Phuket Dive Guide : Racha Noi - Banana bay
About the location and site
Racha Noi, just 50 minutes south of Racha Yai, has several dive sites around this small island. With greater depths at some locations exceeding 80 metres and frequent stronger currents, it is a popular dive-site for experienced divers to explore. Although some bays are also very ideal for beginners. Racha Noi has become famous for its resident manta rays at several dive sites Manta sightings are the best from December to April, when ocean currents and winds create the ideal feeding and cleaning grounds for these majestic animals.
The northern tip of the island offers an opportunity for a good multilevel dive along a large pinnacle where spotting larger marine life like reef sharks and stingrays is common. Off the southern point is a nice drift dive along some spectacular scenery as you find yourself on top of large rock formations surrounded by deep water. On the southwest side, a wooden shipwreck draws a lot of interesting reef fish.
Racha Noi offers many opportunities for an enjoyable and rewarding deep-dive. It is probably not as famous as some other sites such as Anemone Reef or Shark Point, but it never disappoints.
Racha Noi, just 50 minutes south of Racha Yai, has several dive sites around this small island. With greater depths at some locations exceeding 80 metres and frequent stronger currents, it is a popular dive-site for experienced divers to explore. Although some bays are also very ideal for beginners. Racha Noi has become famous for its resident manta rays at several dive sites Manta sightings are the best from December to April, when ocean currents and winds create the ideal feeding and cleaning grounds for these majestic animals.
The northern tip of the island offers an opportunity for a good multilevel dive along a large pinnacle where spotting larger marine life like reef sharks and stingrays is common. Off the southern point is a nice drift dive along some spectacular scenery as you find yourself on top of large rock formations surrounded by deep water. On the southwest side, a wooden shipwreck draws a lot of interesting reef fish.
Racha Noi offers many opportunities for an enjoyable and rewarding deep-dive. It is probably not as famous as some other sites such as Anemone Reef or Shark Point, but it never disappoints.
Banana bay is near the middle of the eastern coast of Racha Noi. The name probably comes from the many banana trees that line the bay. Together with powdery white sands, turquoise water and the lush green landscape, the bay looks like the perfect postcard. There are several mooring lines but most dives start at the clear shallow flat area with depths from 3-10 metres. The hard coral reef slopes gently down to 25 metres with staghorn coral dotting the white powdery sand bottom. This an easy dive suitable for all levels, also for snorkeling, with generally mild currents.
Like the other dive sites of Racha Noi Island, reef fish such as fusiliers, red tooth triggerfish, butterflyfish, damsels, lizardfish and colorful basslets are often found on top of the staghorn coral. In the shallows, you can find giant morays and cuttlefish. Look out for colourful nudibranchs and sea snakes. On occasion, you may also spot great barracuda often numbering close to 1000. In deeper waters, leopard sharks have been known to make an appearance but are very rare. You may also be pleasantly surprised by rare species like twin-spotted lionfish, seamoths, or even a manta ray!
Like the other dive sites of Racha Noi Island, reef fish such as fusiliers, red tooth triggerfish, butterflyfish, damsels, lizardfish and colorful basslets are often found on top of the staghorn coral. In the shallows, you can find giant morays and cuttlefish. Look out for colourful nudibranchs and sea snakes. On occasion, you may also spot great barracuda often numbering close to 1000. In deeper waters, leopard sharks have been known to make an appearance but are very rare. You may also be pleasantly surprised by rare species like twin-spotted lionfish, seamoths, or even a manta ray!
Phuket Dive Guide dive maps : Racha Noi - Banana Bay
