Koh Racha Yai, also known as Racha Island or Raya Island, is my recommendation for crystal-clear water and is just a short boat ride from Phuket. The island is located about 12 km south of Phuket's southern tip and can be reached from Chalong Pier in 30 to 40 minutes by speedboat. A standard day trip costs from around 1,200 baht, including hotel pick-up, lunch, and snorkeling equipment. From November to April, the boats dock in Patok Bay, a horseshoe-shaped, white sand beach with a reef that starts in the shallows. During the season, visibility there ranges from 15 to 25 meters.
From May to October, tourists flock to the sheltered east coast, where the water is greener, but swimming conditions aren't ideal. There's no public ferry, so you book a tour, a charter boat, or use the resort's boat. Racha Noi, the uninhabited island further south, is a diver's paradise. I would recommend going between November and April and taking the earliest possible boat.
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Key facts
All boats depart from Chalong.
The journey takes 30 to 40 minutes by speedboat and 60 to 90 minutes by larger excursion and dive boats. There is no public ferry, so you will need to book a tour, a private boat, or a transfer from your resort.
Tours from approx. 1,200 ฿
A typical speedboat day costs 1,200–1,300 baht for adults and around 1,000 baht for children. Hotel pick-up, lunch, and mask and snorkel are included. Snorkeling trips in Racha Noi on larger dive boats cost approximately 2,500 baht.
There are no parking fees for the tours.
Racha lies outside the marine national parks of Phuket, and none of the tours I'm aware of charge a park fee or close seasonally. In comparison, the Similan Islands are closed from mid-May to mid-October, and the park fee on Phi Phi is 400 baht.
The bay changes with the seasons.
From November to April, boats dock in Patok Bay on the west coast. From May to October, the floating dock is moved to Ter Bay on the east coast, which is rocky and sheltered from the waves.
The island empties out around 4:00 PM.
Patok Bay is busiest from late morning to early afternoon, as this is when the day boats overlap. An early boat trip or an overnight stay on the island will allow you to enjoy the water without these congestions.
November to April
The weather station in Phuket recorded 24 mm of rainfall in February and 50 mm in January. In September and October, approximately 350 mm of rain falls per month, and the crossing is associated with rough seas.
How to get to Racha Yai
All boats to Racha Yai depart from Chalong Pier on Phuket's south coast, and most tours offer hotel pick-up. Speedboats take 30 to 40 minutes, while larger excursion and dive boats take 60 to 90 minutes. Coral Island, another day trip destination from Chalong, is about 15 minutes away, so Racha is roughly twice as far.
There is no public ferry, so three options remain. A day trip is the cheapest and most popular option. With a private boat, you choose your own departure time. A private longtail tour from Chalong costs from approximately 7,310 baht for six hours, including hotel pickup (booking platform: [insert link]). A private speedboat is significantly more expensive. Sunrise Divers' private speedboat for divers costs from 35,000 baht per day. The third option is your resort's boat if you are staying overnight. Racha Island Resort offers its guests private speedboats from its lounge near Chalong. There is also a scheduled boat trip for guests that departs from Chalong at 9:30 a.m. and returns at 2:00 p.m. Bookings are made via email when you reserve your room.
Racha Island Tours, Comparison
The prices correspond to the information provided by the tour operators on their websites in Phuket. Children typically pay 1,000–1,500 baht. Most tours include hotel pick-up on the main beaches; tours in more remote areas incur an additional charge of 250–600 baht. None of the Racha tours I'm familiar with charge a parking fee. The itinerary is weather-dependent, and operators may change stops or cancel tours in rough seas.
Which Racha Island tour would I book?
Those who want to experience the beach at its most beautiful should book the earliest possible departure. One operator offers a sunrise speedboat tour that departs from Chalong around 6:00 AM and reaches Patok Bay hours before the regular tours. These don't arrive until around 10:00 AM and overlap with the other tours until the afternoon. This means a pickup between 4:00 and 5:00 AM and costs about 600 baht more – in my opinion, the money is well spent on this trip.
If you prefer to sleep in, the standard speedboat day is ideal: snorkeling in Patok, Siam, or Lah Bay, lunch on the island, a short walk to a viewpoint, and the return boat trip around 3:00 PM. A combination of Racha Noi and Coral Island offers a second beach but reduces the time spent on Racha Noi. Therefore, I would only recommend this option for children who are keen to try the banana boats on Coral Island. If you are prone to seasickness or are traveling with small children, a larger boat, while slower, is quieter. The snorkeling trips from Racha Noi with the dive boats include three stops instead of just one.
Racha Yai's Bays
Racha Yai has two sandy bays in the west and north, as well as two rocky bays in the east, which are accessible by boat during the rainy season. Most tours only stop at one of these bays, depending on the time of year.
Snorkeling and diving in Racha
The reefs of Racha begin in shallow water, so you can swim there from the beach. During the season, visibility is often 15 to 25 meters. Look forward to seeing reef fish, stony corals, sea urchins, and starfish, and with a bit of luck, even a turtle. Every tour includes a diving mask, snorkel, and life jacket, and fins are usually provided as well – however, it's advisable to check the fit beforehand.
Snorkeling off Racha Yai
The best snorkeling spots are in Patok Bay and Siam Bay, especially at the rocky ends where coral grows. Both bays are located on the west and north coasts, respectively, and are therefore best for snorkeling from November to April. During the rainy season, tourists snorkel on the east coast instead, where the water is greener.
Learn to dive
Racha Yai is Phuket's premier diving destination for beginners. The dive sites are shallow with gentle currents, the reefs reach depths of up to 25 meters, and there are artificial reef structures as well as a few small wrecks used for training. A trial dive day includes two dives, with instruction on the basics provided on board. Such two-dive days cost approximately 3,900–4,900 baht with operators in Phuket. The east side of Racha Yai can also be dived during the rainy season, so the dive boats remain in operation even when the west coast is rougher.
Racha Noi for certified divers
Racha Noi, a few kilometers further south, is deserted, has no significant beach, and deeper water with larger fish and more beautiful coral. Banana Bay South offers coral gardens at a depth of 4 to 5 meters, suitable for beginner divers, while South Tip has strong currents and is only suitable for diving on a few days each month. Manta rays migrate past Racha Noi between January and March, but sightings cannot be guaranteed. It is purely a diving and snorkeling stop; those looking for a beach should head to Racha Yai.
Activities on Racha Yai
Beyond the water, Racha Yai reveals itself as an island whose economy is based on agriculture and fishing. A coconut plantation stretches across the center, where water buffalo graze and a few local families live. A network of dirt paths connects all the beaches, and it's possible to circumnavigate the entire island in less than half a day. A typical day trip includes a short walk after lunch to a viewpoint overlooking the beach.
If you stay here, you'll find two viewpoints on either side of Patok Bay. The hill on the left side of the bay can be reached in 30 to 45 minutes. Hotel Racha recommends checking with the water sports center beforehand for directions. The right side is an easy walk with sunset views. After dark, the island is only sparsely lit, making Patok one of the best places near Phuket for stargazing.
The best-rated hotels in Phuket
Here is my ranking of the 10 best hotels in Phuket. Each button will take you directly to the hotel's page on Booking.com, where you have already entered your travel dates.
Overnight stay on Racha Yai
Yes, you can stay overnight on Racha, and that's what I would do if I had the time. The day boats depart around 4:00 PM, the bay becomes peaceful, and you can enjoy the sunset and the water the next morning before the first tours arrive. There are four accommodations, all on Racha Yai, and each organizes its own boat trip from Chalong.
The Racha, Patok Bay
This luxurious island resort, featuring 85 villas on an 8-hectare property in Patok Bay, most with private plunge pools, offers two swimming pools, a spa, a dive center, and several restaurants, including the Earth Cafe and the Sunset Restaurant. The resort, located near Chalong, provides its own speedboat transfers.
Racha Island Resort, Siam Bay
A mid-range resort with 68 rooms on Siam Bay, featuring two pools, a restaurant, a bar, and a spa. The boat departs from Chalong at 9:30 AM and returns at 2:00 PM. Bookings are made via email along with the room reservation.
Ban Raya Resort and Spa, East Coast
A mid-range resort with 48 rooms on Kon Kare Bay, including an infinity pool, spa, and dive center. Thanks to its sheltered location on the east side, it is the ideal base from May to October.
Bungalow Raya, Patok Bay
The budget-friendly option features 20 chalets at the quiet end of Patok Bay, some with fans, others with air conditioning, a pool and a fish restaurant.
Food on Racha Yai
Lunch is included on day trips, for example at Coco Bar Seaview (according to one tour operator). Therefore, most guests don't eat there. On private boats, the resort restaurants are a good option, from the seafood restaurants at Bungalow Raya to the restaurants at The Racha. During the rainy season, the small bars in Ter Bay serve drinks and snacks. Tour operators recommend bringing cash in baht for drinks and extras, and I would do the same.
The sea around Racha, month after month
The rainfall corresponds to the monthly average recorded at the Phuket weather station. The water temperature remains between 28 and 30 °C year-round. Since tour operators change bays and cancel tours daily, the seasonal information serves only as a guide and not as a binding schedule.
What I would skip
From May to October, I would skip Racha for a beach day. While tours do run, they dock on the rocky east coast, which isn't the island shown in the photos. Phang Nga Bay is the best choice for a boat trip during the rainy season. If Racha is the main reason for your trip, I also wouldn't recommend the cheapest Racha and Coral Island combination, as the latter reduces your time on the more beautiful island. And I wouldn't book Racha Noi for a beach holiday. There's practically no beach there, and the tours offered are geared towards snorkeling and diving.
Is Racha Yai worth a visit?
Yes, from November to April, if clear water and a relaxing day at the beach are more important to you than famous sights. Here you'll find the clearest water you can reach from Phuket in under an hour. Snorkeling trips depart right from the beach, and prices are about half the cost of a day trip to Phi Phi – with no parking fees. Phi Phi boasts limestone cliffs and Maya Bay, but it's considerably longer and busier. Racha Island, on the other hand, is quieter and more relaxed, and with an early boat trip or an overnight stay on the island, you can reach Patok Bay almost deserted.
Plan the rest of your boating days from Phuket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about the Koh Racha Yai (Racha Island) travel guide.
From Chalong Pier on Phuket's south coast, the area can be reached by boat in 30 to 40 minutes by speedboat or in 60 to 90 minutes by larger boat. There is no public ferry, so a day trip is recommended, starting at around 1,200 baht, including hotel pick-up, private boat, or transfer through your resort (if you are staying there).
Approximately 12 km south of the southern tip of Phuket. Racha Noi, the smaller island, lies a few kilometers further south.
Yes. Koh Racha Yai is also marketed under the names Raya Island, Raja Island, and Koh Raya Yai, while the smaller neighboring island of Racha Noi is marketed under the name Raya Noi. Day trips almost always refer to Racha Yai.
Yes. There are four accommodations on Racha Yai: The Racha in Patok Bay, the Racha Island Resort in Siam Bay, Ban Raya on the east coast, and Bungalow Raya on Patok. Boat trips from Chalong are available from all four. There are no accommodations on Racha Noi.
Not in the tours I've read about. Racha is outside of Phuket's marine national parks, and no tour operator mentions a park fee, unlike Phi Phi, where it's 400 baht.
From November to April, the boats dock in Patok Bay, where visibility is often only 15 to 25 meters. From May to October, they use Ter Bay on the east coast, which is rocky and unsuitable for swimming; on rough days, the boats may be unable to operate.
Yes, it's the best snorkeling area within an hour's drive of Phuket. The reefs start in the shallow waters of Patok Bay and Siam Bay, so you can swim out from the beach, and the tours on the larger boats include two additional stops in Racha Noi.
Sometimes, between January and March, at the deeper dive sites in Racha Noi. It's more of a chance than a guarantee.
Racha offers clearer water and better snorkeling conditions and can be reached in 30 to 40 minutes. Coral Island is just a 15-minute crossing and offers calm waters year-round, as well as beach activities for children. Some tours combine both destinations in one day.
Phi Phi, with its limestone cliffs, Maya Bay, and Pileh Lagoon, is recommended for a longer, busier day with a 400 baht parking fee. Racha, on the other hand, offers a more relaxed beach day with snorkeling opportunities for half the price and no parking fee.
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