is located 30 minutes south of Phuket by speedboat. Further to the south is the smaller sister island Racha Noi, who is popular among divers.

Day trippers flock to Racha Yai for snorkeling and diving in the veeery clear sea on the east coast.

The two main beaches, Batok and Siam, are located on the west coast, where Batok Beach is the far most developed beach.
A floating jetty contribute to the fact that Batok Bay is used as the harbor of Racha Yai Island in high season. I counted 30 boats on last visit and that is a lot in a so small bay.

Most of the area behind Batok Beach is occupied by the luxurious The Racha Resort.
Before the construction of The Racha there was no more sun beds on the beach that everyone could live with. But now, the whole beach is occupied by Coca-Cola and other colorful umbrellas that should make Patong Beach proud.
Even worse, 80% of the sun beds was not in use. What a waste of the perfect white sand!

Batok Beach is not the paradise beach it ones was. Lots of trees has gone since then and the water is not nearby so clear as it used to be, for whatever reason. The sand is still perfect powder white and the sea is much clearer than just after the tsunami.
Rest of the area along the beach that The Racha don’t occupy has a few shops, restaurant, public toilet (10 baht), bars and a diving shop.

When going on a day trip, Batok Beach is where you will stay most of the day. After one hour or so it’s time to go snorkeling a few minutes ride away. First stop is just northeast of Siam Bay in mostly deep waters. The second and last snorkeling spot is in Kon Kare Bay on the east coast where Ban Raya Resort is located. This small bay has fantastic clear water, but the sea on the east side of the island can be more rough. Kon Kare Bay is said to have the best snorkeling on the island but I can’t confirm it.

After snorkeling it’s time for some food. You never know which restaurant you will end up at. I have been to three restaurants trough the years: Batok, Siam and one located on the way to Ban Raya Resort. The quality of the food vary, maybe you are lucky, maybe not.

From Batok there is only a 5-10 minutes walk to Siam Beach. Siam has a long stretch of white sand and is located in a wide beautiful bay. But not so beautiful as Batok used to be. Siam is mostly undeveloped in comparison with Batok, except for a few basic bars, restaurants on the beach, and bungalows in the hill between Siam and Batok.

Siam Beach is now my favorite beach on Racha, where I will relax on the white sand, snorkel in the shallow bay and get that tropical paradise feeling!

Two islands running roughly northeast to southwest off Phuket’s southern coast.

Raya Yai Island

On the west coast is a fine beach closed in by the hill that stretch away from it like to arms of a horseshoe called alternately Ao Tawan Tok or Ao Bungalow. Clean sandy beach and crystal clear waters of Raya Yai attract day trippers from Phuket. From the top of the hill to the south of the bay is the viewpoint from which the whole island can be seen. On the east, at Ao Kon Kae Bay, is an excellent site for diving.

Raya Noi Island

This island, 10 kms. from Raya Yai, is the result of coral reef build up, and there are more rocks than beaches. In a small bay on the west is a boat anchorage. The waters at Raya Noi are emerald green, and fishing is famous, but swimming is not recommendable.

To get there contact a charter boat at Ao Chalong or Rawai, or go to travel agent for details on package tours to the islands. By long-tailed boat the travel time is about two hours. Larger boats operated by tour companies will make the trip in about one hour. Travel to Raya Islands is restricted to dry season and periods when the monsoon is not blowing.