Phuket: Game Fishing and Trolling Boat Trip with Lunch

Fish, swim, and eat your catch. This eight-hour trip from Ao Chalong Pier takes you across the Gulf of Thailand toward Racha Yai Island, combining trolling, bottom fishing, a boat lunch, and time in clear water. I like the chance to have freshly prepared sashimi from the fish caught that day, and I also like that hotel transfers, equipment, drinks, fruit, and snorkeling gear are included. The main caution is that fishing success depends on conditions, and one poor outing included rough seas, old gear, and only one small tuna.

The trip costs $125 per person, which is fair if you catch fish and make full use of the boat day. It is less convincing if you spend hours trolling without a bite. The crew has earned strong praise for being friendly and helpful, with one particularly well-liked guide named Eddie, but the standard of fishing equipment may not always be consistent.

The five things worth knowing before you book

• Trolling begins during the morning run to Racha Yai, so the boat time is part of the fishing rather than a simple transfer.
• Your catch may become sashimi or part of lunch, with several outings producing tuna and one producing a large mahi.
• The day can be physically demanding, especially when reeling in fish by hand or with spinning gear.
• Racha Yai supplies the scenery and swimming break, but the time there is limited to about two and a half hours, including lunch.
• Hotel pickup covers many Phuket areas, while distant beaches require an added fee or private van.
• Fishing results vary sharply, from several tuna and mahi to almost no action.

Leaving Ao Chalong at 8:30 in the morning

Your day starts with pickup from one of several Phuket areas, followed by a meeting at the Nikorn Marine office at Ao Chalong Pier. The listed meeting time is 7:45 a.m., with departure at 8:30. You should wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before pickup, since the driver will wait no longer than 15 minutes.

This early start matters. The trip is not a short scenic cruise with a fishing rod added at the end. You spend much of the day on the water, and trolling begins on the way to Racha Yai. The ride gives the crew time to set lines and gives you a chance to settle into the boat before the island stop.

Hotel transfer is included from Phuket, Chalong, Patong, Kata Beach, Nai Harn Beach, Tri Trang Beach, Rawai, Kalim Beach, and Karon Beach. Pickup from Laguna, Bangtao, Surin Beach, Kamala, Laem Hin, Koh Kaew, Siray, Cape Panwa, and Ao Yon costs an additional 250 Thai baht per person. From Mai Khao, Nai Yang, Nai Thon, Ao Por, Layan Beach, or the airport, a private van costs 2,000 Thai baht.

Give the operator your exact hotel name. Phuket has plenty of similarly named resorts, and a vague pickup address can create a poor start to an otherwise long day.

Trolling toward Racha Yai Island

The first fishing method is trolling. Lines trail behind the moving boat as you head toward Racha Yai, and this is where the trip can feel most like a proper game-fishing outing. You are not simply motoring straight to a beach.

The fishing has produced very different results. One successful trip brought in eight tuna, with three more fish getting away. Another group caught six tuna, and a different outing brought in several tuna and a large mahi. Those are excellent results for a recreational boat trip and explain why the experience can feel like a real prize when the fish cooperate.

But you should not read those catches as a promise. On one difficult day, the boat spent about four hours trolling in large seas and landed only one small tuna. The conditions, fish activity, and location all matter. If your main goal is a guaranteed catch, this is the wrong type of activity. Fishing is the product here, not a decorative extra, and luck plays a large role.

The boat offers spinning reels or handlines for bottom fishing later in the day. A recent account described the fishing as enjoyable but physically demanding. Bring some strength and expect to work rather than sit back while the crew does everything.

There is also a practical warning about the equipment. Several outings went very well, but one report described an old reel, a temporary zip tie holding part of the gear in place, a snapped line, and bait that was not changed during several drops. That may have been an isolated problem, yet it is worth understanding before you pay $125. The quality of the day can depend heavily on which boat and gear you receive.

Racha Yai after the morning effort

The boat reaches Racha Yai around lunchtime. The island is known for clear water and a bright tropical setting, so this is the point where the trip shifts from active fishing to a slower island break.

The schedule allows about two and a half hours for sightseeing and snorkeling, with 45 minutes set aside for lunch. The exact order may change with tide and weather conditions. You might spend time swimming, snorkeling, relaxing on board, or looking toward the island from the boat.

Mask and snorkel equipment, plus a life jacket, are included. Still, do not assume snorkeling will always be a major part of the stop. One unhappy account said no snorkeling gear was offered and that swimming took place in an area with jellyfish. The program includes the equipment, but the crew may adjust water activities based on safety and local conditions.

This is also not a beach day with hours to wander on shore. Racha Yai provides a scenic pause between fishing sessions, but you remain on a tightly timed boat trip. If you want long beach time, a dedicated island excursion will suit you better.

Fresh sashimi and a buffet lunch onboard

Lunch is served aboard the boat at Racha Yai. The meal includes a buffet, fruit, and soft drinks, and fish caught during the day may be cooked on board. The most memorable version of lunch is the fresh sashimi made from your catch.

This is the feature I find most distinctive. Several successful trips included tuna prepared on board, and one group enjoyed two fish as sashimi. Another outing served its catch with the rest of the lunch. You get a direct connection between the morning’s effort and the meal, which is far more interesting than a standard boxed lunch.

The remaining buffet food has received a more mixed but generally acceptable assessment. I would think of the catch as the highlight and the buffet as practical fuel for the afternoon. Food quantity and preparation may depend on what is caught and what the crew can prepare safely.

If you do not catch anything, you still receive lunch, fruit, and soft drinks. That helps protect the value of the trip, but it does not erase the disappointment if fishing was your reason for booking.

Bring snacks if you need regular food or have a particular diet. Snacks are specifically listed among the recommended items, while special dietary arrangements are not described.

The afternoon return and second fishing session

After lunch, the boat leaves Racha Yai at about 1:45 p.m. Trolling resumes during the return to Chalong Pier. This gives you another chance at tuna or other game fish rather than ending the active portion of the day after lunch.

The schedule also includes bottom fishing. Depending on the day, you may use a spinning reel or handline and lower bait below the boat. One successful trip caught seven fish during this part of the day. On a less successful trip, the group had only a short time for bottom fishing before needing to return to port.

That timing is important. The advertised eight hours includes transfers, the ride to Racha Yai, lunch, island time, and the return cruise. You should not expect eight full hours with a rod in your hands. Fishing time can also be shortened by rough seas, tides, delays, or the need to reach port on schedule.

The return to Ao Chalong is planned for about 4:30 p.m., followed by transport to your hotel. The return cruise lasts around 105 minutes in the itinerary, so bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a towel. The boat can be exposed and bright even when the day feels comfortable at the pier.

What the $125 price really buys

At $125, this trip sits in the middle of the market for a full-day Phuket boat outing, but the value depends on your priorities. You are paying for an eight-hour program with hotel transfers, a local guide, fishing equipment, lunch, soft drinks, fruit, snorkeling gear, a life jacket, and accident insurance.

That package is useful. Paying separately for a transfer to Ao Chalong, a boat ride, fishing equipment, lunch, and a Racha Island stop could quickly add up. The fresh fish preparation also gives the day something that a standard sightseeing cruise does not offer.

The weak point is reliability. A strong fishing day with tuna, mahi, sashimi, and a helpful crew makes the price look very reasonable. A long ride in rough seas with worn equipment and no meaningful catch makes it feel expensive.

I would book this as a combined fishing and island day, not as a guaranteed game-fishing charter. That distinction protects your expectations. You may have a terrific catch, but the operator cannot control the fish, weather, tide, or sea conditions.

The crew and the feel of the day

The guide and two crew members are frequently praised for being friendly and helpful, especially when people need assistance with fishing. Eddie is named as an especially fun and effective guide on one recent outing. The available languages are English, Chinese, and Thai, though the quality of spoken English may vary by guide.

A smaller group can improve the day. One successful trip described a small group with enough catch for tuna sashimi and a relaxed experience. Group size is not specified, so you should not assume a private boat or a fixed number of passengers.

The overall feel is practical rather than polished. Crew members help with the rods, bait, and fish, but this is not presented as a luxury yacht experience. Expect a working fishing boat, a simple buffet, and a full day exposed to sun, spray, and movement.

The weather policy is rain or shine, although the program can change with tide and weather. That means you need a flexible attitude. Rough seas can make the trip uncomfortable and can affect how much fishing or swimming is possible.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy the process of fishing as much as the result. You will have several chances to troll, try bottom fishing, and see what the day produces. The possibility of eating your tuna as sashimi gives the outing a clear sense of place.

It also suits couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage a long boat day. Anyone who likes combining an activity with a short island stop will appreciate the balance between fishing, lunch, swimming, and scenery.

It is less suitable for anyone prone to seasickness, anyone expecting calm-water snorkeling, or anyone who wants guaranteed fish. The trip is not recommended for children under four, pregnant women, people with back problems, or people over 65. It is also not suitable for non-folding wheelchairs.

Fishing can require effort. One successful account specifically noted that you need strength, and the equipment may be harder to operate than what you find on a high-end private charter. If you have limited mobility or back trouble, the motion of the boat and the act of reeling could be uncomfortable.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Pack light. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so take only what you need for the boat.

Bring:

• Sunglasses and a hat
• Sunscreen
• Swimwear and a towel
• A camera
• Snacks
• Your passport or identification card, with a copy accepted

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Keep valuables protected from spray and avoid bringing anything you would not want exposed to water.

I would also wear clothes that dry reasonably quickly and use plenty of sunscreen. The trip runs from early morning until late afternoon, and the sun can be strong during both fishing and the island stop.

Should you book this Racha Island fishing day?

Book it if you want a full day built around the chance of catching tuna, eating fresh sashimi, and seeing Racha Yai. The best outings sound genuinely memorable, with friendly crew, several fish, fresh preparation, and a satisfying mix of activity and scenery.

Think twice if your priority is reliable fishing performance or refined equipment. The mixed results are the key fact: some days produce a handsome catch, while another day may bring rough seas, one small tuna, limited bottom fishing, and gear trouble.

For the best value, treat the $125 as payment for a complete boat day with fishing, lunch, transfers, and an island stop. If you need a guaranteed catch, choose a private charter with clearer equipment standards. If you can accept fishing luck and want the added pleasure of eating what you catch, this trip is worth considering.

FAQ

How long is the Phuket fishing trip?

The activity lasts eight hours. The planned day begins with a 7:45 a.m. meeting at Ao Chalong Pier, departs at 8:30 a.m., returns to Ao Chalong at about 4:30 p.m., and includes hotel transfer time.

Where does the boat depart from?

The boat departs from Ao Chalong Pier in Phuket. You meet the guide at the Nikorn Marine office before boarding.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is included from Phuket, Chalong, Patong, Kata Beach, Nai Harn Beach, Tri Trang Beach, Rawai, Kalim Beach, and Karon Beach. Some other areas require an additional charge.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch, fruit, and soft drinks are included. Fish caught during the trip may be cooked on the boat, and sashimi may be prepared from the catch.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Mask and snorkel equipment, along with a life jacket, are included. Swimming and snorkeling time can change according to weather, tide, and conditions.

Can I keep or eat the fish I catch?

Fish caught during the trip can be cooked on the boat. The program also highlights sashimi made from the catch, although the amount and type of fish depend on the day’s fishing.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guides are available in English, Chinese, and Thai.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also allows you to reserve now and pay later.