Racha Island & Coral Island Day Trip from Phuket (2026)

A Racha Island and Coral Island day trip is the easiest way to see clear Andaman water from Phuket without a long boat ride. Koh Racha Yai is about 20 km south of Chalong pier, roughly 30–40 minutes by speedboat. Koh Hae, better known as Coral Island, is only about 15 minutes away. Many tours visit both in one day: Racha Yai for snorkeling or diving, Coral Island for the beach and water sports.

Below, our local team explains how the two islands differ, how long you spend on the boat, when the sea is best and what to bring.

Where are Racha Island and Coral Island?

Both islands lie off the southern tip of Phuket, so most boats leave from Chalong pier, the main pier on the south-east coast. If you stay in Patong, Kata, Karon or Rawai, the drive to the pier is usually short. From Bang Tao or the north of the island, count on a longer transfer.

• Koh Hae (Coral Island): about 6–7 km off Rawai, around 15 minutes by speedboat.
• Koh Racha Yai: about 20 km (around 12 nautical miles) south of Chalong, around 30–40 minutes by speedboat.
• Koh Racha Noi: further south, wilder, visited mostly by dive boats.

Slower dive boats take much longer, around 1.5 hours to Racha Yai, but you get a large, stable deck and time to prepare your gear.

Racha Yai vs Coral Island: what is the difference?

Racha Yai is the island for clear water and snorkeling; Coral Island is the island for an easy beach day with water sports. Here is how they compare.

	Koh Racha Yai	Coral Island (Koh Hae)
Speedboat time from Chalong	About 30–40 min	About 15 min
Water	Very clear, turquoise, white sand	Clear on good days, busier near the beaches
Main beaches	Patok Bay (Bungalow Bay), Siam Bay	Banana Beach, Long Beach
Snorkeling	Good: reefs along the bays	Fair: rocky ends of the beaches
Scuba diving	Yes: try-dives, fun dives, courses, wrecks	Introductory dives offered on the beach
Water sports	Limited	Parasailing, banana boat, jet ski, kayak (paid on site)
Atmosphere	Quieter, more natural	Lively, restaurants and beach chairs
Best for	Snorkelers, divers, couples	Families, short trips, first-time visitors

Koh Racha Yai: Patok Bay and Siam Bay

Patok Bay, also called Bungalow Bay, is the horseshoe-shaped bay on the west coast where most boats land. The sand is white, the water turns bright turquoise on sunny days and there are a few beach bars and a resort behind the beach. Siam Bay, further north, is a longer and calmer beach with good snorkeling over sand and hard coral.

In the green season, boats often move to the sheltered bays on the east side of the island when the western swell is too strong.

Coral Island: Banana Beach and Long Beach

Banana Beach is the busier side, with restaurants, sunbeds and most water sports. Long Beach is quieter, with shallow, calm water that suits young children. A short path of about 10–15 minutes links the two.

Half day or full day?

Choose a half day for Coral Island alone, and a full day if you want Racha Yai, or both islands. Because Coral Island is so close, a half day leaves enough time for the beach and an activity or two. Racha Yai is further and deserves a few hours in the water.

A typical full-day program looks like this:

1. Hotel pick-up in the morning and transfer to Chalong pier.
2. Speedboat to Racha Yai, snorkeling and free time on the beach.
3. Lunch, usually on one of the islands.
4. Afternoon at Coral Island: beach, swimming, optional water sports.
5. Return to the pier in the afternoon and drop-off at your hotel.

Order, times and inclusions vary by tour and by sea conditions. The exact program of our trips is on each page: Coral and Racha Islands day trip (from 1,700 ฿) and Racha Island premium tour (from 1,900 ฿).

Snorkeling or scuba diving at Racha?

Snorkeling is enough to enjoy Racha Yai; scuba diving is worth it if you want to see the reef and wrecks up close. Racha Yai is one of the most popular beginner dive spots near Phuket because its bays are fairly shallow and sheltered.

• Snorkeling: mask, snorkel and life jacket, no experience needed. You float above the reef and see colorful fish a few metres below.
• Try-dive (discover scuba): no certificate needed. After a briefing, you dive with an instructor at a shallow depth, typically up to 12 m. You fill in a short medical form first.
• Fun dives: for certified divers. Sites include the sandy bays and wrecks such as the Harruby, whose top lies at about 10 m and its base at about 20 m.

Visibility at Racha Yai is often around 15–20 m and can range from about 10 to 30 m, depending on currents and plankton. You can book diving on Racha Island scuba diving (from 2,200 ฿).

Tip: after scuba diving, allow at least 18 hours before taking a flight. Plan your dive day early in your stay, not on your last day.

When is the best season for Racha and Coral Island?

The best season is November to April, when the sea is generally calm, the sky is clear and the water is at its most transparent. December to March is the peak of the high season, so boats and beaches are busier.

Unlike the Similan Islands, Racha and Coral Island do not close in the low season. Trips run all year, weather permitting.

What is the sea like in the green season?

From May to October, the southwest monsoon brings showers, wind and waves, so the crossing can be bumpy and some days are cancelled. Showers are often short, and many days still have sunny spells. On rough days, boats use the sheltered east side of Racha Yai, and the program can change for safety.

• Take a seasickness tablet about 30–60 minutes before the boat leaves.
• Sit at the back of the speedboat, where it moves less.
• Keep your plans flexible: our team will tell you on WhatsApp if a trip has to be moved.

Read more in our guide Phuket weather and boat trips.

Is it suitable for families and non-swimmers?

Yes, both islands work well for families and non-swimmers, as long as you choose the right activities. Life jackets are provided for snorkeling, and you can stay close to the boat or the beach. Coral Island, and especially Long Beach, has shallow, calm water for children.

• Non-swimmers can snorkel with a life jacket on calm days, or simply enjoy the beach.
• For young children, the shorter crossing to Coral Island is easier.
• Speedboats are not recommended for pregnant women or people with back problems.

More family ideas in our guide Phuket with kids.

What should you bring?

• Swimsuit, towel and a change of clothes
• Reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
• A waterproof bag for your phone
• Cash for drinks, water sports and small extras
• A seasickness tablet if you are sensitive
• Your own mask if you prefer it to the one provided

Racha and Coral Island are not part of a national park, so there is no national park fee as on Phi Phi or the Similans. Check your excursion page for what is included and what is paid on site.

How to book your Racha Island tour

Book online in 2 minutes with nothing to pay online. Our team confirms on WhatsApp, then you pay at our shop in Patong or Bang Tao, or by bank transfer or QR payment. Most of our excursions include hotel pick-up.

Comparing islands? See our guides Phi Phi or James Bond Island and best Phuket excursions, or browse all our island tours.