32. Maya Bay: Thailand
Made popular by “The Beach” starring Leonardo DiCaprio in 2000, Maya Bay is another beautiful cove. Unlike Mitjana, Maya features cliffs that are much taller and more sheer. The result is a beautiful shallow pool perfect for wading, swimming and sunbathing. It’s also off limits until 2021. According to Songtam Suksawang, director of Thailand’s National Parks Department, it’s needed to allow the natural resources to replenish. Maya Bay has already been closed for one year and will undergo reviews every three months at the end of 2020. Why is it closed? Coral decimation. No worries though. Thailand has already planted more than 10,000 coral plants to help rejuvenate the popular tourist area.