Maya Bay - a corner of paradise in Thailand

Even those who think Thailand is not the best place on earth will change their minds after visiting the unique, amazingly beautiful Maya Bay, which is not so much like it on our planet. It is located off Phi Phi Lei Island. Everyone who is here for the first time is forever fascinated by the turquoise water surface, the mighty giant rocks, as if guarding a narrow strait into the bay, snow-white coral sand, tropical vegetation and other natural mysteries of the island. This stunning place gained immense popularity after the release of the movie "The Beach".

Geographic characteristics of the bay

In fact, this is a bay (300x400 m), which is surrounded on three sides by 100-meter stone walls of sheer cliffs that protect the bay from the winds. Covered from above and along the slopes of bizarre stalactites overgrown with a carpet of tropical vegetation, the rocks look very impressive. The bay is not afraid of any winds, it is always calm, a true paradise for swimming. Many passenger boats and other sea vessels from Phuket Island pass through the bay during the day. Looking at the views of the bay, it is hard to believe that such beauty exists on Earth, and not on some other planet.

What attracts tourists to Maya Bay

In the clear depths of Maya Bay, coral reefs are visible, attracting the attention of diving enthusiasts. Snorkeling fans also love the bay with crystal clear, transparent water: here you can meet tourists from all countries. Everyone loves the magnificent 200-meter long beach with fine velvet sand, as if crushed in a giant coffee grinder. The beach is lined with spreading palms, tropical bushes and lianas. Rest on such a beach promises sheer pleasures. But the most important attraction for everyone is the unearthly beauty of this unique place.

At the height of the day, it is as crowded as it is during rush hour on the streets of famous cities. But if you wish, you can still find a secluded corner on the blessed shore. Maya Bay is not just a resting place, but part of a large-scale national park, and for visiting it, those who come here on their own will need to pay 200 baht (environmental fee). Tourists who come as part of an excursion are exempted from it. Thais are sensitive to their natural treasures, so it is not allowed here to burn fires, cook food, or arrange overnight stays in tents. At 23.00 all tourists are asked to leave the territory of the island.

How to get to Maya Bay

Given the tremendous interest in the island bay, the authorities have optimally solved the problem of delivering tourists to Maya Bay.

-The easiest way is to book an excursion at a travel agency (1500 baht for 2 people) if you are staying in Phuket, Lanta or Krabi province. In this case, you will be brought in an organized manner on a speedboat, you do not need to pay an environmental fee, and you will enjoy an unforgettable visit to the island of mysterious, enchanting beauty without any problems, see all the interesting places.

- From the island of Phi Phi Don, you can rent a motor boat with a Thai steering and take it on a 3-kilometer exotic journey along the waves of the Indian Ocean (from 1000 to 2000 baht for 2 people). The cost depends on the time, on the number of attractions of Phi Phi Lei Island visited, on the degree of the tourist season (high or low). The tour includes a visit to Monkey Island and Viking Cave.

- In Tonsai (Phi Phi Don Island) you can buy a guided tour of the beaches and bays of Phi Leh, Lo Sama and Maya Bay.

- In the administration of the national park and in travel agencies of the island of Phi Phi Don, trips to the bay with an overnight stay are offered in 2 versions: in the cabins of a moored ship or in a tent.

Feel like a participant in an ocean cruise, fall asleep under the gentle whisper of waves - why not romance ?! Still, there is even more romance in spending the night in a tent, although you will have to pay much more for this opportunity (from 2500 to 5000 baht for one). But to see an unforgettable picture of the setting or dawn sun setting between the huge rocks, as well as to take photographs of the evening or morning landscapes of the bay, when there is no crowd of people, is worth it. It is no coincidence that the bay has become a popular backdrop for filming feature films.
These stunning locations have gained an alluring power after the release of the movie "The Beach", starring DiCaprio, which was filmed here.

Maya Bay natural scenery for the movie "The Beach"

Searching for the nature for the future film, the director's assistants, finding themselves in the bay, immediately realized that there was no better place for a film adaptation of A. Garland's novel - this is the only way that Paradise on earth can look like. Although the events of the fantastic literary work on the plot take place on Koh Tao, Phi Phi Lei and Maya Bay were chosen for the filming of the film. The romantic appearance of the young Leonardo, a golden-haired handsome man, perfectly matches the environment and the image of the hero who finds himself among happy people living in primitive huts on the beach. They do not have any material wealth, they do not strive for a career, but simply enjoy life in a paradise.

Of course, the filmmakers added their surroundings to the natural scenery: there is no sparkling waterfall in the bay, it was "inserted"; several sand dunes were torn down, and a significant number of palm trees were cut down. For the intervention in the ecosystem and its subsequent restoration, the creators of the "Beach" paid millions of dollars, but they did not help to restore the original view of the surrounding nature.

Viking Cave

In the vicinity of the bay there is a special object of active tourist visits - the Viking Cave, oddly enough this Scandinavian name sounds here. But there is no hint that once there could be Vikings - just the outer contours of the cave are similar to the silhouettes of the legendary sailors of antiquity. Surprisingly, this is a small dungeon, washed by the azure waters of the bays, a huge number of swallows living inside and, accordingly, their nests. And the latter are one of the most expensive delicacies among Thai dishes, so there is a continuous "extraction" of nests by agile Thais. They deftly climb to the ceiling with the help of bamboo shields and "harvest" the swallow's nests, receiving a good payment for this.

Monkey beach

To replenish your impressions of Thai exoticism, you should definitely visit Monkey Beach, an unusual for Europeans, on the island of Phi Phi Don. A sandy strip 200 m long, surrounded by high picturesque rocks, richly decorated with lush vegetation, is located in the western part of the island.
These impassable cliffs are the natural fence of the beach from the land side, and you can only get to it by waterway. Despite this, the modest beach area is not able to accommodate the huge number of curious tourists eager to visit the beach of wild monkeys (the name in translation), chat and watch exotic long-tailed macaques.

Swimming here is also a great pleasure: clean sand, clear water, smooth, comfortable descent, pleasant bottom. But it is not always possible to do this calmly, because boats and boats scurrying around the bay carrying tourists. But swimming is not the main thing here, so do not be upset, there are so many calm places around for this. Near Monkey Beach, coral reefs are visible in the transparent depths - a good incentive for snorkelers who also want to visit here. Admirers of natural beauty will find fascinating landscapes in these places: enchanting views of the opposite part of Lo Dalam Bay, turquoise sea waters, white velvet sand, emerald greenery around are pleasing to the eye.

Monkeys at Monkey Beach

Among the trees, a suspended swing flashes, riding on which is fraught with the invasion of a flock of monkeys, so the bravest of tourists risk taking pictures on the swing. Feeding monkeys is an extreme hobby of visitors that requires a certain dexterity and caution, because these impudent people so quickly swoop down on bananas and other fruits that they can bite and scratch, which is not safe. Some people want to take a selfie with a monkey at their own risk. It is especially not worth allowing children to feed, although many parents even take pictures of scenes of monkey feeding by their offspring. Officially, feeding is prohibited, as evidenced by the inscription on the poster asking not to feed the monkeys, but many ignore the ban, and there are cases of bites that require vaccinations and money spending. Having health insurance will not be superfluous.

Of course, there are some advantages of such feeding - well-fed macaques lose aggressiveness, become more friendly. Many of them suffer from gluttony, acquiring spherical body shapes - a funny sight! As tourists noticed, macaques do not refuse Coca-Cola and beer. Drinking a liter bottle of beer is not a problem for them, and after that they behave almost in the same way as their upright brethren after drinking. The loss of tourist things also happens: it is worth leaving a backpack or bag unattended, a clever thief will immediately launch his paw there and take something (a camera, camera, glasses) away forever or scatter it on the beach. It is better to carry things with you or leave them on the ship. In general, watching these mischievous representatives of "our smaller brothers" is very funny and interesting, it gives great pleasure. Mostly for this, tourists come here.

How to get to Monkey Beach

Despite the fact that the beach is looked after, garbage is removed, there is no tourist infrastructure on it: you need to take water and food with you. The intention to visit the monkey beach can be realized in 3 ways.

- On Lo Dalam beach, you can rent a kayak (small boat) and sail on it 1 km along the calm water surface of the bay in 25-30 minutes. 3 hours is enough to experience all the feelings and sensations, talk to macaques, take pictures. Take with you a reliable supply of drinking water, breakfast, sun protection equipment and set off early, at 7 am. Until noon, you can calmly swim here, inspect everything, while there is no crowd and swim back.

- There is an option to find a boatman who will agree to take you to the monkey beach for an agreed fee and bring you back at a previously agreed time. This is also a convenient option, you can choose any time of the day, you do not need to worry while sailing: an experienced aboriginal will take you back and forth, tell you how to behave on Monkey (if he understands the language).

- You can also visit Monkey Beach as part of an excursion group from Phuket and Ao Nang (cost 500 baht per person). For example, from Phuket - departure at 09.00, visiting Maya Bay - 10.00, lunch on the island. Phi Phi Don - 12.00, visiting Monkey - from 14.00. Accordingly, from the island of Phi Phi Don you will leave after lunch (if you are departing from this island). From Ao Nang, you can also sail on a kayak on your own or take a boat with a boatman.

Laguna Pile

Thailand is a country of picturesque lagoons bordering almost all the shores of the island state. Large and small, deep and shallow - they form an integral part of the Thai landscape, miraculously decorating it and creating charming, truly heavenly corners, so beloved by tourists. How can you not admire the turquoise mirrors of the water surfaces, in the transparent depth of which the outlines of the rocks, the lush greenery of exotic palm trees and the sapphire sky are reflected !? It is on the shores of the lagoons that the best Thai beaches are located, attracting hordes of tourists from all over the world with white as sugar, sand, warm waters, the opportunity to enjoy diving, snorkeling, swimming and other sea activities. The southern part of Thailand is especially generous with beautiful cozy backwaters, where literally all the islands of the Andaman Sea are cut by them.

Among them there are open ones, connected to the ocean; there are closed, surrounded on all sides by rocky walls, like mini-lakes. More colorful in blue-blue and green tones of the landscape painting than the painting of the lagoon of Thailand, it is difficult to find elsewhere. The deepest Thai lagoon is Pile Bay, located off Phuket Island.

Geographical characteristics of Pile lagoon

Millions of years (40 million) ago, according to geologists, the deep-sea bay was formed as a result of a strong fracture of the earth's crust. The water, richly saturated with trace elements of the earth's interior and salts, came to the surface among the 100-meter rocks. This is how the unique Pile lagoon arose here, the waters of which are saltier than the sea, according to the Thais, have healing powers. Over the millennia, the centuries-old steep cliffs have been covered with lace climbing vines, a cap of small forests and shrubs, chosen by tropical "paradise" birds. Time and waves have knocked out narrow grottoes at the base of the rocks, mysteriously blackening with a mysterious void.

What attracts tourists to the Pile lagoon

Being here for the first time, one cannot help but exclaim in admiration: "What a beauty!" And this, indeed, is a genuine natural beauty, created by a magical power that defies comprehension. Here, supernatural landscapes captivating the imagination change their colors depending on the time of day. In the morning before dawn, when there is a transparent veil of haze over the dark rocks, the water in the lagoon looks purple, and in places where the rocks are reflected, it is almost black. When the rising sun paints everything around in pink, everything becomes bright, light and warm, all living things resurrect. Delicate turquoise of light ripples of waves, sandy-yellow rocky sediments, flooded voices of birds among the wet, sparkling greenery with dew create a delightful view.

In the midday hours, numerous ships and boats with tourists glide along the mirror of the bay. Given the great depth of the bay, it is better not to take small children with you, even those who know how to swim. Some extreme men climb the rocks and from there (of course, not from the very top) jump down. Probably not worth following their example. But the main thing why people swim here is swimming in salt waters, which supposedly gives rejuvenation due to their special properties. Explorers of the underwater world who love depth also come to the lagoon. There are many good hotels in the vicinity of Pile.

Hotels near Pile lagoon

In recent years, the hotel chain on Phuket Island has expanded significantly with new, comfortable, modern hotels of different categories, from luxury to budget. Everyone can find here a number "on the pocket" in one of them.

The 5-star Dusit Tani Hotel is perfect for a relaxing family holiday: clean, comfortable rooms with high-quality air conditioning, excellent breakfasts, a wonderful children's play area, magnificent halls and halls. The territory is buried in parasols of palm trees, a wonderful outdoor pool with a terrace - everything is loved by guests.

The 4-star Saturdays Residence weekend hotel welcomes guests on Saturdays, creating an unforgettable atmosphere of comfort and tranquility for them. The helpful staff tirelessly makes sure that the stay of tourists here is not overshadowed by anything. They offer comfortable rooms, a sauna, a gym, an excellent pool, b / n bicycles. Most of the guests are delighted with their stay at this hotel.

Apart-hotel Chaofa West attracts tourists with its convenient location, novelty, cleanliness, spacious rooms (living room, kitchen), b / n parking, peace and quiet, despite the proximity of the road.Wonderfully arranged territory with a huge number of shrubs in the form of hedges, bright flowers, different types of palm trees, with a swimming pool allows you to stay here comfortably throughout the day. There are many interesting sights of Phuket nearby.

The hotels described above serve as a reliable illustration of the many other hotels located near the Pile lagoon. There will be enough space for everyone who wants to see this miracle of nature.

Video: excursion to the islands of Phi Phi

Maya Bay on the map