Cover image via Lucas Hemingway/Unsplash
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Maya Bay, the picture-perfect beach on Koh Phi Phi Leh made famous by Leonardo DiCaprio's movie The Beach, along with neighbouring Loh Sama Bay, will be closed to tourists from 1 August to 30 September
This annual two-month closure is part of Thailand's ongoing efforts to protect its fragile marine ecosystems.
By pausing visits, authorities hope to ease the pressure on the bay's coral reefs, wildlife, and coastline, all of which take a hit during peak tourist season.
During the closure, the park will carry out important restoration work behind the scenes
These include checking on marine life health, replanting damaged coral, reinforcing wave barriers to manage beach erosion, and setting up more mooring buoys to keep boats from dropping anchors directly on fragile reefs.
According to The Thaiger, there's also a push to educate tourists and local operators on sustainable travel practices to protect the area in the long term.
The damage from mass tourism before 2018 left serious scars
Back in the day, the bay saw up to 5,000 visitors a day, and the effects were severe.
Coral reefs were bleached and broken, marine animals fled the area, and the beach itself started to erode.
This prompted the Thai government to shut down Maya Bay completely in 2018 for what became a four-year recovery mission.
Since then, things have slowly improved. Blacktip reef sharks have returned, new coral has been replanted, and strict guidelines are now in place.
Visitors are no longer allowed to swim in the bay, and numbers are capped at 375 people at a time.
Other islands in the area are still open, so your beach plans aren't totally sunk
Only Maya Bay and Loh Sama Bay will be closed during this period.
You can still explore other Phi Phi gems like Koh Phi Phi Don (the main island with hotels and restaurants), Bamboo Island, and Koh Lanta.
Most boat tours adapt their itineraries during the closure, so you can still get your turquoise water fix, just not on Maya Bay or Loh Sama Bay.
If you're planning a trip, be sure to check with your tour operator or adjust your dates to avoid missing out.
