Scuba Diving One Day Trip – Racha Island – Fin-In-Deep

This scuba diving one-day trip runs from Chalong Pier to Racha (Koh Racha) and on to Coral Island (Koh Hey), combining scuba diving or snorkelling in clear water with beach time and a Thai buffet lunch. It suits mixed groups — divers and non-divers together. We arrange it with licensed dive centres from our family-run, TAT-licensed shop in Chalong (licence No. 34/03373).

What is the day’s programme?

Here is the schedule we run to, straight from the boat programme (times shift a little with weather and tides):

• 08.00–08.45 — hotel pick-up for the journey to Ao Chalong Pier.
• 09.00–09.30 — check-in, then depart the pier for the island, about 30 minutes.
• 10.10 — arrive at Racha Island. Enjoy a 45-minute deep-sea exploration (depth not exceeding 15 metres), or choose snorkelling and relaxing at around 5 metres.
• 12.00 — buffet-style Thai lunch while enjoying the azure sea.
• 13.30 — head to Koh Hey (Coral Island), about 15 minutes. Snorkel and relax on the beach for around 2 hours.
• 15.00 — depart Koh Hey for the pier, about 15 minutes.
• 16.00 — arrive back at Ao Chalong Pier and transfer to your hotel.

At Koh Hey there are optional extras such as jet skiing, banana-boat rides, long-tail tours and more snorkelling or diving; these
carry their own charges and are not part of the package.

Why is this trip good for mixed groups?

This is the honest reason we recommend it so often. Many groups are split — one person wants to scuba dive, the others do
not. This day solves that. Divers do a guided dive at Racha (no more than 15 metres, well within recreational limits), while
non-divers snorkel the same clear bay, swim or simply relax on the beach. Then everyone reunites for lunch and an afternoon on Coral
Island. Nobody sits on the boat feeling left out, which is exactly why couples and families like it.

Try-dive or certified — and is it right for you?

You do not need a certification to dive here: first-timers can do an introductory dive with an instructor one-on-one, and
certified divers can enjoy a proper guided dive. The shallow depth and calm water make Racha forgiving for nervous beginners. It is
not the trip for you if you want deep or advanced diving — for that see our
Phi Phi & Shark Point day. Remember not to fly within about 18–24 hours
of diving.

When to go, and what should you bring?

The sea is clearest and calmest in the dry season (November to April); green-season trips still run when it is
safe and we will be honest if a day looks rough. The crossing is short, but if you are seasick-prone take a tablet before boarding.
Bring swimwear under your clothes, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, water and any dive certification card and logbook. Have a
light breakfast, and never touch or stand on the coral — these reefs are recovering.

How do you book, and what pairs well?

Tell us how many are diving and how many snorkelling, plus your dates, and we will match a licensed centre and quote that day’s
price. For calm beginner diving without the beach island, see Racha Yai & Racha
Noi diving. Browse all our sport & activities or
visit our Chalong shop. Message us on WhatsApp to book.

What is included, and what is the boat and crew like?

The package covers hotel pick-up and drop-off, the return boat from Chalong Pier, your diving or snorkelling with guides and gear, and
the buffet Thai lunch — a genuinely full day from around 08.00 to 16.00. The crew brief and kit you up on the crossing, and because
the diving is shallow and guided, first-timers are looked after one-to-one. What is not included are the optional add-ons at
Coral Island — jet skis, banana boats, long-tail hops — which you can pay for on the day if you fancy them, or happily skip in
favour of the beach. We will always spell out exactly what is and is not covered before you book, so there are no surprises at the pier.

Why book this trip through us?

As a family-run, TAT-licensed shop right by Chalong Pier, this is very much our home patch. We know the operators, we can confirm how
many of your group are diving versus snorkelling so the boat is set up right, and we will be honest if the sea looks too rough on a given
day to be enjoyable. No online pre-payment is needed — we hold your places and you settle simply. Message us on WhatsApp with your
numbers and dates and we will quote today’s price, or come and see us in Chalong.

Insider tips from our Chalong shop

What to sort out before this Racha and Coral Island day:

• Tell us how many are diving and how many snorkelling so the boat is set up correctly.
• No certification needed — first-timers dive one-on-one with an instructor in shallow water.
• The diving is no deeper than about 15 metres, which is beginner-friendly.
• Come in the dry season for the clearest, calmest water; we will warn you if a day looks rough.
• Optional Coral Island extras like jet skis and banana boats cost extra and are not included.
• Do not fly within about 18–24 hours of diving.

Frequently asked questions

Can non-divers join this Racha diving trip?

Yes, that is the point of the day. While divers do a guided dive at Racha, non-divers snorkel the same clear bay, swim or relax on the beach, and everyone reunites for lunch and an afternoon on Coral Island. It is ideal for mixed groups.

Do I need a diving certification for this trip?

No. First-timers can do an introductory dive one-on-one with an instructor in the shallow, calm water at Racha, and certified divers can enjoy a proper guided dive. The gentle conditions make it forgiving for nervous beginners.

What does the day include?

Hotel pick-up around 08.00, boat from Chalong Pier to Racha for diving or snorkelling, a buffet Thai lunch, an afternoon of snorkelling and beach time at Koh Hey (Coral Island), and a transfer back to your hotel by about 16.00.

What is not included?

Optional extras at Koh Hey such as jet skiing, banana-boat rides and long-tail tours carry their own charges and are not part of the package. Message us and we will explain what is covered.

When is the best time to go and how deep is the diving?

The dry season from November to April has the clearest, calmest water. The diving is shallow, no deeper than about 15 metres, which is well within recreational limits and beginner-friendly. Do not fly within about 18 to 24 hours of diving.