Racha Island, Unforgettable snorkeling in crystal-clear waters
Hat Nai Han
4.5
Introduction
Emperor Island is located about 20 kilometers south of Phuket Island. Although there are not many attractions compared to Pipi Island, its beautiful scenery, clear water, abundant marine life, and pristine environment are loved by many Chinese travelers. The water quality around the island is very clear, and you can snorkel directly from the beach into the sea. There is no commercial area on Emperor Island, and the only souvenir shop is in the hotel. Unlike Pipi Island, the waves on the way to Emperor Island are bigger, and it is necessary to take seasickness medicine in advance to be mentally prepared for the bumps. However, the scenery on the island is beautiful, and the boat ride time is not too long, which is very suitable for leisure vacations.
In addition, Emperor Island is also a paradise for deep-sea diving enthusiasts. It provides differentiated diving services for travelers who want to try diving or professional divers who want to obtain dive licenses. There is a Chinese diving institution on the island, which facilitates communication and training. However, due to the limited number of diving instructors, if you need diving services, you must make an appointment in advance. The one-day diving itinerary is roughly divided into three types: Emperor Island speedboat tour with additional diving experience (no need for a diving license, one dive per day); dedicated diving boat to Emperor Island waters for diving (no need for a diving license, two dives per day); staying on Emperor Island and directly scheduling with a diving instructor in the hotel (no need for a diving license, one or two dives). If you need to obtain a license, it will take at least 3-5 days. However, once you obtain a PADI Open Water Diver license, it will be internationally recognized. Transportation One can take a boat from Thalang Pier in Phuket, with round-trip fares costing around 1,100-1,500 Thai baht. Alternatively, one can book a day trip or half-day trip to Emperor Island through a travel agency or hotel, with fees ranging from 800 to 1,500 Thai baht.