Scuba dive Lucy’s Reef at Koh Racha Yai Bay 3

Lucy’s Reef at Bay 3 is a popular Koh Racha Yai dive site for beginners. It’s very similar to Bay 1 and 2, just without the wrecks and scooters. 

The dive Lucy’s Reef on Bay 3 is mainly composed of rock and pore corals with a border of rocks separating it from the south end. If you happen to witness an abrupt transition from hard coral beds and rocky bottoms to sandy bottoms, then you have officially entered Bay 3. Sandy flooring predominates in this area, however, sporadically dispersed throughout shallow waters are pore corals and coral heads for your viewing pleasure.

lucys reef manta ray

Lucy’s Reef dive site brief

  • Access: From boat
  • Maximum depth: 82 feet/ 25 meters
  • Visibility: 49 – 98 feet / 15 – 30 meters
  • Max. dive time: 60 minutes 
  • Certification level: Open Water
  • Current: light
  • Type: reef

About Bay 3 and Lucy’s Reef

Lucy’s Reef is located at Bay3 on Koh Racha Yai, the bigger of the two Koh Racha Islands. The islands are frequent Phuket dive sites – they are just 90 minutes away and are ideal for divers of all levels, but especially suitable for beginners and those conducting Open Water training.

Koh Racha Yai has many bays that are numbered. Bay number 3 lies on the east side of the island. Lucy’s Reef actually is situated between Bay 3 and 4.

The dive plan for Koh Racha Yai Lucy’s Reef at Bay 3

Especially beginners and Open Water course students come from Phuket to dive at Lucy’s Reef at Bay 3.

The dive site is very easy to distinguish and navigate. The further south you will dive, the rockier the dive site gets until it transforms into the sand with just the occasional coral and rock formation.

When you dive at Lucy’s Reef, make sure to check out the little artificial reef at about 66 feet (20 meters) depth. The marine life might be a little different from those swimming around the hard corals or hiding between the rocks.

lucys reef hard coral

The dive site’s depth ranges from 16 to 82 feet (5 – 25 meters). 

If you are an experienced diver, you will notice a lot of beginners conducting their skill tests at this dive site. But not just beginners get trained here. Navigation or buoyancy training for the Advanced Open Water takes place at Lucy’s Reef. Sometimes it’s also used for rescue diving scenarios. The current can be a little stronger, which makes this a great practice location for simulated emergency scenarios.

What’s to see at Lucy’s Reef on Koh Racha Yai Bay 3?

The reef is a magnet for batfish, moray eels, lionfish, and an abundance of additional common aquatic inhabitants, such as yellowfin snappers, damselfish, and red flounder. Most memorable are sightings of Eagle Rays or Manta Rays.

Related dive sites

New divers should also check out Home Run Reef, Siam Bay, and Bungalow Reef. At Siam Bay, you can also find a small Scuba Diving Park with a little artificial reef. And while you are at it, continue to Bay 4 and 5 for Waterfall Wall.

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