Coral and Raya Islands

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Off Phuket's southern coast lie a number of small islands whose pristine shores lure scuba divers and beach bums away from the mainland. Most of these isolated islands are undeveloped, but the notable exceptions are Coral Island and Ko Raya (also known as Ko Racha) which have accommodation options and restaurants.

Both islands have safe swimming, reefs teeming with aquatic life, and a sense of getting away from it all that's harder and harder to come by in Phuket proper. Coral Island is privately owned by the Coral Island Resort — the only place to stay on the island. Ko Raya is larger and, while still largely undeveloped, is home to three established resorts and a nameless bungalow operations open only during the high season.

Coral Island
Only a 15-minute speed boat trip from Chalong pier, Coral Island is the more commercial of the two islands. During the day, it plays host to a steady stream of daytripppers who come to enjoy the island's long white sandy beach and excellent year-round swimming.

Unfortunately, a huge influx of tourists have also brought a steady amount of garbage to the beaches which no one seems bothered to pick up. However, the snorkelling is decent and you don't have to go out very far before you start to see colourful reef fish, making this an excellent beach for kids to learn how to snorkel. Aim to snorkel near the front of the resort (in front is for guests only) — the beach is cleaner and the coral less damaged from the lack of anchored boats.

Other beach activities like diving, banana boat rides, and parasailing are available (at a price, of course). A host of souvenir shops, restaurants, and services operate along the beach. If you're aching for an oil massage, in need of a cold drink, or forgot your swimmers, all can be purchased on the island. Lots of boat operators scream into megaphones along the beaches — so much that you may want to try Ko Raya instead.

Ko Raya
Ko Raya is a prime destination for yachties, who stay at the resorts, and divers, who typically book up all the island's cheaper rooms. Between the yachts, diving boats, and speedboats with snorkelling daytrippers, Raya's beautiful bays can get quite congested during the high season.

The beaches and bays are connected by dirt roads in a state of perpetual bumpiness due to run-off during the rainy season. It is possible to rent a 100cc motorbike, but you're better off walking. A common sight is a cart loaded with divers and their gear being towed to the beach by a tractor or ATV.

Activities on the island include snorkelling, mountain biking, and nature hikes. The resorts offer organised activities like fishing trips and horseback riding, but these will put a big dent in your wallet. For those willing to explore, rent a snorkel and mask and visit Lah Bay for some great snorkelling — giant star fish, puffer fish and rainbow trout a plenty swim here.

A small predominantly Muslim population of farmers and fishermen live on Raya, and there's even a small mosque. None of the island's restaurants serve pork and, in case you were planning to, visitors are asked not to bring any with them.

Get orientated with a map of Coral and Raya Islands, Thailand

Coral and Raya Islands reviews

Backchat from the Travelfish community

Could do a lot worse than Raya

Clear water, good diving, snorkelling and a range of accommodation from top end to budget on an island closer to Phuket than Phi Phi - Ko Raya Yai aka Ko Racha Yai about half an hour from the Chalong pier by speedboat.

However Raya tends to be a more expensive island than most.
For a start access is not cheap - there is no slow ferry so you are looking at 1200-1600 return on one of the daytrip speedboats or dive boats. You can also hire a longtail but unless you share with buddies this will not be cheap - and could be a very rough wet trip in the conditions I travelled in.
Budget accommodation aint that budget either - all the joints were charging 1,000 for a fan bungalow, for which you would pay maybe 600 tops most islands. Their restaurants tended to be 20 to 50% dearer than average budget bungalows too.

There are 4 budget joints. Raya Father in the middle of the island where I stayed, not a bad joint with friendly staff and clean very compact rooms, and no more than 10 minutes walk to the most distant beach - Raya Garden across the lane which was similar - Bungalow Raya Resort which I thought the pick, bigger same-priced bungalows high on the rocks with sea-views adjacent the very attractive arrivals beach Patok - and Raya Seaview, a nicely positioned joint on a hill overlooking the western end of the second nice beach, Siam (but which was closed down although there was some speculation it may be open for peak season).

There is one high-end joint, The Racha which dominates the beachfront on Patok Beach. And two midrangers - Rayaburi built in spacious grounds behind nice Siam Beach - and Ban Raya also nicely spread out behind one of the east coast bays, Konkare. There are two other east coast bays, Ter and Lar, these don't have much in the way of beaches.

They reputedly make up for this with good snorkelling, but I checked the best of these, Konkare, and was not whelmed. Snorkelling-wise, people were having lots of fun back on the beautiful arrivals beach Patok where the clear water and lots of fish kept their attention. Not too much coral though, although the deep stuff out where the divers concentrated may be different. I was too lazy to swim out and check it, although I did go out 300m at Siam Beach and found nothing to write home to mum about.
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By tezza (dabbler)
Written on 9th January, 2011 after a visit to Coral and Raya Islands in November, 2010

Also reviewed by tezza: Ao Phang Nga National Marine Park, Haad Nopphara Thara, Haad Sai Khao, Kanchanaburi, Khao Lak, Ko Bulon Lae, Ko Kho Khao, Ko Kut, Ko Lipe, Ko Maak,

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