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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.

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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.

Dive Sites

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.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Koh Racha Yai

Koh Racha Yai is renowned for its vibrant marine life, making it a popular spot for divers. The reefs are home to an array of common reef fish, including colorful parrotfish and butterflyfish, which are frequently encountered throughout the year. Schools of snapper and barracuda are also a common sight, adding to the richness of the underwater experience.

Seasonal highlights include sightings of blacktip reef sharks, which are more prevalent during the cooler months from November to February. Hawksbill turtles are often spotted grazing on the reef, particularly near the island's western dive sites. Stingrays, including blue-spotted rays, are also a highlight, with higher chances of encounters in the sandy areas around the reef edges. Overall, Koh Racha Yai offers a diverse marine environment that varies with the seasons, providing divers with exciting opportunities to explore its aquatic wonders.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Moray Eel

Moray Eel

5k Sightings
J
499
F
519
M
439
A
375
M
286
J
248
J
443
A
465
S
323
O
416
N
472
D
542

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

Barracuda

Barracuda

2.1k Sightings
J
212
F
148
M
182
A
182
M
136
J
117
J
168
A
217
S
115
O
210
N
231
D
225

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 600

Wrasse

Wrasse

256 Sightings
J
13
F
11
M
44
A
30
M
3
J
21
J
14
A
18
S
20
O
46
N
20
D
16

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Angelfish

Angelfish

4.1k Sightings
J
451
F
402
M
372
A
290
M
216
J
231
J
401
A
373
S
254
O
331
N
363
D
401

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

Lionfish

Lionfish

3.3k Sightings
J
326
F
353
M
303
A
262
M
181
J
161
J
298
A
291
S
200
O
229
N
350
D
316

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish

3.3k Sightings
J
391
F
340
M
285
A
253
M
199
J
182
J
257
A
275
S
200
O
234
N
308
D
341

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

Parrotfish

Parrotfish

3k Sightings
J
295
F
293
M
292
A
241
M
183
J
173
J
226
A
258
S
130
O
233
N
325
D
302

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pufferfish

Pufferfish

2.8k Sightings
J
308
F
264
M
228
A
253
M
183
J
139
J
245
A
226
S
121
O
231
N
355
D
296

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Triggerfish

Triggerfish

1.8k Sightings
J
213
F
170
M
180
A
135
M
107
J
64
J
126
A
179
S
67
O
159
N
236
D
176

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 28

Clownfish

Clownfish

1.8k Sightings
J
200
F
194
M
189
A
147
M
92
J
57
J
122
A
150
S
99
O
131
N
187
D
222

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 8

Bannerfish

Bannerfish

1.7k Sightings
J
172
F
100
M
159
A
104
M
110
J
120
J
172
A
171
S
78
O
148
N
185
D
148

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Goatfish

Goatfish

1.2k Sightings
J
127
F
104
M
100
A
97
M
72
J
55
J
73
A
96
S
86
O
103
N
123
D
128

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

Boxfish

Boxfish

1k Sightings
J
90
F
78
M
78
A
60
M
77
J
66
J
113
A
117
S
73
O
64
N
97
D
93

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish

911 Sightings
J
89
F
55
M
50
A
46
M
55
J
41
J
80
A
82
S
58
O
124
N
117
D
114

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets

878 Sightings
J
95
F
105
M
125
A
42
M
17
J
44
J
57
A
115
S
54
O
85
N
76
D
63

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Damselfish

Damselfish

832 Sightings
J
56
F
52
M
78
A
54
M
71
J
56
J
80
A
63
S
73
O
67
N
65
D
117

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 20

Porcupinefish

Porcupinefish

660 Sightings
J
38
F
36
M
83
A
37
M
29
J
49
J
104
A
76
S
44
O
51
N
54
D
59

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

Snapper

Snapper

635 Sightings
J
84
F
36
M
40
A
44
M
18
J
33
J
74
A
77
S
44
O
84
N
37
D
64

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

Stingrays

Stingrays

631 Sightings
J
131
F
92
M
73
A
33
M
5
J
17
J
17
A
28
S
30
O
41
N
54
D
110

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts

534 Sightings
J
56
F
16
M
46
A
30
M
38
J
41
J
54
A
40
S
42
O
49
N
44
D
78

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish

434 Sightings
J
57
F
42
M
54
A
25
M
28
J
18
J
33
A
40
S
13
O
41
N
50
D
33

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish

372 Sightings
J
21
F
22
M
33
A
28
M
11
J
25
J
35
A
48
S
39
O
31
N
48
D
31

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Garfish

Garfish

320 Sightings
J
41
F
31
M
25
A
18
M
23
J
13
J
19
A
29
S
18
O
29
N
42
D
32

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pipefish

Pipefish

313 Sightings
J
21
F
20
M
27
A
14
M
10
J
15
J
36
A
35
S
30
O
42
N
35
D
28

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3000

Nudibranch

Nudibranch

283 Sightings
J
36
F
34
M
48
A
21
M
27
J
12
J
20
A
17
S
4
O
14
N
35
D
15

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Stonefish

Stonefish

261 Sightings
J
14
F
16
M
18
A
24
M
20
J
10
J
21
A
10
S
21
O
45
N
23
D
39

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 120

Flounder

Flounder

235 Sightings
J
26
F
32
M
19
A
17
M
14
J
19
J
16
A
21
S
23
O
19
N
16
D
13

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Sand Eel

Sand Eel

199 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
11
A
0
M
26
J
13
J
26
A
44
S
24
O
26
N
13
D
15

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Soldierfish

Soldierfish

198 Sightings
J
14
F
13
M
31
A
20
M
0
J
0
J
14
A
26
S
14
O
17
N
15
D
34

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 120

Cuttlefish

Cuttlefish

155 Sightings
J
11
F
22
M
21
A
0
M
1
J
10
J
10
A
14
S
0
O
14
N
0
D
52

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3400

Shrimp

Shrimp

139 Sightings
J
0
F
16
M
22
A
13
M
19
J
0
J
24
A
14
S
0
O
21
N
0
D
10

Curated by Interest

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Underwater Beginner