Racha Yai Wreck - Similan Islands

Okay, let's set the record straight on the Racha Yai Wreck. Forget what some of the older guides say; this isn’t a deep, dramatic tomb of a ship. It's a series of purposefully sunk vessels, mostly fishing trawlers and patrol boats, resting on a sandy bottom. We actually really like it as a multi-level dive, especially for those looking to get comfortable with wreck penetration without the serious overhead. You’ll find the main attraction, a sizable passenger ferry, sitting upright. The upper deck is around 18 metres, and it slopes down to about 25 metres at the stern. Our favourite part? The wheelhouse. You can easily swim through, watching the sunlight dapple through the portholes, sometimes catching a resident giant moray peeking out from a dark corner. Schools of yellow-lined snappers practically form curtains around the masts, and we often spot lionfish perched dramatically on the railings. It’s not a site for massive pelagics, but for critters and exploring the nooks and crannies of a colonised wreck, it’s a solid choice. Go early in the morning before the day-trippers arrive for a more serene experience.

Location
Similan Islands, Thailand, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
7.608072, 98.378320
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: กำหนดพื้นที่เกาะราชาใหญ่ เกาะราชาน้อย ตำบลราไวย์ อำเภอเมืองภูเก็ต จังหวัดภูเก็ต

Best Time to Dive in Similan Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Similan Islands occur in May, averaging 30.8°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 28.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.6°C
  • February: 29.0°C
  • March: 29.6°C
  • April: 30.6°C
  • May: 30.8°C
  • June: 29.9°C
  • July: 29.6°C
  • August: 29.3°C
  • September: 29.0°C
  • October: 29.0°C
  • November: 29.2°C
  • December: 28.7°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Similan Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to Racha Yai Wreck

Marine Life in Similan Islands

Home to 183 recorded species including 127 reef fish, 38 hard corals, 9 seagrass & algae, 4 sharks & rays, 2 other, 1 octopus & squid.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Racha Yai Wreck

Based on average water temperature of 29.4°C, currents 7 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories