Racha Island Yacht Charter
If the point of your day is what is under the water rather than on the beach, Racha is the answer. Racha Yai and Racha Noi consistently offer the best underwater visibility within day-charter range of Phuket — frequently beyond 20 metres — with healthy coral and far fewer boats than Phi Phi. Phi Phi Islands charter route →
Racha Yai vs Racha Noi
Racha Yai is the larger, more developed of the two, with sheltered bays, white sand and easy entry snorkelling. It is the standard stop and works for mixed-ability groups.
Racha Noi is smaller, rockier, largely uninhabited and considerably better underwater. It also sits further south in more open water, so it needs a longer fuel run and a faster or larger vessel — worth it if diving or serious snorkelling is the reason you are going.
Combining the route
Most Racha charters pair the islands with Coral Island or Maiton on the way back, which gives you a deep-water snorkelling stop and a calm beach stop in the same day. Prices in the table below reflect those combined 8-hour itineraries. Coral Island private boat charter →
Best time to go
November to April. Visibility at Racha is the whole reason to go, and it is materially better in high season; the southern exposure also means the crossing is rougher during the southwest monsoon.
Yachts running this route
32 vessels in the fleet run this itinerary. Prices are the starting rate for the route shown, and include crew, fuel, soft drinks, snorkelling equipment and insurance.
| Yacht | Size | Guests | Type | Route | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoe | 46ft | 18 | Sailing Catamaran | Racha Yai + Coral (8hr) | ฿34,000 |
| Seabeat | 48ft | 30 | Sailing Catamaran | Racha Cruise (8hr) | ฿35,500 |
| Sanny 38 | 38ft | 15 | Power Catamaran | Racha Yai + Coral (8hr) | ฿36,000 |
| Hennessy 40 | 40ft | 15 | Power Catamaran | Racha Yai + Coral (8hr) | ฿36,000 |
| Power Cat 36 | 36ft | 8 | Power Catamaran | Racha Yai + Coral (8hr) | ฿38,000 |
| Bon Voyage | 50ft | 20 | Sailing Catamaran | Racha Island (9hr) | ฿39,000 |
| Blue Wings | 44ft | 20 | Sailing Catamaran | Racha Island (9hr) | ฿41,000 |
| Blue Metis | 50ft | 30 | Sailing Catamaran | Racha Island (9hr) | ฿43,000 |
| Oceanland 45 | 45ft | 15 | Power Catamaran | Racha Yai + Coral (8hr) | ฿47,000 |
| Ocean Pearl | 42ft | 20 | Sport Cruiser | Racha + Maiton + Khai (8hr) | ฿47,900 |
| Prada 50 | 50ft | 20 | Power Catamaran | Racha + Maiton (8hr) | ฿65,000 |
| Leopard 51 | 51ft | 30 | Power Catamaran | Racha + Coral (8hr) | ฿74,900 |
| Party Cat 75 FP | 75ft | 50 | Party Catamaran | Racha + Coral (9hr) | ฿80,000 |
| Azimut 46 Aqua Mas | 46ft | 12 | Motor Yacht | Racha + Maiton (8hr) | ฿95,000 |
| Princess 58 | 58ft | 10 | Motor Yacht | Racha + Maiton (8hr) | ฿110,000 |
| Azimut 55 After 8 | 55ft | 12 | Motor Yacht | Racha + Maiton (8hr) | ฿129,000 |
| Riva 70 Aria Blue | 70ft | 16 | Motor Yacht | Racha + Maiton (8hr) | ฿149,000 |
| Princess 42 | 42ft | 9 | Motor Yacht | Racha Yai + Maiton (8hr) | ฿153,000 |
| De Antonio D50 | 50ft | 8 | Sport Cruiser | Racha Yai + Maiton (8hr) | ฿160,000 |
| Ayana 68 | 68ft | 14 | Motor Yacht | Racha Yai (8hr) | ฿195,800 |
| Princess F55 Risa | 55ft | 8 | Motor Yacht | Racha Yai + Maiton (8hr) | ฿200,000 |
| Chowa 74 | 74ft | 45 | Motor Yacht | Racha Yai + Coral (8hr) | ฿242,000 |
| Princess 78 W.J. Lip | 78ft | 20 | Motor Yacht | Racha Yai + Maiton (8hr) | ฿300,000 |
| Princess 78 Maritimus | 78ft | 20 | Motor Yacht | Racha Yai + Maiton (8hr) | ฿300,000 |
Also available for this route: Cranchi Scenery 58 · Ferretti 80 · Legacy · Princess 65 Oceana · Technema 89 · Thirty-Eight · Vela · White Marlin.
By the cabin: the Best of Andaman join-in voyage calls at Koh Racha Yai on its six-day route, from €999 per person.
Common questions
Which is better, Racha Yai or Racha Noi?
Racha Yai has the better beaches and easier snorkelling and suits most groups. Racha Noi has clearer water and better marine life but is more exposed, needs a longer run, and suits confident swimmers and divers.
How good is the snorkelling at Racha?
Racha consistently offers the best visibility of any day-charter destination from Phuket, often exceeding 20 metres in high season, with healthy hard coral and reliable reef fish.
What does a Racha Islands charter cost?
Private charters to the Racha Islands start from ฿34,000 per day, and most often run as a combined 8-hour itinerary with Coral Island. Crew, fuel, soft drinks, snorkelling equipment and insurance are included.
Further reading
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