14 miles from Ao Chalong
During the southwest monsoon, the east coast of Koh Racha Yai lends shelter for overnight stops in all but the strongest conditions. There’s a deep water anchorage in 10-20 metres on a broken coral and sandy bottom. A few day dive boat moorings are available but are mostly too shallow for keelboats.
This anchorage also affords access to two small beaches with excellent snorkelling and diving, although sometimes there are strong currents. Ashore, half a kilometre south of the floating jetty at Ter Bay, is the Ban Raya Resort. From the floating jetty a pleasant, easy 20-minute walk takes you through coconut plantations to the north and west beaches. Ter Bay is becoming famous for its wreck diving options.
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There are four dive wrecks located off Racha Yai’s Ter Bay on the northeast coast that attract all levels of scuba divers. Furthermost north is the ‘Old Sailboat Wreck’, often mistakenly called the ‘Speedboat Wreck’. It’s in poor condition and sits at 21 metres with lots of snapper and glassfish schooling around it. There are two resident giant morays and the occasional lazy adult Jenkins’ ray hiding under the hull.
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