The beach is back After a four year break, Thailand’s Maya Bay (featured in Leonardo DiCaprio film) reopens to allow local corals to rejuvenate.

  • After a lengthy closure, Maya Bay was reopened to the public on New Year’s Day. This is in an effort to revive coral reefs.
  • Before 2000’s film, the area was inundated daily by over 5,000 tourists.
  • Although it was intended to remain closed for only four months, the extension was made to aid coral growth. 

Advertisement










Tourists have finally been allowed to visit the Maya Bay in Thailand. This is where Leonardo DiCaprio starred in The Beach.

On New Year’s Day 2018, the stunning cove hosted sun worshippers for the first-time since June 2018, when it had been closed due to a rejuvenation plan.

Before authorities secured it to save the coral reef system, it had already been overrun by more than 5,000 tourists in a single day.

The iconic Maya Bay in Thailand, the setting for The Beach starring Leonardo DiCaprio, has reopened to tourists after nearly four years

After nearly four years, tourists have been able to reopen the Maya Bay, Thailand’s iconic setting, for Leonardo DiCaprio’s film The Beach.

The stunning cove welcomed back sun worshippers on New Year's Day for the first time since June 2018 when it was closed as part of a rejuvenation programme

This stunning cove was open to sun-seekers on New Year’s Day, for the first since it closed in June 2018, when it was part of a rejuvenation program.

The beautiful bay is the setting for the 2000 film The Beach starring Leonardo DiCaprio (pictured), based on the 1996 novel of the same name

The film The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and based on Leonardo’s 1996 novel The Beach (pictured), was shot in this beautiful bay.

New measures prohibit boats entering the bay. Boat drivers must pick up passengers from a nearby Pier. Eight speedboats may dock together.

It is strictly forbidden to have more than one visitor per hour. The maximum number of visitors per round is 300, and it runs from 10am until 4pm.

Maya Bay can be reached by boat within an hour from Phuket, Hat Noppharat Thara Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. It is also one of the main Phi Phi islands located in Krabi.

Although the larger Phi Phi Don has more accessibility and offers cheaper accommodation, it is still a popular tourist spot that provides budget accommodations. The uninhabited Phi Phi Leh which was home to Maya Bay was available for only day trips.

The coral reef was planted and visitors facilities expanded upon its closure. It is just 800ft in length and 50ft in width. 

It had been inundated with 5,000 tourists a day before authorities roped it off to help revive the coral reef system

The coral reef system was being overflowed by 5,000 tourists per day, and authorities had to rope it off.

Under the new measures, boats are not allowed to enter the bay with drivers having to drop off passengers at a nearby pier and only eight speedboats are allowed to dock at one time

New measures prohibit boats entering the bay. Boat drivers must pick up passengers from a nearby Pier. Eight speedboats may dock together.

Only one visit per hour is allowed and numbers are capped at 300 people per 'round', from 10am to 4pm

One visit is permitted per hour. Maximum 300 persons per round, between 10am and 4pm.

Tourists from all around the world have been constantly interested in Maya Bay. However, this has led to the natural area’s deterioration, particularly corals,” Varawut Sillpa-Archa, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, stated in a statement.

“After shutting Maya Bay down to revitalize and restore it up to the present, it is now in a good state.”

The original closure was supposed to be for four months, but was extended due to the need to plant coral reefs and increase tourist facilities. 

The Krabi Provincial Administration Organisation, Ao Nang Tambon Administration Organisation(TAO), and other environmental groups brought a lawsuit against 20th Century Fox in 1999 for the damages to Maya Bay caused by The Beach. 

Maya Bay is an hour's boat ride away from Phuket in Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park and is one of the two main Phi Phi islands in Krabi province

Maya Bay, which is located in Krabi’s Hat Noppharat Thara Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park is just an hour boat ride from Phuket.

During its closure, the coral reef was replanted and visitor facilities were expanded on the island, which is only 800ft long and 50ft wide

The coral reef was planted and the visitor facilities expanded during its closure. It is just 800 ft in length and 50 ft wide.

The closure was originally meant to last for just four months but it was extended because of the need to replant the coral and expand tourist facilities

Initially, the closure was only for four months. However, it was extended to allow the necessary replanting of corals and expansion of tourist facilities

A Thai wildlife department officer wearing a face mask stands guard as tourists visit Maya Bay after Thailand reopened its world-famous beach

As tourists arrive at Maya Bay, a Thai wildlife officer in a mask guards them. This is after Thailand has reopened the world-famous beaches.

Leonardo DiCaprio issued a statement that said: “From my perspective, everything seems okay. There has not been any damage to my eyes. 

“I saw Fox caring for this island with great respect. Ich consider myself to be an environmentalist. “I believe the world will benefit if it leaves this island.”

In 2006, the Supreme Court decided that damages orders would be issued. This was in accordance with a 2002 appeal court decision that stated that filming had caused Maya Beach damage.

Advertisement