Snorkeling Phuket: Racha Islands, 3 sites, turtles and rays

Three reef systems in one day, each with different marine life and water clarity

Snorkel three sites around the Racha Islands, Phuket's most remote reefs, aboard a motor yacht with a guide in the water at every stop. The boat reaches sites most Phuket operators skip, meaning clearer water and denser marine life. Breakfast and lunch buffets are served onboard. Kids from age 6 can join with provided life vests, masks and fins. Hotel pickup is available from Rawai, Naiharn, Kata, Karon, Patong, Kalim or Kamala.

The experience

The day starts with hotel pickup and a 1.5-hour cruise from Chalong Pier to Racha Noi, the most remote snorkeling ground near Phuket. A hot breakfast buffet is served during the crossing. Once you reach the first site, Manta Bay, you enter the water with a guide who stays with you among sea turtles, rays and coral formations in some of the clearest water the region offers. The guide speaks English, Thai or Chinese depending on your group.

Banana Bay comes next: a sheltered cove with a different reef landscape where dense schools of tropical fish and resident moray eels are the draw. A full hot lunch buffet is served onboard between snorkel stops, and this is the only nearby site where whale sharks are occasionally spotted. After the second site, the yacht makes a short transit to Bay One on Racha Yai, where artificial reefs built to rehabilitate coral host leopard sharks and rays in shallow, clear water. You snorkel this final site with the guide, then relax on deck with snacks and soft drinks before the return cruise to Chalong Pier and transfer back to your hotel by approximately 17:30.

Life vests, masks and adult fins are provided at no extra cost. Kids from age 6 can join. They get life vests and masks, and the guide stays in the water with them at every stop. Basic swimming ability is required. The full-day itinerary means you cover three distinct marine environments without arranging transport or meals yourself. The boat's schedule is built around the snorkel sites and the daylight window.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Rawai, Naiharn, Kata, Karon, Patong, Kalim or Kamala (available as an option).
• hot breakfast buffet during the cruise out.
• three guided snorkel sessions with a guide in the water at each site.
• hot lunch buffet onboard.
• snacks and soft drinks throughout the day.
• life vests, masks and adult fins.
• entrance fees to the snorkeling sites.

Options for this experience

2 options

With Hotel TransferGuide in English, Chinese or Thai · 07:30Snorkeling by yacht at three sites: snorkel Manta Bay and Banana Bay at Racha Noi, plus Bay One at Racha Yai. All-day snorkeling tour from a large motor yacht, with life vests, masks and adult fins provided. Lasts 10 hours. A hot breakfast and a lunch buffet are served on board during the outbound cruise, and snacks, soft drinks and seasonal fruit are also available. Departs from Chalong Pier. Travel to and between snorkel sites is aboard a large motor yacht. This is a snorkeling-only trip with no dive or snorkel group split. Pickup is included.

No Pick-upGuide in English, Chinese or Thai · 07:30Snorkeling by yacht at three sites: snorkel Manta Bay and Banana Bay at Racha Noi, plus Bay One at Racha Yai. All-day snorkeling tour from a large motor yacht, with life vests, masks and adult fins provided. Lasts 10 hours. A hot breakfast and a lunch buffet are served on board during the outbound cruise, and snacks, soft drinks and seasonal fruit are also available. Departs from Chalong Pier. Travel to and between snorkel sites is aboard a large motor yacht. This is a snorkeling-only trip with no dive or snorkel group split.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (11 to 75 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Infant (under 1)

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish, Chinese and Thai

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by VGA Vacation

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to reach Phuket's least crowded reefs and see marine life most day-trip boats miss: the remote Racha Islands mean clearer water and denser fish schools, turtles and rays than the standard routes closer to shore. The guide stays in the water with you at every stop, which matters if you want reassurance or if you're bringing children from age 6.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Thai and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years); Infant (under 1).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What kind of marine life will I see at each snorkeling site?

Manta Bay is home to sea turtles, rays and coral; Banana Bay has dense schools of tropical fish, moray eels and rare whale shark sightings; Bay One features leopard sharks and rays among rehabilitated coral gardens in shallow water.

Is snorkeling equipment included, or do I need to bring my own?

Life vests, masks and adult fins are all provided. Kids from age 6 receive life vests and masks. Adult fins are sized for adults only.

What meals are included during the day?

A hot breakfast buffet is served during the 1.5-hour cruise out, and a full hot lunch buffet is served onboard between snorkel stops. Snacks and soft drinks are available all day.

How long is the full day, and when do I return to my hotel?

The activity runs approximately 10 hours from hotel pickup to return, with the boat departing Chalong Pier in the morning and arriving back by approximately 17:30.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the pier, or is pickup included?

Hotel pickup is available from Rawai, Naiharn, Kata, Karon, Patong, Kalim or Kamala as an option at checkout. Without pickup, you arrange your own transport to Chalong Pier.