Ultimate Full-Day Big Game Fishing & Trolling Tour

Big fish are never guaranteed. This Phuket boat trip pairs Andaman Sea fishing with a Thai buffet, snorkeling, and a full day near Koh Racha Yai. I like the easy hotel pickup and the fact that bait, lures, tackle, drinks, and fishing gear are included. The local guide and crew also earn strong praise, especially Eddie, whose humor and fishing advice helped make one outing memorable.

The catch is the wording. Some days bring skipjack tuna, while others produce only small grouper or no fish at all. Trolling may depend on the season, and this matters if sailfish, wahoo, or serious big-game action is your main reason for booking. The boat, food, and staff are usually the safer bets than the size of your catch.

Key points to know before booking

• Koh Racha Yai is the main setting: The boat crosses from Chalong Pier to the island area for fishing and a swim or snorkel stop.
• Fishing is not just one style: Trolling, bottom fishing, bait, lures, and tackle are provided, but the day’s method can change with season and sea conditions.
• The crew is a major strength: Guides such as Eddie receive praise for being helpful, entertaining, and active throughout the day.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect a Thai buffet-style meal, drinking water, and soft drinks during the day.
• The catch can be modest: Tuna, mackerel, razorfish, and other local species are possible, but no catch or fish size is promised.
• The tour lasts about eight hours: Pickup can begin 30 to 90 minutes before the 8:00 a.m. start, depending on your hotel.

Setting out from Chalong Pier at 8:00 a.m.

Your day begins with a hotel pickup from many central Phuket areas. The listed pickup zone covers Patong, Karon, Kata, Rawai, Naitharn, Yacht Club, Ban Krating, Chalong, and Kalim Beach hotels. Since collection can happen 30 to 90 minutes before departure, keep your morning free rather than planning a tight breakfast or airport transfer.

From Chalong Pier, you board a modern boat and head across the Andaman Sea toward Koh Racha Yai. The ride itself is part of the experience, but it can be rough. One outing had choppy conditions on the way out, so bring motion-sickness medicine if you normally need it. The company can also alter or cancel the program when weather, tides, or sea conditions make the trip unsafe.

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is small enough to make it easier to reach the fishing gear and speak with the crew, though the boat may still feel busy during meal time or when several lines are active at once.

A practical boat rule catches some people off guard: shoes are removed and placed in a basket. The stated reason is safety, since wet footwear can slip on deck. Wear something comfortable for going barefoot and label your shoes mentally, especially if several boats are operating nearby.

Fishing around Koh Racha Yai

The main stop is Koh Racha Yai, reached after the crossing from Phuket. The boat spends about two hours around this area according to the scheduled stop, although the full day includes travel, fishing, food, and water time.

Your guide chooses a fishing spot based on local conditions. You may try trolling as the boat moves, then switch to bottom fishing near reef areas. Provided equipment includes trolling and bottom-fishing gear, lures, and bait. The guide can show you how to work the tackle and offer tips for species such as tuna, mackerel, and razorfish.

This is best understood as a sea-fishing day rather than a guaranteed trophy-fish charter. Some outings produce a good school of skipjack tuna. One particularly successful day brought a large tuna catch, even though it was the off-season for sailfish and wahoo. Other days have produced only small groupers, a single tuna, or no fish at all.

That difference is the central issue. If you want time on the water, basic instruction, and the chance to catch local fish, the setup makes sense. If you are booking specifically for large tuna, sailfish, or wahoo, you should ask about the current season before paying. The published experience uses the phrase big game fishing, but actual conditions can lead to mostly bottom fishing.

The crew cannot control fish behavior, water clarity, or the number of boats near a fishing area. That does not make the disappointment less real, but it does explain why results vary so sharply. Treat the catch as a possibility, not the product’s guarantee.

Snorkeling and swimming near the island

Snorkeling gear is included, with masks available for the water stop. Koh Racha Yai offers a chance to swim and look beneath the surface after the fishing portion. On one outing, snorkeling was described as very good. On another, cloudy water made it hard to see anything.

That contrast is useful. Do not book this as a dedicated snorkeling cruise. Water clarity depends on conditions, and the schedule is built around fishing first. The snorkel break gives you a welcome change of pace after sitting with a rod, but it may be brief or visually disappointing if the sea is cloudy.

Pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a change of clothes. You will appreciate dry clothing on the ride back, especially after swimming or spray from the crossing.

Thai buffet lunch on a busy anchorage

Lunch is included and is one of the more dependable pleasures of the day. It is served buffet-style, with Thai food and drinks available. Several outings received praise for plentiful or well-prepared food, and tuna caught during the day may be eaten fresh in some circumstances.

Expect the meal to be practical rather than a restaurant occasion. One outing described a smaller spread of salad, wings, and rice, while other accounts found the food generous and very good. Portions and menu variety may vary with the day.

The lunch setting can also be crowded. Boats may gather at the same anchorage, which takes away some quiet from the island stop. Still, included food, water, and soft drinks add real value to an eight-hour activity. You are not left to buy meals or drinks at sea.

Alcohol and controlled substances are prohibited. That policy suits a moving boat with fishing equipment and wet decks, so plan on a sober day.

The crew can make or break the day

The strongest part of this experience is the human side. The crew is often described as friendly, professional, hardworking, and helpful. Eddie, in particular, is praised for being entertaining and for giving useful fishing guidance.

That matters when the fish are not cooperating. A blank day can feel very long if the crew ignores you, but active help, conversation, and smooth organization soften the disappointment. The staff also apologizes when the fishing is poor, even though they cannot control the catch.

You should still set realistic expectations about instruction. The tour includes a professional local guide and fishing advice, but it is not presented as a private charter with one instructor assigned to each person. With up to 15 people aboard, attention may move around the boat.

The crew’s good service does not erase problems with communication about seasonal fishing. If trolling or large species are the reason you are booking, confirm what is normally available when you visit. This is the single most useful question to ask before committing.

Is $104.17 a fair price?

At $104.17 per person, the price covers a full day rather than a short fishing trip. You receive round-trip transport from selected Phuket areas, the boat cruise, fishing tackle, bait, lures, snorkeling gear, lunch, water, soft drinks, and a local guide.

That is a fair package for someone who wants several activities in one day. Hotel pickup saves you the cost and trouble of arranging a ride to Chalong Pier. Lunch and drinks also keep small expenses from piling up.

The value falls if you measure the price only by the number or size of fish caught. A no-catch day is possible, and some outings spend much more time traveling or waiting than actively fishing. You are paying for access to the sea, equipment, crew, food, and the chance of a catch, not a guaranteed haul.

Transfers from some outer areas cost extra. Surin, Bangtao, and Kamala require 200 Baht per person. Panwa costs 1,200 Baht per group, while Rawai, Yanui, and Naithorn require 800 Baht per group according to the stated transfer charges. Check the charge for your exact hotel before booking.

The tour is commonly reserved about 23 days ahead, so it is not a last-minute-only activity. That lead time may reflect demand, boat capacity, or holiday planning. Since the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed, make your date choice carefully.

Who will enjoy this day on the water?

I would recommend this for a mixed group. One person can fish while another snorkels, swims, eats lunch, or simply enjoys the boat ride. It works well for families with older children, couples who want a full sea day, and casual anglers who do not need a trophy fish.

Children aged three and younger are complimentary when accompanied by a paying adult. Children aged one and younger are not allowed. The activity requires moderate physical fitness, and it is not suitable if you are pregnant or have back, neck, joint, or muscular problems.

Serious anglers should approach it differently. Ask about the current trolling season, likely species, and the fishing method expected on your date. If the answer points mainly to bottom fishing, decide if that still sounds worthwhile. You may have a pleasant day and still feel misled if you imagined nonstop big-game trolling.

The tour also suits people who like a social boat setting. It is less suitable if you want privacy, guaranteed quiet, or a fully customized fishing plan.

Weather, sea conditions, and the risk of a changed plan

The company can change the program for weather, tides, sea conditions, accidents, or other safety reasons. It may cancel a trip when conditions are bad. If the schedule changes for safety or comfort, no refund is provided under the stated terms.

That policy is strict, so read it before booking. The open sea is not a controlled attraction, and conditions can alter the route, fishing areas, snorkeling, or timing. A calm forecast is helpful, but it cannot promise clear water or active fish.

Bring sunscreen and a hat or sunglasses, but secure loose items. Pack a towel and a dry change of clothes. Comfortable clothing is more useful than anything fancy, especially since footwear comes off on board.

Should you book the Ultimate Full-Day Fishing Tour?

Book it if you want an all-day Andaman Sea outing with fishing, snorkeling, a Thai lunch, and hotel transport in one package. The crew, included equipment, food, and easy logistics give it solid value, especially for casual anglers and mixed groups.

Think twice if your only goal is a large fish. The catch may be skipjack tuna, mackerel, small grouper, or nothing, and trolling conditions change with the season. Before booking, ask exactly what type of fishing is expected during your visit.

My practical verdict: choose this for a flexible sea adventure, not a guaranteed big-game charter. If you can enjoy the boat, island water, food, and crew even on a slow fishing day, the price is reasonable. If a trophy catch is essential, spend your money only after confirming the season and target species.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The stated 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 depart from?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Round-trip transportation is included from selected Phuket areas. Extra transfer charges apply to some locations, including Surin, Bangtao, Kamala, Panwa, Rawai, Yanui, and Naithorn.

What fishing equipment is provided?

Trolling and bottom-fishing gear, lures, and bait are included. A professional local guide is also part of the experience.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel gear and a mask are included, along with time for snorkeling and swimming near Koh Racha Yai.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, towel, sunglasses, and a change of clothes. Shoes are removed on the boat, and alcohol and controlled substances are not allowed.

Can children join the tour?

Children aged three and younger can join free with a paying adult. Children aged one and younger are not allowed. The activity requires a moderate fitness level and is not suitable for people with certain medical conditions or pregnancy.