Ko Racha Voyage Tips and guide

Ko Racha Yai (เกาะราชาใหญ่) and Ko Racha Noi (เกาะราชาน้อย), also known as Ko Raya Yai and Ko Raya Noi, are twin islands off the south coast of Ko Phuket. Racha Yai lies about 8 km due south of the Laem Prom Thep. Racha Noi is about 5 km SSW of Racha Yai. Known for their crystal clear blue waters these islands have been an almost exclusive paradise for divers for years. With Racha Yai's white sand beaches and expanding accommodations, Racha Yai is growing in popularity.

The name "Racha" means "king" in Thai, reflecting the island's historical use as a private retreat for the Thai royal family. Tourism began to develop in the 1990s, and since then, it has become a popular destination while managing to maintain a more tranquil and pristine atmosphere compared to bustling Phuket.

The Racha Island group consists of two main islands:

• Racha Yai (Big Racha) - The larger island with beautiful beaches, resorts, and basic tourist facilities. This is where most visitors stay and play.
• Racha Noi (Little Racha) - The smaller, uninhabited island with no infrastructure. Its surrounding waters are renowned for exceptional diving and the chance to encounter larger marine life.

Racha Island features a tropical monsoon climate with three distinct seasons:

• Cool and Dry Season (November - February) - The best time to visit. Pleasant temperatures, low humidity, minimal rainfall, and calm seas with excellent underwater visibility perfect for diving and snorkeling.

• Hot Season (March - May) - The hottest period with high humidity and occasional brief thunderstorms. Sea conditions remain generally calm, making it good for water activities, but sun protection is essential.

• Rainy Season (June - October) - The southwest monsoon brings heavier rainfall, particularly in September and October. Seas can be rough, and boat services may be occasionally disrupted. **Note: Racha Noi is often inaccessible during the peak monsoon (May-October) due to strong winds and waves.**

Ko Racha Yai with its gleaming beaches can be reached by chartered boat from Ao Chalong and Rawai. Travelling time varies by type of boat:

• Speedboats make the journey in about 20-25 minutes.
• Dive boats, fishing boats, and large boats travel time is about 1 1/2 - 3 hours depending on the season (longer in the Summer Season).
• Longtail boats can be chartered when the winds and waves are mild. Travel time in a longtail is over 2 hours in calm seas. Caution should be taken when chartering a longtail - if the weather turns you may become stranded overnight on the island or the boat may capsize.

Sightseeing and snorkelling services are available from tour operators in town. Accommodation is available. A hilltop viewpoint on the bay's south offers a magnificent view of the whole island.

Ko Racha Noi, 10 km from Raya Yai, is the result of coral reef build up, and there are more rocks than beaches. In a small bay on the west is a boat anchorage. The waters at Raya Noi are emerald green, and the fishing there is famous, but swimming is not recommended.

Racha Yai is a travel and tour option year round. When the seas and winds are too strong, boats will cancel their trips for safety reasons. During the summer season this only occurs a few times.

The only way to reach Racha Island is by boat.

• 7.8498.3381 Chalong Pier (main departure point from Phuket). Regular speedboats (30-45 minutes) and slower ferries (1.5-2 hours) depart from Chalong Pier to Racha Yai. Tickets can be purchased at the pier. Speedboat: 800-1200 THB one way; Ferry: 500-800 THB one way.  

Many visitors opt for day tours from Phuket, which typically include:

• Round-trip hotel transfers
• Boat transportation
• Lunch and refreshments
• Snorkeling equipment
• Optional activities like diving

These can be booked through hotels, travel agencies, or online platforms throughout Phuket.

Once at Racha Yai your feet become your carriage. The island has a small network of dirt paths that link all of the beaches and resorts. You can easily walk from Bungalow Bay to Siam Beach and back again. It takes about 10-12 min to walk to the beaches on the other side of the island. Longtail boats are sometimes available for rent to visit other beaches if you are not inclined to walk. Motorbikes can be rented also, but distances are short.

7°36′0″N 98°22′1″E

Map of Ko Racha

• Walking - Racha Yai is small enough to explore on foot between main beaches and points of interest.
• Bicycle/Motorcycle - Rentals available (bicycle: 200-300 THB/day, motorcycle: 400-600 THB/day). Note that most roads are unpaved dirt or gravel tracks.
• Motorcycle Taxis - Available for shorter trips (50-100 THB per ride).
• Resort Transfers - Most resorts provide complimentary transfers between the arrival pier and their property.

Looking back towards Phuket from Siam Beach is one of the best things to do. Most visitors to Racha Yai come to escape the noise and distractions of Phuket and Coral Island.

Walking around some of the island's pathways you will be treated to views of wonderful coconut groves and the occasional water buffalo grazing nearby.

• 7.698.3671 Batok Beachz, Eastern side of Racha Yai (main arrival point). The largest and most popular beach featuring a beautiful crescent of powdery white sand and clear turquoise waters. This is the main arrival point with restaurants, bars, and water sports facilities.  
• 7.59398.3782 Siam Bay, Southeast side of Racha Yai (15-minute walk from Batok Beach). A quieter alternative to Batok Beach, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Coral and fish are close to shore, making it ideal for beginner snorkelers. (updated Jan 2024)
• 7.6198.373 Racha Yai Viewpoint, Highest point of Racha Yai (accessible via hiking trail from Batok Beach or Siam Bay). Offers 360-degree panoramic views of the entire island and Andaman Sea. The hike takes approximately 45 minutes from Batok Beach and is well worth the effort for spectacular photo opportunities. (updated Jan 2024)
• 7.6298.3754 Kon Kae Bay, Northern side of Racha Yai. A small, secluded bay with excellent snorkeling right off the beach. Less crowded than the main beaches, offering a more peaceful experience.  

Racha Islands are renowned for some of the best diving in the Phuket region, with visibility often exceeding 20 meters.

• 7.5898.351 Racha Noi Bay, Southern side of Racha Noi. Known for hard coral gardens and pelagic sightings. Strong currents sometimes attract larger marine life including manta rays and whale sharks (November-April). Depth: 10-30m, Level: Intermediate-Advanced.  
• 7.5998.362 Staghorn Reef, East of Racha Noi. Features extensive staghorn coral formations creating beautiful underwater landscapes. Abundant reef fish including angelfish, butterflyfish, and parrotfish. Depth: 5-18m, Level: Beginner-Intermediate. (updated Jan 2024)
• 7.58598.3653 Japanese Rock, Between Racha Yai and Racha Noi. A submerged rock formation attracting diverse marine life including leopard sharks, moray eels, and occasional turtle sightings. Depth: 12-25m, Level: Intermediate.  

• Kayaking, Various beaches. Explore the coastline by kayak, available for rent at most resorts and main beaches. 300-500 THB/hour. (updated Jan 2024)
• Stand Up Paddleboarding. Calm bays provide perfect conditions for paddleboarding, especially in the mornings. 200-400 THB/hour. 
• Hiking, Racha Yai. Several trails cross Racha Yai, offering opportunities to explore the island's interior, discover hidden coves, and enjoy panoramic views from various viewpoints. (updated Jan 2024)
• Sunset Watching, West-facing beaches and viewpoints. The western side of Racha Yai offers spectacular sunset views over the Andaman Sea. 

Racha Yai is one of the nicest islands to simply get away from everything and relax. Less boats and tourists visit this island and Jet Skis & Para sailing are officially banned.

The beaches are white powdery sand with plenty of space to spread out. The sun lounge chairs for rent are spaced a good distance apart from each other and there is only one row unlike the crowded beaches of Phuket and Coral Island where the chairs are sometimes 5-6 deep.

Chairs are also available at Lah Bay on the other side of the island, with a restaurant only a few metres from the water.

Racha Yai is Phuket's best-known scuba diving site, with its sloping rocky reefs and its many solid coral forests. There is also Ter Bay where there is an exciting wreck at the depth of 25-35 m. The area south Racha Yai, Racha Noi, is a haven for experienced divers as the depths are greater and the currents stronger. The overall topography is strikingly different from Racha Yai with huge granite boulders. The diving in Racha Noi compared to Racha Yai is definitely more challenging, but the rewards are greater.

The snorkelling here is fantastic and you won't have to share the islands with too many other tourists. The layout of Racha Yai offers places to snorkel no matter what time of year it is. Even on days when there are large waves, there will be a protected cove to snorkel in.

Water clarity and visibility is some of the best in Phuket. The water has a turquoise colour and a lot of marine life. The depths range from a few meters to deeper. Most snorkelling is done from speedboats or from the shore in Batok Bay and Raya Bay. Walk across the island to less crowded Lah Bay, or to Kon Kare Bay.

• Phuketdivemaster, Nanai Road, Patong, Phuket, ☏ +66 931819210, [email protected]. Dive company with a wide range of service for divers and beginners (updated Aug 2024)

• Aloha Diving, 86/59, Rawai, Muang, ☏ +66 979243483. Dive company runs snorkelling tours to the Racha islands on its dive boat. (updated Oct 2022)
• Wild Kingdom Tours (บริษัท ไวลด์ คิงดัม ทัวร์), ☏ +66 76-296231. 

The waters around Racha Yai and Noi are crystal clear and turquoise, the water is warm and inviting. Bungalow Bay has an area sectioned off for swimming. Use caution when swimming outside of designated swimming areas off shore as there are a number of dive boats and speedboats that come in and out of the bays. Currents inside the sheltered bays are usually not and issue, but use caution when swimming out further from shore. Ask a dive operator or instructor for advice on the current conditions.

There isn't much to purchase on Racha Yai. There is a little shop on the side of Bungalow Bay that has miscellaneous sundries. If your child has forgotten their swimsuit they even have swimsuits for sale.

There is a small village in the centre of the island, with a couple of restaurants, and the nearby Father Resort has a general store. This village also has a Dive Centre - prices are cheaper here.

Ban Raya and The Racha Resort have small mini-marts for juices, water and snacks.

• For a high-end dining experience, the Racha Resort offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Ban Raya has a very nice upscale restaurant set on a small hill surrounded by coconut palms and a view of the Andaman Sea.
• Siam Beach has several small bungalow-style restaurants that offer Thai food and drinks right on the beach.
• Village in centre of island (6-8 minutes walk) has two restaurants.
• Father Resort in centre of island has a restaurant, and at night a roadside cart.
• 7.698.3671 Raya Restaurant, Batok Beach, Racha Yai. 08:00-22:00. Popular beachfront restaurant serving authentic Thai cuisine with emphasis on fresh seafood. Specialties include grilled lobster, tom yum goong, and green curry. Beautiful sunset views from the terrace. Main dishes: 200-500 THB.  
• 7.60598.372 Earth Cafe, Raya Bay, Racha Yai. 07:00-21:00. Casual dining with a mix of Thai and Western dishes. Good vegetarian options and excellent fruit shakes. Friendly service and relaxed atmosphere. Main dishes: 180-400 THB.  
• 7.698.3673 Batok Beach Club, Batok Beach. 10:00-22:00. Beachfront dining with international cuisine, cocktails, and comfortable lounge seating. Perfect for a more upscale beach dining experience. Main dishes: 250-600 THB.  

• Several small bungalows on Siam Beach offer cold beverages and beach chairs.

Only Ko Racha Yai offers accommodation.

• Ban Raya Resort (Ko Racha Yai). A mid-range resort with basic amenities, e.g., restaurant, spa, swimming pool. 2,500-8,000 baht. 
• Bungalow Raya (Ko Racha Yai). Budget resort on a cliff facing the ocean. 1,300-1,600 baht. 

• 7.60598.371 Raya Resort, Raya Bay, Racha Yai, ☏ +66 76 355 215. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Comfortable resort offering bungalow-style accommodation with sea or garden views. Restaurant, bar, and dive center on site. Good value for money with friendly service. From 3,500 THB/night.  

• 7.698.3672 The Racha, Batok Beach, Racha Yai, ☏ +66 76 355 455. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Luxury resort featuring 85 villas with private pools, direct beach access, and panoramic sea views. Facilities include three restaurants, two bars, a spa, fitness center, and dive center. The epitome of luxury on Racha Island. From 12,000 THB/night.  

• Always heed warning flags on beaches and follow instructions from lifeguards when present
• Some areas around Racha Noi have strong currents - check conditions with dive operators
• The tropical sun is intense - use high SPF sunscreen, wear a hat, and stay hydrated
• Be aware of sea urchins, jellyfish, and sharp coral when swimming or snorkeling
• Ensure you have adequate travel insurance that covers water activities and medical evacuation
• Mosquito repellent is recommended, especially during rainy season

• Racha Island is part of a national marine park - do not remove any coral, shells, or marine life
• Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect the delicate marine ecosystem
• Dispose of trash properly and avoid single-use plastics when possible
• Respect local customs and dress appropriately when away from the be

Mobile phones work on Racha Yai. Internet is available at Ban Raya and the Racha Resort.