About Racha Islands - Racha Yai & Racha Noi
The Racha Islands — Racha Yai and Racha Noi — are among the most beautiful and crystal-clear water destinations near Phuket. Known for their bright turquoise bays, white-sand beaches, and excellent visibility, the Racha Islands are a favourite for guests who want a premium snorkelling and swimming experience away from Phuket’s busy shoreline.
Simba Sea Trips offers the Racha Islands on selected private charters, giving guests a personalised and flexible way to explore these postcard-perfect locations. While many operators arrive when the bays are crowded, Simba’s timing and small-group approach help guests enjoy the islands in quieter, calmer conditions.
Racha Yai — Clear Water & Calm Bays
Racha Yai is famous for its incredibly clear water, often with visibility of 15–20 metres. The reefs here are home to parrotfish, angelfish, sergeant majors, blue-spotted rays, and the occasional cuttlefish gliding over coral. The island’s sandy-bottom bays create bright turquoise pools that are perfect for snorkelling, swimming, and photography.
Racha Noi — Deep Blue Water & Remote Feel
Further south lies Racha Noi, a more rugged and dramatic island known for deeper water and powerful colour contrasts. While snorkelling depends on the day’s conditions, Racha Noi offers some of the most striking seascapes near Phuket — steep cliffs, quiet coves, and a wild, untouched feel. On the right day, the clarity is unbelievable.
Both islands feature quiet beaches and calm pockets of water ideal for relaxing between snorkel sessions. With Simba Sea Trips, guests can enjoy the Racha Islands at their own pace — choosing how long to swim, explore, relax on the sand, or simply take in the views.
The Racha Islands are close enough for an easy day trip, yet far enough to feel like a completely different world — making them one of the best private-charter destinations available from Phuket.
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Best Time to Visit
The clearest water and best snorkelling conditions around Racha Yai and Racha Noi occur from November to April, when seas are calm and visibility is at its highest.
These islands can still be visited year-round, but clarity varies with seasonal winds.
Getting There
The Racha Islands lie south of Phuket and are reached by boat in 30–60 minutes, depending on conditions.
Simba Sea Trips visits Racha Yai and Racha Noi on selected private charters, offering flexible timing and quieter snorkelling stops.
Swim in some of Phuket’s clearest turquoise water
Racha Yai is known for bright, shallow bays with exceptional visibility.
Snorkel coral patches and see colourful reef fish
Common sightings include parrotfish, butterflyfish, sergeant majors, anemones, and the occasional ray.
Experience the wild beauty of Racha Noi
This more remote island offers deeper water, dramatic cliffs, and striking colour contrasts.
Relax on soft-sand beaches between snorkel sessions
Racha Yai has calm, sheltered bays ideal for swimming and beach time.
What Our Customers Say
Excellent
4.9 based on 4232 reviews
100% worth it
We have done this tour twice now. Once in 2024 and again in 2026 - both times were excellent. I would recommend it to everyone. The early wake up is 100% worth it. This time we took my parents (in there late 70s) who had a great time also. The staff were very helpful.
Brilliant day trip
Excellent day despite the early start but this meant no queues or big groups we missed all that. We loved the trip Noinoi and his staff were brilliant and the lunch was fabulous too. James Bond Island and beyond so worth it and great value for money
Fantastic excursion 👌
It may have seemed an early start, but really was worth every minute. Everything was seamless from collection at hotel to drop off on return. It was really quite special setting off in the dark and watching the sunrise as we sped through the Andaman. Getting to Maya Bay before the crowds was ideal, our guide Josef and his colleagues were fun, friendly and professional. Stop offs and snorkelling were great. The snacks, breakfast and Thai meal at the end of the trip were all top notch. Highly recommend this company and would use again when visiting siting Thailand 👌
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