Racha Islands | From Family Fun to Romance – Top Daytrips from Phuket!

Racha Islands, also known as just the Koh Racha or Raya Islands, are made up of twin islands, Racha Noi and Racha Yai, and are located about 20km south of Phuket, Thailand. While you can easily reach the islands on a day trip from Phuket (pronounced “Pooh-KEHT”), Racha Islands can also serve as a holiday destination all on their own. These once-secret islands have risen in popularity, especially since the nearby legendary Koh Phi Phi Islands, made infamous by the film The Beach, were partly closed for overtourism. In contrast, Racha Islands maintain their pristine beaches, relaxed vibe, and idyllic scenery. The islands offer some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in Thailand and promise plenty of live coral, schools of fish, and crystalline waters. Perfect for family fun, a romantic getaway, or travel with friends, Racha Islands offer one of the most secluded vacation spots in Thailand.

The Weather on Racha Islands | Best Time to Visit

The weather on Racha Islands is fairly hot year-round, but the hottest months are from March to May, in which most days average about 93.9°F (34.4°C) and nighttime temperatures rarely drop below 78.7°F (25.9°C). The best weather for suntanning and lying on the beach will come between December and March, when the wind and the water are calm and welcoming. Racha Islands experience quite a long rainy season from somewhere around May all the way through to November, and monsoons are not an uncommon sight in southern Thailand. So if you’re desiring dry beach weather with little or no precipitation, plan for a stay somewhere from December to March. If you don’t mind carrying an umbrella, though, rainy season can be a great time to chill on Racha Islands, as the crowds are few and accommodations often are cheaper.

High vs. Low Season

Racha Islands see their busiest tourist season in December and January, especially during Lunar New Year. During this peak time, you can expect to pay more for flights and accommodation, find transportation more crowded or fully booked, and find the beaches more populated especially with daytime tourists on boat-hopping trips from Phuket.

June, July, September, and October constitute the low season, or rainy season. But that also means there are far fewer tourists, less crowded resorts and beaches, and rock-bottom low prices on flights, accommodations, and activities. So if you don’t mind some afternoon or morning showers and are looking to spend as little money as possible, the low season might be worth checking out.

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How to Get to Racha Islands

Racha Islands are only reachable by boat travel from Phuket, but it is relatively cheap and convenient. For those wanting to reach Racha Islands on their own, the easiest and most affordable way is byhiring a boat at Ao Chalong Pier or Rawai Beach, about an hour’s drive from Phuket International Airport. Once you’ve made it to Ao Chalong Pier or Rawai Beach, you can hire private speedboats, longtail boats, or ferry shuttle speedboats that take only 35-45 minutes to reach the islands (depending on weather and waves). A small group can rent a private speedboat for as cheap as 8,000 baht, and a ferry shuttle from Ao Chalong Pier costs 1,200 baht. If you choose to take a longtail boat from Rawai Beach, prepare for the trip to take at least an hour and be more susceptible to the elements of nature.

Booking a boat tour to Racha Islands

Since Racha Islands are such a short distance from Phuket many tourists will book boat tours for island-hopping, snorkeling, dolphin watching, big game fishing, or simply visiting Racha Islands. If you are planning one of these kinds of trips, you will most likely not have to worry about arranging boat transportation on your own.

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Around The Island

Of the two islands, Racha Noi (noi means “small”) is an uninhabited island, but Racha Yai (yai means “big”) is moderately developed and is where tourists who want to spend a few days will stay. Patok Bay and Siam Bay are the two main beaches on Racha Yai; the other bays — Lha Bay, Ter Bay, and Kon Kare Bay — are more peaceful and great for snorkeling, but they are less desirable for sunbathing. It is worth noting that because of the large number of tourists who come to Racha Islands for day trips via boat tours, the beaches can get quite crowded, particularly in the afternoons.

Patok Bay

All boats arriving to Racha Yai will dock at Patok Bay, a picturesque enclosed bay with white sandy beaches and a large resort built into the hillside. Fishing boats, dive boats, and speedboats often moor in the stunning Patok Bay to provide customers with the chance to eat lunch or have a break with stunning views. And since the bay itself is full of living coral and many varieties of fish, it’s a great place for a quick snorkel stop before heading out on tour.

Siam Bay

All the beaches on Racha Yai are linked with walking tracks and trails, one of which is located to the northeast of Patok Bay next to Racha Island Resort. If you take this track, you’ll walk up a hill and into Siam Bay, another cove on the island. Siam Bay is the second most popular beach and is more secluded and tranquil than Patok Bay. Siam Bay does have a few local restaurants and some rustic bungalows, but it is far more peaceful because its shallow waters do not allow boats to moor there. This also means that Siam Bay is not particularly great for snorkeling, but it is a perfect place for sunbathing and hanging out on the beach while viewing the islands of Phuket in the distance.

Island Life

The center of the main island (Racha Yai) is mostly steep, wooded forests with tracks that will take you through some of the flatter portions where you might see coconut plantations, water buffalo, and locals living life at a slow pace. Despite the slower pace of living, the island does have 24-hour electricity, cell phone coverage, and plenty of Internet access. There are convenience stores that sell general snacks and necessities, and there are a couple lively bars that stay open late.

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Accommodation on Racha Islands

While many tourists just visit the islands for a day, there is plenty to do around Racha Islands over a longer stay. Because of the island’s tiny size, there is limited space for resorts and hotels, but the accommodations available range from bungalows to entire homes to luxurious 5-star resorts on separate beaches on Racha Yai.

Budget Accommodation

For travelers on a budget, there are several spots offering small bungalows for rent around the island. Bungalow Raya offers affordable accommodation that is highly recommended. Maintaining local charm while boasting recent renovations, Bungalow Raya has the perfect location nestled into the cliffs right by the beach and other sights. Besides its on-site facilities, Bungalow Raya‘s 20 rooms offer amenities such as towels, a desk, fan, shower, and mosquito net.

Luxury Accommodation

If you are looking for more of your creature comforts such as air-conditioning, a hotel restaurant, and swimming pool, there are a few other eco-friendly villas and high-end luxury hotels with all the modern amenities. The Racha is a luxurious 5-star resort that you will see in the hills as you arrive to Patok Bay. On Siam Bay, you can find the newer Rayaburi Resort or the Racha Island Resort, and on Kon Kare Bay, you can find the 3-star Ban Raya Resort and Spa.

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Things to Do During Your Stay on Racha Islands

Racha Islands offer much more than just lying around under the sun and working on your tan. Although, it’s great for that, too. Because of their secluded location, Racha Islands have yet to see the devastating effects of overtourism. Therefore, Racha Islands are the perfect locale for all sorts of ocean-inspired activities. The most common activities besides beach-bumming are island-hopping and snorkeling, scuba diving, and big game fishing.

Boating & Snorkeling Cruises

You will not be without choice on Racha Islands when it comes to booking a day-long boating excursion on a speedboat or longtail boat with local guides. There are plenty of local companies willing to take you and your friends or family out on all-day excursions full of swimming, snorkeling, and sunshine; you can simply walk down Patok Bay and ask any boatman. If there are just a few of you, it may be possible to join in with another small group which is great for meeting new people and having a more exciting experience. Most outings include breakfast, all your beverages, and a lunch of fresh fish caught and prepared by your guides, as well as chicken, fruits, and breads.

Scuba Diving

Similar to the snorkel excursions, companies offer scuba diving trips at various spots and include your scuba gear, weights, equipment, oxygen tanks, and experienced PADI guides. Some even offer Nitrox for certified Nitrox divers. Racha Islands are one of the best places in Thailand for new or uncertified divers, with many companies offering scuba diving courses for beginners where you can dive to limited depths under strict supervision. Besides the variety of marine life the area has to offer such as moray eels, pufferfish, lionfish, and barracuda, you can also see wrecks and statues on the sea floor.

Fishing

For those who would like to try their hand at fishing in the Andaman Sea, small groups can book fishing boat tours that will take them out into the waters and provide guidance and equipment. The most commonly caught fish is tuna, and while you snorkel in one of the island’s bays, your local guides will often prepare the day’s catch for you to eat for lunch.

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