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Where the boats go

Racha islands

The clearest water within an hour of Phuket. Racha Yai's turquoise bays for snorkelling and a beach lunch, Racha Noi's deeper reef for the fish, and the drop-offs between them for the fishing boats.

Plan the daySee the fleet
Getting there
20 km south of Chalong: 30 to 40 minutes by speedboat, about two hours under sail
Season
Best from November to April; in the monsoon the west swell can close Racha Noi, Racha Yai's east bays stay calm
Water
The clearest close to Phuket: 15 to 20 metres on a good day, hard coral and reef fish
Fees
No national park; a small beach fee on some bays

What is there

  • Patok Bay: the white beach and the resort's restaurant for lunch
  • Siam Bay and Kon Kae: the snorkelling reefs on the east side
  • Racha Noi: no beach facilities, deeper reef, far fewer boats
  • The drop-offs between the islands: trolling and bottom fishing
  • Coral Island on the way home for a last swim

A day there

  1. 09:00Cast off from Chalong
  2. 09:40Kon Kae or Siam Bay: the first snorkel while the water is glassy
  3. 11:00Patok Bay: beach, swim, a table for lunch
  4. 13:30Racha Noi's reef, or a second bay on Racha Yai
  5. 15:00Coral Island for the last swim
  6. 16:00Back at Chalong

Boats that sail there

Whole fleet →

Experiences there

All experiences →

Good to know

  • Racha is where a sailing catamaran earns its price: the crossing is a pleasure under sail and lunch happens at anchor in the bay.
  • Racha Noi has no shade, no shop and no pier; it is the better reef, so bring the boat's shade and go there in the morning.
  • Fishing boats leave earlier and troll the way out; ask for the fishing day if the children want to catch their lunch.

Questions

Racha Yai or Racha Noi?

Racha Yai has the beaches, the lunch and the easy snorkelling; Racha Noi has the better reef and no facilities. A private boat does both in a day; the shared boats stay at Racha Yai.

Is Racha the best snorkelling near Phuket?

Within an hour of the island, yes. Similan is better but three hours away and seasonal.

Can we combine Racha with Coral Island?

Yes, almost every boat stops at Coral Island on the way home, and the sailing catamarans time it for the sunset behind Promthep Cape.

Tell us the place and the date. One concierge plans the boat, the car and the table.

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