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Maya Bay
#mayabay #phiphi
Maya Bay is one of the most popular places in Thailand. The beach is located in a bay that is part of the Koh PhiPhi Leh island. The beach became famous after filming "The Beach" with the then little-known Leonardo DiCaprio.
Where is Maya Bay and how to get there?
Maya Bay can be found on the island of Koh PhiPhi Leh, which is part of the archipelago of 6 PhiPhi islands.
If you organize your trip yourself, we recommend that you rent a LongTail Boat at Tonsai Pier on Koh PhiPhi Don Island.
When renting LTB on our own, we decide when we sail to which place on the island and we can feel a privacy and the joy of exploring.
The cost of a full day LTB rental is approximately 2500 baht.
Of course, there is an option to buy such a trip from Phuket or Krabi - unfortunately, then they will take us to the island during the peak of the influx of boats.
Or just Maya Bay?
Maya Bay is popular not only because it's phenomenal. Several factors contribute to its enormous popularity. One of them is the location on the island where we can find other epic spots: Loh Samah Bay, Pileh Lagoon or Viking Cave.
In 2018, the bay was closed. The reason for the closure was the crowd of tourists eager to feel like Leonardo DiCaprio. Tourists were crowds here, so much so that sometimes it was hard to find 2 square meters of space for yourself to spread out a towel, not to mention shooting a commemorative selfie without a mass of people around.
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It's hard to imagine it - check it out for yourself
Initially, the beach was closed for a few months, in 2019 it was decided to extend the lockdown for another 2 years. The authorities are currently considering extending the closure time for another year.
In the meantime, the place was loosened gently unfasten the ropes, so that from 2019 years we can reach the interior of the bay about 100 meters from the beach.
In the video you will see how the coral reef regenerates and reef sharks return to Maya Bay.
The main reason for the destruction of the reef was the arriving fast motorboats full of tourists mainly from China - the last minute of the film.
Currently, a ban on large boats from entering the bay is being considered. Swimming with the LongTail Boat seems safer as it allows you to lift the prop to avoid damaging the coral reef.
Is Maya Bay worth visiting?
The beach is definitely one of the most beautiful in Thailand, unfortunately due to its popularity it has become an object of "cult" of Chinese tourists. There are more similar places nearby, including Koh Hong, which is much more enchanting and, compared to Maya Bay, completely not crowded.
Loh Samah Bay
Another place to visit is Loh Samah Bay. The bay is located directly behind Maya Beach. When the beach was open, it was possible to walk between the bays using a path, approx. 100 m long.
The bay is located between high rocks, hiding a beautiful coral reef at a depth of 4 meters. There is not much traffic here, everyone will find a quiet place for themselves for snorkeling or diving. Near the rocks, there are small caves and hollows that are interesting because they hide the most interesting species of fish and crustaceans.
In the depths of the bay there is a small beach, 15 meters wide, surrounded by soaring rocks. The beach is covered with incredibly fine sand with a weight of flour.
It is the perfect place for a quiet laze. From time to time, LTB comes here to take a photo, but it is not too bothersome for quiet chilling in such a phenomenal place.
There is an amazing impression caused by the sound of tiny crabs living in the hollows in the rocks.
Of the three spots on the island, Loh Samah Bay is the most human-friendly. There you will find a separate diving area which is not used by boats. The bay means that there are no sea currents here, and the underwater world has more to offer us than the mentioned Maya Bay.
It's definitely worth spending more time here
Pileh Lagoon
The amazing Pileh lagoon is an unreal stunning bay located close to the popular Maya Bay. It is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Thailand due to its stunning emerald waters and limestone cliffs.
When planning to visit the Pileh lagoon, we must take the water level into account. Entering the lagoon is only possible during high, or at least medium, waves. When the water drops to its lowest level, it happens that we can even reach the lagoon on foot.
We swim in through a long canal, between 80 meters high rocks. We reach a place where the locals call it a well, because the bottom of this place goes down to over 20 meters. There is a "Pileh wall" under the water, which is a wall sown with awesome corals.
The lagoon itself is shallow to such an extent that even people who cannot swim can easily move along the bottom - about 1m deep.
Both over and under the water, Pileh Lagoon feels like magic
You should always have your GoPro with you when snorkeling in Pileh Lagoon. For snorkeling enthusiasts, we recommend visiting the south-eastern part of the Pileh Lagoon. There are beautiful corals and thousands of colorful tropical fish, making Pileh Lagoon snorkeling an absolute delight. Surprisingly, most visitors come to Pileh Lagoon only to swim and snorkel, ignoring the little beach hidden deep in the lagoon. In front of the steep and dark cliffs there is a narrow strip of fine white sand where you can be alone.
Drone enthusiasts may find it interesting that Pileh Lagoon resembles the shape of a heart from above. If Laguna Pileh had a more expansive bay, it would be even prettier than Maya Bay. The color of waters is amazing and its vegetation is impressive. The protruding cliffs protect Pileh's lagoon more than its larger sister, Maya Bay. This also adds to its charm.
When is the best time to visit PhiPhi Leh?
The best time to visit the island is from November to May when the general weather and sea conditions are the best in this part of Thailand. During this period, the waters are exceptionally clean and calm. This is the best time for snorkeling in Pileh Lagoon, especially during January-April. During the rest of the months , Thailand has a south-west monsoon, which makes the sea rough. The high and picturesque cliffs protect the Pileh lagoon and therefore it is less prone to adverse weather conditions, but reaching the island during this period may generally be less pleasant.
Viking cave
The Viking Cave is one of the most popular stops on a trip to the Phi Phi Islands. It is located at the foot of a high limestone cliff - northeast of the island. You can only get here by boat. The cave are decorated with various paintings on its walls, they depict ships, sailors and even elephants. Inside the Viking Cave, you can also see various sanctuaries or altars built by Thai people in honor of the cave spirits.
The cave is often closed due to breeding swifts (birds) that nest next to ancient wall paintings resembling terrifying Viking ships.
Local legend has it that long ago sailors crashed in a storm. They reached a cave on the island where there was a colony of swifts. Ultimately, these people survived by eating nests, which gave them enough energy to survive.
Bird nests are very popular in Chinese culture and can cost thousands of dollars. The Chinese believe that eating these edible nests is good for your health, especially your skin. However, the collection of these nests is quite a risky activity.
Is it worth it?
Due to the location of the cave, it is a place that cannot be missed. When sailing around the island, you will pass at the entrance.
The cave itself is nothing special in this part of the Andaman Sea, but it would be untactless to avoid it.
Practical information
Maya Bay is included in the national park zone - currently closed for tourists, previously the enter to the park costed 400 baht per person.
You can enter Loh Samah Bay and Pileh Lagoon for free.
The Viking Cave is sometimes closed and local carriers must be asked for availability.
Before the trip, check the sea conditions and the wave height.
You won't find any shop on the spot, so take some food, a hat and sunscreen with you.
What time to visit the island? Ideally, you should arrive early in the morning 8-9 before the boats start arriving from Phuket. The second wave consists of motorboats with touring tourists 11-14 is rush hour. From 4 p.m. it gets quite loose and then it gets magical. Unfortunately, due to the high rocks surrounding the island, it quickly gets dark in the bay.
Can you fly a drone on PhiPhi?
Thailand has very restrictive procedures for flying drones. If you intend to use the drone for recreational or commercial purposes, you must apply to the Thai Aviation Authority at least 6 weeks before the planned flight, and asking for permission to fly. Without permission, flying is forbidden and punished by national park rangers (equipment is often confiscated), those who break the law have serious consequences.
Traveller & Blogger
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