Ultimate Full-Day Big Game Fishing & Trolling Tour

Phuket’s full-day fishing trip sends you across the Andaman Sea toward Koh Racha Yai, where the crew changes tactics between trolling and bottom fishing. You may chase tuna and mackerel, fish near a reef, and stop for a swim or snorkel. The day is as much about being on the water as it is about landing a big fish.

I like the practical setup: hotel pickup, a maximum of 15 people, all fishing equipment, drinks, lunch, and snorkeling gear are bundled into the price. I also like that the crew does the hard work of choosing fishing spots and setting up bait and lures. The catch is the big question. Seasonal conditions can mean bottom fishing or small tuna instead of the advertised big-game action.

Key Points Before You Book

• Koh Racha Yai is the main setting: The boat travels from Chalong Pier to fishing grounds around this popular island.
• Trolling is not guaranteed year-round: Sailfish, wahoo, and other larger catches may be out of season.
• Guide Eddie gets special praise: He is described as entertaining and helpful, which matters during long stretches at sea.
• Lunch is a real part of the value: A Thai buffet, drinking water, and soft drinks are included.
• Snorkeling adds variety: You can swim and use the provided mask and snorkel, though water clarity and marine life vary.
• Expect a full day, not nonstop fishing: Roughly eight hours includes transfers, cruising, fishing, lunch, and a water stop.

Setting Out From Chalong Pier at 8 a.m.

The day begins with hotel pickup and a ride to Chalong Pier. The advertised start time is 8 a.m., but your pickup may arrive 30 to 90 minutes earlier, depending on where you stay. That matters in Phuket, where a short distance on the map can take time by road.

Pickup is offered from many hotels in Patong, Karon, Kata, Rawai, Naitharn, Yacht Club, Ban Krating, Chalong, and Kalim Beach. Transfers from some outer areas cost extra: 200 baht per person from Surin, Bangtao, or Kamala, 1,200 baht per group from Panwa, and 800 baht per group from Rawai, Yanui, or Naithorn. Check the exact transfer charge before paying.

At Chalong Pier, you board a modern boat and leave Phuket behind. Shoes are generally removed before boarding, both for grip and to reduce the chance of slipping on a wet deck. If you dislike going barefoot for much of the day, wear easy-to-remove shoes and keep that rule in mind.

The boat carries no more than 15 people, a useful limit on a fishing trip. You still need to share deck space and fishing positions, but this is a more manageable size than a large party boat. The boat ride itself can be rough when the sea is unsettled, so anyone prone to motion sickness should prepare carefully.

Two Hours Toward Koh Racha Yai

The stated stop at Koh Racha Yai lasts about two hours, though the full day includes travel and other activities. The island is a common base for marine trips from Phuket, with clear-water appeal when conditions cooperate and fishing areas nearby.

Your guide chooses a fishing spot based on the day’s conditions. The crew supplies trolling gear, bottom-fishing gear, lures, and bait, so you do not need to bring tackle. You can expect instruction on handling the rod and bait, even if you have limited fishing experience.

Trolling usually means fishing while the boat moves, with lines trailing behind it. Bottom fishing keeps the action closer to the seabed and may produce smaller reef fish such as grouper. The change in method helps the crew make use of the conditions, but it also means the experience may not match a strict idea of big-game fishing.

The advertised targets include tuna, mackerel, razorfish, and other local species. Actual results can range from a large school of skipjack tuna to only a few fish, or none at all. One particularly good outing produced a large catch of tuna even during the off-season, while other days brought only small fish or no catch.

That uncertainty is not a minor detail. You should book this as a day of sea fishing, not as a guaranteed trophy catch. The crew can choose spots and provide the right equipment, but it cannot control fish movement, water conditions, tide, or the season.

Understanding the Big-Game Fishing Promise

The strongest concern is the gap between the tour’s title and what can happen on the water. Some dates may offer proper trolling and a chance at tuna or other larger fish. At other times, especially outside the right season, the boat may concentrate on bottom fishing.

Sailfish and wahoo are not guaranteed, and one outing took place during a period when trolling was not in season. That should be made clear before you book. If your main goal is a specific species or serious offshore trolling, ask the operator about the current season and expected fishing method.

Bottom fishing can still be fun, especially if you like steady activity and do not need a dramatic catch. A small grouper is not the same as a marlin, but it gives you something to do while enjoying the boat ride. The problem comes when you pay for a big-game experience and spend much of the day waiting or fishing only briefly.

The timing of the action can also vary. One account describes several hours of riding around with only about 10 minutes of fishing, while other outings offered a more satisfying mix of trolling, reef fishing, and snorkeling. That contrast tells you to keep expectations flexible.

Lunch, Drinks, and the Midday Break

A Thai buffet lunch is included, along with drinking water and soft drinks throughout the day. Food was one of the most consistently praised parts of the experience, though the amount and selection may not feel lavish to everyone.

You might find rice, salad, wings, and other Thai-style dishes. On a good fishing day, the crew may prepare tuna from the catch, including raw tuna served with the meal. That is a memorable touch, though it depends on what is caught and how the crew handles the fish.

Lunch is usually part of the break from fishing, giving you time to sit, eat, and look around. Other boats may anchor in the same area, so the setting can feel busy rather than private. That is normal for a popular island trip, but it may disappoint you if you picture a quiet, empty cove.

The included drinks make the $104.17 price easier to assess. You are paying for transport, an eight-hour boat outing, fishing equipment, bait, a guide, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling gear. Compared with arranging a private fishing charter, it is a reasonable package price. Compared with a simple sightseeing cruise, it is more expensive, and the value depends heavily on how much fishing time you receive.

Snorkeling at Koh Racha Yai

The snorkeling stop gives non-fishers and restless anglers something else to do. A mask and snorkel are included, and the itinerary allows time for a swim in the Andaman Sea.

Water quality is not guaranteed. On one day, the water was cloudy and little marine life was visible. On another, snorkeling around the island was described as very good. Weather, tide, boat traffic, and local conditions can all change the experience.

Bring your own swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a change of clothes. You may spend long periods exposed to sun and spray, so a dry shirt and a secure bag for personal items are useful practical choices. The supplied information does not promise flotation equipment or a dedicated snorkeling guide, so treat this as a short break rather than a specialist reef excursion.

If your group includes people who do not fish, the swim stop helps keep the day from feeling one-note. If everyone is focused on catching a large fish, the stop may feel like time taken away from the rods.

The Crew Makes a Big Difference

The crew is one of the strongest reasons to consider this trip. Guide Eddie is praised for being entertaining and well informed, and the wider boat team has been described as professional, hardworking, and helpful.

That human side matters on a fishing trip. You need someone to explain the gear, watch the lines, help with bait, and keep the day moving. A friendly crew can make a slow fishing day pleasant. A poor crew would leave you sitting in the sun with little guidance.

The crew cannot manufacture fish, but it can communicate better about what is happening. If trolling is not producing results, you should be told why the boat is changing tactics. Before departure, ask what type of fishing is likely during your date and how much time will normally be spent trolling.

The boat staff also enforce the no-shoes rule and prohibit alcohol and controlled substances. Those rules may feel strict, but a wet deck and moving boat are not a good combination for loose footwear or impaired judgment.

Who Will Enjoy This Day at Sea?

This tour suits you if you want a complete day on the water rather than a short fishing session. It works especially well for mixed groups, since one person can fish while another snorkels, swims, eats, or enjoys the scenery.

It is also a good fit for casual anglers. The crew supplies the equipment and bait, and you do not need to organize a separate charter or know how to rig a line. The trip offers several fishing methods, so you get a taste of local sea fishing rather than one highly specialized technique.

You may want another option if you are an experienced angler seeking a guaranteed offshore target. The title suggests serious big-game fishing, but the real experience can be bottom fishing, limited trolling, or no catch. For a dedicated fishing holiday, confirm the season and species before booking.

A moderate level of physical fitness is required. You need to manage a boat, tolerate sun and sea movement, and get in and out for snorkeling if you choose to swim. The trip is not suitable if you are pregnant or have back, neck, joint, or muscular problems. Children aged three and younger are free with a paying adult, but children aged one and younger are not allowed.

Price, Group Size, and Booking Timing

At $104.17 per person, this is a midrange shared boat experience. The price includes several costs that can add up elsewhere: round-trip transport from selected Phuket areas, the cruise, fishing gear, bait, lures, snorkeling equipment, lunch, soft drinks, water, and a professional local guide.

The value improves if you use the hotel transfer and enjoy both fishing and snorkeling. It weakens if you book solely for a large catch and spend most of the day cruising. A private charter would offer more control, but this shared trip keeps the cost lower.

The tour is commonly booked about 23 days ahead, so it is sensible to reserve early during busy periods. At least two people are needed for the trip to operate. A solo booking is possible, but it can be canceled if the minimum is not met, with an alternative date or refund offered in that situation.

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. Weather and sea conditions can also alter the program or lead to cancellation by the operator. If the schedule changes for safety reasons, no refund is promised, so do not book it on the final day of a tightly timed Phuket visit.

Should You Book the Phuket Fishing Tour?

Book it if you want an easy, all-day sea outing with fishing, lunch, drinks, snorkeling, and hotel pickup in one package. The crew, especially Eddie, appears to be a major strength, and the boat’s limited group size should make the day more comfortable than a large excursion.

Do not book it expecting a guaranteed big tuna, sailfish, or wahoo. Ask about the current trolling season before paying, and accept that some days produce only small reef fish or nothing at all. If that uncertainty sounds acceptable, the trip offers a pleasant way to spend a day around Koh Racha Yai. If landing a specific trophy fish is the whole point, choose a fishing operator that will discuss seasonal targets and fishing time in detail.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 8 a.m. Hotel pickup may take place 30 to 90 minutes earlier, depending on your hotel’s location.

Is hotel pickup included?

Round-trip pickup is included from selected areas of Phuket, including many hotels in Patong, Karon, Kata, Rawai, Naitharn, Yacht Club, Ban Krating, Chalong, and Kalim Beach. Some outer areas require an additional transfer fee.

What fishing equipment is provided?

The tour includes trolling gear, bottom-fishing gear, lures, and bait. A professional local guide is also included.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A snorkel and mask are provided, and the trip includes time for snorkeling and swimming near Koh Racha Yai when conditions allow.

What food and drinks are included?

A Thai buffet-style lunch, drinking water, and soft drinks are included throughout the day. The exact lunch selection can vary.

Can children join the tour?

Children aged three and younger can join free when accompanied by a paying adult. Children aged one and younger are not allowed. The tour also requires at least two participants to operate.