Ko Phi Phi

Maya Bay is One of the Most Beautiful Beaches on the Planet

Ko Phi Phi is a group of famous islands in Thailand. With several beaches, one of which is world famous: Maya Bay. The islands are located in the famous Phang Nga Bay.

The islands can be reached by ferry from Phuket in around 90 minutes. It’s a wonderful place for diving, snorkelling, and enjoying the sun, the blue sea and white beaches. It’s the ultimate relaxing holiday.

Ko Phi Phi is located in Phang Nga Bay in Thailand. This bay runs from Phuket in a horse-shoe shape to the world-famous island of Ko Phi Phi. This area of Thailand is well known for its beautiful beaches. It’s even more famous for its remarkable rock pillars that rise out of the water, like beacons from a time long gone.

The 6 Islands of Ko Phi Phi

The Phi Phi archipelago actually consists of six islands. Some of them you can visit, others are actually no more than rocks in the sea. If you visit this area by boat you will come across them.

Ko Phi Phi Don

Het beroemde Ko Phi Phi Don is met 28 km² veruit het grootste eiland. Het zijn eigenlijk twee eilanden die zijn verbonden door een smalle strook land. Op het vlakke deel vind je de hotels en restaurants, alsook het grootste dorp.

Ko Phi Phi Lee

The steep chalk cliffs of Ko Phi Phi Lee emerge from the sea. The island has two shallow bays with fantastic beaches: Maya Bay and Loh Samah. Which are in the middle of nature. You will also find a shallow cove with a coral reef underwater.

Ko Phi Phi Lee in Thailand.

UPDATE: Maya Bay Open on January 1, 2022

Since 1 June 2018 Maya Bay is closed to preserve the area. The coral has deteriorated in quality in recent years and the trees and plants on the island are broken by the many footsteps of visitors. The beach on Ko Phi Phi is scheduled to reopen.

Maya Bay will reopen on January 1, 2022. The only big question is whether this relatively short break is long enough. Scientists have already indicated that this actually has no chance, as long as there is no regulation of the number of visitors. hence the government continues to intervene.

New Regulations for Visiting Maya Bay

Since January 1, 2022, boats are again allowed to visit Maya Bay again. But there are some new rules. These are the new rules for visiting Maya Bay.

  • Boats are no longer allowed to enter the bay, but are required to moor at a pier on the other side of the island.
  • Only eight boats are allowed to dock there at a time.
  • No more than 300 visitors are allowed on the beach at one time.
  • Tourists are allowed to stay for a maximum of one hour.
  • From 4 PM, tourists are prohibited at Maya Bay.

Often Used in Movies and TV-Series

Maya Bay is a very special décor that comes pretty close to the idea of a ‘tropical paradise’. This bay has featured in many films included the James Bond Movie The Man with the Golden Gun from 1974 with Roger More, but also The Beach with Leonardo di Caprio from 2000.

Golden beaches and azure-coloured waters, punctuated by remarkable rocks that come straight out of the sea. For many tourist, Thailand is a place that embodies the idea of ‘sun, sea, and sand’. The Ko Phi Phi islands in the Andaman Sea are scattered like gems off the Thai coast. It’s paradise.

The beauty of Ko Phi Phi.

The rocky pillars jutting out of the water are reminders of the ancient ocean floor that rose up in a long-forgotten past. Erosion has sculpted the rocks into amazing structures that tower over the blue sea. Nature has claimed these rocks, every centimetre is covered in vegetation. There are impenetrable mangrove forests interspersed with often tiny beaches.

Snorkelling and Diving

In most places snorkeling and diving are popular activities, the water is almost always extremely clear and full of numerous fish. Ko Phi Phi is actually known as one of the best diving locations in the world. It’s not unusual for people to spot whale sharks here.

The whole area is perfect for diving and snorkeling, and the bay is also perfect for walking, kayaking, rock-climbing and more. Ko Phi Phi, actually the entire Phang Nga Bay, is popular with tourists the world over. Once you’ve dipped your toes in the water here, you’ll know why.

Several beaches in Phang Nga Bay are world-famous. Over the years a number of magazines have named Ko Phi Phi the most beautiful beach in the world. This beach is surrounded by limestone cliffs and rock formations. But there are lots of other small beaches in Phang Nga Bay, deserted, hidden between the rocks, and very idyllic.

Met de boot naar Ko Phi Phi in Thailand.

Best Time to Visit Ko Phi Phi

The wet season is in October and November. This means that you will often miss the sunrise and sunset. On top of that you can expect heavy rainfall, though it often doesn’t last longer than an hour. It’s also trickier to snorkel in this time due to poor visibility.

There’s also a chance that some hotels and shops are closed, and tour companies might not operate in the wet season. Though it does mean that there aren’t many tourists, and the clouds can create dramatic scenes in the landscape.

High season in Phang Nga Bay starts in late November and runs until February. The weather is ideal (bright blue skies) and perfect for snorkel tours or sunbathing on the beach. Do keep in mind it will be very crowded with tourists at this time. Especially popular places such as Ko Phi Phi and near James Bond Island. But even at small, ‘deserted’ beaches, you probably won’t be alone.

Problems around The Beach

The movie The Beach with Leonardo di Caprio was partly shot on Maya Bay. But this was not without problems. The beach was adapted in two ways. The beach was flattened with bulldozers. Something Thai people couldn’t appreciate. The beach was also adapted with the help of digital animation; it was made whiter than it is. It is remarkable that the beach has regained its old appearance thanks to the 2004 tsunami.

Be Aware!

Especially at popular tourist attractions such as Ko Phi Phi and James Bond Island get very busy around 10 am. You will literally trip over tourists. The best time to go to these places is early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the mass of tourists.

In July and August it can get hot, up to 45 degrees Celsius, with very little wind.

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