Private Boat Fishing TROLLING & SPINNING From Phuket

Fishing the Andaman Sea takes patience. This private eight-hour trip from Phuket pairs trolling and spinning around Racha Yai and Racha Noi with lunch, swimming, and snorkeling. You have the boat to yourselves, up to four people, with a captain and fishing crew on hand.

I especially like the private format, since your group does not have to share fishing time or spend the day with strangers. The included lunch, fruit, soft drinks, fishing equipment, life jackets, and insurance also make the day simple to arrange. The main drawback is that the quality of the experience seems tied closely to the boat and crew on your date. Catching fish is never guaranteed, and communication in English may be limited.

For a group of four, the listed price of $459.67 works out to about $115 per person before any hotel transfer charge. That can be fair for a full private day on the water, but this is not a polished luxury charter. Think practical fishing boat, changing sea conditions, and a real chance of long quiet stretches between bites.

Quick facts about the Racha Islands fishing day

• Trolling begins around 9:30am, giving you an early start after departure from Ao Chalong Pier.
• Racha Yai and Racha Noi provide the main setting, with offshore fishing and chances to stop for snorkeling or swimming.
• Two fishing styles are included: trolling while the boat moves and spinning or hand-line bottom fishing from a stationary boat.
• Lunch is served aboard, with fruit and soft drinks included.
• The boat is private for your group, with a maximum of four people and a captain and crew for support.
• Hotel transfers cost extra from Karon, Kata, Patong, Kamala, Bang Tao, and Mai Khao.

Setting out from Ao Chalong at 8:30am

The meeting point is Ao Chalong Pier, at R8CV+8QV in Chalong, Phuket. The stated start time is 8:30am, with hotel pickup scheduled between 8:00 and 8:30am when arranged. The activity ends back at the pier, so you should plan your return trip from there if you do not add a hotel transfer.

The transfer details deserve attention. Round-trip transport is not included in the base price. The additional charge is 1,600 baht for Karon or Kata, 1,800 baht for Patong, 2,000 baht for Kamala or Bang Tao, and 2,400 baht for Mai Khao. These are group charges, not per-person charges, which makes them easier to absorb when four people share the boat.

If you are staying near Chalong, meeting at the pier may be the better value. From farther away, the paid transfer saves you the trouble of arranging transport at dawn, but it pushes the total price higher. Confirm the final currency and total before paying. One booking problem involved the price appearing in Singapore dollars rather than Thai baht, which caused confusion.

What the boat day is really like

This is a private fishing outing, not a sightseeing cruise with a short fishing stop added on. The day is built around several hours of fishing, with swimming and snorkeling used as welcome breaks when conditions allow.

The captain and fisherman crew provide the boat, equipment, and basic support. Trolling uses lines set while the boat moves, aimed at larger open-water species. The advertised possibilities include tuna, dorado, rainbow runner, sailfish, barracuda, black marlin, and other Andaman Sea fish. Closer to shore, you may encounter smaller shallow-water species.

That list describes what can be found in the area, not what you are promised. The most important thing to understand is that the fishing is not guaranteed. One strong outing produced about a dozen tuna, with one fish cleaned and cooked into Thai fish soup aboard. Other outings produced only a few bites after many hours. Weather, currents, season, technique, and plain luck all matter.

I would set your expectations around time on the water rather than a guaranteed catch. If landing a specific species is the main purpose of your Phuket holiday, ask the operator about recent conditions before committing. If you mainly want a private boat, the chance to fish, and a relaxed day around the islands, the uncertainty is easier to accept.

9:30am trolling toward the fishing grounds

After leaving Ao Chalong at about 9:00am, trolling is scheduled to start around 9:30am. This gives you an early taste of the trip while the boat heads toward the Racha islands. Trolling can feel less active than casting because you may wait while the lines trail behind the boat, but it is the method most likely to cover open water.

The potential reward is a larger fish. The practical issue is that you may spend long periods watching the rods without a bite. A private boat helps here because you can talk with your group, enjoy the sea views, and decide how much time you want to give the activity without being surrounded by a larger crowd.

Equipment is provided, including the fishing gear and life jackets. However, the condition of the equipment may vary. Some people found the gear basic or old, while others described the boat as clean and even pristine. I would not book this trip expecting high-end tackle or a new sport-fishing yacht.

Late morning spinning and bottom fishing

At about 11:00am, the plan shifts to spinning reel fishing from a floating boat. This is a different rhythm from trolling. The boat is stationary or moving very little, and you work closer to the fish below the boat or around the surrounding water.

The description also refers to hand-line bottom fishing. That can be a useful change of pace if trolling has been slow. It gives you something more active to do and may bring smaller fish closer to the boat. For families or mixed groups, this part may be more approachable than waiting for a single large offshore catch.

The crew may need to hand you the rod when a fish bites, rather than giving a long explanation of the technique. English communication has been a weak point on some outings. The crew is described as friendly and willing to help, but you should not assume detailed instruction or fluent English.

If fishing technique matters to you, send clear questions before the day. Ask what tackle will be used, if live bait is actually available, and how much instruction the crew provides. The advertised afternoon schedule mentions live bait, but at least one outing did not use it. That is worth confirming rather than taking for granted.

Noon lunch, fruit, and a possible fish story

Lunch is served on board around noon. Fruit and soft drinks are included as well. The food has been one of the more dependable pleasures of the trip, with a report of very good lunch and another of a tuna being cleaned and made into Thai fish soup.

Do not assume your own catch will be cooked. The fish soup was a special result of a successful day, not a stated guarantee. Still, the possibility adds a nice local touch. Eating a simple meal at sea, perhaps with a freshly caught fish if luck cooperates, feels more connected to the setting than stopping at a resort restaurant.

The boat’s facilities and meal presentation are not described in detail, so keep your expectations practical. This is an outdoor day in tropical conditions. Bring any personal snacks or drinks you require, though the included soft drinks and fruit cover the basics.

Racha Yai: the main island stop

Ko Racha Yai is the first named stop. It is the larger and more developed of the two Racha islands, and the trip uses its surrounding waters for fishing and water activities.

The plan does not promise a long shore visit. You are primarily coming for the fishing grounds around the island, not a guided tour of beaches or inland sights. If the sea is calm, this is also the likely setting for snorkeling among coral reefs and a swim.

The snorkeling is a useful bonus, especially when the fish are not cooperating. It gives you a second reason to be on the boat and breaks up the waiting. Still, conditions control what happens. The program can change because of weather and sea conditions, so do not treat snorkeling at a particular reef as fixed.

Bring suitable swimwear and be ready for a day where fishing remains the main activity. If someone in your group does not fish, the Racha Yai stop may be the part they enjoy most, but the overall schedule still contains many hours devoted to rods and lines.

Racha Noi: quieter water and changing conditions

Ko Racha Noi is the second named stop. It is included as part of the wider fishing route, but the supplied schedule does not specify exactly how long the boat spends there or which activity takes priority.

That flexibility is normal for a fishing charter. The captain may adjust the route according to sea state, fish activity, and safety. The stated itinerary can change, so the two island names should be viewed as intended areas rather than rigid sightseeing appointments.

This matters if you are hoping to visit both islands in a particular order or spend a set amount of time snorkeling. The captain’s judgment will shape the day. That is helpful in unsettled conditions, but it also means you should not expect the precision of a land-based tour.

Afternoon spinning with live bait listed

Around 1:00pm, the schedule calls for afternoon fishing with a spinning reel and live bait. This is intended to give you another chance after lunch, when the day is still far from over.

Live bait can make a major difference to fishing success, but its use is not certain on every outing. One account specifically noted that no live bait was used. Ask about this before departure if it is important to you, and understand that availability may depend on the day’s conditions and supplies.

This section can be the longest stretch for anyone who is not enthusiastic about fishing. The private setup helps because you can talk with the captain about changing the pace, taking a swim, or moving to another area when safe. Yet the trip remains a fishing charter, so you should not expect a constant sequence of activities.

3:00pm trolling back to Ao Chalong

The return journey is scheduled to begin at about 3:00pm, with trolling continuing on the way back. This gives you one final chance at tuna or another open-water species before reaching the pier.

The planned arrival is around 5:00pm, including transfer back to your hotel if that service has been arranged. A full day on a boat can feel tiring, especially in rough conditions. One family outing involved uncomfortable weather and children who struggled with the sea. If anyone in your group is prone to motion sickness, think carefully about an eight-hour offshore trip and check the forecast before going.

Safety equipment includes life jackets, insurance, and a maritime captain and fisherman crew. The operator says cancellations can occur in poor weather, with an alternative date or full refund offered. That is sensible for an excursion dependent on sea conditions.

Price, private space, and what you receive

The base price is $459.67 for up to four people. At full capacity, that is about $115 each for roughly eight hours, before transportation charges. For a private boat with equipment, crew, lunch, and a chance to fish around the Racha islands, that can be reasonable.

For two people, the calculation changes. You are paying the same group price, so the cost per person becomes much higher. The private format is best value for three or four people who genuinely want to fish. It is less compelling for a couple seeking only a scenic day at sea.

The package includes fishing equipment, insurance, life jackets, the captain and fisherman crew, lunch, fruit, and soft drinks. Round-trip hotel transport is extra. Be sure to compare the full amount in the currency you expect to pay, especially if your booking page displays a foreign currency.

The biggest value question is not the lunch or the boat ride. It is how much you value privacy. A shared trip may cost less per person, but it will not give your group the same control over the pace or the same room to discuss fishing, swimming, and breaks with the crew.

Who should book this Phuket charter?

I would recommend this trip to a group of up to four people who already enjoy fishing and want a private day rather than a polished resort activity. It also suits friends who are happy to treat snorkeling and swimming as extra options, not the main event.

It is a reasonable choice for people who want to try both trolling and spinning without buying or transporting equipment. The crew can provide support, and the included lunch keeps the day straightforward.

I would be cautious if you need fluent English instruction, modern equipment, or a guaranteed catch. The boat condition has received mixed descriptions, and some equipment has been called old. Communication may be limited, and the day can include long periods of waiting.

People who are pregnant or have high blood pressure, heart disease, or bone diseases are not recommended to join. The activity is also weather dependent, and the sea can be uncomfortable for children or anyone sensitive to motion.

Should you book the Racha Islands fishing trip?

Book it if your priority is a private fishing day with a real chance of tuna and other Andaman Sea species, plus lunch and time for a swim. The strongest reasons are the private group size, helpful basic inclusions, and the chance of a memorable catch cooked aboard.

Skip it if you want guaranteed action, detailed English guiding, new equipment, or a luxury boat. Before paying, confirm the pickup charge, currency, bait arrangements, boat setup, and expected sea conditions. For four keen anglers, it offers fair value. For two casual sightseers, a shorter island cruise may make better sense.

FAQ

How long does the fishing trip last?

The activity lasts about eight hours. The planned schedule runs from pickup around 8:00am to 8:30am until approximately 5:00pm, including the return to Ao Chalong and hotel transfer when arranged.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Ao Chalong Pier in Chalong, Phuket, at R8CV+8QV. The stated start time is 8:30am.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is offered, but round-trip transfer is not included in the base price. Extra charges apply for Karon, Kata, Patong, Kamala, Bang Tao, and Mai Khao.

How much does the private boat cost?

The listed price is $459.67 per group of up to four people. Transfer charges may be added depending on your hotel location.

Are fishing rods and equipment provided?

Yes. Fishing equipment is included, along with life jackets and insurance.

What types of fishing are included?

The program includes trolling, spinning-reel fishing, and hand-line or bottom fishing. The afternoon schedule lists live bait, but its use may vary.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch, fruit, and soft drinks are included. A freshly caught fish being prepared aboard is possible but not guaranteed.

Can I snorkel or swim during the trip?

Yes. There is an opportunity to snorkel among coral reefs and swim during the day, with the timing dependent on weather and sea conditions.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. If poor weather makes the trip unsafe, an alternative date or a full refund is offered. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.