Maya Bay gained international fame after being featured in the Hollywood movie The Beach, which sparked a tourism boom in the early 2000s. Before this cinematic fame, the bay was a hidden gem known mostly to divers and local boatmen. Located on Phi Phi Leh, a part of the Krabi Province, Maya Bay is encircled by 100-meter high limestone cliffs on three sides, creating a natural lagoon-like effect. The movie drew attention to the beach’s beauty, but it also brought an overwhelming influx of tourists. This popularity led to severe coral damage, marine pollution, and ecological stress in the following years.

In response to the environmental degradation, the Thai government took the historic decision to close Maya Bay in 2018 to allow coral and marine life to regenerate. Extensive conservation efforts were carried out, including replanting coral and limiting tourist numbers. The beach reopened in January 2022 with new rules—no swimming, limited visitor slots, and designated boat drop-off points away from the shore. These changes marked a new chapter for Maya Bay, turning it into a model of sustainable tourism. Its story now symbolizes not just natural beauty, but the importance of conservation in tourism.