Phuket: Game Fishing and Trolling Boat Trip with Lunch

The best part of this Phuket trip is the chance to eat fish caught only hours earlier. You troll toward Racha Yai, try bottom fishing near the island, and may have tuna prepared as sashimi before lunch. One group caught eight tuna, while another landed six tuna and a large mahi, but fishing is never guaranteed.

I like the fresh sashimi made on board, which gives the lunch a real connection to the morning’s work. I also like the mix of fishing, swimming, snorkeling, and open-water cruising, so you have something to enjoy even during a quiet fishing spell.

The main concern is the amount of time spent at sea. A reported trip faced large waves, old fishing gear, a broken line, and very little action. If you want a polished fishing charter with dependable catches, this may feel too basic. If you enjoy the uncertainty of fishing and value the full-day outing, it can be good fun.

Key points before you book

• Racha Yai is the setting: You fish and stop for lunch near one of Phuket’s most attractive island destinations.
• Catch your own lunch: Fish caught during the trip may be cooked on board, and tuna can be made into sashimi.
• Two fishing styles: The crew uses trolling on the way out and back, followed by spinning-reel or handline bottom fishing.
• A full eight-hour day: Hotel pickup, pier procedures, several hours on the water, lunch, and the return transfer fill most of your day.
• Fishing results vary: Some outings produce several tuna and mahi, while another had only one small tuna after hours of trolling.
• Basic practical limits: The trip is not recommended for children under four, pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone over 65.

What the day is really about

At $125 per person, this is not simply a fishing lesson. You are paying for hotel transport, a local guide, fishing equipment, lunch, drinks, fruit, snorkeling equipment, insurance, and a full day around Racha Yai. That makes the price reasonable if you want a combined fishing and island outing.

The value depends heavily on your expectations. If you judge the trip by the number and size of fish caught, you take a gamble. If you count the boat ride, island scenery, lunch, swimming, and the chance of fresh sashimi as part of the package, the outing makes more sense.

I would treat this as a fishing adventure with sightseeing, not as a professional sport-fishing charter. The supplied equipment includes spinning reels and handlines, and one account described a reel held in place with a zip tie and a line that snapped. Other outings had enough success to produce several tuna and a large mahi, so equipment quality and fishing conditions may not feel identical each day.

Starting at Ao Chalong Pier

Pickup is available from Phuket, Chalong, Patong, Kata Beach, Nai Harn Beach, Tri Trang Beach, Rawai, Kalim Beach, and Karon Beach. You should wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the agreed time, since the driver will wait no longer than 15 minutes.

The morning meeting point is Nikorn Marine’s office at Ao Chalong Pier. The schedule calls for a 7:45 a.m. meeting and an 8:30 a.m. departure. That gap gives the crew time to check passengers, organize equipment, and get everyone aboard.

Hotel transport is useful in Phuket, where getting across the island can take longer than expected. Pickup from some areas costs extra: Laguna, Bangtao, Surin, Kamala, Leam Hin, Kah Kaew, Siray, Cape Panwa, and Ao Yon carry a 250 baht per-person charge. Mai Khao, Nai Yang, Nai Thon, Aopor, Layan Beach, and the airport require a private van costing 2,000 baht.

Give the exact hotel name when booking. Phuket has many properties with similar names, and a vague pickup point can turn an early start into a needless scramble.

Trolling toward Racha Yai

Once the boat leaves Chalong, trolling begins on the way to Racha Yai. Lines trail behind the boat while you watch the water and wait for a strike. This part can be exciting when fish are active, but it can also mean several quiet hours.

The trip has produced strong days. One outing caught eight tuna, with three more fish escaping. Another caught six tuna, and two were turned into sashimi for lunch. A large mahi was also landed on one particularly successful day.

Those results are encouraging, but they are not a promise. On a less successful trip, the boat spent about four hours trolling in rough seas and caught one small tuna. You should book this only if you can accept that weather, tides, fish activity, and local conditions will shape the day.

The boat staff help with the fishing, and the crew has been described as friendly and willing to assist. Eddie is named as a particularly fun guide on one outing. Another guide spoke broken English but was still described as pleasant and helpful. The working languages are English, Chinese, and Thai.

Bring patience and some strength. Reeling in fish, especially from open water, takes effort. The trip is not presented as a gentle sightseeing cruise with a little fishing added. You may spend long periods standing, waiting, handling equipment, and coping with boat movement.

Fishing near Racha Yai

Racha Yai is the main destination, and the island gives the day a welcome change of pace. The water is described as clear, and the itinerary allows about two and a half hours for sightseeing and snorkeling before lunch. You can swim or relax if you need a break from the fishing.

The stop matters because it keeps the day from becoming eight straight hours of trolling. You get an island setting, time in the water, and a chance to enjoy the scenery even if the fish are not cooperating.

There is one practical warning. A less favorable outing offered swimming in a bay with jellyfish, and snorkeling equipment was not offered at that point. The included equipment lists a mask and snorkel, but you should ask the crew directly when and where it will be available. Conditions may affect the exact stop and the activities offered.

The schedule is also flexible. The operator can change the program based on tide and weather conditions, and the trip runs rain or shine. That means the advertised order is a useful guide, not a firm guarantee. Pack a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A camera is welcome, but keep it protected from spray.

Fresh fish and buffet lunch at 1 p.m.

Around 1 p.m., lunch is served on board near Racha Yai. The meal includes a buffet, fruit, and soft drinks. If fish has been caught, the crew can cook it on the boat, and tuna may be prepared as sashimi.

This is the most distinctive part of the trip. Fresh sashimi made from a fish caught that morning is a memorable meal, especially when you have watched the fishing process yourself. It also gives the crew a useful way to turn a successful catch into part of the experience rather than simply sending the fish away.

Keep expectations sensible. The rest of the food has been described as adequate rather than elaborate. The strength of the lunch is the setting and the catch, not a restaurant-style spread.

The lunch stop lasts about 45 minutes in the listed schedule, though the wider activity description allows time for swimming or relaxing around the island. If you want a long beach visit, this is not the right excursion. The island stop is built around fishing, food, and a short water break.

Trolling back to Chalong

After lunch, the boat leaves Racha Yai at about 1:45 p.m. and trolls back toward Phuket. The return portion is listed as roughly 105 minutes, with arrival at Ao Chalong around 4:30 p.m.

This second fishing period can be useful. Fish may be active at a different time or in a different area, and successful outings have caught fish after the island stop. It also makes the return journey feel like part of the activity rather than simple transport.

By this point, you may be tired. Sun, wind, boat movement, and the physical work of fishing add up. Drink water, use sunscreen again, and keep a light snack with you. Snacks are specifically recommended, which is sensible if you dislike waiting between meals or need extra food after several hours outside.

Your return transfer takes you from Chalong Pier back to one of the listed drop-off areas. The same nine main locations are covered: Kalim Beach, Rawai, Tri Trang Beach, Karon Beach, Kata Beach, Chalong, Patong, Nai Harn Beach, and Phuket.

Equipment, comfort, and safety

Fishing gear is included, along with life jackets and accident insurance. You can use a spinning reel or a handline for bottom fishing, depending on your comfort and ability. Crew assistance is especially useful if you have never handled this type of gear.

The equipment may be functional rather than refined. One outing had old reels, a loose reel fitting, a snapped line, and bait that was not changed during several drops. Other accounts describe the equipment as good enough for a highly successful day. I would bring a practical attitude and avoid comparing this trip with a high-end private charter.

The boat can encounter rough water. The trip is not recommended for people with back problems, pregnant women, children under four, or people over 65. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and non-folding wheelchairs cannot be taken. Alcohol and drugs are also prohibited.

Bring only what you need in a small day bag. Your essentials are a copy of your passport or ID, sun protection, towel, swimwear, camera, sunglasses, hat, and snacks. A copy of your passport or ID is accepted, so you do not need to bring the original document if you prefer to keep it secure at your hotel.

Who will enjoy this Phuket fishing trip

I would recommend it to an active couple, a small group of friends, or anyone who wants a fishing day with an island break built in. It works particularly well for people who enjoy fresh seafood, open water, and the possibility of catching their own meal.

It also suits someone who does not need constant action. You may catch several tuna and enjoy sashimi, or you may spend hours waiting with only modest results. The right frame of mind is important.

I would be cautious about booking it for a mixed group where only one person wants to fish. Non-fishers can swim, snorkel, relax, and enjoy the scenery, but much of the day still takes place on a fishing boat. If someone in your group gets seasick or dislikes waiting, the long hours at sea may feel tough.

This is not a good choice for a young child, anyone with serious mobility or back concerns, or anyone who needs a predictable, low-effort day. It is also a poor match if your only goal is to land large game fish.

Booking advice and final verdict

I like the combination of real fishing and Racha Yai scenery. The fresh sashimi, when the catch allows it, gives the day a personal touch that a standard island cruise cannot match. Friendly crew members, hotel transfers, lunch, and included equipment also keep the planning simple.

The weak point is consistency. Fishing success changes from day to day, and the equipment may be basic. Rough water, jellyfish, a rain-or-shine policy, and a long schedule are all worth considering before you pay.

Book this trip if you want an affordable, full-day fishing adventure and can accept uncertainty. Skip it if you want guaranteed catches, high-end gear, or a calm island cruise with only a short fishing demonstration. For the best chance of enjoying it, bring sunscreen, snacks, patience, and enough energy to reel in your own lunch.

FAQ

How long does the Phuket fishing trip last?

The activity lasts about eight hours. The listed schedule runs from the morning meeting at Ao Chalong Pier to arrival back at the pier around 4:30 p.m., followed by transfer to your hotel.

Where can pickup and drop-off take place?

Pickup and drop-off are available in Phuket, Chalong, Patong, Kata Beach, Nai Harn Beach, Tri Trang Beach, Rawai, Kalim Beach, and Karon Beach. Extra charges apply to several other areas, and some distant locations require a private van.

Is lunch included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included. Swimming and snorkeling are planned near Racha Yai, but the exact location and timing can change with weather and tide conditions.

What languages does the guide speak?

The activity is available with a live guide in English, Chinese, or Thai.

Who should not take this trip?

The activity is not recommended for children under four, pregnant women, people with back problems, or people over 65. The trip may involve rough water, physical fishing, and long periods on a boat.