Racha Noi (Bay 1, Bay 2, Banana Bay) — Thailand

Site Overview

Racha Noi sits south of Phuket. It is more technical than Racha Yai. The site consists of three main areas: Bay 1, Bay 2, and Banana Bay. I first visited these pinnacles in 2014.

The depths range from 5m to 40m. Visibility usually hits 15-30m. You will find steep drop-offs here.

What you’ll see

Marine life varies by season. You might see a manta-ray if you visit between December and March. I saw two in February 2018 near the edge of Bay 1.

Reef-shark sightings are common. They often cruise the deeper walls. Whale-shark encounters are possible but rare.

The topography is interesting. These sites are underwater pinnacles. They rise from the deep seabed to provide a hard surface for coral growth.

Conditions and skill

This is an advanced site. You need strong buoyancy skills. The currents at Banana Bay corner can be heavy.

Do not dive here without a reel. A surface marker buoy (SMB) is mandatory. You must manage your air carefully because the depths reach 40m.

If you are a novice, stay away. The surge in the shallower bays can be unpredictable. I saw a diver struggle with buoyancy at Bay 2 during a heavy swell in 2016.

Logistics from Phuket

Most boats leave from Chalong Pier. The boat ride takes about 45-60 minutes. Most operators charge between 2,500 THB and 3,500 THB for a two-tank trip.

You can find many shops in Phuket. Some specialize in day trips to /destinations/phuket/. Others focus on liveaboards.

Check your gear before leaving. The salt levels here are high. Make sure your computer is fully charged for the deeper sections.

When to go

The best months are November through April. This period offers the clearest water. I prefer January for the 30m visibility.

Avoid the monsoon season. Rain makes the water murky. You might see less than 10m visibility during July or August.

Plan your trip around the manta-ray window. December to March is the peak time.

Honest negatives

The crowds can be intense. Many dive boats arrive at the same time. This makes the pinnacles feel crowded.

Banana Bay has tricky currents. The drift can pull you away from the boat quickly. You must stay close to your buddy.

Sometimes the visibility drops suddenly. A sudden change in wind affects the surface. I once spent a dive in 12m visibility because of a local storm.

Prices are higher than Koh Tao. You pay for the proximity to Phuket. This is a trade-off for shorter boat rides.

Summary of sites

Bay 1 is the deepest. It is best for those seeking reef-shark encounters. Bay 2 offers more coral variety.

Banana Bay is the most technical. The corner features a strong drift. This area is where you find the most current.

Check out our guide to /dive-sites/racha-yai/ for a calmer alternative. If you want more depth, look at /dive-sites/similan-islands/.

If you have never dived in strong currents, practice at a shallow site like Crystal Bay before attempting the Banana Bay corner.