Phi Phi’s famed Maya Bay gets 4-month rejuvenation period

By THE NATION

 

 

Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has announced that Maya Bay in Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park will not allow visitors during a much-needed four-month rejuvenation period from June 1 to September 30, 2018.

 

The DNP announced at a press conference held on May 15 that access to Maya Bay will be strictly off limits during the four-month rejuvenation.

 

It will not allow boats to enter the bay in front of the beach, or even drop anchor at nearby Loh Samah Bay, as visitors and their vessels will not be allowed to enter Maya Bay.

 

Travellers can still catch a glimpse of the Bay’s stunning beauty, made famous by Leonardo DiCaprio’s movie ‘The Beach’ at a 400-metre distance, or between the two cliffs that form a natural entrance to the lagoon. But this will be strictly supervised and carefully monitored by the DNP.

 

During the four-month period, the DNP will undertake a coastal and marine environment quality evaluation study on the condition of reef and beach resources, environmental control, and tourism management. This is to properly determine measures for environmental sustainability of Maya Bay during future off-tourist seasons.

 

Temporary closures of natural attractions are not new to Thailand. Each year, the DNP closes several national parks for a period to allow for ecological recovery. Depending on weather and park conditions, dates vary as the closures are often due to extreme weather, especially during the annual monsoon that may also create unsafe conditions.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Travel_log/30345711

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-05-19

What is not said above is that even when opened again boats will no longer be allowed to enter and visitors see the bay without buying advance tickets and entering from the back side of the island at floating piers.  So all visitors will have to be pay visitors - now most of those arriving by boat do not disembark to enjoy the beach as that entails an extra payment from my understanding - they just sit on boat for awhile and depart for the next destination.