Tourism killed Thailand's most famous bay. Here's how it was brought back to life
CNN
Back in 2018, Thai officials announced the indefinite closure of Maya Bay -- made popular by 2000 film "The Beach" -- to repair years of damage caused by overtourism. Here's how marine scientists brought it back to life.
Maya Bay, Thailand (CNN) — It's just past 7 a.m. on a February morning in Maya Bay, several weeks after authorities reopened what is one of Thailand's most popular tourist attractions to the world for the first time since June 2018 following a massive rehabilitation program.
A lone tourist walks along the shore, the towering limestone monoliths appearing to float over the surface of the water, their bases eroded by millions of years of lapping salt water. In the distance, blacktip sharks swim through the bay, their fins breaking the surface.
It's a surreal scene, having this spectacular cove largely to oneself.