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Dive Site Guide

Koh Racha Noi

Giant granite boulders, clear water and diving with a wilder edge.

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Boat ride 3 h 30 minDepth 1–50+ mVisibility 10–30 mType Granite rocky reef & coral reef
Racha Noi seen from the water

Racha Noi

Racha Noi is the more remote and dramatic of the two Racha islands, with huge granite boulders reminiscent of the Similan Islands and coral reefs growing between them.

Despite its wilder reputation, Racha Noi has something for everyone, from shallow reefs for snorkeling and less experienced divers to deeper, more adventurous sites with stronger currents.

It is also one of our furthest destinations. With no reliable mobile or radio signal around the island, we only make the trip on calm days when sea conditions are right.

The dive sites

North Tip & Bay

Characteristics

  • Depth: 2–40 m
  • Visibility: 10–30 m
  • Type: Coral reef & granite boulders

Look out for

  • Ghost pipefish & octopus
  • Giant & bluefin trevally
  • Mangrove snapper & oriental sweetlips

The bay starts with sand and scattered coral before giving way to huge granite boulders on the western side, creating a landscape similar to Marina Rock.

Look among the leaves that collect in the shallows for ghost pipefish hiding between them. Further west, giant and bluefin trevallies patrol around the boulders.

Marina Bay & Marina Rock

Characteristics

  • Depth: 2–30 m
  • Visibility: 10–30 m
  • Type: Rocky reef, boulders, swim-throughs

Look out for

  • Stingray
  • Nudibranchs & pipefish
  • School of fusiliers and snappers

Marina Bay starts shallow, with large areas of Padina algae and scattered corals. Towards the edge of the bay, huge granite boulders take over, leading towards Marina Rock and a series of swim-throughs along the rocky shoreline.

Look through the Padina gardens for pipefish and nudibranchs, while schools of fish gather around the rocks.

Racha Noi Bay

Characteristics

  • Depth: 0–25 m
  • Visibility: 10–30 m
  • Type: Shallow coral garden & sandy reef

Look out for

  • Ribbon eels & eagle ray
  • Garden eels & flounder
  • Glassfish between the boulders

Racha Noi Bay is a shallow coral garden with white sandy areas, perfect for snorkeling and easy diving. A small islet sits just offshore, connected to Racha Noi by a tongue of sand. Large boulders around the islet are often surrounded by clouds of glassfish, while garden eels and flounders hide in the sandy areas. Eagle rays occasionally pass through, and very rarely even a manta wanders into the bay.

Watch the current around the islet—it can split or change direction, occasionally giving us a little swimming to do.

South Tip

Characteristics

  • Depth: 9–50+ m
  • Visibility: 10–30 m
  • Type: Underwater pinnacle

Look out for

  • Manta rays
  • Tuna and other pelagics
  • Big schools and hunting predators

South Tip is a submerged pinnacle rising to around 9 metres and dropping beyond 50 metres. Manta rays are seen here surprisingly often, alongside tuna, large schools of fish and other pelagic visitors. South Tip is all about timing. We dive it around low tide, when the current runs from south to north towards Racha Noi. Entry is negative, with a quick descent towards 30 metres.

Currents here can be exceptionally strong and complex. For that reason, South Tip is only for very experienced divers who are comfortable with strong current, quick descents and deeper diving.

A peek below the surface

Nudibranch Tryon's nudibranch at Racha Noi Bay, Racha NoiManta at Manta Point, South Tip, Racha NoiSpider crab at North Tip & Bay, Racha NoiBarracudas at Manta Point, South Tip, Racha NoiYellow pufferfish at Marina Bay & Marina Rock, Racha NoiCuttlefish at Racha Noi Bay, Racha NoiEagle ray at Racha Noi Bay, Racha NoiNudibranch mourning dorade at Racha Noi Bay, Racha NoiJuv harlequin shrimp at Racha Noi Bay, Racha NoiOctopus at Racha Noi Bay, Racha NoiNudibranchs at Manta Point, South Tip, Racha NoiShrimp gobi at Racha Noi Bay, Racha NoiTurtle at Racha Noi Bay, Racha NoiMantis shrimp hiding at North Tip & Bay, Racha NoiBluespotted sting ray at Marina Bay & Marina Rock, Racha NoiOrnate ghost pipefish at Marina Bay & Marina Rock, Racha NoiButterflies at Marina Bay & Marina Rock, Racha NoiNudibranch smoky Dendrodoris at North Tip & Bay, Racha NoiScorpionfish at Marina Bay & Marina Rock, Racha NoiBatfish at Manta Point, South Tip, Racha NoiCuttlefish at Manta Point, South Tip, Racha NoiSnowflake moray eel at Marina Bay & Marina Rock, Racha NoiNudibranch tessellated Halgerda at Manta Point, South Tip, Racha Noi
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