Ultimate Full-Day Big Game Fishing & Trolling Tour

The most important thing to know is that this is a full day on the Andaman Sea, not a guaranteed trophy-fish outing. You may troll for skipjack tuna or mackerel, fish near reefs for smaller catches, and stop at Koh Racha Yai for swimming and snorkeling. The sea decides the final score.

I like the hotel pickup and the practical all-in package: rods, bait, lures, drinks, lunch, and masks are covered. I also like the hard-working crew, with guide Eddie singled out for his humor and helpful direction. The main caution is simple: the advertised big-game focus can set expectations too high, especially outside the best trolling season.

Key points before you book

• Koh Racha Yai is the main scenic stop, with time for fishing, swimming, and snorkeling.
• Trolling and bottom-fishing equipment is supplied, including bait and lures.
• Catch sizes vary sharply, from skipjack tuna to small groupers, or no fish at all.
• Thai buffet lunch, water, and soft drinks are included through the day.
• Pickup can take 30 to 90 minutes, depending on your Phuket hotel.
• The boat carries no more than 15 people, keeping the outing smaller than a large party cruise.

What kind of fishing day is this?

This is best understood as a sea day with fishing at its center, not as a guaranteed big-game expedition. You set out from Chalong Pier toward the Racha islands, spending much of the day on open water while the crew tries different methods and locations.

The program includes trolling, which means fishing lines are pulled behind the moving boat. It also includes bottom fishing, where baited lines are lowered near reef areas. That mix gives you more than one chance to catch something, but it also means the day may not match the image of landing a sailfish or wahoo.

The available catches can include tuna, mackerel, razorfish, and other local fish. Actual results range widely. One strong outing produced a large catch of skipjack tuna, while other days brought only a small tuna, a few modest groupers, or no fish at all.

That variation is not a minor footnote. If your whole reason for booking is a large fish, ask about the current trolling season before paying. One outing took place outside the season for sailfish and wahoo, and the lack of that information caused real disappointment. The operator also notes that weather, tides, and sea conditions can change the plan without a refund.

Leaving Chalong Pier for Racha Yai

The scheduled start is 8:00 a.m., but your actual day begins earlier if you use hotel pickup. Collection from some hotels can happen 30 to 90 minutes before departure, so keep your morning open and avoid booking a tight activity afterward.

The usual pickup area covers central parts of Patong, Karon, Kata, Rawai, Naitharn, Yacht Club, Ban Krating, Chalong, and Kalim Beach. Some locations cost extra: Surin, Bangtao, and Kamala have a 200-baht charge per person; Panwa costs 1,200 baht per group; Rawai, Yanui, and Naithorn cost 800 baht per group.

At Chalong Pier, you board a modern boat described as comfortable, with a maximum group size of 15. That limit matters. You are not joining a huge party boat with dozens of people competing for one rod. Still, fishing space and attention will vary depending on how many people are keen to fish at the same time.

You may be asked to remove your shoes before boarding. This is intended to reduce slipping on the deck, but it means you can be barefoot for much of the trip. Bring footwear that you can identify easily, and keep an eye on where it is placed. One person had trouble when shoes were mixed up with those on another boat.

The crossing can be smooth or rough. One outing had rough seas on the way out, so anyone prone to motion sickness should plan carefully. The operator requires a moderate level of physical fitness and advises against joining if you are pregnant or have back, neck, joint, or muscular problems.

Fishing around Koh Racha Yai

The stated stop is Koh Racha Yai, reached by boat from Chalong across the Andaman Sea. The guide chooses a fishing spot based on local conditions and shows you how to work the equipment.

This is where the trip can feel most rewarding if you enjoy the process rather than just the final catch. The crew supplies trolling and bottom-fishing equipment, lures, and bait. You do not need to bring your own tackle, and a professional local guide is on hand to explain the basic technique.

Guide Eddie received especially strong praise for keeping the day entertaining while giving useful fishing advice. That mix matters on a long outing. Fishing involves plenty of waiting, and a friendly guide can make quiet periods feel less empty.

The results remain unpredictable. Some people caught skipjack tuna while trolling. Others pulled up small groupers while bottom fishing. Some caught nothing. The boat and crew cannot control fish behavior, water clarity, or sea conditions, but the description should still be read with care: big game fishing describes the intended style more than a promised result.

The practical question is what you would consider a successful day. If you would be happy learning the equipment, watching the sea, eating lunch, and perhaps catching a smaller fish, the format makes sense. If you need a large tuna or a billfish to justify the cost, this outing carries a high risk of disappointment.

Snorkeling and the water stop

Snorkel equipment and masks are included, so you do not need to rent them separately. The schedule allows time around Koh Racha Yai for a swim and snorkeling break, giving non-fishers something to do while lines are quiet.

Water conditions can change the quality of this part of the day. One outing had cloudy water and very little to see while snorkeling. That is useful to know because the swimming stop is a bonus, not a separate reef excursion with guaranteed clear visibility.

You should bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a change of clothes. The boat carries drinking water and soft drinks throughout the day, but you should not count on alcohol being available. Alcohol and controlled substances are prohibited.

For families, children aged three and younger are free when accompanied by a paying adult. Children aged one and younger are not allowed. The moderate fitness requirement and the possibility of rough seas make this a better fit for older children who are comfortable spending a long day on a boat.

Thai buffet lunch and the value of the package

Lunch is included, along with water and soft drinks. The meal is Thai buffet-style, and reports describe it as plentiful and well prepared on the better days. Food has been one of the most dependable parts of the outing, even when the fishing was slow.

The exact spread can vary. One account described a modest meal of salad, chicken wings, and rice, while others found the food generous and excellent. Treat lunch as a useful included meal, not as the reason to book the tour.

At $104.17 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a full day with transport, a boat ride, fishing equipment, bait, lures, snorkeling gear, lunch, and drinks in one package. You are also paying for crew time and access to fishing spots that would be difficult to arrange on your own.

The value weakens if you judge the outing only by the weight of the catch. A no-fish day can make the price feel high, especially if you booked for big-game action. A successful tuna day, comfortable conditions, and a good crew make the same price feel much fairer.

I would compare this cost with private charter prices before deciding, but no private-charter rate is provided here. The clear advantage is convenience and a known package price. The tradeoff is less control over the route, fishing style, and time spent at each location.

How the full eight hours usually feels

The advertised duration is about eight hours, including transport on the water, fishing, lunch, and the Koh Racha Yai stop. The itinerary lists two hours at Koh Racha Yai, but the whole day includes the journey from Chalong and the fishing periods before or around the island.

Expect a rhythm of moving, setting lines, waiting, checking bait, and moving again. That may sound obvious, but it is important for first-time anglers. You can spend a long stretch watching the rod without a bite, followed by a brief burst of activity.

A few people found the amount of riding frustrating, with one person reporting several hours on the water but very little actual fishing. That is the risk built into offshore fishing. The crew can choose promising spots, but it cannot make fish bite.

The best attitude is to see the boat ride as part of the experience. You get a day on the Andaman Sea, views of the island, a meal, and a chance to fish. If you need constant action, choose a shorter activity or a private trip where the schedule can be adjusted more easily.

The boat staff have generally been described as friendly, professional, and hard-working. That is especially valuable when conditions are rough or the catch is poor. Good service cannot replace fish, but it can keep a slow day from becoming a miserable one.

What can change because of weather and season

The supplier may change the program because of weather, tides, sea conditions, accidents, or other safety concerns. The trip can also be canceled if conditions are bad. If the route changes during the day, no refund is promised.

This policy is common sense for an offshore outing, but it has financial consequences because the booking is non-refundable and cannot be amended. Do not book this on a day when you might need to change plans.

Season matters just as much as weather. Some fish, including sailfish and wahoo, are seasonal. In an off-season period, skipjack tuna may still appear, but the larger species you had in mind may not be realistic.

I would contact the operator before booking and ask two direct questions: what species are being caught now, and will the boat troll on the planned date? The information available does not promise a particular species or size, so getting a current answer is the best way to protect your expectations.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy a full day outdoors, are comfortable with uncertain results, and like the idea of combining fishing with a swim and an island stop. It works well for a mixed group because one person can fish while another uses the snorkeling gear or relaxes on the boat.

It is also a good match if you value convenience. Hotel pickup, supplied equipment, lunch, drinks, and a local crew remove much of the planning work. The maximum of 15 people keeps the group from becoming enormous.

I would be cautious if you have limited time in Phuket, dislike rough water, or need a guaranteed catch. I would also think twice if you are booking solely for large tuna, sailfish, or wahoo without checking the season first.

The rating of 3.6 from 13 reviews reflects that split. The crew, boat, food, and general organization receive the warmest praise. Fishing success and the gap between the big-game wording and the actual catch create the main complaints.

Practical advice before paying

Wear swim clothes under your regular clothes and pack a dry change for the return ride. Sunscreen and sunglasses are essential, since you will spend much of the day exposed to sun and reflected light.

Bring a towel and use a small bag for personal items. Keep your shoes and belongings together when boarding, since footwear may be collected in a shared basket.

If you are prone to seasickness, prepare before leaving the pier. The crossing can be rough, and the tour does not offer a quick way back once the boat is offshore.

Remember that single bookings depend on the minimum group size. At least two people are required for the activity to operate. You can book alone, but the trip may be canceled if the minimum is not reached, with an alternative date or refund offered in that case.

The supplier may also require you to sign a participation form for legal or insurance purposes. Bring a good attitude toward changing conditions, and do not use alcohol or controlled substances during the outing.

Should you book the Racha Yai fishing tour?

Book it if you want an organized, full-day boat outing with fishing, lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and hotel transport for $104.17. The crew, especially guide Eddie, can add real warmth to the day, and a strong tuna catch is possible.

Do not book it expecting a guaranteed trophy fish. The more honest picture is a mixed fishing trip where trolling, bottom fishing, island time, and the sea itself all share the stage.

Before paying, ask about the current season and expected catch. If you can accept the possibility of small fish or no fish, this is a practical way to spend a day on the Andaman Sea. If not, save your money for a private charter or a different Phuket activity with a less uncertain payoff.

FAQ

How long does the fishing tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours, including the boat trip from Chalong Pier, fishing, lunch, snorkeling or swimming time, and the return journey.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:00 a.m. Hotel pickup may begin 30 to 90 minutes earlier, depending on your hotel location.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat leaves 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 in Phuket. Extra charges apply for some hotels in Surin, Bangtao, Kamala, Panwa, Rawai, Yanui, and Naithorn.

What fishing equipment is provided?

The tour provides trolling and bottom-fishing equipment, lures, and bait. A professional local guide is also included.

What fish might I catch?

Possible catches include tuna, mackerel, razorfish, and other local fish. The tour does not guarantee a particular species or catch size.

Is lunch included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel equipment and a mask are included, with time for snorkeling or swimming around Koh Racha Yai when conditions allow.

Can children join the tour?

Children aged three and younger are complimentary when accompanied by a paying adult. Children aged one and younger are not allowed.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The supplier may cancel the trip or change the program because of bad weather, tides, sea conditions, or other safety concerns. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking, except that a refund or alternative date may be offered if a single booking is canceled because the minimum group size is not reached.