Paradise Lost- Maya Bay
 Maya Bay has become the main tourist attraction of Phi Phi since The Beach was filmed here in 1999. It was always very popular before the film but now people around the world who haven't even heard of Phi Phi have certainly heard of Maya Bay.
 MAYA BAY ON MOVIE
 THE BEACH  "

The cliffs are the reason we chose Phi Phi Le because in the story, the beach that the characters are living on is surrounded by the high sea cliffs from the sea. So, it's a secret. It's like a big secret, swimming pool and beach in private and this is the attraction for the characters. That's why we have to use Phi Phi Le." - Andrew Macdonald, producer of "The Beach"

Phi Phi is situated in Krabi Province in southern Thailand. The two islands that make up this group (Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le) are about 40 kilometres south-west of Krabi City . The islands are about equidistant from Krabi and Phuket (to the north-west). The islands are famed for their spectacular landscapes. Rock climbers are attracted by the breathtaking cliffs, with tall sheer walls of limestone. Nature lovers, meanwhile, find a haven in the islands' transparent seas and corel beds, which are home to a wide range of sea life.

The two sections of Phi Phi Don, the larger of the two islands, are linked by a 1 k.m. isthmus of sand. Here stands the island's original Muslim fishing village, Ban Ton Sai, now enveloped by an ever-expanding belt of bungalows, cafes and hotels. A pleasant one-hour coastal walk from Ban Ton Sai leads to Hat Yao (long beach), with tantalising white sands, vibrant offshore marine life and unhindered views to the soaring flanks of Phi Phi Le, 4 kilometres away. It is also worth climbing the steep trails on Phi Phi Don's two massifs, which afford wonderful vistas over the island (see photo). Superb coral beds at Hin Pae off Hat Yao provide some of the best snorkelling in Thailand. To the north is Ban Laem Tong. This village's sea gypsy population still survives on fish caught in the isolated coves of nearby Laem Tong.

In contrast to phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Le remains uninhabited and unspoilt. Boats from Phi Phi Don bring visitors on day trips to see the paintings in Viking Cave (see picture). Another feature of the cave are the nests of edible swiftlet nests which are used in bird nest soup. Agile collectors climb rickety bamboo scaffolding to reach the nests, which are so valuable that the caves are protected by armed guards. In a bid to halt the illegal trade of the nests, staying overnight on the island is prohibited. There is excellent snorkelling at the coral reefs of ao Maya, a bay in the southwest corner of the island

MAYA BAY ON MOVIE

This is an aerial view of Maya Bay. It shows you some of the fantastic water colour. In the movie, the beach is hidden from the sea by a cliff. Maya Bay is open to the sea, but special effects will be used to close this gap to make it the true secret lagoon which the book called for.

This is a still from the second trailer for the movie. Can you see where they closed the gap? Take a look at the next picture for the answer.

This picture was taken at the time they were making the movie in Maya Bay. When you watch The Beach, you will see the palm trees but you won't see the open sea nor that gap between the rocks. Once they finished making the movie, the palm trees were removed and the dune and vegetation put back.

Maya Bay was used for two locations in the movie. The bay itself doubled as the "secret lagoon" where the characters from the movie went spear fishing. In the picture above, Richard, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, has just caught his first fish and he is shouting "I Shall provide!". 

The second location was the beach itself. This photo was taken during the preparations for the shoot. You can just see the blue JCB digger which was used by the production team to flatten two sections of the dune and to lift the palm trees into place. At this stage the beach was still open to tourists who came to relax and enjoy the sun.

This picture was taken during actual filming. Here you can clearly see one section of the dune where the vegetation has been removed in order to give better access to the beach. Some newspapers reported that the beach was widened in order to make room for a football scene. This isn't true as you can see from this picture. In the background, at the top of the beach, are some of the 60 palm trees that were brought in. The camera is in the centre of this picture and the actors to the right. Sprinklers are being used in order to simulate a rainy scene in the movie.

This is now on top of the dune. The palm trees are being supported with poles. This location was only used for the actors to walk among the palm trees and then down to the beach and "lagoon". The actual beach huts were filmed in the studio on Phuket.

Photo Gallery
A night on " The Beach"
 Camping Tour on Maya Bay
Price 3,500 baht per pax  (Pick up from Koh Phi Phi )

 Remark:
price 4500 THB per pax (Pick up from Phuket  )

*payment by credit card only before 15 days on tour

Come and enjoy the experience of a lifetime, camping on the beach that was made famous by the film “The Beach” featuring Leonardo Di Caprio which was filmed in Maya Bay in 2000.

Enjoy the experience of a lifetime: see where the movie ‘The Beach’ was filmed, and then sleep out under the stars on your own private boat.

If you visit Maya Bay during the day, you will be up against a horde of day-trippers hell bent on the cliché, but if you join our live aboard tour, you will have an unforgettable experience that you will recall with a smile for the rest of your life.

Our trip has limited numbers with a maximum of 20 people per night. Our boat has capacity for 80 people.
We leave Phi Phi Don from the ferry pier at 3 pm and return the next day at 10:00 am. On the way to Phi Phi Ley (weather permitting), we stop to see the Viking Caves, followed by a snorkeling session, and some fresh fruit for afternoon tea.

We arrive at Maya Bay before sunset. If you are a strong swimmer and feeling ambitious, you can jump into the water and swim to shore, or if you prefer, you can ride to shore on a long tail boat or in a kayak.

Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and watch as the beach becomes clear of day trippers. Soon the beach becomes just ours to enjoy!

Our own cook comes with us and prepares for a Thai feast or Penang curry, mixed vegetables and oyster sauce and boiled rice. For vegetarians we cook your own special meal on the boat. We have an area set aside with lanterns, IPOD speakers, and a bar which offers drinks for sale at reasonable prices.

Take the time to connect with your fellow travellers from all over the world. Everyone gets 1 free bucket (local drinking habit consisting of Thai rum and coke), which along with some music usually gets the party started.

Around 10 pm a delicious chicken BBQ and garlic bread is served. After supper, many people choose to take a moonlight swim in the tranquil waters.

At 11:00 o'clock we head back to the boat. We will be moored 150 meters off the beach in Maya bay in high season and in Losama Bay 30 meters from the rear entrance to Maya Bay in low season.

Sleeping bags, pillows, and mattresses are provided. Most people prefer to sleep on the top deck under the starlit skies as this adds to the whole experience. With no light pollution in the sky, shooting stars are plentiful.

If it does rain, we have a covered deck area as well. No mosquitoes or creepy crawlies.

In the morning we wake up soon after sunrise and head back into the beach for some morning photo opportunities. Sit on the beach all by yourself or go for a swim.


Around 8:00 am we head back to the boat and serve a breakfast with coffee, tea, eggs, toast, and fruit.

After breakfast jump into the water for some more snorkeling along the caves around the bay and the small deserted beaches that are normally inaccessible.

We arrive back at Phi Phi Don by 10 am, usually very tired, but very, very happy.

PROGRAM DETAILS
2:45 PM
Meet the rest of the group at the main pier on Phi Phi Don. Look for our boat which has a Maya Bay Sleep Aboard sign clearly visible. It will be parked at the tour boats section at the end of the main pier. Make sure you bring your receipt with you.

3:00 PM
Boat leaves Phi Phi Don Pier.

3:30 PM
Stop by the Viking Caves. (Sorry the cave is closed to visitors so we can just stop for a photo opportunity)

4:00 PM
Visit Phi Leh Bay for snorkelling & swimming​

4:30 PM
Arrive at Maya Bay
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8:00 PM
Dinner is served.
Enjoy a Thai feast, then go exploring on the beach, night swimming, or enjoy meeting new people.


10:00 PM
BBQ supper is served.

11:00 PM
​Head to our boat and sleep under the stars with mattresses , sleeping bags and pillows


​7:00 AM
Head to the beach which is empty for some more photos and maybe a swim
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​
8:00 AM
Enjoy a breakfast of eggs, toast, fruit, coffee and tea


9:00 AM
More snorkeling off the boat in Maya Bay. Snorkel in some caves and lay on some normally inaccessible beaches
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10:00 AM
Arrive back at the pier on Phi Phi Don
Included in the price :
 • National Park Entry fees
• Drinking Water & Fruit
• Snorkeling Equipment
• Dinner, BBQ Supper, Breakfast
• 1 Free Bucket (Local drinking habit)
• Mattresses, Pillows & Sleeping Bags
• Secure luggage storage at our office
 		 What to bring:

• Camera
• Swimmers
• Change of clothes
• Insect repellent
• Money for drinks

 
Phuket Blue Sea
TRAVEL & TOURS LTD PART
 TAT License No.  31/ 019		 Address: 2 Moo4,Thepkasatri Road, Koh Kaew, Muang, Phuket 83000 Thailand
Tel. +66-76-238616 Fax. +66-76-239779
Email: info@phuketbluesea.com