Racha Noi, Banana Bay

Divesite Image
© Hobo-Ya Phuket, 83130 Phuket
Divesite Image
© Hobo-Ya Phuket, 83130 Phuket
Divesite Image
© Hobo-Ya Phuket, 83130 Phuket
Divesite Image
© Daniel P. (#3946570)
Divesite Image
© Yi Chuan Z. (#4537822)

Racha Noi, Banana Bay

★★★★☆ (11,304)

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.

All kinds of small reef fishes hiding in the reef. Sometimes bigger creatures swim in the bay like manta rays and whale sharks.

Dive Activity

Courses and Events

Advanced Open Water Diver

If you can't yet decide which specialty courses are right for you, take an SSI Advanced Open Water Diver course! This course allows you to learn about different diving topics before deciding on a full specialty course. It's a great way to learn what your Advanced training is all about and how valuable it can be for your diving adventures. The Advanced Open Water Diver course gives you the opportunity to try out five specialties. After a detailed briefing with your SSI instructor, you will complete one open water training dive for each specialty. This introductory diving course gives you the opportunity to discover all specialty courses. You can complete all specialty courses at a later date at any time and have your Advanced Open Water Diver training dive credited towards this.

28 March +193 More
€394.84
THB 15,000.00

Potential Wildlife Sightings

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: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame

Moray Eel
726 Sightings
J
42
F
57
M
69
A
47
M
55
J
46
J
48
A
85
S
54
O
80
N
82
D
61

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

Total number of species: 27

iStock-Global_Pics

Barracuda
401 Sightings
J
27
F
18
M
26
A
34
M
36
J
27
J
32
A
44
S
28
O
47
N
42
D
40

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

Total number of species: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto

Wrasse
48 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
17
A
0
M
0
J
10
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
21
N
0
D
0

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

Total number of species: 25

iStock/Juliosanjuan

Eagle Ray
45 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
11
M
11
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
13
N
10
D
0

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

Total number of species: 12

iStock/cinoby

Lionfish
602 Sightings
J
35
F
41
M
71
A
46
M
36
J
35
J
54
A
65
S
41
O
54
N
65
D
59

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

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey

Angelfish
505 Sightings
J
34
F
28
M
40
A
33
M
38
J
37
J
54
A
65
S
41
O
54
N
46
D
35

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

Total number of species: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
505 Sightings
J
23
F
23
M
60
A
38
M
38
J
32
J
41
A
55
S
34
O
53
N
59
D
49

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

Total number of species: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek

Butterfly Fish
495 Sightings
J
33
F
22
M
45
A
37
M
35
J
37
J
47
A
55
S
41
O
53
N
50
D
40

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

Total number of species: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR

Pufferfish
462 Sightings
J
18
F
25
M
49
A
36
M
32
J
29
J
44
A
39
S
30
O
58
N
61
D
41

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

Total number of species: 40

iStock-wrangel

Triggerfish
374 Sightings
J
17
F
15
M
43
A
34
M
26
J
25
J
27
A
37
S
28
O
39
N
53
D
30
Show More

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

Total number of species: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl

Bannerfish
320 Sightings
J
19
F
12
M
28
A
23
M
26
J
27
J
35
A
45
S
17
O
30
N
35
D
23

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

Total number of species: 28

Udo Kefrig

Clownfish
309 Sightings
J
16
F
16
M
44
A
23
M
26
J
19
J
17
A
32
S
28
O
30
N
32
D
26

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

Total number of species: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal

Damselfish
238 Sightings
J
13
F
0
M
27
A
18
M
22
J
15
J
20
A
23
S
22
O
28
N
25
D
25

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

Total number of species: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel

Boxfish
234 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
29
A
13
M
16
J
15
J
21
A
32
S
29
O
27
N
30
D
22

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

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk

Goatfish
212 Sightings
J
14
F
0
M
24
A
11
M
21
J
17
J
15
A
15
S
17
O
31
N
23
D
24

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

Total number of species: 85

iStock-mirecca

Surgeonfish
195 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
16
A
14
M
16
J
16
J
17
A
25
S
21
O
22
N
25
D
23

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

Total number of species: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
165 Sightings
J
12
F
0
M
18
A
13
M
0
J
0
J
16
A
22
S
11
O
29
N
25
D
19

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

Total number of species: 20

iStock-stephankerkhofs

Porcupinefish
149 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
27
A
11
M
0
J
16
J
16
A
21
S
11
O
16
N
19
D
12

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

Total number of species: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis

Snapper
138 Sightings
J
18
F
0
M
16
A
11
M
0
J
14
J
21
A
33
S
0
O
15
N
0
D
10

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

Total number of species: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix

Sweetlips and Grunts
126 Sightings
J
12
F
0
M
13
A
0
M
11
J
11
J
13
A
14
S
15
O
15
N
10
D
12

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

Total number of species: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.

Scorpionfish
109 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
20
A
12
M
10
J
0
J
11
A
14
S
0
O
15
N
14
D
13

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

Total number of species: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo

Trumpetfish
109 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
13
A
11
M
0
J
11
J
0
A
21
S
12
O
12
N
18
D
11

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

Total number of species: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer

Stingrays
92 Sightings
J
0
F
18
M
19
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
10
O
17
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: 15

Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder

Garfish
45 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
10
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
10
N
14
D
11

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

Total number of species: 30

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Stonefish
39 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
10
O
16
N
0
D
13

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

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Soldierfish
37 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
12
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
12
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
13

Dive Centers Catering This Dive Site

Whale Wish Diving

79/115 Soi Saiyuan, Rawai, 83100 Mueang Phuket, Phuket, Thailand

Phuket Dive Tours - Kata Beach

95 Soi Pakbang, 83130 Kata, Thailand

Scubadeep, Scubadeep Patong

186 Taweewong Road, 83150 Phuket, Thailand

Sea Bees Diving Nai Yang, Paradise Diving Asia

116 Moo 1, 83110 Phuket, Thailand

Aquadive Thailand

80 moo1 Tumbon Kathu, 83120 Phuket, Thailand

ScubaNicks, Victoria Fawcus-Robinson

90/8 Kanjana 2, Soi Sai Yuan, 83130 Phuket, Thailand

Amazing Phuket Adventures

30/65Moo 1, 83130 Phuket, Thailand

ScubaGold Phuket

79/113 Moo 7, Soi Saiyuan, Rawai, 83130 Phuket, Thailand

Sea Bees Diving

1/3 Moo 9 Viset Road, 83130 Phuket, Thailand

Oceanic Dive Center, 8/6 Patak Soi 5, Kata beach

69/439 Moo 1 Chalong, 83130 Phuket, Thailand

No Gravity Dive Center

75/117 Chalong Center Project, Moo10, 83130 Phuket, Thailand

Phuket Dive Tours Chalong

10/10 Soi Ta-iad, Chalong, 83130 Phuket, Thailand

Phuket Dive Tours - Patong

33 Sainamyen Patong, 83150 Phuket, Thailand

Dive Sites Nearby

Hobo-Ya Phuket, 83130 Phuket

Racha Noi, South Tip (★4.3)

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.
Aqualung

Racha Noi Bay (★4.4)

Racha Noi Bay is a dive site located on the east side of the South Island of Racha Noi. Going offshore from the beach, there is a large root with megaliths folded on top of each other, separating the area from north to south around it. The depth is about 25M to 10M, and small roots are scattered in the shallow water on the sandy ground. The main point is the megalithic area, with a long slot on the south side.
Mares

Racha Noi, Banana Bay South (★4.5)

This tranquil dive site is calm, perfect for all levels. Depths span 3-25m+, showcasing sloping sandy areas and hard coral bommies. Keep an eye out for turtles, cuttlefish, octopuses, and diverse reef fish. Encounters with eagle rays and even mantas in the blue add to the thrill of this underwater haven.
Hobo-Ya Phuket, 83130 Phuket

Racha Noi, Marina Bay (★4.3)

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.
Mares

Racha Noi, Banana Rock (★4.4)

A gently sloping field of dense stag horn coral leads to a large boulder formation from around 12m to 20m. From the boulders it’s a nice drift either South into Banana bay or North where there are more boulder formations in the shallows
Hobo-Ya Phuket, 83130 Phuket

Racha Noi (★4.3)

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.
Merlin Divers Co., Ltd., 83150 Phuket

Racha Noi, Manta Reef (★4.5)

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.
Hobo-Ya Phuket, 83130 Phuket

Racha Noi, Camera Bay (★4.3)

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.
Aqualung

Racha Noi, Freedom Reef (★4.4)

North side of racha noi Island. Suitable for beginners to advanced divers. Coral bed on the outside and metal cubes in the bay at 20m. Shallow water in the bay.
Mares

Manta Bay Racha Noi (★4.5)

Manta Bay at Racha Noi is a popular dive site known for its granite boulders, healthy corals, and potential manta ray sightings (especially Dec-April). Depths vary, with generally mild currents. It offers a diverse experience with reef fish, rays, and even frogfish.
Aqualung

Racha Noi, North Point (★3.9)

Racha Noi North Point dive site offers a mesmerizing underwater experience with pristine coral gardens, abundant marine life, and thrilling drift dives along stunning granite boulders, attracting divers with the chance to encounter reef sharks, colorful tropical fish, and occasional manta rays.
Aqualung

Racha Yai, Purple Garden (★4.6)

Exhilarating advanced drift dive experience, often with strong currents. Descend to 30m to explore a vibrant world of stingrays, intricate whip coral, and striking rock formations. Keep an eye out for larger pelagics like majestic mantas and eagle rays. The sandy patches you can find seashorses or pipefish.
Scubapro

Racha Yai, Waterfall Wall (★4.4)

Waterfall Wall at Racha Yai is a steep wall dive plunging to 25m. It’s known for healthy hard corals and diverse marine life like barracudas, tuna, and even leopard sharks on the sandy bottom. A great spot for all experience levels, often with clear visibility.
Hobo-Ya Phuket, 83130 Phuket

Racha Yai, Lucy’s Reef (★4.4)

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.
Hobo-Ya Phuket, 83130 Phuket

Koh Racha Yai (★4.3)

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.
Sea Bees Diving, 83130 Phuket

Racha Yai, Bay 3 (★4.1)

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.
Hobo-Ya Phuket, 83130 Phuket

Racha Yai, Staghorn Reef (★4.2)

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.
Sea Bees Diving, 83130 Phuket

Racha Yai, Bay 2 (★4.2)

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.
SSI Thailand, 84360 Suratthani

Marlas Mystery Wreck (★4.3)

Marla’s Mystery is a 34-meter barge wreck purposely sunk in 2000 off Racha Yai’s east coast, typically at 30-34m depth. It’s an advanced dive due to its depth and sometimes elusive location. The open hull attracts moray eels, snappers, and tuna. It’s a fantastic artificial reef for marine life.
Sea Bees Diving, 83130 Phuket

Racha Yai, Bay 1 (★4.5)

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.
Hobo-Ya Phuket, 83130 Phuket

Racha Yai, Bungalow Bay (★4.2)

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.
Hobo-Ya Phuket, 83130 Phuket

Racha Yai, Siam Bay (★4.2)

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.
Sea Bees Diving, 83130 Phuket

Racha Yai, Homerun Reef (★4.1)

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.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Racha Noi, Ao Noi (★4.8)

Of all the dive sites on the East coast of Racha Noi, this one is particularly special. It’s reminiscent of the boulder sites for which the Similan Islands are famous. It’s usually done as a drift dive, but the current is generally mild. The highlight is a large, granite boulder formation.