Maya Beach Closure has not affected our tour or scuba diving itineraries. Maya Bay and Phi Phi Leh West are accessible in high season months of October – May because of better wind & waves conditions. This means that we can again visit inside Maya Bay during our dive trips! We are also excited to share the view on all Eco Tours and our authentic Private Rental Longtail Tours.
News reports are not always correct as Phi Phi Leh Island is very much open for business. Maya Bay has been opened for boats inside the bay and you can photograph the beach in its natural state. The beach itself remains closed BUT you can enjoy stunning views from your boat, without people. The Park Rangers hut has been removed along with all signage, posters and tourist information.
LOH SAMAH BAY PIER – The Government have approved plans to construct a pier behind Maya Bay in the nearby Loh Samah Bay. This will allow limited numbers to visit the beach once it re-opens but with very strict guidelines and guests must stay on the path. The National Park have re-planted many of the native flora and fauna that was removed during the filming of the movie ‘The Beach’ during 1997.
– Until a sustainable solution has been agreed upon, the Maya Beach closure will continue in the interest of conservation. Do not let this put you off coming to Koh Phi Phi on your trip to Thailand and please come to visit and support local business. There are many other beautiful beaches and bays in the area you can enjoy during your trip!
As a local here for over 14 years, I can assure you that this is the most peaceful, beautiful and stress free Maya Bay I have ever seen.
– If you want to visit Maya Bay and the surrounding beaches orbays, the BEST way is to enjoy with a local Phi Phi Long Tail Captain on their authentic long tail boat. It is the best way to experience the islands and gives back to the local community who have had a tough low season dealing with less tourists coming to visit due to the Maya Beach closure.
We will keep you updated, but here are some photos from this week at Maya Bay, including a peaceful protest from local long tail captains, and also shots from our dive and snorkel tours!
2018 – 2020:
Maya Bay
Before the closure:
Original Blog:
News articles have reported Maya Bay closing from June – September 2018 for coral rejuvenation but don’t worry as this decision will not affect diving trips if you are staying on the island. It may however have an impact the larger tour operators and speedboat companies based in Phuket and the mainland.
1.65 Million tourists visited Phi Phi National Park in 2017. Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat (Kasetsart University’s Faculty of Fisheries) believes closing off the bay for 4 months will ultimately benefit Maya Bay’s delicate eco-system. Boats will not be allowed to enter the bay which will hopefully help reverse the environmental impact of over tourism. Dr ‘Thon’ has been an advocate of the Koh Phi Phi National Park for many years. He works with government agencies and National Park officials towards a sustainable future for tourism here.
Blue View Divers believe it’s a good thing – Maya Bay closing temporarily. We support the decision because it is in the interest of coral rejuvenation and to give nature a rest. It will not affect our daily operations as boats cannot always access Maya Bay during these months. Other Thai islands are closed every Green Season in the interest of conservation and safety. We want to see the corals and beach stay healthy and beautiful! So we welcome positive decisions made in the interest of preserving natural beauty.
Maya Bay closing might sound crazy. But guess what? This has already worked on Phi Phi! Healthy corals now thrive at Viking Bay and Moskito Island where they were once under threat.
Moskito Island closed several years ago due to 2010’s coral bleaching event. Since the closure, “Staghorn Corals (Acropora cervicornis) have grown steadily here, welcoming a wealth of marine life.
Viking Bay and Artificial Reef Project has been closed to boats for over 3 years to prevent further coral damage from anchors. During this time we have seen new coral grow fast, especially in the shallow reef. We LOVE the immaculate Table Corals, Staghorn Coral and Elephant ear coral (Mycedium elephantotus) which are absolutely stunning! You can also see juvenile black tip reef sharks in the bay!
Despite what you may hear, scuba diving will not be affected by Maya Bay closing. During Green Season, dive boats stay on the east side of Phi Phi Leh and Bida Islands which is more sheltered. This side is protected from the strong winds and waves coming from the west side of the island during these months. Many tour boats cannot access Maya Bay during wet season, taking guests to the calm, clear waters on the east side.
Blue View Divers will be diving the following sites in June – September:
Viking Bay (Aritifical Reef Project + Coral City), Pileh Wall 1, Pileh Wall 2, Groupers Corner, Kled Gaeow Wreck and Bida Nok / Bida Nai (conditions permitting)
Private Rentals and Eco Tours can visit:
Phi Phi Don – Tonsai Bay (Monkey Beach, Shark Point), Phi Phi Leh East Side (Viking Bay, Viking Cave, Pileh Lagoon, Pileh Wall, Groupers Corner, Loh Samah) and if conditions allow – Palong, Mushroom Rock, Malong.
Additional Private rental trips spot can include:
On Phi Phi Don – Relax Beach, Lohmoodee, Laem Tong, Loh Bagao, Ao Po, Shark Point. If conditions allow Wang Long, Nui Bay and Bamboo Island.
When you visit Koh Phi Phi this Green Season, local snorkel tours may adapt their itinerary to support the decision for Maya Bay closing for environmental reasons. There are many beautiful bays and beaches to visit during your trip to Koh Phi Phi!
Please support local businesses and book a tour or private long tail trip around the island with a knowledgeable captain on an authentic long tail boat!
Sign up for one of our local guided Eco snorkeling Tours or join us on our daily diving trips around the island!
OR rent your own private long tail boat. Learn the history of the islands while visiting the best spots that are safe and exciting to visit during this time of year.
Our instructor team have volunteered time at the Maya Beach Rehabilitation Project since 2018. This is the largest Coral Rehabilitation Project of it’s kind in the world. The Ocean Quest Global CEO and Founder ‘Anuar Abdullah’ patented this unique technique of organically replanting corals without the use of man-made materials like concrete or plastic. It is an honour to join the team and work closely with amazing people from Thai National Park and volunteers around the world. The project will continue until 2022 when the beach will re-open with a new pier offering access from Loh Samah Bay to a limited number of tourists per day.
It’s amazing to see the black tip reef sharks have returned to nest in the bay now that the boats no longer come to the beach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY8178dw8YE
Phuket News Article: https://www.thephuketnews.com/coral-values-behind-the-reef-restoration-projects-at-maya-bay-71509.php?fbclid=IwAR0ulTLXLDIll9PxoBZPm7wDMOuQ5H1q52twNRUMIC8Ak15iPpETE0oN7YM
Inspired by the work we we did in Maya Bay, our team at Blue View earned certifications from Anuar Abdullah himself to become Propagation Trainers. This means that we can teach divers and snorkelers the techniques used in Maya Bay to Rehabilitate the coral reefs. We also gained special permission from the National Park to contribute a coral nursery at Nui Bay, and work on the community nursery off Cabana Beach. This means that YOU can sign up for a 1 day workshop OR a 3 day course, to learn about coral propagation and why it’s so important. Not only do our courses give you invaluable skills, awareness and a chance to directly help the local reefs. They open doors for you around the world to further your experience.
Once a busy and bustling Island, Koh Phi Phi now is a quiet and idyllic paradise. Having developed a reputation as a party island in the past few years, you can now enjoy the tranquil, peaceful nature that we all fell in love with 20 years ago.
Now you can enjoy quiet beaches, uninterrupted views and chilled vibes. The sunsets are spectacular and you can hear the noise of the crickets and cicadas at sundown instead of the thumping beats. There are a few bars open on the beach so don’t worry, you can still have your share of fun!
Read more to find out what you can do here on Phi Phi, as well as which bars, restaurants and hotels are open. Finally, find out how you can get to and from the island!
The year 2020 will be remembered by all as nobody would go unaffected by the COVID 19 global pandemic. One by one countries began closing their borders. Quarantine was either recommended or compulsory, and strict travel procedures were put in place.
Here in Thailand, the government acted quickly by closing borders and soon after a lockdown followed.
Lockdown was lifted on July 1st 2020, meaning domestic travel could resume and businesses could open as long as they followed the new COVID safe guidelines.
With Thailand able to relax knowing there were no cases of the virus in the country, the government launched it’s ‘We travel together’ scheme, offering huge discounts on travel and hotels, and encouraging people to travel domestically.
In April 2021 however, Thailand began to experience the first Covid-19 outbreak and solockdowns and restrictions were once again put in place. The next 6 months were tough on all locals and businesses who waited patiently until 1st November when the government relaxed restrictions and allowed quarantine free travel to vaccinated tourists from certain countries.
So here we are nearing the end of November and Phi Ph is starting to come alive again! Scuba Diving trips are going out every day, private longtail tours are visiting all the main spots but with only a fraction of the tourists.
Shops are opening, restaurants are offering great discounts, some bars have opened and the island feels more alive.
We must mention the very obvious construction going on right now. The local government have rightly taken this opportunity to put in the correct infrastructure to cope with the huge numbers of tourists that Phi Phi was seeing prior to 2019. The wastewater system has been ineffective for many years and since they have started their work, the waters of Loh Dalum Bay are visibly clearer!
However, that means each road needs to be taken up one by one to lay new pipes and drainage systems. Therefore the town may look a little messy in parts as you walk around but please know that in 1 year the island will be in a much better position to handle mass tourism once again. And the natural environment will really benefit from this.
The local people have to be very patient as of course this impacts their business greatly, so we ask visitors to be patient also.
There are many things to do on Koh Phi Phi now. True, there are fewer businesses open however this doesn’t mean that anything is off limits! In fact, now is the perfect time to visit Phi Phi! With less crowds, great discounts and also some amazing weather!
One of the BEST things you can do on Phi Phi is Scuba Diving. The National Marine Park where most of the dive sites are located has been open since August 1st. A handful of dive centres have re-opened and even though the number of tourists and divers travelling to Phi Phi has decreased, daily dive trips are running.
Whether you’re an experienced diver, or it’s your first time, Phi Phi is the perfect place for everyone. We have a huge variety of marine life, from Sharks, Turtles and Stingrays to colourful coral, anemones and reef fish. We have also been having weekly visits from our friendly giants, the Whalesharks! As if that wasn’t inviting enough, from now until 1st December 2021 you will get up to 20% off on all diving trips and courses. So book before 1st December for your diving holiday in 2021-2023!
An Instagram worthy view over-looking the islands, Phi Phi viewpoint is not one to be missed. There are a few routes to get to and from the viewpoint, but the quickest and most popular via the Viewpoint steps will take you around 20 minutes.
There are three different levels. Taking the steps, the first you will reach is ‘Viewpoint 1’ a decorated landscaped garden. From Viewpoint 1 it’ll take you a further 10 minutes to reach ‘Viewpoint 2’. It’s worth the extra walk for the uninterrupted views over the main town of Tonsai. A further 10 minutes walking will take you to ‘Viewpoint 3’.
The ticket office charges 30 baht per person when you reach Viewpoint 1, so make sure to take cash with you. Also, be sure to take plenty of water, because although the hike is not too long, expect to get your sweat on getting up there. A good time to go is either in the morning or in the evening when the temperature is lower.
Another great way to enjoy the ocean here on Koh Phi Phi is by snorkeling. There are many shallow reefs around Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Leh, making it great for snorkeling as well as diving.
On the main island, one of our favourite spots for snorkeling is at Shark Point at Longbeach, where the rocks breach the surface of the water. Go here at high tide and there’s a good chance you’ll see the school of Blacktip Reef Sharks that like to hang out here.
A good way to spend half a day, is to do a snorkeling trip by longtail boat out to Phi Phi Leh. There are many spots to jump in and look for Sharks and Turtles, or just enjoy the colourful reefs and fish. A favourite spot is near Viking cave, where the reef is shallow and a school of Blacktip Reef sharks can often be seen. Watch the sunset from the boat and jump back in the water when it’s dark to experience the natural phenomenon that is the bioluminescent plankton.
Another one not to be missed and the photographer’s dream. Pileh lagoon is the beautiful blue lagoon surrounded by limestone cliffs over on the island of Phi Phi Leh. You can only enter the lagoon on a small boat and when the tide is right due to the reef at the entrance being so shallow, so make sure to plan ahead on your trip here.
I recommend booking a half day snorkeling trip by longtail boat where you can spend some time in Pileh Lagoon on one of your stops. Additionally, rent a longtail boat from Koh Phi Phi Don to enjoy this peaceful lagoon and spend as much time here as you want. If you want to snorkel, the bay entrance is the best spot.
Pileh lagoon is a popular spot and it’s not hard to see why. During these times expect to share the lagoon with only a handful of other boats.
Another beautiful spot over on the Island of Koh Phi Phi Leh, is the world famous Maya Bay.
Made famous by the 2000 movie ‘The Beach’, tourists from all over the world would come to Phi Phi to visit Maya Beach. In peak season, up to 5000 people every day visiting the bay, meant that the coral reefs here suffered tremendously. Since 2018 the beach has been closed to tourists and a huge scale coral rehabilitation project began.
Although the beach is still closed, boats can still enter the bay for boat tours, diving and snorkeling. Plans to open Maya beach to tourists are in talks for later this year.
Rent a Kayak from Loh Dalum beach and enjoy the sunset in the bay, or, make a day of it and venture out to one of the nearby beaches. Just outside of the bay and to the left is Monkey Beach. A beautiful beach with shallow reef for snorkeling, and home to a few of Phi Phi’s monkeys.
Continue further around the island and you will reach Wang Long bay, which has a beautiful and secluded beach, only accessible by boat.
Taking a right out of the bay will lead you to Nui Bay, another beautiful and secluded beach. Take some snorkeling gear as the reef here is fairly shallow and filled with beautiful corals and life. The next bay along from Nui Bay is Lana Bay, another great spot for snorkeling.
Always check the conditions before taking a kayak out of the bay. The bay is sheltered from most wind and waves however once you leave the bay there is not as much shelter. The best time to take a kayak out is during high tide, to be able to access all of the beaches.
There are many beautiful beaches around Koh Phi Phi Don, some of which are right on your doorstep, and some that’ll take a bit more time to reach whether it’s on foot, by longtail boat or by kayak. As the island is less busy now, many of the beaches that used to be noisy, filled with people and lined with speedboats, are now beautiful quiet spots for you to relax and waste away the days.
Want to to spend the day relaxing underneath a palm tree? Hike or Kayak to a secluded beach to have all to yourself? Meet the local wildlife? Here are some of the best beaches on Koh Phi Phi now.
A beautiful bay on the North of the island, with secluded white sand beach and blue waters. Because of its location you will often only find a handful of people venture over. The easiest way to access Nui Bay would be to take a longtail boat from Loh Dalum beach. If you’re looking for a bit more adventure then hike through the jungle. It’ll take you around 1.5-2 hours from the main town. Another option is to rent a kayak from Loh Dalum Beach, this way will take around 30 minutes, but make sure you check conditions first! Take plenty of water and everything you might need for the day, as there are no shops at Nui Beach.
A 5 minute walk from Tonsai Pier, make this one of the best and most accessible beaches on Phi Phi Don. Nice beach as the name suggests, is a Nice Beach! With plenty of trees creating shade from the sun, crystal clear water, and spots for snorkeling. You can easily spend an afternoon lazing around on this beach.
A little further away from the main town, it’ll take you around 45 minutes to reach Long Beach from Tonsai pier. Lined with higher end resorts, most of which are still closed, meaning you’ll be able to find a nice quiet spot here to relax. Go for a snorkel where the rocks breach the water at the end of the beach, and there’s a good chance you will see some Blacktip Reef Sharks! Not a danger to use humans, watch as they swim around beneath you. If you’re not feeling the walk over, take a local longtail taxi boat for around 200 baht per person.
A little further on from Long beach, it’ll take you a good hour and a half walking to Loh Moodee beach from Tonsai Pier. Taking a Longtail taxi boat for a small fare is also an option. Loh Moodee beach is nice and quiet due to its location, and often there will only be a handful of people here. At high tide it’s a great spot for swimming and snorkeling.
There is in fact more than one Monkey Beach around Phi Phi Don. 5 minutes by longtail from Tonsai Pier is Saam Hat (three beaches) otherwise known as Monkey Beach. You can also take a longtail or kayak from Loh Dalum Beach and on the left of the bay entrance you will find another Monkey Beach.
As with all wild animals, respect them. Don’t try to grab or touch. Though the monkeys are generally not aggressive, care should be taken. Don’t take food or drinks onto the beach with you, and also be aware of belongings.
Those looking for the more authentic Thai food, and where locals like to eat cheap. You’ll find plenty of options for food and drink in the local market. Whether it’s a sit down meal or a quick bite on your way through, the market is open earlier in the day and a perfect stop for breakfast or lunch. Dotted around Tonsai town are many street food stalls serving cheap quick food and drinks for a quick and convenient option.
Serving an extensive menu of Thai Food including Isaan food (Papaya Salad, Larb Gai, Fried Larb Balls, Sticky rice). They also serve ‘Jim Jum’ (Thai Clay Hot pot sharing soup) and Tilipia Fish Sets (Fried Garlic/Pepper or Steamed with Lemongrass) It is our favourite place but hard to find! Look behind Phi Phi Hotel down a dark lane at night! It’s there – but maybe go to look in the day first!
On the way to Blue View Divers you will find a lovely place called Garlic. Owned by Pajai it really offers an amazing price for delicious local food. It’s almost too cheap so we make sure to leave a nice tip for their kind staff.
Mediterranean cuisine in the heart of Phi Phi, Efes is decorated in a beautiful turkish style and has aircon inside. The takeaway Shwarma is open this month and located on the ‘Slinky Stree’ which is close to Garlic Restaurant.
La Mamita offers a huge selection, from Italian and Israeli menus to classic Thai dishes. Not to be missed are their Pizzas at 120 Baht. With indoor seating in a quiet location in the middle of Tonsai town. It is located on the lane opposite the Irish Bar.
Pirates restaurant offers a delicious Indian menu as well as Thai, with friendly staff and fast service. The price is mid range but they currently have some good offers on including set menus and 20% off. The restaurant has a nice setting in the middle of Tonsai town, and is also a good spot to enjoy a drink with live music on most nights.
Open all day, and offering an extensive breakfast menu (especially for those Avocado lovers). This restaurant is a great place to fill up before, or wind down after a day of activities (or chilling on the beach). In a convenient location a short walk from Tonsai pier.
Another great stop for breakfast or lunch, PJ Bakery Hut is open earlier in the day. Offering breakfast menu, Thai food and also sandwiches, burgers and toasties with their homemade bread. They serve great coffee, fruit shakes and sodas with the option to sit in or takeaway.
If you love Mango (and let’s be honest who doesn’t?!) The Mango Garden is the mango lovers dream! Just 1 minute walk from Tonsai Pier make this a convenient location, with indoor air con seating. Serving a variety of Mango themed treats from Waffles to Mango Sticky Rice. The Mango Garden also serves coffee and smoothies, and is currently offering discounted prices!
For authentic Thai dishes, Pa Jit restaurant is in a convenient location in town offering a huge range of tasty Thai food. Open for lunch and dinner.
A hidden gem, at Rolling Stones bar locals and tourists, Thais and Farang come together to enjoy cheap drinks and live music. Also offering a free pool table it is one of the busier bars on Phi Phi currently.
Hippies Bar on Tonsai Bay near the Mosque is a beautiful beach bar and Phi Phi Institution. The home of the Fire show! And they are also open for dinner – well worth a visit!
A perfect beachfront location overlooking Tonsai Bay. Come to Carlito’s for some nice drinks, chill music and island vibes. Carlito’s also have an amazing fireshow.
On the Northernmost tip of Loh Dalum beach and overlooking the bay, is Viewpoint resort, a large resort in a now quiet area of the main town. Boasting an infinity pool in a perfect spot to enjoy the sunset. Viewpoint resort also has an on site Eco friendly Scuba Diving Centre that can also arrange day trips around the Phi Phi islands by longtail boat, and Snorkeling tours.
Sea front rooms start at 800 Baht / night. To book contact Pee Nok on 087 881 2450 or email khanittha20369@yahoo.com
More traditional bungalows for budget travellers in a quiet area of Loh Dalum. Next door to Phi Phi hill bamboo bungalows, be prepared for a short hike to get here but enjoy the peace and quiet, and being surrounded by nature once you are here. Offering fan rooms starting from 300 Baht, and air con from 500 Baht / night.
To book contact 086 070 3536 or email phiphidusit@gmail.com
Tropical Garden offers an outdoor pool surrounded by trees and has fan and air con rooms. In a quiet area of Phi Phi but close walking distance to shops and restaurants, and near to the steps leading to the viewpoint. Tropical Garden also has an onsite restaurant serving breakfast.
Rooms start at 300 Baht / night and you can book here.
Surrounded by tropical greenery, air conditioned rooms are spacious and come with a private balcony. JJ Bungalows also has an outdoor swimming pool for guests to enjoy.
Starting from 650 Baht / night you can book directly with us, via Pee Nok.
Offering an outdoor pool over looking Loh Dalum bay, The Cobble Beach features cosy accommodation with air con. Just a short walk from the main towns bars and restaurants and in a quiet area.
Rooms start from 1200 Baht / night and you can book here
Viking Nature Resort is a 5 minute walk to longbeach and a 25 minute walk from Tonsai Pier. The rooms are nestled into the trees but right on the beachfront, in a quiet area of Phi Phi. They have an onsite restaurant.
Rooms start at 700 Baht / night. To book call 095-983-9741 Line ID: apple.sm or click here.
For those looking for a bit more luxury, Princess and Charlie’s resorts offer different budget rooms from mid to high range. The resorts share two onsite pools and an on site restaurant. Right next to Loh Dalum beach, all rooms are air conditioned with a private bathroom. At Princess resort rooms come with a private balcony, television and fridge. This resort also offers beachfront bungalows.
Rooms at Charlie’s resort start from 800 Baht / night and you can book directly with us.
Rooms at PP Princess resort start from 2500 Baht / night and you can you can book directly with us.
Overlooking Tonsai Bay and right on the beach, and currently offering an amazing discount. Cliff Beach resort has a private pool for guests to enjoy and is close to the main pier.
Rooms starting from 1290 Baht / night, book by calling 0653894616 or visit here.
There are now ferries and speedboats running to and from Koh Phi Phi daily from both Phuket and Krabi. With domestic flights operating once again throughout Thailand and daily flights to and from both Phuket and Krabi airports.
Allow at least 1 hour travelling from Phuket Airport to Rassada Pier in Phuket. Allow 40 minutes travel time between Krabi airport and Krabi Pier.
The ferry from both Krabi and Phuket will take around 2 hours to reach Koh Phi Phi
Additionally there are speedboats running daily that will take around 1 hour.
For up to date ferry and speedboat timetables, information, promotions and photos:
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Contact Beth by phone, Whatsapp or Line App on +66909137598 for English, or Mango on +66822725618
Blue View Divers Founded in 2006 with an ethos of conservation, community and relaxed diving in small-groups. A boutique-style dive centre with a personal touch and the BEST location to hang out! Dive with us if you like small groups, flexible schedules & excellent customer service. We want you to feel welcome, not just a number. Our Eco-Minded Team of PADI Pros are trained under PADI Staff Instructors Caroline & Kris who have 20+ years experience on Phi Phi.
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