Maya Bay reopens after annual closure on 1 October
Published on 10/18/2026 at 05:02 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Maya Bay reopened on Ko Phi Phi Leh in Thailand on 1 October 2026 after its annual conservation closure, restoring beach visits while keeping swimming prohibited. The beach, part of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, is again available to travellers after the two-month pause.
Maya Bay reopening follows the 2026 conservation closure
The reopening followed the scheduled closure from 1 August to 30 September 2026. The annual break covers the southwest monsoon period and is intended to reduce pressure on the shoreline and marine ecosystem while rougher seas can make boat travel more difficult.
The date and location were confirmed by the reopening report from 1 October. Time Out Thailand also listed the beach's return to visitor itineraries on 1 October 2026 after the annual closure, with the same conservation rules continuing after access resumed.
The new season does not restore the pre-closure experience. Swimming remains prohibited, and boats use the pier at Loh Samah Bay on the opposite side of the island rather than entering the bay itself. Access is still subject to national park rules and sea conditions.
Maya Bay links its reopening to a longer conservation history
The seasonal closure follows a much longer interruption that began in 2018 after heavy tourism damaged coral reefs and other parts of the ecosystem. The beach reopened in January 2022 with tighter controls on visitors and activities, after which the annual August and September closure continued.
That history gives the 1 October 2026 date a practical meaning for visitors: a beach landing has resumed, but the route and activities are controlled. Travellers reach the site through Loh Samah Bay and continue on foot rather than arriving directly on the sand by boat. The reopening therefore restores access without removing the measures introduced after the earlier closure.
During the latest break, a Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation survey recorded as many as 278 adult blacktip reef sharks close to the beach on 2 September 2026. The department said this was the highest figure in its survey data for the 2026 fiscal year, while researchers linked the gathering to reduced human disturbance.
Visiting Maya Bay: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Beach access resumed on 1 October 2026 at Maya Bay on Ko Phi Phi Leh, after the closure that ran from 1 August to 30 September 2026.
- Swimming remains prohibited, and boats stop at the pier at Loh Samah Bay instead of entering Maya Bay. The final approach to the beach is on foot.
- The site lies in Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in Thailand's Krabi area. Sea conditions can affect access, so the latest park information should be checked before travel.
- The route involves leaving the boat at Loh Samah Bay and walking across the island to the beach, rather than stepping ashore from a boat inside the bay.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Maya Bay
When did Maya Bay reopen in 2026?
Maya Bay reopened to visitors on 1 October 2026 after its annual closure from 1 August to 30 September 2026.
Can visitors swim at Maya Bay after the reopening?
No. Swimming remains prohibited under the conservation rules applied after the 1 October 2026 reopening.
Where is Maya Bay and how do visitors get there?
Maya Bay is on Ko Phi Phi Leh in Thailand's Krabi area, inside Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. Boats use the pier at Loh Samah Bay, and visitors continue to the beach on foot.
