Ultimate Full-Day Big Game Fishing & Trolling Tour

Phuket’s Andaman Sea is the real draw here: you spend a full day on the water, moving between fishing grounds near Koh Racha Yai and a snorkeling stop. I like the practical setup, with bait, lures, rods, masks, drinks, lunch, and hotel transport included. I also like that the trip keeps the group to a maximum of 15 people, rather than turning the boat into a floating crowd.

The main caution is simple: big game fishing is not guaranteed. Some days produce skipjack tuna, while others bring only small groupers or no fish at all. Trolling may also be limited or unavailable outside the right season, so you should book this for a day at sea with fishing opportunities, not a promised trophy catch.

Key points at a glance

• Koh Racha Yai is the main fishing area, reached by boat from Chalong Pier.
• Trolling and bottom fishing are both offered, but seasonal conditions can affect what is available.
• Lunch, drinking water, soft drinks, bait, lures, and fishing gear are included in the listed price.
• Snorkeling gear is supplied, with time for a swim and reef stop when conditions allow.
• Hotel pickup starts before 8:00 a.m., sometimes 30 to 90 minutes early.
• The trip suits active visitors, but rough seas, limited catches, and cloudy water are possible.

Eight hours from Chalong Pier to Koh Racha Yai

The day begins with hotel pickup for an 8:00 a.m. departure. Pickup is offered from many central Phuket areas, including Patong, Karon, Kata, Rawai, Nai Harn, Chalong, Kalim Beach, Ban Krating, and the Yacht Club area.

Allow extra time in the morning. Depending on where you stay, the vehicle may arrive 30 to 90 minutes before departure. That is useful if you want door-to-pier service, but it can make the morning feel long, especially from the far side of the island.

The boat leaves from Chalong Pier and heads across the Andaman Sea toward Koh Racha Yai. The trip is described as an eight-hour outing, so this is not a quick fishing lesson squeezed between beach visits. You are committing most of the day to open water, sun, boat movement, and changing sea conditions.

That time commitment is part of the value. At $104.17 per person, you are paying for transport, boat time, equipment, lunch, drinks, and a local guide in one package. A private charter would cost far more, but this is also not a luxury yacht experience. You share the boat with up to 14 other people, and the quality of the day depends heavily on weather, fish activity, and how well the crew manages the schedule.

Fishing near Koh Racha Yai

The stated fishing stop lasts about two hours, with the guide choosing a suitable spot near Racha Island. This is where you can try different methods, including trolling and bottom fishing.

Trolling is the method most people imagine when they see the words big game fishing. Lines trail behind the moving boat in search of tuna, mackerel, sailfish, wahoo, and other open-water species. It can be exciting, but it is seasonal and unpredictable. One outing produced a large school of skipjack tuna, while another produced only a single tuna or no fish at all.

Bottom fishing is more settled. Lines are lowered toward reef areas, where you might catch grouper, razorfish, or other smaller local species. That can give you more hands-on fishing time, but it may not satisfy you if your main goal is a large tuna or other powerful fish.

This distinction matters. The trip combines big game ambitions with ordinary reef fishing, and the balance can change on the day. If trolling is not in season, you could spend much of the fishing portion bottom fishing instead. I would ask the operator about current trolling conditions before committing, particularly if a large catch is the main reason you are booking.

The crew supplies the tackle, bait, and lures, so you do not need to bring fishing equipment. That makes the trip easy for a first-time angler or a visitor who does not want to pack specialist gear. A local guide can also help you handle the equipment and explain how to work the line.

A named guide, Eddie, has been singled out for being entertaining and helpful. Guides can change, of course, but the best version of this outing depends on having an active crew that keeps the fishing moving and explains what is happening.

What the catch can really look like

Fishing trips require a little emotional preparation. You may catch tuna, mackerel, grouper, razorfish, or other local fish. You may also catch very little.

That is not a minor detail. The experience has produced everything from a strong skipjack tuna catch to no fish at all. One day brought only small groupers of roughly 1.5 pounds. Another produced no fish after rough seas and a difficult run out from Phuket.

The water itself can affect the snorkeling and the fishing. Cloudy conditions have reduced underwater visibility, and some people have seen little during the swim stop. Other outings have offered good snorkeling near the island. Weather, tides, currents, and fish movement are outside the crew’s control, but the operator should still explain seasonal expectations clearly.

I would judge the trip by the whole day rather than by the number of fish alone. If you enjoy being on a boat, trying different techniques, eating lunch at sea, and swimming near Racha Island, the uncertain catch may be acceptable. If you want guaranteed fishing action, this is the wrong type of excursion.

Thai lunch, drinks, and the midday break

A Thai buffet-style lunch is included, along with drinking water and soft drinks throughout the day. The food has been one of the more reliable parts of the experience, with praise for plentiful, well-prepared meals.

Expect a practical boat lunch rather than a restaurant meal. Reports describe dishes such as rice, salad, chicken wings, and freshly prepared tuna when the catch allows. One particularly memorable meal included raw tuna caught during the trip, which gives the day a local, catch-of-the-day feel.

The lunch stop may take place near other boats, so do not expect a quiet private anchorage. At busy times, several vessels can gather in the same area. That can make the setting feel crowded, but it also reflects the popularity of the Racha Island waters.

Water and soft drinks are included, but alcohol is prohibited. Bring sunscreen and keep drinking water regularly, since a full day on open water can feel hotter than a day on the beach.

Snorkeling at Racha Island

Snorkel equipment and masks are supplied, and the itinerary includes a swim and snorkeling break. This gives non-anglers something to do while lines are being reset or when the boat is moving between fishing areas.

The quality of the snorkeling is strongly tied to sea conditions. Clear water can make the island stop a welcome change from the fishing rods, while cloudy water may leave you with little to see. You should treat it as an additional activity, not the main reason to choose this tour.

Bring your own swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. A dry change is especially useful after swimming, even if you plan to stay in your swimwear for the rest of the boat ride.

There is one boat custom worth knowing in advance: shoes may be collected before boarding or during the outing, because the crew considers bare feet safer on a wet deck. Keep track of your footwear and confirm where it has been placed. It is a small point, but losing your shoes at the end of a long day is an avoidable nuisance.

The boat, crew, and group size

The boat is described as modern and comfortable, with room for a maximum of 15 people. That is a reasonable group size for a shared fishing trip. You get the lower price of a group outing without the scale of a large sightseeing vessel.

The crew is one of the stronger parts of the experience. The best days have involved friendly, hard-working staff who keep the operation orderly, help with equipment, and try to make the day enjoyable even when the fish are not cooperating.

That said, the boat ride can be rough. The run from Chalong toward Racha Island may feel uncomfortable in poor conditions, and four or more hours of travel and waiting can seem excessive if you spend little time actively fishing. The sea is not a controlled environment, so anyone prone to motion sickness should plan carefully, although no specific medication is provided in the tour details.

The operator may change the program because of weather, tides, sea conditions, accidents, or other safety concerns. A trip can also be canceled in bad weather. Changes made for safety do not qualify for a refund, so check the conditions and cancellation rules before paying.

Getting there and extra transfer charges

Round-trip transportation is included from selected areas of Phuket. Transfers from some outer districts cost extra:

• Surin, Bang Tao, and Kamala: 200 baht per person
• Panwa: 1,200 baht per group
• Rawai, Yanui, and Nai Thon: 800 baht per group

The pickup information lists Rawai and Nai Thon among both included and extra-charge areas, so your exact hotel location matters. Ask for confirmation before booking if you are near the edge of one of these zones.

The early pickup and long day make this easier to schedule as your main activity for the day. Do not pair it with an evening plan that requires you to be back at a precise time. Sea conditions and the transfer route can affect the return.

Is $104.17 a fair price?

For Phuket, $104.17 is a reasonable price if you want a full-day shared boat trip with the essentials bundled together. You receive hotel pickup from selected areas, boat transport, fishing equipment, bait, lures, snorkeling gear, lunch, water, soft drinks, and a local guide.

The value is strongest for a mixed group. Anglers get several fishing methods, while companions can snorkel, swim, eat lunch, and enjoy the boat ride. You also avoid the cost and hassle of hiring equipment separately.

The value drops if you measure the trip only by the size of the catch. No operator can promise tuna or other large fish, and the practical experience may turn into a long boat day with short periods of successful fishing. If you want a private boat, a specialist captain, or a carefully timed trophy-fishing program, this package may feel too general.

A small group of two or more also matters. The trip requires at least two participants 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.

Who should book this fishing trip?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy the process of fishing as much as the result. It works well for couples, families with older children, and mixed groups where one person wants to fish and another wants time in the water.

Children age three and younger are free with a paying adult. Children age one and younger are not allowed. The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness, and it is not suitable if you are pregnant or have back, neck, joint, or muscular problems.

You should be comfortable with a full day outside, boat movement, sun, and uncertain timing. Bring the right clothing, accept that the snorkeling may be modest, and think of the fishing as an opportunity rather than a guarantee.

I would be more cautious if you are booking solely for big game trolling. Ask about the current season and expected fishing method before paying. That one question could prevent the main disappointment reported by people who expected large fish but spent most of the day bottom fishing.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an all-in-one day at sea with fishing, snorkeling, lunch, and hotel transport. The crew, food, equipment, and easy pickup make it a practical choice, and a good tuna run can turn it into a memorable Phuket day.

Skip it if you need guaranteed catches, crystal-clear snorkeling, calm seas, or a private boat. The honest expectation is a pleasant but unpredictable fishing outing. Some days bring tuna and excellent crew support. Others bring rough water, little fishing action, and a meal that becomes the day’s highlight.

FAQ

How long is the fishing tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours, including the boat trip, fishing, snorkeling or swimming time, and lunch.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 8:00 a.m. Hotel pickup may take place 30 to 90 minutes earlier, depending on your hotel’s location.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat departs from Chalong Pier and travels across the Andaman Sea toward Koh Racha Yai.

Is hotel pickup included?

Round-trip pickup is included from selected areas and hotels in Phuket, including many locations in Patong, Karon, Kata, Rawai, Nai Harn, Chalong, and Kalim Beach. Extra fees apply to some outer areas.

What fishing equipment is provided?

Trolling gear, bottom-fishing gear, lures, and bait are included. You do not need to bring your own fishing equipment.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A snorkel and mask are included, with time for snorkeling and swimming near the island when conditions allow.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Thai buffet-style lunch is included, along with drinking water and soft drinks throughout the day.

Can children join the tour?

Children age three and younger can join free when accompanied by a paying adult. Children age one and younger are not allowed.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The supplier may cancel the trip in bad weather. The program may also change because of tides, sea conditions, accidents, or other safety concerns.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The maximum group size is 15 people. At least two people are required for the activity to operate, although a solo booking can be made subject to availability.