Racha Yai Island is located 12 miles south of Phuket, Thailand, ringed by white beaches and gorgeous turquoise waters. Access is by either speedboat or long-tail fishing boat from the bays of Chalong and Rawai. Crossings can be unsettling during the March-to-September southwest monsoon season. Arriving at Batok Beach near the Racha Resort on Racha Yai's northwest coast, land transport to various island resorts is by local taxi or shuttle.
Ban Raya Resort & Spa offers 48 modern, air-conditioned bungalows on 60 acres of private coconut forests and tropical gardens beside Kon Kare Bay. Rooms include private balconies and baths, wicker furnishings, mosquito screens and cable TV.
The Ban Raya provides dining and beach bar service, a clubhouse, salon, spa, library, billiards and swimming pool. Motorcycle rentals are available from an on-site convenience store. Activities include coral reef diving adventures, fishing, horseback riding, mountain-bike tours and hiking.
Ban Raya Resort
7/26 Moo 3, Rassada, Muang
Phuket 83000 Thailand
011-66-76-22-4439
banraya.com
The Racha is a luxurious beachfront resort offering 70 deluxe guestrooms dressed with traditional Thai-wood furnishings and private balconies. Amenities include high-speed Internet, microwaves, cable TV, in-room safes and international direct-dial telephones. In the unique Lighthouse suite, guests experience magnificent 360 degree views over Racha Island and the Andaman Sea from a converted five-story villa.
The Racha dive center offers aquatic excursions into clear and colorful coral gardens. Other activities include yoga, canoeing, ATV tours, nature walks, mountain biking and tennis.
The Racha
42/12-13 Moo 5, Rawai, Muang
Phuket 83130 Thailand
011-66-76-355-455
theracha.com
Rayaburi Resort is set upon 75 acres of powder-white pristine beaches, coconut palms and tropical gardens beside Siam Bay. The resort offers 28 secluded en-suites in authentic Thai resort style with private terrace balconies, wireless Internet, in-room safes and either air conditioning or fan cooling. Hotel facilities offer babysitting services, bicycle rentals and room service. Activities include snorkeling, diving, nature hiking, fishing and horseback riding.
Rayaburi Resort
3/8 Sawatdirak Road, Patong Beach, Kathu
Phuket 83150, Thailand
011-66-7629-7111
rayaburigroup.com
