Located to the south of Phuket (pronounced “Poo-ket”), Ko Racha Yai, or Racha Yai Island, is one-half of the Raya Islands. Despite the island's relative youth in the tourism industry, interest among visitors has increased quickly. Their azure waters, lush tropical settings, and secluded environment are key attractions for tourists. Even though Raya Yai Island is relatively smaller compared to other islands, it still offers one of the best snorkeling spots in Asia. Explore the vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and exotic cuisine with our exclusive Thailand Tour Packages, offering an unforgettable journey through this enchanting Southeast Asian destination.

Best Time to Visit Racha Yai Island

Located in the tropics, the Racha Yai island comes under the influence of monsoon. The temperature remains relatively hot throughout the year. One can witness maximum rainfall during June and July. To enjoy the best experience in Racha Yai Island one can visit from December to May. However if one wants to visit a place with less budget, it’s better to go during the low season of June and July when you could get tickets at a cheaper price. It is advised to take note of weather conditions and plan during the low phase as most aquatic activities get canceled in case of bad weather.

How to reach Racha Islands

Reaching Racha Island from Phuket is a feasible method. Once you reach Phuket International Airport you can take a cab or tuk-tuk to reach Ao Chalong Pier or Rawai Beach, from there you could use speedboats, longtail boats, and motor boats to reach Patong Beach of Racha Island. You could also make use of several packages provided by the travel agencies if you’re a daytripper to cover most of the activities in Raya islands. Explore Phuket's beauty with our curated Phuket tour packages for an unforgettable island getaway.

Facilities of Racha Island

To stay: Though Racha Islands are usually preferred for day-tripping it could also be preferred as a staying option. If one could afford to stay in a luxurious resort the Racha Resort is a go-to place in Racha Yai island where they provide premium services. There are also budget-friendly resorts like Bungalow Raya.
To eat: The first thing you see entering Racha Islands is the line of shops that is present along the coast of Patong Beach. One could make use of these restaurants to enjoy Thai cuisine at a cheap price.
To relax: Recently Racha Islands have been a bit overcrowded and it might be difficult to find private spaces. You could explore Siam Beaches, Lha Bay, and Ter Bay to find private spaces as there are fewer tourist attractions in these spaces.
Connectivity: The islands have good network connections and some resorts provide free wifi services.
Hospitals: The island is too small therefore it has no hospitals in its vicinity.

Things to do at Raya Islands

Snorkelling and Diving

Racha islands are home to one of the best snorkelling spots in the world. The Kon Kae Bay’s clear water, shallow waters and abundance of small fishes and turtles make us feel like fish. Siam Beach is considerably less populated than Patong beach and is well-suited for diving. You might encounter colourful corals, fishes, and turtles in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. There are various shops and diving agencies like Sunrise Divers which offers beginner-friendly scuba diver courses and spots on Racha Yai Island.

Boating at Racha Islands

There are numerous ways you could explore boating in the Racha islands, you could cover the entire Racha islands in a one-day boating package or hire a personal boat, yacht or catamaran and tour around the islands at your wish. Additionally, you could go fishing and eat your catch for lunch.

Enjoy the Luxury of Racha

Racha Islands' most luxurious hotel Racha is the best high-end hotel on Racha Island. Known for its premium service and amazing beach view setting the resort is an eco-friendly resort. The fact that the Racha islands contributed a major part to the revival of corals on this island should be appreciated. Visitors would get access to Racha’s private villas, spa, gym and water sports services. Couples could also plan their wedding in this resort as they provide services for that too. They also provide some offers at particular seasons it is advised to visit their official website for further details.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Racha Yai Island good for couples?

Yes, the island is good for couples. It has a plethora of options to explore so one can be confident in planning their honeymoon or a romantic trip on Racha Island.

Is it good to visit Racha Yai Island in December?

December usually marks the onset of the winter season and generally, it’s ideal to visit Racha island at this time. It’s also important to remember December is a high season so prices might be on the higher side.

Are there any adventure sports available in Racha Islands?

You have plenty of adventure stuff to explore in Racha Islands like snorkelling, scuba diving, Kayaking, Trekking and so on. Therefore Racha Islands do have adventure sports.

How long does it take to reach the Racha Islands?

It generally depends on the boats and packages one chooses. One could reach Racha Islands in 45 minutes if they take the help of speedboats.

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