Maya Bay in Thailand’s Phi Phi islands might look familiar to you. It’s consistently voted one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, and why not? A crescent of perfect white sand with clear turquoise waters surrounded by 100m high surreal sheer limestone cliff faces draped in emerald makes Maya Bay truly spectacular.
The Phi Phi islands are a small collection of islands 40km south-east of Phuket. The main island is Phi Phi Don -— a very busy, touristy, party-happy island. Maya Bay, however, is located on Phi Phi Lee, a 2km long uninhabited island.
The waters around these six limestone islands are part of Hat Nopparat Thara-Ko Phi Phi National Park which contains incredible coral and sea life. The islands are knowns for the mountains that drop abruptly into the sea, white beaches, and abundant caves and the area is a popular scuba destination.
Where else might you have seen it? Well, it was the centerpiece for one of Leonardo Dicaprio’s more unsuccessful films, The Beach. Let’s just say this, the actual beach is far better than the movie.
