Racha Noi Island
Depth:
5–30 m
Visibility:
15–25 m
Currents:
moderate, sometimes strong
Level:
Beginners, Certified Divers, Technical Diving
The small Island is located south of the popular Racha Yai Island, just 50 minutes away by diving boat.
The Northern part of the island is suitable for advanced divers. Deep dives allow you to enjoy flying from the top of the reef formations with the opportunity to see a variety of marine life, crowned by large manta rays and reef sharks.
Banana Bay
Banana Bay is located on the East coast of the Island. Turquoise water and bright white sand, green slopes and huge rock formations make this bay one of the most beautiful in the water area.
The dive begins with shallow water only 3-5 m deep. Among the bright white sand and excellent visibility, you will explore the numerous reef banks with colorful fauna in an absolutely simple dive that is suitable for both beginners and divers of all certification levels.
Advanced divers can head to the Southeast to explore the hard reef that slopes gently to a depth of 40m. Schools of large barracuda and butterfly fish are sure to catch your eye. Watch the Trigger carefully as it can sometimes be aggressive. If you are lucky, then in blue you will see graceful Manta Ray circling. Remember that the eastern part of the island is subject to strong currents. Consider this fact in order to return to the boat comfortably and safely.
Marina Bay and Marita’s Rock
On the west coast is Marina Bay, which starts at a depth of 15-18 meters. The bottom of the bay is covered with a carpet of hard corals with a variety of fauna. Here you can find octopuses, cuttlefish, moray eels, and stingrays on sandy areas. In a southerly direction, the Marita’s Rock slope begins. Granite rocks fall to a depth of 25 m. At 20 meters from the slopes there is a separate rock, the top of which is at a depth of 18 meters and goes down to a depth of 30 m. Under water, on the walls of the stones, you will see soft corals from bright orange to green-blue shades … The walls of the reefs are bitten by bright parrots with powerful jaws. Excellent visibility and moderate currents will give you a real pleasure to fly in the water column. The site is suitable for Open Water Diver dives and for more experienced divers.
East Bay
Located on the Southeastern side of the island, the bay features a small island. At low tide, a sandy ridge is visible, connecting it to the main Island. Currents can be moderate or strong. At shallow depths to the north and south, there are coral gardens that are great for diving. Corals start at a depth of 12 meters. A separate island is a rock formation that sinks to the bottom up to 20 meters. The slopes are covered with many seas fan and sea whips that will delight you with amazing underwater scenery. A variety of reef fish await you at the top of the cliffs. Going deeper on the sandy bottom, you can meet stingrays, eagles, leopard sharks. Peering into the water column, you can see graceful manta rays and a whale shark.
South Tip
South Tip is a small ledge — the Southern tip of Racha Noi Island. It consists mainly of granite boulders at depths of 15-18 m in the north and over 60 m in the south. On the western side, the slope is gentler and covered with a variety of soft and hard corals. The west side is steeper and less colorful. The currents on this site are strong and complex, sometimes quite extreme. This site is only suitable for experienced divers with at least Advance certification.
Graceful Manta Ray are often found on this site. From February to April, you will almost certainly meet them. Also, here you will find surgeon fish, triggers and barracuda. Leopard sharks are less common.
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