How to Avoid Big Crowds at Maya Bay

Millions of visitors every year

Maya Bay is one of the most popular beaches in the world, attracting millions of visitors every year. Being alone at this paradise is mission impossible.

Many people at the beautiful Maya Bay Beach with limestone cliffs and turquoise waters at the back. — Picture taken at Maya Bay around 11 AM, one of the busiest times of the day.

Wouldn't it be great to visit Maya Bay with fewer people? It is possible.

Maya Bay opens at 7 AM and closes around 5 PM, with the last tourists allowed to enter at 4 PM. One good thing to know is that a boat tour from Phuket or Krabi will not allow you to be early or late enough at Maya Bay. There is minimum 1 hour needed to even reach Koh Phi Phi Leh, where Maya Bay is located. On a day tour to Phi Phi, you will always have to deal with the biggest amount of people.

How to visit Maya Bay with less people

The best way to experience Phi Phi's beauty to the fullest is to take a boat tour that starts from Phi Phi Don which is just a 10 minute ride to Maya Bay. Some of the tours at Discover Phi Phi are designed in the way to skip the peak times at most places, especially Maya Bay. To be able to join these sunrise early bird tours, is by coming to Koh Phi Phi the day before the tour and staying overnight on the island.

Our Avoid The Crowds Speedboat Tour departs at 7.30 AM and you will be one of the first few people of the day to visit the gorgeous beach, made famous by Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie "The Beach". Be prepared to share the speedboat with possibly more than 40 people though.

Book Sunrise Glory Tour

The best possible way to avoid the crowds at Maya Bay and visit the highlights in peace, is by taking a Private Longtail Boat Tour at sunrise. You can choose between 4, 6 and 7 hours to discover the highlights. If you choose the sunrise departure, we will leave around 6.15 AM so that you are at Maya Bay at 7 AM, right when it opens.

Book Private Longtail Tour

Tourists at the beach of Maya Bay in Koh Phi Phi in Thailand. — This picture was taken at 7.15 AM. Maya Bay is more peaceful and has less tourists.

Be aware though that the turquoise clear waters are more vibrant when visiting Maya Bay between 11 AM and 2.00 PM. The water at sunrise is less vibrant, but incredibly beautiful and magical. It is better to weigh out both options to see what you prefer.

With these tips, you know now how you are able to visit Maya Bay with fewer people. See you soon!