Phuket Dive Guide : Racha Yai - Siam Bay
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.
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 Siam bay lies near the northern tip of Racha Yai. The bay consists of scattered hard coral patches along the sandy bottom at depths from 12 to 18 meters. In the center of the bay at 18 metres, marked by a mooring line, they sunk 2 elephant statues and a big temple gate guarded by a mythical giant sentry, known in Thai as Yak, who is believed to protect the gate from evil spirits. Butterfly fish, triggerfish, parrotfish, and barracuda are common to these waters. Hiding in the sand, blue spotted stingray and peacock flounders come along. For the eagle eyed divers, have a look for stonefish. Octopus and cuttlefish also make an appearance here.
Siam bay is popular all year round as it offers protection from both the easterly and westerly winds. Currents are generally mild to make this an easy dive, although you can encounter stronger flow if you go beyond the cape.
Siam bay is popular all year round as it offers protection from both the easterly and westerly winds. Currents are generally mild to make this an easy dive, although you can encounter stronger flow if you go beyond the cape.
Phuket Dive Guide dive maps : Racha Yai - Siam bay
