'''Ko Racha Yai''' (????????????) and '''Ko Raya Noi''' (????????????), also known as ''Ko Raya Yai'' and ''Ko Raya Noi'', are twin islands off the southeastern coast of Phuket.

Get in

Ko Racha Yai with its gleaming beaches can be reached by chartered boat from Ao Chalong. Travelling time is about 2-3 hours during off-Monsoon season (December-April). Sightseeing services are available from tour operators in town. Accommodation is available. A hilltop viewpoint on the bay_fs south offers a magnificent view of the whole island.

Ko Racha Noi, 10 kilometres 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 the fishing there is famous, but swimming is not recommended.

To get there one can charter a boat at Ao Chalong or Rawai, or go to a 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.

Get around

See

Do

Racha Yai is Phuket's best-known scuba diving site, with its sloping rocky reefs and its plentitude of solid coral forests. There is also Ter Bay where there is an exciting wreck in the depths of 25-35 meters. The area south Racha Yai, Racha Noi, is a haven for experienced divers as the depths are greater and the currents stronger. The overall topography is strikingly different from Racha Yai with huge granite boulders. The diving in Racha Noi compared to Racha Yai is definitely more challenging but the rewards are far greater.

Buy

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Only Ko Racha Yai offers acommodation.

  • Ban Raya (????????) Office: 7/26 Ratsadanuson Road (Tel: 0 7635 4682, 0 7622 4439 Fax: 0 7622 4439), 38 rooms: 1,300-1,900 baht
  • Jungle Bungalow (???????? ???????) 12/5 Mu 4, Tambon Rawai (Tel: 0 7628 8550), 10 rooms: 500-700 baht
  • Raya Father Resort (???? ??????? ???????) 27/1 Mu 1, Chao Fa Road (Tel: 08 1893 4430), 10 rooms: 700 baht
  • Raya Resort (???????????) 30/4 Mu 5, Tambon Rawai (Tel: 0 7628 8271), 18 rooms: 900-1,200 baht
  • The Racha (???? ????) PO.Box 213 Amphoe Mueang (Tel: 0 7635 5455, 0 7635 5414), 71 rooms: 18,000-23,000 baht
  • Contact

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