Explore the Home Run Reef dive site on Koh Racha Yai in Phuket
Home Run Reef is usually the last dive of the day at Koh Racha Island. But last does not mean least. Home Run Reef is a spectacular Koh Racha Yai dive site located on the east side of the island.
If you want to summarize a Koh Racha Yai dive site, Home Run Reef describes it. It has all the main characteristics: Starting shallow and dropping off into sandy bottoms, coral gardens are mainly made of hard corals, and an abundance of marine life including some bigger fish. In fact, some blacktip reef sharks swing by occasionally.
About Home Run Reef
Home Run Reef is considered one of the top Phuket dive sites. Just 90 minutes away, usually finishing up a two- or three-tank dive day, this dive site is worth its hype.
Especially, if you like big schools of fish and potentially larger animals like leopard sharks, stingrays, and blacktip reef sharks.
An abundance of hard coral species, such as staghorn, branch, and pore corals, grace the reef at depths up to 82 feet (25 meters). Intermittently amongst these corals, you’ll find scattered rocks, creating a ledge-like topography. The bottom then descends gently into a sandy terrain at greater depths.
Home Run Reef dive site brief
- Access: From boat
- Maximum depth: 82 feet/ 25 meters
- Visibility: 49 – 98 feet / 15 – 30 meters
- Dive time: 60 minutes
- Certification level: Open Water
- Current: medium
- Type: reef, drift dive
The dive plan for Home Run Reef in Koh Racha Yai and Phuket
The current at Home Run Reef can be a little stronger, and due to the layout of the dive site, it’s often dived as a drift dive.
Entering usually further south and drifting with the current, the dive boat will pick you up at the northern end of Home Run Reef before taking you back to Phuket.
When descending, just after 49 feet (5 meters) the reef starts. The dive site itself is covered with hard corals and rock formations. The drop can be petty steed at times, reminding of a wall dive. The steepest slope is around 39 to 49 feet (12 – 15 meters). Below this, usually, only advanced divers continue going further down.
What’s to see at Home Run Reef?
From two-spot snappers and yellow snappers to trumpetfish and captivating cornet fish, the site is home to a delightful variety of sea life. Especially hiding in the staghorn coral and between branches, octopuses and banded sea snakes can be found. Moreover, its waters are populated by majestic rays, lissome leopard sharks as well as blacktip reef sharks.
What certification is required to dive at Home Run Reef in Koh Racha Yai?
Home Run Reef is suitable for all levels of divers. It’s often used as a training ground for Open Water and Advanced Open Water student alike. It’s usually never used as the very first dive location, but certainly towards the end of the Open Water course. As a drift dive, it’s a great experience for newbies.
Related dive sites
Some other great dive sites for all levels of divers are Bungalow Bay on Racha Yai, Lucy’s Reef at Bay 3, as well as Siam Bay. Racha Yai Bay 1 & 2 have an artificial scuba diving park with wrecks and sunken scooters.
