Racha Yai

Racha Yai Coral Island Phuket

Dive boats traveling south of Phuket are probably heading to Racha Yai.

It takes around 90 minutes to reach the popular island which is ideal for beginners and snorkel tours.

The stunning hard and soft coral reefs are a major attraction and one that is unlikely to disappoint you.

Phuket is bestowed with endless sunshine and unsullied beaches specifically on its western beaches. There is unequivocal validity in taking advantage of the many house reefs that exists a short swim for the shoreline on many tourist hot spots on the west.

But if you are searching for world class diving then the Phuket island trips are significantly enhanced experiences for divers and snorkelers.

Koh Racha Yai Dive Site Facts

Best Dive Months: November to April

Average Depth: 12 meters

Maximum Depth: 30 meters

Visibility: 10 - 20 meters

Currents: Moderate to Strong

Hazards: None Noted

Marine Life: Nudibranch, Mantas, Reef Sharks, Turtles, Boxfish, Pipefish, Fusiliers, Squirrel Fish, Rabbit Fish, Butterfly Fish, Octopus, Moray Eels, Stingrays, Wrasses, Angelfish, Damsel Fish, Puffer Fish, Seahorses, Snappers, Hermit Crab.

The word Racha from Koh Racha Yai is often used phonetically and spoken as rajah which in fact means Indian King. The twin dive sites of Racha Yai (big) and Racha Noi (small) are undoubtedly kings of the diving near to Phuket.

Travel south from Chalong Pier and you are heading for the two favored sites. The visibility is fairly stable all season and peaks with 30 meters of almost swimming-pool clarity during the best months.

The nearest island to Phuket is Racha Yai. Travel less than 20 km from the south from the 'Andaman Pearl' and you can find superb same day scuba diving trips and snorkeling tours in most of the sites at this island.

There are resident farmers and fishermen living on the island and tourists or day-trippers can stay in the purpose-built accommodations of bungalows and resorts. In fact the 5 star Racha Resort is located here close to Siam Bay in the north.

Bungalow Bay or Ao Tawan Tok is a scintillating u-shaped bay and the most populous beach located towards the north of the island. The beach is often busy with water sport activities during hot sunny days of the peak season but generally the bars and restaurants close quite early at night.

A distinct lack of electrically generated island lighting creates a romantic evening of watery relaxation and star-gazing.

The island has several top spots but the two shielded bays in the north and the east side are the most commonly used by the local operators. They both have gently sloping terrain with a beautiful combination of vivid coral forests and fascinating marine life.

The nutrient rich sites outside of the bay benefit the best examples of hard corals such as blue stag horn and tan-brown plate corals. Peak inside the crevices of the stag and elk horns and you are unlucky if you don't spot morays, octopuses and cuttlefish. There is no lacking of large pelagic fish and batches of schooling fish like fusilier, snapper, and jacks.

Phuket Dive Sites |> Anemone Reef |> King Cruiser Wreck |> Koh Doc Mai |> Shark Point |> Koh Racha Noi |

The backdrop of sandy outcrops makes the diving an unforgettable experience irrespective of your scuba certification level. The diving and snorkeling is leisurely and rejuvenating at Racha Yai Island.

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