Snorkeling Racha Island and Coral Island

Phuket Locations South East Asia Thailand

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

Summary

By Luke

Summary

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

By Luke

Racha Island and Coral Island is located off the South coast of Phuket, and was a great day out to experience to stunning islands, sandy beaches, and coral reefs. It was reasonably for the priced, however, you can only snorkel at Racha Island. Wouldn’t book specifically for the snorkeling and Coral Island’s name is deceiving as there was nothing to see off the main beach (Long Beach).

Pros

  • Good quality coral reef
  • Can see Giant Clams, Starfish and more
  • Not too many tourists

Cons

  • Nothing too big to see
  • Trip wasn’t snorkel focussed
  • Can’t snorkel at Coral Island
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Snorkeling Racha Yai Island
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Highlights

Coral Reef Icon

Coral present

Thermometer Icon

3-4 Meters Average Depth

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Good visibility

Snorkeling Partner Icon

East to medium difficulty

Food Drink Icon

Cafe’s at Islands

Econonic Financial Icon

Tours approx $30-$40 USD

Sea Urchin Icon

Sea Urchins Present

Jellyfish Icon

Unlikely

When:

Who:

Tour Cost:

Star Rating:

Cost:

10:30pm, March, 2023

Luke

$35.00 US Dollars (฿1,100 Thai Baht)

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

Racha (Raya) Island and Coral Island are two separate islands South of Phuket. There are three Racha islands with Racha Yai being the most popular for excursions, restaurants, and some hotel resorts.

I was staying in Phuket’s Old Town and got a transfer to Chalong Pier in the South of Phuket. I booked a half-day trip that I booked through Klook, which cost $35.00 US Dollars. The trip included one snorkel spot, lunch, and beach time at both islands. After a short boat ride to Racha Island, we stopped off at the North-West snorkel spot of Lah Bay.

Racha Island

Racha Island Snorkel Spot
Lah Bay Snorkel Spot

The snorkel spot was about 50 meters from the rocky shoreline where several boats docked. The coral reef filled the sea bed and then transitioned into a rocky sea bed up to the shoreline. There were very few snorkelers in this area, and the tour guide said that this was the best snorkel spot on Racha (Raya) Island. This is also a Dive spot and divers can be seen while snorkeling as the coral reef is 4-5 meters down.

Snorkel Spot

Snorkel Spot, Racha Island
Snorkel Spot
Snorkel Spot, Racha Island
Snorkeling 50 metres from shore

The coral reef was mainly made up of Boulder coral which packed the sea bed, with other corals including Blue coral, and Brain coral dotted throughout. There was also Massive Boulder coral which towered over the coral reef and was quite spectacular. Some fish were swimming throughout the reef, as the reef was a little far down the visibility was good, but a bit dark. The coral reef was about 3-4 metres deep, but had raised sections of coral. The coral meets a rocky shoreline of the tropical beach.

Coral Reef

Coral Reef, Racha Island
Coral Reef at Racha Island
Boulder Coral Reef, Racha Island
Boulder Coral Reef
Coral Reef, Racha Island
Boulder coral and Blue Ridged coral

There were many Giant Clams burrowed into the coral, they can be found on their own and in large patches. The clams range in vibrant colours and are clearly visible within the coral reef. The Clams are sensitive to movement and have dots which are eyelets and can sense when to close up.

Giant Clams, Racha Island
Very large patch of Giant Clams

Safety Tip:

There was a large school of Parrotfish that swam through the coral reef feeding on the algae off the coral. This was a cool experience as these were large Parrotfish and I was able to swim with them while snorkeling.

Parrotfish School, Racha Island
School of Parrotfish swimming through the coral reef
Parrotfish School
Parrotfish feeding on the coral
Parrotfish School
Swimming with the Parrotfish

Top Tip:

Lined Butterflyfish
Lined Butterflyfish
Variegated Lizardfish
Variegated Lizardfish

There was Massive Boulder coral which is very cool and towered over the coral with patches of sea moss. You could also see Blue-Green Chromis and Golden Gregory Damselfish swimming above the Blue coral shown below, if you go closer they will hide in the ridged coral. I also spotted a Lined Butterflyfish and a Variegated Lizardfish perching on the coral.

Blue Coral
Golden Gregory Damselfish swimming above Blue Ridged coral
Boulder Coral
Boulder Coral

Coral Island

Coral Island Long Beach
Coral Island Long Beach

Coral Island’s main beach is called Long Beach which has a Beach Bar, seating, and the option for water activities including Kayaking, Parasailing, etc. It was busy with many tourists in the main middle section of the beach. Be aware this is not a snorkel spot, there are many passing and docked boats in the area and not suitable or safe for snorkeling. I had a little dip off the far right of the beach which was stunning and there weren’t many tourists. As shown below, I saw a few patches of coral and some fish, there were Sea Urchins. But if I went again I wouldn’t bother.

Boulder Coral, Coral Island
Patches of Boulder Coral
Sea Urchin, Coral Island
Longspine Sea Urchin
Humbug Damselfish Coral Island 1
Whitetail Dascyllus above Branch Coral

Summary

Overall this snorkel spot was good for a 30-minute snorkel if you travel to Racha Island and Coral Island. However, this trip is more suited to a balance of snorkel and beaches. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive snorkel in Phuket I’d recommend the Surin Islands. If you’re more interested in stunning beaches then the Similan Islands or Bon Island.

Tour Guide Options

Tours to Racha and Coral Island cost from $30-$90 US Dollars. There are better snorkel locations off of Phuket, including Koh Phi Phi and Surin Islands. However, these tours can be more expensive ranging from $70.00-$100.00.

Best Snorkel Spot

The best snorkel spot was at Racha Yai Island, the very north of the three Islands. You can snorkel in the popular Siam Bay, however, the best snorkel spot was on the North West of the island, off of Lah Bay.

Racha Island, Phuket
Snorkeling the tropical shoreline
Parrotfish, Coral Reef
Parrotfish swimming above Blue Ridged coral

Best Time Of Year

If you are visiting Phuket, Thailand, the dry season will give you the best weather to snorkel in October-May.

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What We Saw

(Seen on March, 2023)

Singular BannerfishRedfin Butterflyfish
Lined ButterflyfishVariegated Lizardfish
Giant ClamParrotfish
Collared ButterflyfishGreen-Blue Chromis
Golden GregoryImitator Damselfish
Common Comet StarBlue Sea Star
Long Spined Sea UrchinBoulder Coral
Massive Boulder CoralTable Coral
Blue Ridged CoralBrain Coral
Marine Life Icon

Popular Marine Life

Parrotfish Icon

Parrotfish

Sea Star Icon

Starfish

Giant Clam Icon

Giant Clam

Lined Butterflyfish Icon

Butterflyfish

Golden Gregory Icon

Golden Gregory


Rare Marine Life Icon

Coral Reef

Boulder Coral Icon

Massive Boulder coral

Boulder Coral Icon

Boulder Coral

Table Coral Icon

Table Coral

Brain Coral Icon

Brain Coral

Blue Ridged Coral Icon

Blue Ridged Coral

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Local Map

The islands are located South of Phuket, a short 30-minute boat ride from each other.

Racha Yai Island Snorkel Spot

Coral Island Long Beach

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Frequently Asked Questions

Luke Snorkeling Nusa Lembongan

Luke

FOUNDER

Luke is a passionate snorkeler who started Snorkelverse to live his dream of combining his passions for snorkeling, marine life, protecting marine ecosystems, and helping others.

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