Koh Phi Phi Leh (Maya Bay)
Ko Phi Phi Le · Maya Bay · The Beach film location
7°40.7'N 98°45.8'E
No Anchoring Permitted
Anchoring has been banned in Maya Bay since the June 2018 closure, and since the 2022 reopening no vessel enters the bay at all. Visitors land at the floating pier at Loh Samah on the back of the island and walk a boardwalk to the beach; 400 THB park fee, about one hour ashore, wading to the knee only — no swimming. The bay closes completely 1 August–30 September each year for reef recovery. Overnight stays prohibited; violation brings substantial fines and possible vessel seizure.
Depth
5–20m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
100m
Holding
Fair
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
100m
ANCHORING IS BANNED IN MAYA BAY. Do not anchor. Mooring buoys are provided for day-visit tour boats only. Overnight anchoring is completely prohibited to allow coral reef recovery.
About This Anchorage
Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi Leh became world-famous as the filming location for the movie The Beach (2000). The bay was closed entirely from 2018 to 2022 to allow coral and marine ecosystem recovery after years of severe tourist damage. It reopened in January 2022 with strict visitor controls — no vessel enters the bay, visitors land at Loh Samah on the back of the island, and there is no anchoring or overnight stays allowed. The coral recovery has been remarkable. Sailing yachts may navigate around the island but may not anchor in Maya Bay or any other bay on Phi Phi Leh.
Protected From
N · NE · E · W
Exposed To
S
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- N/A — anchoring prohibited
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Anchoring has been banned in Maya Bay since the June 2018 closure, and since the 2022 reopening no vessel enters the bay at all. Visitors land at the floating pier at Loh Samah on the back of the island and walk a boardwalk to the beach; 400 THB park fee, about one hour ashore, wading to the knee only — no swimming. The bay closes completely 1 August–30 September each year for reef recovery. Overnight stays prohibited; violation brings substantial fines and possible vessel seizure.
Hazards
- !ANCHORING BANNED — do not attempt to anchor in Maya Bay or any Phi Phi Leh bay
- !Strong tidal currents around the island
- !Day-trip boat congestion during peak hours (09:00–16:00)
- !Submerged coral throughout — zero anchoring even in emergency
Skipper's Tips
- →Visit Maya Bay as a day trip from Phi Phi Don or Ao Nang — boats wait off Loh Samah on the east side while visitors walk the boardwalk to the beach
- →Swimming in the bay is no longer allowed — wading to knee depth only; the recovering reef and returning blacktip sharks are the point
- →Phi Phi Leh's Viking Cave (Tham Phaya Nak) has ancient cave paintings — viewable from boat only
- →Check the annual closure (1 August–30 September) and buy the park e-ticket before you go
Facilities
Nearest provisions: Ton Sai Bay (Phi Phi Don) (4nm)
Best Months & Season
November, December, January, February, March, April
Day visits possible November–April (NE monsoon). SW monsoon (May–October) can make approach rough. No overnight stays permitted in any season.
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 100m
Around the Phi Phi Islands and Krabi coast, swell can enter bays unexpectedly and the large Andaman tidal range means your position changes constantly. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can enjoy the rock climbing, snorkeling, and sunsets with complete confidence.
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