Private Boat Fishing TROLLING & SPINNING From Phuket

Fishing off Racha Yai is the heart of this eight-hour private trip. You’ll troll from the boat, try spinning and bottom fishing, and have a chance to snorkel or swim when the boat stops near the islands. The Andaman Sea may offer tuna, dorado, barracuda, sailfish, and other species, but there’s no promise of a catch.

I like two things in particular: your group has the boat to itself, and the captain and crew provide fishing equipment and support, so you don’t need to arrange gear. Lunch, fruit, and soft drinks are also included, making a full day on the water easier to plan.

The trade-off is that the experience can vary. Some reports describe a clean boat and friendly crew, while others mention an older boat, basic equipment, limited English, and little action on the lines. Fishing is never guaranteed, and the weather can change the day’s plans.

Key points before you book

• Private group: The listed price is $459.67 for up to four people, not per person.
• Two fishing areas: The route includes Ko Racha Yai and Ko Racha Noi, with fishing and a chance to snorkel or swim.
• Several fishing methods: The plan includes trolling, spinning, and bottom fishing; live bait is mentioned for the afternoon but may not be used.
• Food is included: Lunch, fruit, and soft drinks are provided on board.
• Transfers cost extra: Hotel pickup is described, but round-trip transport is not included in the base price.
• Conditions matter: The program may change with the weather and sea, and the catch is uncertain.

A private day on the Andaman Sea

This is a fishing charter first, with snorkeling and swimming as welcome extras. You’ll leave from Ao Chalong Pier and head toward the Racha islands, south of Phuket. The day is built around moving between fishing methods and locations, rather than spending the whole time at one reef or beach.

The private format is a real advantage if your group wants to fish at its own pace. You won’t be sharing the boat with a larger tour group, and the price covers up to four people. That can make the cost reasonable when split among a full group, though it is a hefty outlay for one or two people.

A captain and fishing crew are on board to handle the boat and provide support. No individual crew names are supplied, so don’t book expecting a named guide or a formal fishing lesson. Communication may also be limited: English is not guaranteed, and some people have found it hard to get explanations from the crew. If instruction matters to you, ask about the crew’s English and how much hands-on guidance to expect before paying.

From Ao Chalong Pier to the Racha islands

The tour starts at Ao Chalong Pier, with the stated start time at 8:30 am. The schedule allows for hotel pickup between 8:00 and 8:30 am, departure from the pier at 9:00, and trolling from around 9:30. That early start leaves much of the day for fishing, but it also means you should settle transport details before the morning of the trip.

Pickup is not included in the listed price. Round-trip transfers are available for additional charges, listed by area: 1,600 baht for Karon or Kata, 1,800 baht for Patong, 2,000 baht for Kamala or Bangtao, and 2,400 baht for Maikhao. If you plan to make your own way to the pier, check the meeting point and allow enough time to arrive before departure.

The listed return to Ao Chalong Pier is around 5:00 pm, followed by a hotel transfer if you’ve arranged one. The trip is described as about eight hours, though pickup and transfer can add time to your day. Sea conditions can also shift the schedule, so keep evening plans flexible.

Trolling for pelagic fish

The morning begins with trolling, a method in which fishing lines trail behind the moving boat. It suits a trip that covers distance: rather than anchoring in one spot, the captain can work waters around the islands while you watch the lines and wait for a strike.

The Andaman Sea has a range of possible catches. Tuna, dorado, barracuda, sailfish, and black marlin are among the species named for the area, but those possibilities are not a catch list or a guarantee. One person reported catching a dozen tuna, while another described a long day with very few bites. That contrast is a useful reminder that a fishing charter depends on conditions and luck as much as the plan.

The crew supplies the equipment, and life jackets are included. Still, expectations should be practical. Reports of the boat and gear differ: some people describe a clean or pristine boat, while others found the vessel older and the equipment basic. If newer gear or a polished boat is important to you, ask for current details before booking rather than assuming every trip will match the best-case description.

Spinning and bottom fishing around the islands

Around 11:00 am, the schedule shifts to groundfish fishing with spinning reels while the boat floats. The tour also describes hand-line bottom fishing, which offers a change from trolling and gives you another way to fish near the islands. For someone new to fishing, working with more than one method can make the day feel less repetitive, though the crew’s level of instruction may vary.

The afternoon session is scheduled for around 1:00 pm, with spinning reels and live bait. That plan is not a firm promise that live bait will be available or used. One person specifically reported that no live bait was used on their trip, so treat it as a possible part of the day, not a guaranteed feature.

Fishing can involve long stretches of waiting. That’s part of the deal, and it may suit you if you enjoy being out at sea even when the lines are quiet. It is less appealing if your main aim is to bring home a large catch or keep children busy every minute. A strike can make the wait worthwhile, but there’s no way to promise when one will come.

Lunch, fruit, and a chance to swim

Lunch is served on board around noon, with fruit and soft drinks included. A good meal matters on a long day at sea, and one person singled out the lunch as very good. Another recalled a tuna being cleaned on board and used to make Thai fish soup. That is a specific example, not a promised menu or service, so don’t count on your own catch being prepared.

There is also an opportunity to snorkel and swim near coral reefs off Phuket and around the Racha islands. This gives the day a break from watching fishing lines and makes the charter more appealing for a mixed group, especially if not everyone is keen to fish all day. The time and exact location for swimming are not fixed, though, and the schedule remains subject to weather and sea conditions.

The tour provides fishing equipment and life jackets, but the supplied details do not specify snorkeling gear. If you want to snorkel, ask what equipment is available and what you should bring. Don’t assume the boat carries everything you need just because fishing gear is included.

What the mixed boat reports mean for you

The strongest positives are straightforward: a private boat, a friendly crew in some accounts, and included food. One person described the boat as pristine and caught a dozen tuna; another praised the lunch after eating a fish soup made from a tuna caught during the trip. Those are appealing outcomes, but they shouldn’t be treated as the standard result.

Other accounts point to real areas of uncertainty. Some describe an older boat, basic or old equipment, and crew members who spoke little or no English. One person felt disappointed by the fishing and said the crew offered little explanation. The available details don’t establish that every trip has these problems, but they are worth weighing if you expect a guided fishing lesson or a new, well-appointed boat.

A private charter gives your group space, but it does not automatically mean customized instruction or a luxury vessel. If you’re booking mainly for fishing, ask what equipment is currently on board, how the crew supports beginners, and whether the afternoon live-bait plan is likely. If you’re happy with a simple day at sea and can take a quiet fishing spell in stride, the uncertainties may matter less.

Working out the price and the transfer

The stated price is $459.67 per group of up to four. Split four ways, that is about $115 per person before any transfer fee; for two people, the per-person cost is much higher. The value depends on what you want from the day: the price covers a private boat, crew, fishing gear, insurance, life jackets, lunch, fruit, and soft drinks, but not round-trip hotel transport.

Take a moment to check the currency and final amount during booking. A person reported confusion because the price appeared in Singapore dollars rather than Thai currency, and the provider acknowledged the concern. That does not tell you what currency you’ll see at checkout, so verify the display and your payment total rather than relying on an assumption.

Weather is another part of the value calculation. The trip may be canceled in poor conditions, in which case you’ll be offered another date or a refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time; later cancellations are not refundable.

Who should book this Phuket fishing trip?

I’d consider this trip if your group wants a private day on the water and values the outing as much as the fish. It works best for people who enjoy fishing without needing a guaranteed catch, and for a group that will make use of the included lunch and the chance to swim or snorkel. The four-person price is easier to justify when everyone joins.

It may be a poor fit if you need a polished fishing school, detailed English-language instruction, or certainty about the boat’s age and equipment. It also isn’t recommended for people who are pregnant or have high blood pressure, heart disease, or bone diseases. Most people can participate, but those health cautions deserve attention before booking.

If you’re mainly after a dependable catch, compare your expectations with the uncertainty of a full day at sea. If you’re content with trolling, trying a few fishing methods, sharing lunch on board, and spending time around the Racha islands, this private charter offers a straightforward way to do it. Book for the day on the water, not for a guaranteed fish.

FAQ

How long is the trip?

The experience lasts about eight hours. The schedule runs from a morning departure at Ao Chalong Pier to a return around 5:00 pm, with hotel pickup and transfer time potentially adding to the day.

How many people can join?

The tour is private for your group, with a maximum of four people.

Where does the boat depart from?

The meeting point is Ao Chalong Pier in Chalong, Phuket. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included in the price?

No. Round-trip transfer is not included in the base price, though transfers are available for additional charges that vary by area.

What fishing equipment is provided?

Fishing equipment is included. The schedule describes trolling, spinning, and bottom fishing, with live bait planned for the afternoon, though its use is not guaranteed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, fruit, and soft drinks are included and served on board.

Can I snorkel or swim?

There is an opportunity to snorkel and swim during the trip, including near coral reefs. The exact timing depends on the day’s conditions.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather forces a cancellation, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.