Racha Noi Island Phuket Thailand - Dive Site Description
Topography
Located approximately 27 km from Phuket Racha Noi is the least dived and yet most impressive diving spot around the Phuket area. It is often referred to as a "mini-Similans" due to its varying topography and the chance to encounter larger pelagic marine life such as manta rays.
This is not just one site either but a number of dive sites. On the eastern side of the island are the tropical bays with pure white sand and visibility of often 40 metres. The reefs are sloping hard coral reefs with some small boulder areas extending to depths in excess of 30 metres. On the western side expect dramatic boulder landscapes, great visibility and mixtures of hard corals, soft corals and sea fans. Depths on this side extend even beyond 70 metres although diving is generally limited to 30 metres maximum.
Marine Life
Undoubtedly the one thing that makes this island so special is the chance of seeing manta rays.
These beautiful creatures cruise around the whole of the island's surrounding waters although undoubtedly the most likely place to see them is on the southern tip. Leopard sharks are also frequent visitors and permanent fixtures include schools of barracuda, milk fish, batfish and trevallies. Octopus, stingrays, lionfish and nudibranches are also amongst the local residents.
Dive Sites
There are many different dive sites to be visited around Racha Noi.
Racha Noi is a bit further south is a very popular divesite for the more experienced divers. The depths are generally greater and the currents often stronger. Racha Noi offers huge boulders and a good chance to see manta rays and whale sharks. On the southern tip of the island you'll find a large pinnacle, which is one of Racha Noi's mere popular dive sites. Look out for larger marine life like black tip reef sharks and Kuhle's stingrays.
Down below you'll find small descriptions of some of the dive sites at Racha Yai and Racha Noi, Thailand. Lying 5km South of Racha Yai, Racha Noi (Little King Island) offers, in addition to Racha Yai's attractions, some truly spectacular sites with giant underwater boulders and scenery almost like the Similans with a great chance of seeing large pelagic's such as giant barracudas, manta rays and whale sharks. The visibility is usually better here, as the site is that much further from land.
