Maya Bay, made world-famous by The Beach movie, is part of Phi Phi Leh and now falls under the Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. There’s an entry fee of 400 THB for foreigners (200 THB for Thai nationals), paid once when your tour includes the stop.

You can reach it only by boat tour from Phi Phi Don, Phuket, or Krabi, and boats now stop a few meters away, swimming or walking directly onto the beach is not allowed to protect marine life.

In reality, it’s crowded during peak hours, no matter how early you go, so manage expectations. The good news? You can skip Maya Bay if you’re not into touristy chaos, most island tours let you choose. Still, its turquoise water and limestone cliffs make it worth seeing at least once in a lifetime.