Racha Noi

Phuket, Thailandreef12 m maxbeginner

Conditions & tides

Racha NoiPhuket

Fair · 4/5

conditions visualisation

Fair4/5

Some chop right now — best window today 1 PM–5 PM.

Wind16 kn E

Current~0.5 kn WNW · model

Swell

0.2 m · 5s · SE

Water

31 °C

Max depth

12 m

Conditions through the day

6 AM6 PM

Calmest current near slack — 15:45 & 04:15 local

Sunrise 06:16 · Sunset 18:05 local

Show details

Tide · local

Outlook — select a day for full conditions

On-face swell 0.2 m — the component of the swell aimed at this site’s exposed face. Current is a regional model value (Copernicus, ~9 km grid) — a guide to the area, not a precise reef measurement. Imagery © Esri · not depth or visibility.

Scored by DiveConnect's site-physics model

Marine forecast via Copernicus Marine. Score is a rule-based guide from swell/wind vs. the site's exposure — always dive your own assessment.

Dived here today? How were conditions vs. what we showed?

About this site

Racha Noi Bay is a reef dive site situated on the east side of Koh Racha Noi in the Racha Islands, characterised by a white sandy beach and a sand stripe that at low tide extends to a small rocky islet. The dive is typically conducted as a drift around the outer side of that islet, with direction determined by the prevailing current. Depth on the outside of the islet exceeds 30 metres, while the shallowest point begins at around 3 metres. The site features rocky reef and hard coral, and the exceptionally white sand and clear water make it visually striking both above and below the surface.

Visibility at Racha Noi Bay runs from 20 to 40 metres or more, and even during the rainy season it can sometimes surpass 40 metres. Current ranges from mild to strong; when currents are strong they push directly to the south and can carry divers on a long ride, so focus is required during the drift. Water temperatures sit between 26 and 31°C depending on season.

Marine life includes abundant tropical reef fish alongside large pelagics, with manta rays among the notable sightings at this site. The site is rated suitable for beginner to intermediate divers, and first-time divers undertaking Discover Scuba Diving programmes are permitted here, with a maximum supervised depth of 12 metres in that context.

Read the full guide

Access is by boat. The dive is a drift dive around the outer rocky islet, and the direction is set according to actual current conditions on the day. Racha Noi Bay is considered one of the better drift diving options among the Racha Islands dive sites.

AI-written site guide

Marine life here

Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.

StingrayStingrayReported here · unconfirmed
DamselfishDamselfishReported here · unconfirmed
Eagle rayEagle rayReported here · unconfirmed
SnapperSnapperConfirmed present · 3 independent sources
GrouperGrouperConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
Ornate ghost pipefishOrnate ghost pipefishReported here · unconfirmed
ClownfishClownfishReported here · unconfirmed
ScorpionfishScorpionfishReported here · unconfirmed
PufferfishPufferfishReported here · unconfirmed
Red-tailed ButterflyfishChaetodon collareReported here · unconfirmed
Indo-Pacific Sergeant MajorAbudefduf vaigiensisReported here · unconfirmed
Moorish IdolZanclus cornutusReported here · unconfirmed
Blue LinckiaLinckia laevigataReported here · unconfirmed
Mottled Lightfoot CrabGrapsus albolineatusReported here · unconfirmed
Moon WrasseThalassoma lunareReported here · unconfirmed
Dussumier's RockskipperIstiblennius dussumieriReported here · unconfirmed
Long-spined Crown-of-ThornsAcanthaster planciReported here · unconfirmed
TrevallyTrevallyConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
FusilierFusilierConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
WrasseWrasseConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
TriggerfishTriggerfishReported here · unconfirmed
SeahorseSeahorseReported here · unconfirmed
SurgeonfishSurgeonfishReported here · unconfirmed
Manta rayManta rayConfirmed present · 11 independent sources
BannerfishBannerfishReported here · unconfirmed
NudibranchNudibranchReported here · unconfirmed
Mantis shrimpMantis shrimpReported here · unconfirmed
OctopusOctopusReported here · unconfirmed
BarracudaBarracudaConfirmed present · 6 independent sources
Leopard / zebra sharkLeopard / zebra sharkConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
AngelfishAngelfishReported here · unconfirmed
SweetlipsSweetlipsReported here · unconfirmed
Whale SharkRhincodon typusConfirmed present · 3 independent sources
TunaTunaReported here · unconfirmed
BatfishBatfishReported here · unconfirmed
LionfishLionfishReported here · unconfirmed
ParrotfishParrotfishReported here · unconfirmed
Garden eelGarden eelReported here · unconfirmed