Explore Koh Racha Yai

Nestled just 20 kilometers south of Phuket, the Koh Raya Islands are a diver's paradise that offers a serene escape into Thailand's underwater marvels. The largest of the islands, Koh Racha Yai, presents a peaceful retreat with its white sandy beaches shaded by swaying palms, and crystal-clear turquoise waters that beckon divers from around the globe. This tranquil spot is renowned for its exceptional diving opportunities, catering to all levels from beginners to seasoned experts. The east side of Koh Racha Yai is particularly popular, offering sheltered dive sites ideal during the monsoon months of May to November. Diving in Koh Raya is marked by its abundant marine life and diverse dive environments. With visibility averaging around 20 meters, divers can explore vibrant coral reefs teeming with angelfish, parrotfish, and butterflyfish. Encounters with moray eels, turtles, and even the occasional whale shark or manta ray add thrilling surprises to each dive. The area offers a variety of dive styles, including shore dives, boat excursions, and liveaboard trips. For those seeking adventure, the occasional drift dive or exploring one of the deeper wreck sites can provide a thrilling challenge. Whether staying on the island or departing from nearby Phuket, dive centers cater to all budgets, ensuring that every diver can experience the enchanting underwater world of Koh Raya.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ Racha Yai, Bay 2

This dive site is located in the second bay on the east side of Ratcha Yai Island. It is a calm environment with white sand dotted with reef patches at a depth of 5m to 25m. There are a series of concrete artificial fish reefs facing offshore, where many fish can be seen roosting.

1,332
Logs
868
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
17.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Racha Yai, Bay 1

Bay 1 is located on the east side of Racha Yai Island. There are three wrecks to be explored at this dive site. Depths are between 5-25 meters and the white sandy beach is calm.

22,391
Logs
9,711
Divers
17.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Racha Yai, Homerun Reef

Homerun Reef is just north of Bay 1. A good alternative to the wrecks and concrete cubes around the main part of the bay. There is a small speedboat wreck at around 23m, just off the main reef. This is a good site for drift diving. It’s mostly large rocks, rubble and hard corals. Diving depth is 10-25 meters.

2,855
Logs
1,710
Divers
17.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Racha Yai, Bungalow Bay

Bungalow Bay is a calm dive site and very good for beginners, try scuba, and open water students. Depth ranges from 5-20 meters. There is no current or waves. An artificial reef is built here as well.

4,501
Logs
2,181
Divers
14.0 m
⌀ Depth
13.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Racha Yai, Siam Bay

Siam Bay is a dive site located in a large bay on the western side of Ko Racha Yai Island. The shallow waters are sandy with coral and rocks scattered throughout. Near the center of the bay, at a depth of 25m to 20m, there are elephants, Thai palatial houses, and ethnic objects that are popular among divers.

1,817
Logs
958
Divers
14.0 m
⌀ Depth
13.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Racha Noi, South Tip

South Tip is a dive site located off the southern tip of the South Island of Racha Noi. There are huge roots with depths ranging from 9m to 40m. The current is strong at all times so this dive site is recommended for advanced divers only.

503
Logs
361
Divers
23.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Racha Noi, Banana Bay

Banana Bay is located on the east side of Racha Noi island. It consists of a sandy bottom and with hard coral. Depth inside the bay is 5-20 meters. If you swim away from the beach you can find 50 meters of depth.

12,296
Logs
6,543
Divers
16.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Racha Noi, Marina Bay

Marina Bay is a dive site located on the western side of the North Island of Racha Noi. As you enter from the bay and head south, you'll see a dynamic landscape of rumbling megaliths overlapping each other. This is a popular dive site with swim-throughs dotted among the boulders to stimulate divers' sense of adventure. It is not uncommon for manta rays to appear.

4,129
Logs
2,495
Divers
16.0 m
⌀ Depth
15.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Racha Noi, Manta Reef

From Phuket to reach Racha Noi takes about a 2 hour boat ride. On the east coast the first part of the island Racha Noi is a dive site named Manta Reef. It is more or less a wall dive with a depth up to around 22 meters. The wall is fully covered with different corals.

2,556
Logs
1,747
Divers
17.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Koh Racha Yai

Racha Yai Island, about 20 km South of Phuket, is a year-round dive site, but unlike other dive sites the best conditions are during the rainy season from May to October, when the Eastern dive sites have the clearest water of any of the surrounding islands. Sites on the Western side are most often dived Nov-Apr.

2,321
Logs
1,355
Divers
17.0 m
⌀ Depth
15.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Racha Yai, Bay 3

Bay 3 is the third dive site on the eastern side of Ratcha Yai Island. The central part of the bay is a calm white sandy area, dotted with branch coral beds and roots. From the northern end of the bay, you may drift dive along the island heading towards Bay 2. The reef is between 18 and 30 meters deep.

2,971
Logs
1,869
Divers
17.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Racha Yai, Staghorn Reef

Staghorn Reef stretches between Bay 2 and Bay 3 on Ratchayi Island. At a depth of 5 to 20 meters, you can see clusters of branch corals here and there. The current is often strong, so you can dive in the style of drift diving. You can see various creatures and fishes in the branch coral areas, rocky areas, and walls as if flying through the air.

291
Logs
163
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Racha Noi

Racha Noi Island is located about one and a half hours south of Phuket by diving boat. You can dive on the west side of the island during the dry season from November to April, and the rainy season from May to October, you can dive on the east side of the island. It is a popular dive site for divers who expect to see manta rays.

1,094
Logs
678
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Racha Noi, Camera Bay

Camera Bay located west side of Racha Noi Island. Depht starts 5 meters and goes all the way to 60 meters. This is also good place for technical divers.

3,035
Logs
2,066
Divers
16.0 m
⌀ Depth
15.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Racha Yai, Lucy’s Reef

Lucy’s Reef is a reef from Bay 3 to Bay 4 on Ratchayi Island, heading south. This is a great opportunity for you to dive in the deep water. As you swim toward Bay 4, you can see coral beds and other coral formations in the rocky area around the south end of Bay 3. If the current is strong, you may be able to reach from Bay 3 to Bay 4 in no time.

184
Logs
161
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
17.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in Koh Racha Yai

Koh Racha Yai, located south of Phuket, is a diver's paradise featuring a mix of exciting dive sites. Among the highlights are the home to the Harruby Wreck, a small shipwreck teeming with marine life that offers excellent opportunities for wreck diving enthusiasts. The wreck lies at 18 meters/59 feet, making it accessible for divers of all levels. Popular shore dives around Koh Racha Yai include Bungalow Bay and Siam Bay, where the waters are crystal clear and perfect for observing vibrant coral reefs and diverse fish species. Unique night dives reveal nocturnal creatures and bioluminescent plankton, adding a magical touch to the experience. The island’s dive sites offer a balanced mix of shore diving and liveaboard options, catering to both convenience seekers and adventure lovers alike.

The best Months to dive in Koh Racha Yai

Koh Racha Yai offers excellent diving conditions year-round, with water temperatures ranging from 27°C–30°C/81°F–86°F. Divers can enjoy generally good visibility, often reaching 20 meters/66 feet, although this can vary with seasonal changes.

While diving is possible throughout the year, the best conditions are typically between November and April. During this period, the seas are calmer, and currents are more predictable. From May to October, the southwest monsoon can bring stronger winds and currents, making conditions less favorable. However, experienced divers may still find suitable opportunities during these months, especially in the more sheltered areas.

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