Racha Island Day Trips, Beaches and Resorts
Racha Island, also known as Koh Racha Yai or Raya Island, is a small tropical island 12 kilometres south of Phuket. The island is popular for day trips, snorkelling, and scuba diving, with some of the clearest water in the region. White sand beaches, coral reefs, and calm seas make it a good choice for families and beginners. The island is small enough that it only has a handful of resorts: The Racha (luxury), Racha Island Resort, Ban Raya Resort, and the budget Bungalow Raya Resort. You can visit on a day trip or stay overnight for a quieter experience away from Phuket.
📍 Racha Island – Quick Facts
Also known as: Koh Racha Yai, Raya Island, Raja Island
Location: 12 km south of Phuket
Travel time: 30–40 minutes by speedboat, 60–90 minutes by big boat
Departure pier: Chalong Pier
Day trip price: 1,500–3,000 Baht from Phuket (includes lunch and snorkelling)
Best for: Snorkelling, scuba diving, beach relaxation
Resorts: The Racha (5-star), Racha Island Resort, Ban Raya Resort, Bungalow Raya
Best time to visit: November to April (calm seas, best visibility)
Beaches: Patok Bay, Siam Bay, Ter Bay
How to Get to Racha Island
Racha Island is easy to reach from Phuket. All boats depart from Chalong Pier on the south coast. Speedboats take 30 to 40 minutes. Larger dive boats and tour boats take 60 to 90 minutes but offer a more stable ride.
Most visitors book a day trip that includes hotel pickup, the boat transfer, lunch, and snorkelling equipment. Prices range from 1,500 to 3,000 Baht depending on the boat type and itinerary. Some tours combine Racha Island with Coral Island or Maiton Island.
If you are staying at The Racha resort, speedboat transfers are included in your booking. The resort operates its own boats from Chalong Pier with departures at set times.
Day trips typically depart between 8 am and 9 am and return to Phuket by 4 pm or 5 pm. The full day lasts about 8 hours including transfers.
Racha Island Day Trip Tours
There are several ways to visit Racha Island on a day trip from Phuket. All include hotel pickup, boat transfer, lunch, and basic snorkelling gear.
Speedboat Tour is the most common option, around 1,800 to 2,500 Baht. Fast travel (30–40 minutes each way) means more time on the island. Groups are usually 15 to 30 people. Good for snorkelling, swimming, and beach time.
Big Boat / Dive Boat Tour costs 1,500 to 2,000 Baht. Slower but more stable, better for families with young children or anyone prone to seasickness. Often combined with scuba diving options. Travel time is 60 to 90 minutes each way.
Catamaran Tour costs 2,500 to 3,500 Baht. More comfortable with better food and fewer passengers. Some include stops at both Racha Yai and Racha Noi or combine with Coral Island.
Private Speedboat Charter starts from around 15,000 Baht for a full day. Good for groups or families who want flexibility on timing and itinerary.
Most tours include two or three snorkelling stops, beach time at Patok Bay or Siam Bay, and a Thai buffet lunch on the boat or at a beach restaurant.
Snorkelling at Racha Island
Racha Island has some of the best snorkelling near Phuket. The water visibility often reaches 15 to 25 metres, much clearer than beaches on the main island. The shallow reefs around Patok Bay and Siam Bay are easy to access from the beach, making it suitable for beginners and families with children.
You can expect to see colourful reef fish, sea urchins, starfish, and hard corals. Turtles are occasionally spotted, and between January and March there is a chance of seeing manta rays around Racha Noi.
Most day trips include snorkelling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins) and life jackets. Some operators provide guides who lead snorkelling sessions. If you have your own mask and snorkel, bring them for a better fit.
The best snorkelling conditions are during the dry season from November to April when the sea is calm and visibility is highest. During monsoon season (June to October), boats visit the sheltered east side of the island instead.
Scuba Diving at Racha Island
Racha Island is one of the most popular dive sites near Phuket, especially for beginners. The water is crystal clear, often with 20 metres or more visibility, and the dive sites are relatively shallow with mild currents.
I did my first dive here on a Discover Scuba Diving course, and the experience was fantastic. At twelve metres deep, it felt like flying above a surreal underwater landscape. Coral formations full of life, fish swimming above and below, other divers in the distance. It was much easier than I expected.
If you want to try scuba diving, even as a complete beginner, you can book a day trip with any of the dive centres in Phuket. The Discover Scuba Diving course includes basic instruction, equipment, and two dives at Racha Island. Certified divers can join fun dive trips that visit multiple sites around both Racha Yai and Racha Noi.
The 3 Beaches of Racha Island
Patok Bay (Ao Bungalow)
Patok Bay is the main beach on Racha Island and where most day trip boats arrive during high season. The beach has powdery white sand and clear blue water, with a gentle slope that makes it good for swimming. This is where The Racha resort and the budget Bungalow Raya Resort are located. Note that there are no longer public loungers on the beach.
Siam Bay
Siam Bay is a smaller sandy beach on the north side of the island. It is home to the Racha Island Resort (Rayaburi), a large hotel with Sino-Portuguese architecture. The beach is quieter than Patok Bay and is good for swimming and snorkelling.
Ter Bay (Kon Kare Bay)
Ter Bay is a small rocky cove on the east side of the island. During the low season (May to October), this is where the floating pier is set up because the west coast can be too rough. Ban Raya Resort is located near here. There are a couple of small bars and umbrellas. The bay is more sheltered but less suitable for swimming than the sandy beaches.
Quick Jump to Islands Pages
Where to Stay on Racha Island
The Racha
The Racha is a true luxury resort for anyone who needs to get away from everything, be pampered for a few days and experience true Thai hospitality. The resort consists of seventy superbly designed villas and vast pool suites. Hotel guests can enjoy excellent Thai or international food in three restaurants, including an outdoor garden with immense coconut trees. The infinity pool above the restaurant is superb and spacious if you don’t have a private pool.
Check the rates
Racha Island Resort
The Racha Island resort is an immense hotel with Sino-Portuguese architecture and design influenced by old Phuket Town’s historical streets and mansions. It features two swimming pools and a beachfront restaurant.
Check the rates
Racha Noi Island
Racha Noi is the smaller and more remote of the two Racha Islands, located a few kilometres south of Racha Yai. The island is uninhabited with no resorts or facilities. It is mostly rocky with no real beaches for swimming.
Racha Noi is popular with scuba divers and serious snorkellers because of its deeper water, better coral, and chance of seeing larger marine life. Manta rays visit the area between January and March. Some full-day dive trips and snorkelling tours include stops at both Racha Yai and Racha Noi.
If your main goal is beach time and easy snorkelling, stick to Racha Yai. If you want better diving or a chance to see mantas, choose a tour that includes Racha Noi.
Photos of Racha Island
Racha Island Info
Also known as: Koh Racha Yai, Raya Island, Raja Island
Distance from Phuket: 12 km south
Travel time: 30–40 minutes by speedboat from Chalong Pier
Day trip price: 1,500–3,000 Baht
Main beaches: Patok Bay, Siam Bay, Ter Bay
Main resort: The Racha
Activities: Snorkelling, scuba diving, swimming, beach relaxation
Racha Island Map
Get directions on your phone: Google Maps
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