HomeAsiaSouth East AsiaThailandKrabi“The Beach” Journey to Maya Bay in Phi Phi Islands, Thailand By Marcos Detourist on January 29, 2013Even under grey skies and rough waters, Maya Bay in the Phi Phi Islands of Southern Thailand easily captured high ranks on my list of the most beautiful beaches. The ones I’ve had the pleasure of visiting, at least.Like most, I was drawn to Maya Bay (and backpacking in general) after seeing the movie “The Beach,” which was filmed there. This spot stands out because of the majestic 100-meter high limestone cliffs that surrounds the already gorgeous beach.Our boat dropped anchor off the coast of a rocky side of the island. Imagine our shock when the boatmen shouted that we had to swim to the actual island then cross a forested area to get to “The Beach.” Our experience reminded me of what happened in the movie.We stashed our cameras in a dry bag, provided by the boatmen, so we could bring our cameras with us.It had been raining on-and-off during my trip in Ko Phi Phi. Not a lot of other tourists dared to sail through the highly turbulent open sea that day and all the long tail and speedboats did not dock directly in front of the sandy beach. I loved that Maya Bay looked so uncrowded and natural.Maya Bay was remarkably stunning! The sand wasn’t the stark white color, I expected, but it was lengthy and powdery fine. The water was tinted with an alluring turquoise color, even under the dull sky.I could visualize its full grandeur under the perfect sunny weather … but then the beach would be littered with too many boats and tourists. The unfortunate weather turned out to be a blessing in disguise.Don’t leave yet. There’s more!Phi Phi Islands & Krabi Itinerary - DIY Thailand Travel Tips8 Days Krabi and Phi Phi Itinerary, Southern ThailandLost in Peninsular Malaysia and Southern ThailandSurvived Palawan, the Philippines’ Last FrontierBreakfast at Calaan Beach. Planning an epic 3-day El Nido…Guisi and AlubihodComments GayE @ Pinay Travel Junkie saysJanuary 29, 2013 at 11:41 pmPhi Phi Lei & Don are my favoritestest islands! We weren’t able to dock on Maya Bay though cause we didn’t want to pay the admission fee. LOL. We docked on a teensy cove instead just across it. Marcos saysFebruary 2, 2013 at 9:27 pmOhh, pwede din pala :) I was awestruck with Phi Phi Lei. Definitely a must-visit no matter how touristy it has gotten. Parang Boracay lang :D Kaiz saysJanuary 30, 2013 at 7:13 amWow! I wish Maya Bay was her natural beauty when we went to Phi Phi Leh. On our visit, there were like thousands of curious tourists, just like us, gathered in the shores of Maya. What a bummer. I think I need to go back during the off season. But I really love the vibes of Phuket. :) Marcos saysFebruary 2, 2013 at 9:23 pmThat was what I was avoiding too. But Next time, I can do with sharing the beach. As long as there will be blue skies :D Wends of Journeys and Travels saysJanuary 30, 2013 at 12:15 pmImpressive beach and as if I am transported to the film of Leonardo de Caprio, The Beach! Lovely article this is :) Marcos saysFebruary 2, 2013 at 9:22 pmThanks Doc Wends! It seemed like I was living the movie to, especially coz I was surrounded by all the Caucasian tourists, haha. Milet Miranda saysFebruary 21, 2013 at 11:08 pmaww akala ko white sand sa maya bay. parang iba itsura nya sa the beach :( Posting of new comments is disabled temporarily.Connect with Marcos on:Detourista.comMarcosDetourist.comFacebookInstagramTwitterDetourista.comDiscover more travel guides and blogs about the Philippines and beyond by Marcos DetouristChoose your next destination: Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
GayE @ Pinay Travel Junkie saysJanuary 29, 2013 at 11:41 pmPhi Phi Lei & Don are my favoritestest islands! We weren’t able to dock on Maya Bay though cause we didn’t want to pay the admission fee. LOL. We docked on a teensy cove instead just across it.
Marcos saysFebruary 2, 2013 at 9:27 pmOhh, pwede din pala :) I was awestruck with Phi Phi Lei. Definitely a must-visit no matter how touristy it has gotten. Parang Boracay lang :D
Kaiz saysJanuary 30, 2013 at 7:13 amWow! I wish Maya Bay was her natural beauty when we went to Phi Phi Leh. On our visit, there were like thousands of curious tourists, just like us, gathered in the shores of Maya. What a bummer. I think I need to go back during the off season. But I really love the vibes of Phuket. :)
Marcos saysFebruary 2, 2013 at 9:23 pmThat was what I was avoiding too. But Next time, I can do with sharing the beach. As long as there will be blue skies :D
Wends of Journeys and Travels saysJanuary 30, 2013 at 12:15 pmImpressive beach and as if I am transported to the film of Leonardo de Caprio, The Beach! Lovely article this is :)
Marcos saysFebruary 2, 2013 at 9:22 pmThanks Doc Wends! It seemed like I was living the movie to, especially coz I was surrounded by all the Caucasian tourists, haha.
Milet Miranda saysFebruary 21, 2013 at 11:08 pmaww akala ko white sand sa maya bay. parang iba itsura nya sa the beach :(