Diving – Racha Noi & Racha Yai Islands

Diving at Racha Yai and Racha Noi — two clear-water islands south of Phuket — is the go-to day trip for both first-time and certified divers, with white-sand bays, easy shallow reefs and deeper sites in one outing (about an hour by boat each way). We arrange trips with licensed dive centres from our family-run, TAT-licensed shop in Chalong (licence No. 34/03373).

What is diving at the Racha Islands like?

Racha Yai (Raya Yai) and its wilder neighbour Racha Noi are known for the clearest, calmest water near Phuket. Racha Yai has
sheltered sandy bays with gentle, shallow reefs — ideal for learning — while Racha Noi offers deeper, more dramatic
diving with bigger fish and better chances of larger marine life for experienced divers. A typical day fits two dives with a surface
break and lunch on the boat.

Try-dive or certified — which are you?

This is the first thing we sort out with every guest. If you have never dived, ask for a
“Discover Scuba” try-dive: a qualified instructor takes you one-on-one into shallow water after a
briefing, and you breathe underwater and see the reef with no certification required — Racha Yai’s calm bays are one of the
best places in Phuket to do this. If you are a certified diver (Open Water and up), you will do proper guided fun
dives and can head to the deeper Racha Noi sites. And if you want to learn properly, the same islands are where
many Open Water courses are run over a few days. Tell us your level and we match the boat and the sites.

Is this trip right for you, and when should you go?

Racha suits nervous beginners, families (non-divers can snorkel the same bays) and certified divers alike, which is why we send so
many guests here. Visibility and calm are generally best in the dry season, roughly November to April; in the green
season trips still run but the sea can be rougher and we will be honest if a day looks bad. It is not ideal if you are very
prone to seasickness on the hour-long crossing — take a tablet beforehand — and remember you must not fly within roughly
18–24 hours of diving, so plan it away from your departure day.

What should you bring and know?

Bring swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, water and any certification card and logbook if you have them. All dive gear is
provided. Eat a light breakfast, and if you wear glasses ask about a prescription mask. Listen to the dive briefing, stay within your
guide’s plan, and never touch the coral or marine life — these reefs are recovering and we want them here for the next
generation.

How do you book, and what pairs well?

Tell us your dates and everyone’s dive level and we will match a licensed centre and quote that day’s price. For a different reef
day, see our Phi Phi & Shark Point diving or the combined
Racha one-day trip. Browse all our
sport & activities or visit our Chalong shop. Message us on
WhatsApp to book.

What does a diving day at Racha look like?

You will usually leave Chalong in the morning for the roughly hour-long crossing, with the crew setting up gear and briefing you on the
way. The day is built around two dives with a proper surface interval and lunch on the boat in between, so there is plenty of time to
rest, warm up and enjoy the islands. Try-divers get a careful one-on-one session in a shallow bay; certified divers follow a guide along
the reef or wall. Between dives you can swim off the boat or relax on deck. It is an unhurried, well-run day, which is part of why Racha
is the island most Phuket divers cut their teeth on.

Why book through a local Chalong dive specialist?

Dive safety comes down to the centre you dive with, and standards vary. As a family-run, TAT-licensed shop at Chalong Circle we work
with licensed dive centres that maintain their gear, keep sensible group sizes and put instructors with try-divers one-to-one. We match
the trip to everyone’s level — try-dive, fun dive or course — and remind you about the no-fly window so you do not book it
against your flight. No online pre-payment is needed. Message us on WhatsApp with your dates and dive levels and we will quote today’s
price.

Insider tips from our Chalong shop

Practical advice before a Racha dive day:

• Never dived? Ask for a Discover Scuba try-dive — Racha Yai’s calm bays are ideal for it.
• Certified divers can head to the deeper, more dramatic Racha Noi sites.
• Non-divers in your group can snorkel the same bay, so nobody is left out.
• Come in the dry season, November to April, for the best visibility and calmest sea.
• Take a seasickness tablet before the hour-long crossing if you are prone.
• Do not fly within about 18–24 hours of diving — plan it away from your departure day.

Frequently asked questions

Can I dive at Racha if I have never dived before?

Yes. Ask for a Discover Scuba try-dive: a qualified instructor takes you one-on-one into shallow water after a briefing, with no certification needed. Racha Yai’s calm, clear bays are one of the best places in Phuket to try diving for the first time.

What is the difference between Racha Yai and Racha Noi?

Racha Yai has sheltered sandy bays with gentle shallow reefs, ideal for beginners and snorkellers, while Racha Noi is deeper and more dramatic with bigger fish, better suited to certified and experienced divers.

When is the best time to dive the Racha Islands?

Visibility and calm water are generally best in the dry season, roughly November to April. Trips still run in the green season, but the sea can be rougher and we will be honest if a particular day looks poor.

Can non-divers still join the trip?

Yes. Non-divers can snorkel the same calm bays while others dive, so mixed groups and families can share the day. Just let us know who is diving and who is snorkelling.

How long before flying can I dive?

You should not fly within roughly 18 to 24 hours of diving, so plan your dive day away from your departure day. Tell us your flight time and we will help you schedule it safely.