The eastern reefs of Racha Yai are mostly made up of hard corals as well. The period from July to October is the best time to visit this site because the island will shelter the sites from the southwest monsoon. However, it is also possible to dive on the east side of the island for the remainder of the year.

There are five bays running from north to south, and the area between two bays is the perfect distance for one dive. Normally divers start in the bay area, then continue swimming either north or south, depending on the current along the reef, and end the dive at the next bay.

Bay 1 has a very small beach, which is easily missed. There are pore corals and big coral heads scattered along the entire stretch of this bay, occasionally interrupted by a patch of staghorn coral. The reef starts from a depth of 5-6 meters and goes to as deep as 20 meters before hitting the sandy bottom. The night dives at bay 1 are also perfect for macro lovers.

The largest beach on the east of the island is located at bay 2. While it also has an abundance of coral heads and pore corals, the reef is dense with staghorn corals and branch corals - hence it's name, Staghorn Reef. The reef starts from a depth of

12 meters and slopes down to a depth of 24 meters.

On the other hand, the reef near bay 3 consists mainly of rock and pore corals, and is separated from Staghorn Reef by a rock ridged-boarder at the south end of the reef. The sudden change from hard coral and rocky bottom to sandy bottom is a good indication that you have entered Bay 3. In fact, apart from a brief smattering of pore corals and some coral heads in the shallower waters (3 - 8 meters), Bay 3 has a mostly sandy bottom.

Bay 4 returns to the reefs of hard coral. It has more slope than bay 3 and is also formed by a wider variety of coral. Lucy Reef (Bay 4-5) is a miniature version of Staghorn Reef, but also with more variety of corals.

The reef area has a moderate current running in a north - south direction and vice versa. However, the bay area has no or a very mild current, making it very suitable for beginners courses.

Reef fish such as butterflyfish, angelfish, wrasse and parrotfish are common. Cornet fish are also spotted regulary, and divers may get to see trumpet fish swimming by the sides of groupers. Boxer shrimp and dancing shrimp can be found inside crevices or even inside pore corals.


On the reef slopes, yellow snapper and yellow goat fish can sometimes be seen swimming in big schools, forming a pretty yellow lines on the reef when they pass. Basslets are also a common sighting especially at Staghorn Reef. Take a closer look at any feather stars you pass, and you might also see ornate ghost pipefish hiding among the fonds.

The sandy bottoms also teeming with life. Stingrays have been known to make frequent appearances, and divers keen to explore the sand may even uncover some flounder that have camouflaged themselves by burrowing in the sand. In bay 1 to bay 2 the Lucy reef, you may also see spotted garden eels at the far sandy bottom.

A rare thornback boxfish, as well as an impressive seamoth, have been seen occasionally at the sandy bottom bay 3 at a depth of around 15 - 20 meters. These two species are camouflage experts, so be very alert if you want to catch a glimpse of them.

Away from the reef, in midwater, schools of yellowtail barracuda are often seen around the Staghorn reef and Lucy reef. Big eyed trevally are also found in big schools near the reef.

These sites are easy, and are thus suitable for beginners and slow divers. Most of the time a one way dive is preferable, but entering the water without checking tide tables can result in a u turn dive. Consult your dive guide or boat captain for the best dive direction.


Be especially careful if you plan to explore Lucy reef, as it is a complex current direction site - the current may switch direction around the middle of the reef. When that happens, don't make a u turn instead keep swimming against the new current, and it should ge back to normal after a while.

There are many buoys throughout the island, so you can start your dive at any part of the reef. Because this site is popular for beginner courses, the surface traffic can be quiet high, so take note of boat traffic and be cautious when ascending. Using a saftey ballon is recommended. Although the slopes at Bays 1, 2 and 3 are very gentle, be sure not to forget to equalise. It is very easy to overlook because the pressure changes very gradually during descent.