One of Koh Phi Phi’s most famous beaches has reopened, three years after it was closed to the public.
Maya Bay became popular among local and international travelers after it was used as the main setting for the 2000 global hit flick The Beach, starring Leonado DiCaprio and Tilda Swinton. The constant influx of holidaymakers to the attraction, however, was causing severe damage to the beach’s underwater life, particularly its coral reefs, and the authorities made the decision to ban tourists to give the marine environment time to recuperate.
The attraction’s recent reopening, however, comes with several restrictions. To begin with, the beach will only allow up to 375 visitors at a time, and swimming is still prohibited. What’s more, boats carrying tourists must dock at a designated location at the back of the bay to steer clear of the coral reefs.
If you have yet to see the beauty of Maya Bay, go and watch The Beach, which is included in our list of the best movies filmed in Thailand.