Why the closure of Thailand's Maya Bay is an important lesson to us all

If you’re in need of a perfect example as to why ecotourism is so important, you don’t need to look any further than the recent closure of Maya Bay in Thailand.

For the first time ever, Maya Bay has closed to tourism. After sustaining severe damage at the hands of over-tourism, this famous bay has been given a much needed period of time to recoup. There is no current reopening date set in stone.

As tourists, we are guests in other countries. We should be striving to leave a destination better than we found It, at the very least, not filled with plastic bottles, cups and cigarette butts.

Edit July 2020: Maya Bay is still closed. It’s reopening date has been set for mid-2021 sometime. 

Why was Maya Bay closed to tourism?

The closure of Thailand's Maya Bay is an important lesson for us all
Maya Bay has been closed indefinitely to tourists as of October 1st, 2018

It is common for Thai National Parks to have a 4-month break to allow the environment to recover. At its peak, Maya Bay was receiving anywhere from 4000-6000 visitors, around 200 boats, daily.

This number might not seem all that much, but the trash left behind adds up until it becomes too much for the fragile marine life that lives in this beautiful area of Thailand.

Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) is the government body who initiated the close and has said it will remain closed until “natural resources return to normal”.

These were the first long tail boats to arrive at Maya Bay
Maya Bay is a beautiful location in Thailand, and its conservation has to come first

Before it’s closure, an estimate was given that Maya Bay might see up to 2.5 million visitors in the year of 2018. Studies from marine biologists show exactly what has been damaged. With large chunks of coral reef gone and sea life only a fraction of what it used to be, it may take years for the marine life to return as rich as it was once.

 

How was Maya Bay visited by tourists?

Speed boat was one of the most common ways tourists would visit Maya Bay in Thailand
Speedboats began docking soon after I arrived early on Maya Bay

Before Maya Bay was shut for the first time due to ecological recovery, hordes of tourists visited via boat. Visiting by speedboat was one of the most common ways, followed by a long tail boat ride.

Many tours left from Koh Phi Phi Island, but was also accessible from Phuket and Krabi. After all, it’s only a one-hour speedboat ride from Phuket.

It was one of Thailand’s most picturesque locations and attracting as many visitors as it did shows just how popular it had become for travelers to Thailand.

I visited the area myself in January 2018, 6 months before the closure. I took an “early bird tour” to Maya Bay, and was able to enjoy the tranquil and pristine beauty before thousands of tourists flooded the soft sands around the bay.

 

How long is Maya Bay on Phi Phi Island closed for?

Protection Maya Bay from further damage by over tourism is the main concern of Thailand
Maya Bay is currently closed, indefinitely

Maya Bay was originally planned for closure from June 1st to September 30th in 2018. But was extended indefinitely as of October 1st 2019. Since then, mid-2021 is now the tentative date of reopening.

Director of Office of National Parks, Songthan Sukswang, told how four months was not long enough for Maya Bay to recover, and that it’s expected to take at least a year to see significant improvement.

 

Why has Maya Bay become so popular?

Maya Bay was the site of the blockbuster movie “The Beach”, making it become even more popular

Other than its towering limestone cliffs and golden soft sands, the area rose to fame in other ways.

Leonardo DiCaprio starred in the 2000 blockbuster “The Beach”, showcasing the natural beauty of the crystal waters and golden sands. Slowly gaining popularity over the years, 2018 was set to be a huge increase on the previous year. Estimated around half a million more visitors in 2018 than in 2017, if the bay hadn’t shut halfway through the year.

 

What was it like before the closure?

The closure of Maya Bay in Thailand is an important reminder to protect these beautiful places on earth
Maya Bay was beautiful before the closure, but the negative effects of over tourism are everywhere

Many visitors flocked to the shores of one of Thailand’s most well known bays, a short boat ride from Koh Phi Phi Don Island, in hopes of seeing a real-life paradise.

And it was. As I mentioned above, I visited the bay in January 2018, 6 months before the closure. Being one of the very first boats to anchor just offshore, it was a stunning view. Everything was just like it was in the pictures. The golden sand, clear and pristine waters.

But the negative effects of countless human visitors had already taken its toll, even if it wasn’t obvious on the surface.

As boat after boat pulled up, it became a little more obvious what we were doing could be permanently damaging this fragile destination.

Thousands of visitors ventured to the beautiful shores of Maya Bay every day
The crowds descended early in the morning from Phi Phi Leh Island, Thailand

From the short amount of time I spent on the shores of Maya Bay, it quickly grew into a much different sight. Above is a photo I took around 30 minutes later!

 

Where else can negative effects of tourism be seen?

Monkeys flock to the beach as they know tourists visit and bring food
Monkey Beach is another part of Phi Phi Island that has faced negative consequences of over-tourism

Unfortunately, the damage done by tourism to Maya Bay isn’t an isolated incident.

During my time spent around Phi Phi Island, I encountered a much more obvious impact from human interaction. It was on the “Early Bird Tour” that left from Phi Phi Don.

Monkey Beach is a popular spot on Phi Phi Don Island. For just what it sounds like. Monkeys frequent the beach as they are commonly fed by tourists. They are most likely dependent on humans to survive at this point as they are so accustomed to an easy meal.

Monkey's shouldn't have rubbish scattered on their natural habitat
A monkey using a plastic water bottle on Phi Phi Island’s Monkey Beach

What was shocking is the trash left behind. This monkey had enough practice with a plastic water bottle that he had no problems using as it was intended.

It’s images like this that should make it clear why Maya Bay had to be shut down indefinitely. We, collectively as tourists, should be making sure natural beauty stays natural.

 

Maya Bay in Thailand – A case of tourism vs environment?

Maya Bay was a beautiful destination to visit, as tourists we should care more for the places we travel to
Is Maya Bay a case of tourism or environment?

Apart from keeping a wild monkey from drinking out a water bottle and surrounded by our human garbage, there are many reasons why we should always have the environment at the front of our minds while traveling.

If all the inspirational and beautiful places in the world are devastated by over-tourism, wildlife and marine life relocate, or worse, die off  – what are we going to leave for others and future generations to experience?

At the rate the bay was declining, there wouldn’t be too much left for even the next generation.

Collectively as tourists, we should feel disgusted when we visit a natural habitat to find trash littering the sands and waters. We should be wanting to make a positive impact.

We should be ensuring the world lives on for others to enjoy and experience – not taking it for granted because one day there won’t be anything left to take for granted.

An empty Maya Bay, before the crowds showed up when the Bay was open to the public
Before the boats arrived. This is what the bay would look like most days now tourism has been indefinitely banned from Maya Bay, Phi Phi Leh, Thailand

If you enjoyed this post, I’d love it if you’d help spread the word about the importance of eco-friendly travel. Just use the buttons to your left or down the bottom for mobile users.

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I’d also love to hear what you think about tourism vs the environment. Drop me comment below to start the discussion!

 

Short video on Maya Bay being closed to tourism

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Thanks for reading!

Happy and safe travels,

Ben – Horizon Unknown

As tourists, we should strive to make the world a better place when we travel! Here's an important lesson for every traveller - Maya Bay shut down indefinitely! #travel #thailand #asia #southeastasia #mayabay #phiphi
Why the closure of Maya Bay in Thailand is an important lesson for every traveler!

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