Beach in Thailand - Maya Bay will be closed for another two months
World-famous Maya Bay on the Thai dream archipelago of Ko Phi Phi will be closed to tourism again from Thursday for two months. From August 1 to September 30, visitors will not be allowed during the rainy season to give the bay and its fragile ecosystem a chance to recover, Thai media reported, citing authorities.
The white tropical beach with its distinctive rocks gained worldwide fame through Danny Boyle's hippie blockbuster "The Beach" in 2000, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Apart from Maya Bay, two other bays will also be closed, Loh Samah Bay and Lo Kor Bay, according to the "The Nation" newspaper, quoting the chief of the local national park, Yutthapong Damsrisuk.
Devastating Coral Bleaching
In June, he had already stated that devastating coral bleaching had been found at some of the most beautiful snorkeling and diving spots on Koh Phi Phi. In some places, 100 percent of all corals and sea anemones were affected. Closing off tourist areas could potentially help stop the process.
After the success of "The Beach", masses of tourists flocked to Maya Bay on the otherwise uninhabited island of Phi Phi Leh to marvel at the beautiful bay. Soon, the paradise turned into an overcrowded nightmare. Dozens of boats anchored in the once intact reef every day, corals were broken, blacktip reef sharks disappeared, and trash piled up.
On the urging of marine biologists, authorities finally pulled the plug: In June 2018, Maya Bay was unexpectedly closed - and remained so for three and a half years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was only reopened in January 2022, under stricter rules. Nevertheless, the beach remains a highlight for tourists. Between October 2023 and July 2024, another 1.6 million tourists visited.
High Waves
The closure during the monsoon season also aims to ensure the safety of visitors: Most guests arrive by traditional longboats from the neighboring island of Phi Phi Don. In rain and high waves, it's difficult for the often very old boats to dock at Loh Samah Bay, from where visitors now walk to Maya Bay.
The closure of Loh Samah Bay and Lo Kor Bay, like Maya Bay, is also aimed at providing respite to their fragile ecosystems, similar to other areas affected by tourist activities. Despite the temporary closure, numerous tourists continue to visit the reopened Maya Bay, highlighting the need for continued environmental conservation efforts.
