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      From฿ THBper person · all-inclusive

      Maya Bay is open for the 2026 season. The bay sits on Koh Phi Phi Leh, southeast of Phuket, and reopened on 1 October 2025 after the annual August–September conservation pause — the current window runs through to approximately late July 2026 before the next closure. The best way to see it is by speedboat with an early-morning arrival, before the day-tripper fleet from Phuket and Krabi lands. Foreign visitor park fees are 400 THB per adult / 200 THB per child, and on every Simba Sea Trips departure those fees are included in the tour price.

      Why arrival timing decides the experience

      Maya Bay’s reputation was built on a single iconic shoreline, but the bay’s character changes by the hour. In the early window — first arrivals on the boardwalk before the ferry-based groups have left their hotels — the cove is quiet, the water is glassy, and there is room to walk the length of the beach without queuing. By mid-morning, the bay is busy. By midday it is busy in the way photographs from a decade ago suggested. A direct speedboat departure from Boat Lagoon Marina is what makes the early window reachable.

      The Phi Phi Sunrise Tour visits Maya Bay early

      Simba Sea Trips’ main route into Maya Bay is the Phi Phi Sunrise Tour — a small-group join-in (maximum 18 adults) departing Soho Pool Club at Boat Lagoon Marina early morning, with the sunrise experienced en route during the transit to Phi Phi. From ฿5,310 THB, all-inclusive (transfers, national park fees, breakfast, buffet lunch back at Soho Club, snorkel equipment, soft drinks). The seven-stop itinerary pairs Maya Bay with Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, two snorkel stops, and either Bamboo Island or Koh Rang Yai depending on conditions. During the August–September Maya Bay closure window each year, Bamboo Island substitutes for Maya Bay on the same route. For a fully private alternative, the Luxury Phi Phi Sunrise Private Charter covers the same itinerary on a chartered basis.

      Rules, fees, and what to bring

      Three access rules apply to every visitor: no swimming in the bay itself (rangers may allow knee-deep wading in a small designated zone when conditions permit); no entry by boat into the bay — all vessels moor at Loh Samah Bay on the sheltered side, with a shaded five-minute boardwalk connecting to the beach; and drone flights require advance written permission from the park. Bring reef-safe sunscreen (standard formulations are not permitted near the reef), a hat and water (there is no shade on the beach itself), and leave valuables on the boat. Park entry fees of 400/200 THB are included on every Simba Sea Trips Phi Phi departure — confirm separately with other operators.

      Operator authority — running this route since 2005

      Simba Sea Trips has been running the Phi Phi route from Phuket since 2005 — more than twenty years of operating through every change the national park has made to access rules, capacity limits, and seasonal closures. The company holds TAT Licence 34/02111 issued by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Run by an airline pilot of 23+ years with aviation-grade safety standards applied at the operations management level, with Thai-licensed captains and certified crews on every boat. More than 5,814 verified reviews across TripAdvisor, Google, and GetYourGuide back the operating record.

      Take you there

      Bookable Simba tours that visit Maya Bay

      Phi Phi Sunrise Tour — Maya Bay Before the CrowdsJoin-In Tour

      Phi Phi Sunrise Tour — Maya Bay Before the Crowds

      The classic Phi Phi day done properly. Catch sunrise at sea during the ~1hr 10min speedboat transit from Boat Lagoon Marina, then step onto Maya Bay around 7:15am — about an hour ahead of every other operator. Seven stops over eight hours, max 18 adults, buffet lunch back at Soho Pool Club. Year-round, all-inclusive from ฿5,310 THB, free cancellation 24h+. Maya Bay closes for ecosystem rejuvenation each August-September; we substitute Bamboo Island.

      Max 18 adults · From ฿5,310 · Free cancellation 24h+ · All-inclusive

      From฿5,310 THB
      View Details →
      Luxury Phi Phi Sunrise Private CharterJoin-In Tour

      Luxury Phi Phi Sunrise Private Charter

      Phi Phi by speedboat — our 8-hour private charter from Boat Lagoon Marina to Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, and the Phi Phi snorkel sites.

      Departs Soho Pool Club at Boat Lagoon Marina, around 1hr 10min by speedboat to Phi Phi. The route hits Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave & Monkey Beach, with two snorkel stops and Bamboo Island or Koh Rang Yai for the afternoon. Lunch back at Soho on return. (Aug-Sep: Bamboo Island substitutes Maya Bay during the national park closure.)

      Up to 18 adults on a single private charter — your own boat, your own pace. All-inclusive: skipper, fuel, light breakfast, lunch, drinks, snorkelling gear, national park fees. Free cancellation 24h.

      Operating from Boat Lagoon Marina since 2005.

      From฿40,700 THB
      View Details →
      Phi Phi Sunset Shark Tour — 8 hours (November–April only)Join-In Tour

      Phi Phi Sunset Shark Tour — 8 hours (November–April only)

      Afternoon Phi Phi run with a shark-spotting stop on the way home. Same itinerary as Sunrise but sunset-side. Dry season only — we don't run this in May–October because Andaman afternoon thunderstorms make sunset returns unsafe.

      Max 18 adults · From ฿4,810 · Free cancellation 24h+ · All-inclusive

      From฿4,810 THB
      View Details →

      Looking for something custom?

      Tell us where you'd like to go and how you'd like to travel. We'll put together a bespoke charter that fits your group, your dates, and your budget — no template, no compromise.

      Email sales@simbaseatrips.com

      What Guests Say About This Tour

      TripAdvisor★★★★★

      Simba Sea Trips Phuket delivers one of the most polished and memorable island experiences you can have in Phuket. The "Luxury Small Group Sunrise Phi Phi Island and Maya Bay boat trip" feels carefully designed from start to finish, with every detail handled before the crowds arrive, so the day begins in calm, comfort, and style. The breakfast at the SOHO Club is a lovely way to start the morning at 6 am, and the hospitality only gets better from there. On board, the food and drinks are well thought out, and the final buffet lunch at the beach club is a fitting finish, with good vegetarian options as well. What sets this trip apart is the attention to guests. With no boat carrying more than 18 people, the experience never feels crowded or rushed, and there is a real sense that everyone is being looked after individually. That extra care makes a huge difference, especially on a premium trip like this. A special mention to our guide Noi Noi, whose witty commentary, deep knowledge, and genuinely personal attention made the journey even better. He had a wonderful way of making everyone feel included, and it was impressive to see first-time snorkelers, including guests who did not know how to swim, confidently enjoying the Phi Phi Don waters under his guidance. Our speedboat captain Dan Dan was amazing and how he guided through the choppy waters still keeping the boat steady and stable. Simba is a highly professional, luxury experience that is absolutely worth every penny.

      Maneck K

      5 days ago

      TripAdvisor★★★★★

      The entire trip was wonderful - the boat ride, the scenery, the stops for swimming and snorkel - everything was perfect. A dream come true, and still on my bucket list.

      poppylander

      7 days ago

      TripAdvisor★★★★★

      Dear Simba Tours Team, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for another fantastic experience following my recent Sunrise Phi Phi & Maya Bay tour. I have been travelling with Simba Tours since 2013, back when the company was under its previous ownership. Over the years, I’ve experienced tours under both the original and current owners, and what continues to impress me is the consistency of the experience and the standards you maintain. A few things have always stood out to me: • Professionalism from start to finish • A genuine customer-first approach • A team that clearly cares about creating memorable experiences rather than simply moving tourists from one location to another On this particular trip, Noi and his crew were exceptional. Their energy, charisma, humour, and ability to engage with guests made the day even more enjoyable. What impressed me most was the care shown towards guests who were nervous about the sea or snorkelling. I watched Noi personally enter the water with guests to help them overcome their anxieties and ensure they felt safe and comfortable. That level of care is rare and speaks volumes about the culture of your company. From time to time, I hear people comment that Simba Tours is more expensive than some other operators. Having travelled with many tour companies over the years, my response is always the same: there is a reason for the difference. With Simba, you are paying for professionalism, safety, organisation, quality, and an experience where guests genuinely matter. You’re not simply another number on a crowded boat. The attention to detail and customer care consistently justify the premium. After more than a decade of travelling with Simba Tours, it’s wonderful to see that the values that made me choose you in the first place are still very much alive today. Please pass my thanks on to Noi and the entire crew. They did a fantastic job and made what was already a beautiful day even more memorable.

      DesertRogue15k

      8 days ago

      Read all 4,312 TripAdvisor reviews →