Raya Yai Island

Raya Yai Island, which is still covered by lush green tropical jungle on all the mountain areas, is located only 23 km from Phuket. This is the island, from where the story of Raya Divers began in 2000. We first located there and have been diving around the island since the late 1980’s.

Although the island has changed a lot during the years with the growth in tourism, it’s still one of the few holiday islands, where you can really relax on un crowded white sandy beaches. Also the diving spots are located right next to the beaches. On the northern side of the island, there is a bungalow village with small shops and restaurants along the walking tracks. White sanded beaches, rich underwater world and crystal clear waters- these are the things what have made Raya Yai famous.

Most of Phuket area’s popular diving sites are located around Raya Yai and the next, un-inhabited island Raya Noi. Which is about 20 minutes boat trip from Raya Yai to most of the dive sites and even the farthest dive sites on Raya Noi, are only 1 hour’s boat trip away.
During low season (May-September), the calm bays of Ban Raya are the only dive sites in Phuket area, where sea is always flat and scuba diving easy and interesting. Raya Yai is a good choice for families with children as its beaches are shallow and never have strong currents.


Raya Divers on Raya Yai

Raya Divers dive center has two bases on the island. During the winter season (October-May), we use our base on the main beach (Ao Batok, Bungalow Bay), from where all the dive courses, trips and programs start daily. 10 to 15 minutes walk through the island gets you from Ban Raya bungalows to the main beach. Diving during the summer season (May-September), is straight from Ban Raya’s own beach, because the summer’s strong western monsoon doesn’t affect it being on the east side and the water is always calm. We don’t have any special opening hours, but you can always find our active dive team on the beach during daylight hours and in Ban Raya Resort in the night time. Our dive center on Raya Yai Island is open all year round with bookings and transfers to Raya being handled through our Raya Divers office in Phuket.
You can also combine to your holiday a liveaboard cruise to Similan Islands. Check the liveaboard cruises on the dive trips menu and click here for more information about Similan Islands .




Plusses and minuses
of Raya Yai Island:

+ Beautiful and exceptional paradise
island
+ Good for families with children and
also non-diving family members
+ All the dive sites are close by


- No active night life