Koh Racha - An Escape From Phuket

Koh Racha - An Escape From Phuket

Looking for a perfect getaway where you can relax and enjoy the peace and quiet? Koh Racha may be the answer.

If you come to Phuket and have a few extra days to spend, or maybe you’ve seen enough of the gay nightlife in Patong and are looking for a quick escape, then consider a trip to Koh Racha.

Koh Racha mapKoh Racha

Koh Racha (or Raya), which consists of Koh Racha Yai and Koh Racha Noi, are two islands located about 15 kilometres off the southeastern coast of Phuket.  Known for crystal-clear turquoise waters, rocky reefs and coral forests, the islands are great for scuba diving and snorkeling, but there are more white sandy beaches and resorts on Koh Racha where you can relax and enjoy staying a night or two.

Getting to & around Koh Racha

Koh Racha can be reached by long-tail and speedboat from Chalong Pier or Rawai. The trip takes from 30 minutes to over an hour depending on the type of boat. Day trips are also possible.

Once at Racha Yai, you can walk around or rent a long-tail boat to visit other beaches.  There are 3 main beaches on Racha Yai: Batok Bay (or Tawantok Bay), Siam Bay and Ter Bay.  The hilltop viewpoint on the south side offers a great view of the whole island.

Things to Do

Koh Racha divingKoh Racha is one of Phuket’s best places for snorkeling. The water is very clear, and there are fewer tourists here than almost every other island around Phuket. The layout of the island allows for snorkelling all year round. Snorkeling can be done from several shores on the island.

Like the renowned Koh Tao, there many dive sites around Koh Racha including Konkare Bay, Lucy’s Reef and Ter Bay, with depths ranging from 5 to 25 metres.

Racha Noi, located an hour away by long-tail boat, has deeper water and more challenging dive conditions, but offers excellent visibility and marine life.  The Raya Dive Center provides PADI diving courses with full equipment if you feel up to the challenge.

Places to Stay

Only Koh Racha Yai has accommodations. There are hotel choices that will suit all budgets. Most mid-range resorts will have basic amenities such as restaurant and swimming pool. Here are some of the most popular hotels on the island.

Alternatively, you can click here to search all hotels on Koh Racha.

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