There’s only one way in — and it’s not the beach you’ve seen in the film.
How do you get to maya bay from phuket? You go by boat as part of a Phi Phi day trip, usually by speedboat, reaching Phi Phi Leh in about 50 minutes. Boats no longer enter Maya Bay itself: you land at Loh Samah Bay behind the island and walk a short boardwalk to the beach. A national-park fee of about 400 THB applies, and the bay closes every year from 1 August to 30 September.
The short answer
By boat, as part of a Phi Phi trip
There is no road, bridge or flight to Maya Bay — it sits on uninhabited Phi Phi Leh, and every route is by sea. In practice, almost everyone reaches it on a Phi Phi day trip from Phuket, most often by speedboat, which crosses to Phi Phi Leh in around 50 minutes. Maya Bay is one stop on a wider itinerary rather than a standalone destination you travel to directly.
Why you can’t just turn up
Access is managed by the national park. Visitor numbers are capped and spread across timed slots through the day, so arriving late in peak season can mean waiting for the next window. Going with an operator that departs early is the simplest way to land a good slot without organising permits and boats yourself.
Your options from Phuket
| Option | Time to Phi Phi Leh | Reaches Maya Bay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared speedboat | ~50 minutes | Yes, on the day-trip route | Most popular; best value |
| Speed catamaran | ~60–90 minutes | Yes | Steadier ride for families |
| Private charter | ~50 minutes | Yes, on your schedule | Best for early slots and groups |
| Passenger ferry | ~2 hours | No — Phi Phi Don only | For overnight stays, not day trips |
Comparing boats generally? See our guide to getting to Phi Phi.
Landing at Loh Samah Bay
Why boats don’t enter the bay
Since Maya Bay reopened under stricter conservation rules, boats are no longer allowed to moor inside the bay itself, which was damaging the coral and disturbing the marine life. Instead, boats use the mooring buoys at Loh Samah Bay on the other side of the headland, and visitors walk a short boardwalk through to the beach. It’s an easy walk and takes only a few minutes.
Where you can actually swim
Swimming inside Maya Bay is not permitted — you may wade only in the shallow water at the shoreline. This protects the recovering coral and the blacktip reef sharks that use the bay. You can swim and snorkel at Loh Samah Bay and at nearby Pileh Lagoon, both of which are usually included on the same trip.
Fees, hours and capacity
What you’ll pay
Maya Bay sits inside Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. Foreign visitors pay a park fee of about 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child; Thai nationals pay less. Complete tours often include the fee, while budget tours may collect it on the day — always confirm. See the Department of National Parks.
Opening hours and visitor caps
The bay is generally open daily from around 07:00 to 18:00, with visitors admitted in timed rounds of roughly an hour and a few hundred people each. An e-ticket system is used for park fees, which your operator normally handles if you’re on a tour.
The annual closure
Maya Bay closes every year from 1 August to 30 September so the coral and beach can recover, and because the monsoon brings rougher seas. During the closure, entry is not permitted under any circumstances, and the bay reopens on 1 October. Importantly, Phi Phi day trips still run through the closure — you simply view Maya Bay from the water instead of landing. See the Tourism Authority of Thailand for park background.
What else you’ll see on the trip
- Pileh Lagoon — an emerald lagoon ringed by cliffs; swimming permitted
- Loh Samah Bay — the landing point, with snorkelling
- Viking Cave — viewed from the boat
- Monkey Beach — macaques along the shore, viewed from a distance
- Phi Phi Don — lunch and free time at Tonsai
- Khai Island — shallow, calm water on the way back
For the full itinerary, see our Phi Phi day trip guide.
Tips for reaching Maya Bay at its best
- Take the earliest departure to land a quieter time slot
- Avoid 1 August – 30 September if you want to walk on the beach
- Confirm whether the park fee is included in your tour
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a dry bag for the boardwalk walk
- Consider a private charter if you want to set your own arrival time
Want your own schedule? See our private speedboat charter guide, or read more on Lonely Planet.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Maya Bay from Phuket?
By boat, as part of a Phi Phi day trip — usually a speedboat, which reaches Phi Phi Leh in about 50 minutes. There’s no road or flight; Maya Bay is a stop on a wider Phi Phi itinerary.
How long does it take to get to Maya Bay from Phuket?
About 50 minutes by speedboat to Phi Phi Leh, or 60–90 minutes by speed catamaran. Adding hotel pickup and the pier transfer, the full day usually runs from roughly 07:30 to 18:00.
Can boats land at Maya Bay?
No. Boats moor at Loh Samah Bay behind the headland, and visitors walk a short boardwalk through to Maya Bay. Mooring inside the bay is no longer permitted, to protect the coral.
Can you swim at Maya Bay?
No. Swimming inside Maya Bay is not allowed; you may only wade in the shallow water at the shoreline. You can swim and snorkel at Loh Samah Bay and Pileh Lagoon, usually on the same trip.
How much does it cost to visit Maya Bay?
The national-park fee is about 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child for foreign visitors, on top of your tour price. A shared speedboat day trip generally starts from around 1,900 THB per adult.
When is Maya Bay closed?
It closes annually from 1 August to 30 September for environmental recovery and monsoon safety, reopening 1 October. Phi Phi day trips still run during the closure, viewing the bay from the water.
Plan with confidence
Phi Phi trips involve sea travel and adventure activities, and itineraries can change with tides, weather and national-park conditions. Departures may be adjusted or rescheduled when the sea is rough. For a smoother experience, book with a TAT-licensed operator (License No. 34/02294), choose an early departure, and confirm current prices, inclusions and availability at the time of booking. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and follow ranger guidance inside the national park.
Book your Phi Phi trip with Phuket Thailand Travel
Phuket Thailand Travel is operated by True Design Holidays Co., Ltd., a TAT-licensed travel agency (License No. 34/02294) based in Kathu, Phuket. We run island tours, private charters, transfers and packages across the Andaman.
- Address: 113/297, Soi 10, M A, 7 Vichitsongkram Rd, Kathu, Phuket 83120
- Phone: +66 (0) 96 469 0456 · WhatsApp · LINE
- Book a Phi Phi day trip: view the tour & enquire or contact our team