Racha Islands

Located just south of Phuket, the Racha Islands are a popular and diverse diving destination in southern Thailand. Made up of Racha Yai and Racha Noi, the islands offer everything from sheltered coral reefs and sandy slopes to dramatic granite boulders, pinnacles, walls and exciting drift dives.

Racha Yai is known for its clear water, colourful reefs and relaxed diving, making it suitable for divers of different experience levels. Further offshore, Racha Noi offers a more adventurous experience, with deeper sites, larger rock formations and stronger currents that attract larger marine life.

Marine highlights include:

• Manta rays and other pelagic species, particularly around Racha Noi
• Large schools of trevally, fusiliers and barracuda moving across the reefs
• Colourful hard and soft corals covering rocky reefs and pinnacles
• Small reef life including nudibranchs, shrimp, frogfish and moray eels
• A variety of underwater landscapes ideal for both wide-angle and macro photography

The diving around the Racha Islands can vary considerably depending on the site and conditions. Racha Yai generally offers mild to moderate currents, while exposed sites around Racha Noi can experience stronger currents and are better suited to more experienced divers. Depths range from shallow reefs around 5 metres to 30 metres or more at deeper sites.

With its combination of accessible reefs, dramatic underwater scenery and opportunities for encounters with larger marine life, the Racha Islands are a must-dive destination in southern Thailand. The islands are easily reached from Phuket and offer a rewarding mix of relaxed reef diving and more challenging sites for experienced divers.

From colourful coral gardens to granite pinnacles and pelagic encounters, the Racha Islands offer something for every diver. Explore Racha Yai and Racha Noi with DiveRACE and discover one of Thailand’s most varied diving destinations.