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The annual closure covers Maya Bay, Loh Samah Bay and Lo Kor Bay. It serves two purposes: the reef gets a rest, and the monsoon waves that make the Loh Samah pier unsafe pass without boats trying to land.
The rest of the year the bay is open daily, in hourly rounds between 07:00 and 18:00, per the park's published rules for the season. The park can still close it at short notice for weather, and tours can change their route on the day. Plan for the closure dates first, then pick a month and an hour.
The quick answer
Maya Bay is open in 2026 from 1 October. It was closed from 1 August to 30 September 2026, as it is every year. The calmest sea runs from November to April. The best hour is 7 am, when the first round opens, or late afternoon on a Maya-last or sunset trip. During the closure, day trips still pass the bay by boat but cannot land, and operators extend other stops, usually Bamboo Island.
Is Maya Bay closed in 2026?
Not now. Maya Bay was closed from 1 August to 30 September 2026 and reopened on 1 October 2026.
The closure dates are the same every year. Operators noted the 2026 dates on their tour pages, and the bay reopened as planned at the start of October. If your trip falls inside the window next year, book a tour that says what it does instead.
For the rules that apply once the bay is open, read Maya Bay rules.
What time of year is Maya Bay closed?
Every year from 1 August to 30 September. The closure covers Maya Bay, Loh Samah Bay and Lo Kor Bay.
The closure gives the coral and the young sharks two quiet months. It also falls in the heart of the monsoon, when waves make the Loh Samah pier unsafe. Boats dock at that pier, so without it there is no safe way onto the beach.
The rest of the Phi Phi archipelago stays open. Phi Phi Don, the main island, runs as usual, and boats still visit Pileh Lagoon, Monkey Beach and Bamboo Island when the sea allows.
What happens to tours in August and September?
Many tours keep running, pass Maya Bay by boat and spend longer at other stops. Bamboo Island is the usual replacement.
The sunrise small-group trip states it plainly: in August and September it goes to Bamboo Island instead and passes Maya Bay by boat. Other operators make similar swaps. Read the listing for the dates you want, because a tour that lands at Maya Bay in October will not land there in August.
Monsoon seas are rougher. If you get seasick, take a tablet before boarding and sit towards the back of a speedboat, where the bounce is softer.
Sunrise at the Khai Islands, then breakfast on Maya Bay in a small group.
Book thisWhat is the best time of year to visit Maya Bay?
November to April, when the sea is calmer. October opens the season, and May to July can be choppy.
The dry months bring flatter water, which makes the speedboat crossing from Phuket or Krabi easier and the snorkel stops clearer. They are also the busiest months, so the hour you land matters more.
October is the first month after the reopening, and the season is fresh. From May, rain and wind pick up, and crossings can be rough. The bay stays open until the end of July, so a May or June trip is still possible; leave a spare day in case a boat is cancelled. See the best Maya Bay tour for the boat that fits your dates.
What is the best time of day to visit Maya Bay?
Pick the 7 am round. If you cannot be there that early, choose a trip that lands late in the afternoon.
Midday is the crowded stretch, when long day trips from Phuket and Krabi overlap. The first round, at 7 am, is quieter and the light is soft. The private longtail morning option from Phi Phi Don lands at 7 am, and the avoid the crowds speedboat makes Maya Bay its first stop, before midday.
From Phuket, the sunrise trip is the early option: it watches the sun rise at the Khai Islands, then serves breakfast on Maya Bay for 45 minutes. The rest of its day covers Pileh, snorkelling, Monkey Beach, Viking Cave and Ko Rang Yai.
Watch the sun rise at sea, then eat breakfast on Maya Bay before the big boats arrive.
Book thisIs Maya Bay better at sunset?
It is quieter late in the day. A sunset trip from Phi Phi Don lands for an hour in the afternoon and watches the sun go down off Phi Phi Le.
The sunset and plankton trip meets at 1:30 pm next to Tonsai Pier and runs about five hours: Monkey Beach, snorkelling, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, an hour on Maya Bay, then about 40 minutes for sunset at Phi Phi Le. You return after dark. You need to be staying on Phi Phi Don.
From Phuket, the premium day saves Maya Bay for its last stop, 40 minutes before the ride home. For island stays, see Maya Bay from Phi Phi Don.
An afternoon at Pileh and Maya Bay, then sunset off Phi Phi Le and back after dark.
Book thisDo you need water shoes for the Phi Phi Island tour?
They help but are not required. Sandals that grip are enough for the pier and the boardwalk; water shoes are useful at rocky snorkel stops.
- Water shoes or grippy sandals for wet piers and boat steps.
- Reef-safe sunscreen: chemical sunscreen harmful to coral is banned at Maya Bay.
- A hat, sunglasses and a light long-sleeved top.
- Water, even when the tour provides some.
- A dry bag for your phone and the park ticket, which you keep for inspection.
- A seasickness tablet, taken before you board.
- Swimwear under your clothes for the snorkel stops.
Wear the life jacket the crew hands out when you snorkel, and stay close to the boat.
Frequently asked questions
When does Maya Bay reopen after the closure?
On 1 October. In 2026 it reopened on 1 October 2026.
What are Maya Bay opening hours?
From 07:00 to 18:00, in rounds of up to an hour, per the park's published rules for the season.
Can I still do a Phi Phi tour in August?
Yes. Many tours run, pass Maya Bay by boat and spend longer at stops such as Bamboo Island.
Which month has the calmest sea?
The months from November to April are calmer than the monsoon months.
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Phi Phi Sunrise Small-Group Speedboat from Phuket
Sunrise at the Khai Islands, then breakfast on Maya Bay before the day boats, with Pileh and snorkelling after
Avoid the Crowds: Maya Bay, Sharks & Snorkel
Maya Bay as the first stop before midday, often with baby blacktips in the shallows, from Phi Phi Don
Maya Bay Sunset & Plankton by Speedboat
An afternoon from Tonsai Pier: Pileh, an hour on Maya Bay, then sunset at Phi Phi Le and glowing plankton
