Scuba diving Siam Bay site on Koh Racha Yai in Phuket
Siam Bay is one of the most dived spots on Koh Racha Yai. Nestled on the northernmost tip of Racha Yai, Siam Bay’s rocky edges gently slope into a sandy center peppered with hard coral patches. What’s most significant about this dive site is the man-made sculptures in the center of Siam Bay. It reminds me of a mini-version of the MUSA in Cancun.
About Siam Bay at Koh Racha Yai and Phuket
Siam Bay is a popular Phuket dive site – it’s only one and a half hours away from Phuket’s pier in Chalong Bay. Siam Bay dive site is located at the northern tip of Koh Racha Yai and therefore the first dive spot you’d pass on your way.
One of the highlights of the Siam Bay dive site is the underwater statues. Situated between 60 and 66 feet (18 – 20 meters), two elephants and an iconic temple gate braced by a mythical giant sentry can be explored by divers.
The Yak is a Thai protective figure which is believed to safeguard the entrance from malicious entities.
Besides artificial structures, the dive site offers a vast array of marine animals, from triggerfish and turtles to barracuda and Kuhl’s stingrays.
Siam Bay dive site brief
- Access: From boat
- Maximum depth: 66 feet/ 20 meters
- Visibility: 49 – 98 feet / 15 – 30 meters
- Dive time: 60 minutes
- Certification level: Open Water
- Current: light
- Type: reef, underwater statues
The dive plan for Siam Bay at Koh Racha Yai (Phuket)
Divers usually descend along the mooring line leading toward the center of the dive site, where the statues are sitting at 60 to 66 feet (18 – 20 meters) below the surface. This is also the deepest point of the dive site and therefore a great entry point.
From here, and of course only after exploring the underwater statues of Siam Bay in Koh Racha Yai, divers circle the dive site.
Keep an eye on the sandy bottoms, there might be some Kuhl’s stingrays hiding. At Siam Bay, you have the highest chance to see them.
If you have the chance for a night dive, marco life can be found everywhere. Crabs and shrimps are hiding in the corals and rock crevices.
Do you know the difference between night diving and blackwater diving?
Scuba diving training at Siam Bay
If you’re a new diver eager to explore the stunning depths below, look no further than Siam Bay. Its shallow waters and sandy patches make for ideal conditions for beginner adventurers. You won’t have trouble with currents or visibility either – making it an optimal spot for learning. But what I love most about diving at Siam Bay is its abundance of marine life, from turtles to eagle rays, there’s something here that’ll get even the newest divers addicted before they know it.
Best time to dive at Siam Bay in Phuket?
For those looking for optimum diving conditions, the high season of October to April is when Siam Bay’s waters are at their finest.
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 Home Run Reef. Racha Yai Bay 1 & 2 have an artificial scuba diving park with wrecks and sunken scooters.
