cliffs and crystal-clear waters. It was made famous by the Leonardo DiCaprio movie "The Beach," and has since become a mecca for travelers from all over the world.

However, mass tourism caused overcrowding and pollution, which had a detrimental impact on the bay. The once clear waters were contaminated by boat fuel and the pristine beach was covered in trash. On top of that, the endless amount of tourist boats caused serious damage to the coral reef.

In 2018, the Thai government stepped in to restore Maya Bay to its former glory by closing the area. What was originally intended to be a four-month conservation project turned into four years of dedicated rehabilitation.

During this time, coral was replanted and a floating deck was installed to keep boats at a distance from the bay. Now, tourists are welcomed back to Maya Bay, with a focus on sustainable tourism.

When you reach the bay, it's likely that you'll feel overwhelmed by its sheer beauty. Continuously named one of the most exquisite beaches in the world, Maya Bay is a jewel of Thailand. It's easy to see how it attracted up to 5,000 visitors per day, with a plethora of limestone formations poking out of the vibrant seas.

These waters are filled with an abundance of marine life, which includes turtles, eels and crabs. Harmless blacktip reef sharks have also returned to Maya Bay since its restoration.

While it's no longer possible to swim in the shallows, visitors can still get up close and personal with some of the bay’s wildlife. These include Pu Kai crabs, which measure up to 10 centimeters in length and roam the beach.

What are the opening times?

Maya Bay is open to tourists from 10 AM to 4 PM daily. You can take a boat tour that travels to the bay within one of its eight time slots throughout the day.

When is the best time to visit Maya Bay?

Between November and March is the prime time to plan a day trip to Maya Bay. During these months, you'll experience less humidity, and instead, be blessed with long, and sunny days. Throughout this season, there is also very little rain and the seas are calm, creating excellent water visibility.

Are there any tours to Maya Bay from other cities in Thailand?

Yes, there are tours departing from other cities in Thailand:

• Day trips to Maya Bay from Krabi

Travel tips

• Daily visitors to Maya Bay are capped at 3,000 so ensure you book your day trip in advance.
• Swimming is currently prohibited at Maya Bay, in order to preserve the delicate marine life. Park rangers take this rule very seriously, and will fine you if you are caught bathing in the shallows.
• Check whether your excursion includes the entrance fee to the Maya Bay National Park.
• The journey to Maya Bay is mostly smooth, but if you suffer from sea sickness, ensure you have the appropriate medication on hand.