900 baht
adult and child, same price
snorkel in crystal-clear turquoise water, relax on soft white sand beaches, and explore some of the most beautiful bays around racha island. this is one of the best-value island tours in phuket.
all-inclusive
no hidden fees, no extra charges
if someone asks me which island i recommend most in phuket, racha island is always one of my first answers. i’ve visited many islands around phuket, but racha is still one of the few places that consistently impresses people the moment they arrive. the water is exceptionally clear, the beaches are beautiful, and the color of the sea is something photos never quite capture.
when people talk about racha island, they usually mean racha yai, not racha noi. racha noi sits much farther offshore in open ocean conditions and is not part of regular day tours. this tour visits racha yai and koh hey, also known as coral island, giving you the chance to visit two islands in one day.
what i like most about this tour is how simple it is. transportation, meals, snorkeling equipment, drinks, snacks, fruit, insurance, and boat transfers are already included. you don’t need to bring much. just bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and enjoy the day.
the tour is operated by an experienced local team with a dedicated dive center for guests interested in scuba diving. the owner is actively involved in the operation, which helps maintain a higher level of service than many standard island tours.
what’s included
- hotel transfers
- speedboat transportation
- morning snacks and coffee
- buffet lunch
- drinking water
- soft drinks
- fruit and snacks
- snorkeling equipment
- life jacket
- insurance
- professional crew and guides
everything is included. no extra payments during the trip.
hotel pickup
pickup service is available throughout phuket.
8:00 am – 8:30 am
- haad patong
- haad kata
- haad karon
guests staying in other areas will receive their pickup time after booking confirmation.
9:00 am
check in at ao chalong pier
the day begins with check-in at the office at chalong pier.
before departure, guests can enjoy:
- coffee
- snacks
- motion sickness tablets
- insurance registration
- tour briefing
a quick tip from me, take the motion sickness tablet even if you normally don’t get seasick. when the boat stops at snorkeling sites, it can rock quite a bit with the waves. taking it beforehand usually makes the day much more enjoyable.
9:30 am
departure
the speedboat leaves chalong pier and heads toward racha island.
the trip takes approximately 40 minutes. as the boat moves farther offshore, you’ll notice the sea becoming clearer and bluer. for many people, this is when the cameras come out.
10:10 am
racha island
depending on sea conditions, the tour visits either patok bay during the dry season from november to march or ter bay during the green season from april to october.
racha island is widely considered one of the most beautiful islands around phuket because it sits farther offshore than koh hey. the water is noticeably clearer and has that bright turquoise color people travel long distances to see.
when the boat arrives, it first stops at the beach so the crew can unload lunch supplies. guests who don’t want to snorkel can go ashore immediately to swim, relax, or take photos while the beach is still relatively quiet.
guests joining the snorkeling program remain on the boat and continue to the snorkeling site after a brief stop.
10:20 snorkeling
snorkeling is one of the highlights of the trip.
the water around racha island is usually very clear, making it easy to see tropical fish and coral formations. snorkeling locations vary depending on weather conditions, but visibility is generally excellent throughout the year.
this area is suitable for both beginners and experienced snorkelers. if you’re traveling with friends or family, some people can choose scuba diving while others choose snorkeling, then everyone meets again for lunch.
or scuba diving
if you’ve never tried scuba diving before, racha island is one of the best places in phuket to start.
the underwater scenery is beautiful, with healthy coral reefs, tropical fish, and excellent visibility. professional instructors supervise every dive, and the instructor-to-guest ratio is kept low for safety and comfort.
spaces are limited and often fill quickly, especially during high season, so advance reservations are recommended.
lunch
after the morning activities, guests return to the island for a buffet lunch.
the restaurant used by the tour is located in the center of the island. transportation is provided from the beach, and restroom facilities are available.
after lunch, you can take the shuttle back to the beach or walk back yourself. the walk is short and offers a chance to see some of the resorts and scenery around the island.
racha island viewpoint
after lunch, i highly recommend stopping by the viewpoint.
the walk takes only about 3 minutes, but the view is worth it. you’ll see white sand beaches, turquoise water, green hills, and a panoramic view of the bay.
it’s one of the best photo locations on the island.
3:00 pm
koh hey (coral island)
in the afternoon, the tour continues to koh hey before returning to phuket.
while the water isn’t quite as striking as racha island because koh hey is located in more sheltered waters, it is still a beautiful island with clear water, white sand beaches, and good snorkeling.
the main stop is kahung beach, where guests can enjoy:
- swimming
- beach snorkeling
- relaxing on the beach
- walking along the shoreline
the snorkeling directly off the beach is surprisingly good, with coral formations and schools of fish found close to shore.
return trip
4:00 pm depart koh hey
4:30 pm arrive at chalong pier
5:30 pm return to your hotel
you’ll still have plenty of time to enjoy sunset, dinner, or an evening walk around phuket.
if you only have one day for an island trip in phuket, this is one of the tours i recommend most. racha island offers some of the clearest water in the region, beautiful beaches, excellent snorkeling, and the chance to visit two islands in a single day.
all-inclusive, two islands, one full day in some of phuket’s clearest water.
more koh racha stories
