Loh Samah Bay, Phi Phi Leh: What It Is and How to Visit

Featured image: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

What Loh Samah Bay Is (and How It Relates to Maya Bay)

Loh Samah Bay lies on the southern coast of Phi Phi Leh, west of Maya Bay. Maya Bay closed to visitors in June 2018 so its reef and wildlife could recover. It reopened in January 2022 under new rules, and boats no longer pull up to its beach. Instead, tours arrive at Loh Samah Bay, and visitors reach Maya Bay's sand on foot. Swimming in Maya Bay itself is not permitted, which is why many itineraries pair the visit with a snorkel stop elsewhere. Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave are separate stops on Phi Phi Leh. Check your listing to see which of them your boat includes.

How to Get to Loh Samah Bay

You reach Loh Samah Bay only by boat. Operators advertise trips from Phi Phi Don and from the mainland, including Phuket, Ao Nang, Railay, Krabi Town, Klong Muang, Tubkaek, Lanta and Khao Lak. Phi Phi Don is the shortest ride. Mainland departures add a long sea crossing on both ends of the day. Compare itineraries in our guide to a Phi Phi Snorkeling Tour: Types, Stops & How to Choose. Ticket prices change by season, so check each operator's current page.

Rules, Fees, and What to Verify Before You Go

Park fees, landing rules and seasonal closures are set by Thailand's national park authority, so read its national parks department site for current figures. Operators differ on what they include, so ask before you pay.

• Is the national park fee included in the ticket price?
• Does the boat stop at Loh Samah Bay, or only pass it?
• How long do you get on land at Maya Bay?
• Is there a snorkel stop elsewhere on the route?
• What happens if the sea is too rough?

Best Time to Go

Early departures are the usual way to avoid the heaviest boat traffic. Operators sell "early bird" tours on exactly that promise. Treat the claim as a tendency, not a guarantee. Later slots tend to share the bay with more boats. Sea conditions matter as much as the hour. Rough water in the Andaman wet season can cancel or reroute trips, so ask your operator about current conditions.

Is It Worth Including? Who Should Skip It

Loh Samah Bay is a good fit if you want to see Maya Bay without a long beach day. It works less well as a stand-alone destination, because the time ashore is brief and swimming at Maya Bay is not allowed.

• Book it if you want Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and a snorkel stop in one boat trip.
• Book it if you are staying on Phi Phi Don and want a short morning outing.
• Skip it if you get seasick, since the crossing from the mainland can be rough.
• Skip it if you need a guaranteed swim stop at Maya Bay.
• Mistake to avoid: assuming a beach stop is included without asking.
• Mistake to avoid: choosing a far departure point that turns the trip into a very long day.

Pairing It With Other Phi Phi Stops

If you want real time in the water, start with our Phi Phi snorkeling guide. For a half-day add-on, compare Bamboo Island, Phi Phi: How to Visit, Costs & Tips with your Phi Phi Leh boat. Building a longer multi-stop day? Look at Bida Nai (Koh Bida Nai): Diving, Snorkeling and How to Get There as another option in the same area.

Loh Samah Bay, Maya Bay and Other Phi Phi Leh Stops

Loh Samah Bay is not the same place as Maya Bay. It is the sheltered boat-side arrival area on Phi Phi Leh, while Maya Bay is the beach visitors reach on foot after arriving by boat. That distinction matters when reading a tour itinerary.

Maya Bay closed in June 2018 for reef and wildlife recovery. It reopened in January 2022 with changed visitor arrangements. Boats no longer pull directly onto Maya Bay’s beach, and swimming at Maya Bay is not permitted.

Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave are separate Phi Phi Leh stops. A tour that lists Loh Samah Bay does not automatically include both. Check whether the itinerary includes time ashore at Maya Bay, a stop at Pileh Lagoon, and a separate snorkel location. This makes it easier to choose between a short Maya Bay-focused trip and a longer multi-stop boat day.