Banana Bay:

The eastern side of Racha Noi Island is possibly named after the abundance of banana trees so it's known as "Banana" Bay.

This dive site provides an easily accessible underwater haven.

The journey begins in a clear and shallow flat area, ranging from 3 to 10 meters deep.

As you traverse, the seabed undergoes a gradual transformation.

It turns into a hard coral reef, gently sloping to depths of 25-30 meters.

This submerged landscape is adorned primarily by staghorn coral formations.

It is interrupted by stretches of pristine white powdery sand, creating a picturesque underwater vista.

We've been exploring Banana Bay since 2005, and what consistently impresses us is the incredible underwater visibility right from the moment we descend into the dive.

Banana Bay is an excellent dive site for beginners as diving.

Marina Rock:

Carved from granite rock, the bay on the western side of Racha Noi Island is adorned with a lush carpet of leather corals.

It's complemented by a diverse array of sea fans, sea whips, fire corals, and robust hard corals like pore corals.

Divers can initiate their exploration from two points.

The first is from the sandy bottom at a depth of 18 meters.

The second option is from the rocky reef located just south of the bay, where colossal rocks gracefully descend to 35-40 meters.

This site has numerous swim-throughs that divers can use to explore. Marina Rock is one of our favorite dive sites at Racha Noi.

The thrill of entering and navigating through swim-throughs one after another adds an adventurous touch to the experience.

South Tip:

The South Tip is situated at the southernmost point of Racha Noi. It is relatively compact in size.

Predominantly composed of granite boulders, its depths vary from 15-18 meters in the north to exceeding 60 meters in the south.

While the western rock slope is inclined, the eastern side features steeper terrain with fewer instances of hard and soft corals.

These include fire and sea fan corals, adhering to the rocks.

The anticipation is always exhilarating before diving at South Tip, knowing there's a high chance to witness Manta Rays gracefully gliding around.

Note that the current at this site is intricate and robust, occasionally reaching extreme levels.

Due to the challenging conditions, South Tip is not recommended for beginners or intermediate divers.

Racha Noi Bay:

Situated on the southeastern side of the island, Racha Noi Bay stands out.

It's characterized by a distinctive small islet.

During low tide, a visible sand ridge connects to the main island.

The shallows on the northern and southern ends boast a vibrant coral garden.

This makes it an ideal spot for snorkeling enthusiasts.

As the depth reaches 12 meters, the coral transitions into a sandy bottom.

In the deeper rocky sections beyond 30 meters, the landscape is dominated by sea fans and sea whips.

This creates breathtaking underwater vistas.

We often start the dive at the north part of the dive site which allows for a very nice drift dive. Don't forget to keep an eye on the blue as Manta rays might be around!