Phuket Dive Guide : Racha Yai - Bay 3 &4 & 5
About the location and site
Racha Yai offers some of the best local year around dive-sites but the visibility varies as to the season. On the north end of the island are two beautiful little bays Homerun Bay and Siam Bay famous for their deep clear water and colorful coral formations. Both of them have almost swimming pool features as they gradually drop to a depth of 20-25 metres onto a sandy seabed, providing many opportunities for both snorkeling and scuba diving. The best diving is off the east coast at Bay 1 to 5. The current allows a gentle drift dive along a sloping rocky face that is covered with an amazing array of hard corals and the nutrient rich water draws large schools of tropical fish. Around Racha Yai, some large rays have been seen. Leopard sharks and just recently Blacktip reef sharks have made an appearance again. The entire eastern side of Racha Yai is punctuated by a series of 5 small bays, each 3 to 25 meters deep. Currents are generally mild within the bays, but sometimes strong between them. Divers typically start in one bay, and move from that bay to the next, depending on which way the currents are going.
Racha Yai offers some of the best local year around dive-sites but the visibility varies as to the season. On the north end of the island are two beautiful little bays Homerun Bay and Siam Bay famous for their deep clear water and colorful coral formations. Both of them have almost swimming pool features as they gradually drop to a depth of 20-25 metres onto a sandy seabed, providing many opportunities for both snorkeling and scuba diving. The best diving is off the east coast at Bay 1 to 5. The current allows a gentle drift dive along a sloping rocky face that is covered with an amazing array of hard corals and the nutrient rich water draws large schools of tropical fish. Around Racha Yai, some large rays have been seen. Leopard sharks and just recently Blacktip reef sharks have made an appearance again. The entire eastern side of Racha Yai is punctuated by a series of 5 small bays, each 3 to 25 meters deep. Currents are generally mild within the bays, but sometimes strong between them. Divers typically start in one bay, and move from that bay to the next, depending on which way the currents are going.
Racha Yai Bay 3 is another very popular dive site for all the same reasons as Bays 1 and 2. At around 20 metres, there are stacks of concrete cubes that form an artificial reef. The reef is a popular home for batfish, Moray eels, lionfish, and a great selection of common reef fish. Head south and you will enter Lucy's Reef, which consists of hard corals. The further south you dive the site change into rock formations. Occasional eagle rays have been spotted there. Bay 3 is a nice dive site that will throw up enough good stuff to keep all avid underwater photographers happy.
Racha Yai Bay 4 & 5 are situated at the most southeast end of Racha Yai. Both bays have shallow water to begin the dive however both have rock formations that drop away to about 30 metres and beyond. There are not commonly dived although visibility is often better here as well due to the rocks, depth, and lack of general activity on the sites. Manta rays and Eagle rays have been spotted in these waters.
Racha Yai Bay 4 & 5 are situated at the most southeast end of Racha Yai. Both bays have shallow water to begin the dive however both have rock formations that drop away to about 30 metres and beyond. There are not commonly dived although visibility is often better here as well due to the rocks, depth, and lack of general activity on the sites. Manta rays and Eagle rays have been spotted in these waters.
Phuket Dive Guide dive maps : Racha Yai - Bay 3 & 4 & 5
