Koh Phi Phi: Maya Bay, the most famous beach in the world

After two days over water in Phuket but enjoying a very interesting Vegetarian Festival, we took a boat to Koh Phi Phi. A destination we had been looking forward to seeing since we arrived in Thailand and possibly one of the most spectacular places in all of Southeast Asia.

In fact, the whole area is a set of islands. There are two main ones. One is the Koh Phi Phi Don, which is larger and is where you can stay. The other is Koh Phi Phi Lee, where it is forbidden to build and you must go on tour or private boat.

This last one, it´s well known to have the most famous beach in the world, thanks to Leonardo di Caprio’s film “The Beach”. Maya Bay, as is it called, it is a beach and a scenery that is worth a trip to Thailand. Here I tell you about my experience:

3 days staying at Koh Phi Phi Don

The arrival on the island of Koh Phi Phi Don is like a movie. Beautiful huge cliffs surround you, you can watch the fish swim in the crystal clear water and traditional Thai boats crowd the beach and harbor.

The center of the island, full of guest houses, bars and tattoo parlors, is like a little Salou/Benidorm but much more austere. From one side of the strait to the other is at most 150 meters.

The main street is located in the middle of the strait between the two main beaches and there are so many places to stay that you don’t need a reservation: you can arrive and go and see which one you like best. But if you don’t want to waste time, it’s better to book.

The Doh Dalum beach and the Koh Phi Phi viewpoint

On the other side of the harbor, as I mentioned before, about 150 meters away, is the main beach, Doh Dalum Beach. It is also surrounded by cliffs, I was surprised by its tranquility and how the perspective of the beach changes from one corner to another. The whole place takes your breath away.

At night, this same beach changes completely. It fills up with tourists wanting to party and fire shows. Also, if you are not too drunk, you can see that the tide has dropped about 15 meters. Many people are looking for shells to take home as souvenirs, although you shouldn’t do that if you care about the environment.

Early one morning, I rushed up to the Kho Phi Phi Don viewpoint. Being very early in the morning, there was absolutely no one there. I sat there for a long time appreciating the scenery so I would never forget it. I will remember this island as one of the greatest paradises I have ever seen, but unfortunately overrun by tourists….

Visiting Koh Phi Phi Lee: Maya Bay, the most famous beach of the world

The next day, we booked a day tour to visit the famous Koh Phi Phi Lee beach and its surroundings. We boarded a boat filled with other foreigners around our age, and there was a great vibe the entire time. Everyone was excited to visit the world wide famous Maya Bay.

Instead of entering the beach directly like most boats do, we came in from the back. We climbed some stairs attached to a cliff and crossed a small forest to finally reach the beach.

It was thrilling to see the beach for the first time—truly a sight to behold. With its white sand and crystal-clear waters, the enormous cliffs surrounding the beach close off not far on the horizon, giving it that hidden beach atmosphere. Without a doubt, the place did not disappoint anyone.

However, to be honest, we were a bit let down by not having the place to ourselves like in the movie. On the beach, there were about 10 boats stranded and around 200 tourists taking pictures and swimming. Even so, it was well worth being there.

Luckily, things have changed now. It’s no longer allowed to dock boats on the beach, and visits to Maya Bay are limited. Depending on the time of year, the bay is closed entirely. So, if you plan to visit, make sure to check the dates when access is allowed, as it varies each year.

On our tour, for just 15 euros, we also visited several nearby islands. We went snorkeling, kayaking, and explored Bamboo Island and Monkey Beach, two spots you should definitely note if you’re looking for a similar tour.

Next Destination: From Koh Phi Phi to Koh Samui

After three days of enjoyment, we said goodbye to the island of Koh Phi Phi and headed to the other side, the Gulf of Thailand, where we would visit the islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao. And yes, we’d have the chance to attend the famous Full Moon Party! You can read about our experience in the link.

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If you’re planning a trip to Thailand, you might also find our list of Travel Tips for Thailand, our visit to the capital of Thailandia: Bangkok, or the post about Chiang Mai, the city of temples, helpful.