Ao Maya

Maya Bay has gain much more popularity after the Beach was filmed here in 1999. It was always very famous before the film but now people around the world who haven't even heard of Phi Phi have certainly heard of Maya Bay. You can only visit Maya Bay from November to April, as large waves make the entrance dangerous for boats during the other months of the year.

Ao Maya and Loh Sama scenic coves on the island's western and South-eastern shores, are favorite stops for day-tripping snorkelers. Although once pristine, the corals at these coves have been marred by bad anchoring and the beaches littered with rubbish jettisoned by people on tour boats.

The bad news; as it's so beautiful and so well known many boats are required to ferry all the visitors in and out. On any given day at any time there will be 30 + speedboats and longtail boats on the beach, with large ferry boats carrying hundreds of snorkelers and sightseers moored in deeper water. Beautiful it is, secluded it isn't – thousands of people visit each day. Try to visit early in the morning or after 17:00 and you'll avoid the crowds.