Phuket: Game Fishing and Trolling Boat Trip with Lunch

This is a fishing day with a proper payoff: you troll toward Racha Yai, try bottom fishing near the island, and may eat your catch as fresh sashimi at lunch. The best reports describe several tuna, a mahi, and a friendly crew, with guide Eddie singled out for making the day fun and easy.

I like the small-group feel when numbers are low, plus the practical extras: hotel transfer, fishing gear, drinks, fruit, snorkeling equipment, and lunch are all covered. The catch is never guaranteed, though, and one poor outing involved rough seas, old gear, a broken line, and little action. You should book this for the full boat-and-island day, not only for a certain fish count.

Key points before you book

• Trolling begins on the ride to Racha Yai, so the boat time is part of the fishing rather than dead transit.
• Your fish may be prepared on board, including sashimi and cooked fish served with lunch.
• Racha Yai provides a scenic break, with about two and a half hours for sightseeing, snorkeling, swimming, or resting.
• The day runs from roughly 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM, including hotel pickup and return.
• Fishing conditions can vary sharply, from several tuna and a mahi to a long wait and no bottom-fishing bites.
• Pickup zones matter, with extra fees for some beaches and a private van charge for distant areas.

A fishing day with Racha Island as the reward

At $125 per person, this is more than a simple fishing charter. You get a full eight-hour outing from Phuket, hotel transport, equipment, lunch, soft drinks, fruit, snorkeling gear, and an English, Chinese, or Thai-speaking guide.

The central appeal is the mix. You are not stuck on a boat all day if the fish are slow. You get a long run across the Gulf of Thailand, time around the clear water of Racha Yai, and a meal that may include fish caught that morning. That gives the trip value even when the sea is not generous.

I would choose this over a bare-bones fishing trip if you want your day to include scenery and a swim. I would be more cautious if your only goal is landing a large fish. Fishing depends on weather, tide, sea conditions, equipment, and luck. The program itself warns that the plan can change.

The early start at Ao Chalong Pier

Pickup begins early, with the meeting time listed as 7:45 AM at Nikorn Marine’s office at Ao Chalong Pier. Hotel pickup is included from Phuket, Chalong, Pa Tong, Kata Beach, Nai Harn Beach, Tri Trang Beach, Rawai, Kalim Beach, and Karon Beach.

You should give the exact hotel name when booking and wait in the lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup. The driver will wait no more than 15 minutes, so this is not the morning to arrive casually with a half-packed beach bag.

At the pier, you meet the guide, check in, and board the boat. The experience is operated by Nikorn Marine Company Limited. Feedback gives particular credit to the organization of the pickup, pier check-in, and boarding process, as well as to the crew’s help with fishing.

Pickup is less simple from some outlying parts of Phuket. Laguna, Bangtao, Surin Beach, Kamala, Leam Hin, Kah Kaew, Siray, Cape Panwa, and Ao Yon cost an additional 250 baht per person for pickup and return. Mai Khao, Nai Yang, Nai Thon, Ao Por, Layan Beach, and the airport require a private van priced at 2,000 baht.

Trolling toward Racha Yai

The boat leaves Ao Chalong at about 8:30 AM and begins trolling on the way to Racha Yai. This is an important detail: you start fishing during the transfer, so the long ride is not simply a commute.

Trolling keeps lines in the water while the boat moves. It also means the early part of your day depends heavily on sea conditions and fish activity. One successful outing produced eight tuna, with three more escaping. Another group caught six tuna, while a separate trip landed tuna and a large mahi. Those are excellent results, but they should be treated as possible outcomes, not a promise.

You will need some stamina. The gear is intended for active fishing, and one account notes that it takes strength. If you are comfortable reeling and following crew instructions, the action can be exciting. If you are not used to fishing, the guide and crew help you learn the basics.

The boat usually carries fishing equipment suitable for spinning-reel or handline work, depending on your ability and the conditions. Still, equipment quality may not be consistent. One outing involved a difficult reel, a zip tie holding part of it together, a snapped line, and bait that was not replaced during several drops. That is a serious warning for anyone paying mainly for technical fishing quality.

Racha Yai brings a welcome pause

The boat reaches the Racha Yai area around midday. The island is known here for clear water and bright coastal scenery, and the schedule allows about two and a half hours for sightseeing and snorkeling overall.

This is where the trip becomes more than a fishing charter. You can leave the rods for a while, swim, snorkel, or simply rest on board. Masks, snorkels, and life jackets are included, though one account says snorkeling equipment was not offered during that particular outing. I would ask the crew directly when you arrive if you want to snorkel.

The swimming stop also requires common sense. One outing offered a swim in a bay with jellyfish. The exact conditions can change, but you should look at the water before getting in and follow the crew’s advice. Bring your own towel, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses, since the sun on an open boat can be tiring.

The weather may be warm and sunny, yet the sea can still be rough. The operator runs the trip rain or shine, and the route or timing may change with tides and weather. If you get seasick, this is worth considering before you commit to a full day on open water.

Lunch with your catch at about 1 PM

Around 1 PM, the crew serves a buffet lunch on board. Soft drinks and fruit are included, and successful fishing may add a special item to the meal.

Fish caught during the trip can be cooked on the boat. Several successful outings also included fresh tuna sashimi prepared from the morning’s catch. That is one of the most distinctive parts of the experience. It turns the fishing into lunch in a way a standard island cruise cannot match.

The rest of the buffet received a more measured assessment. It is described as good in one account and simply okay in another. I would think of the meal as convenient and part of the fun, not as a stand-alone food tour.

Lunch lasts about 45 minutes. You can eat, enjoy the view, and take a break from handling the rods. If your group has caught fish, the crew may prepare it while you sit down. The exact menu and preparation depend on the catch, so do not book expecting sashimi every time.

The return trip keeps the rods out

At about 1:45 PM, the boat begins trolling back toward Chalong Pier. The return cruise lasts roughly 105 minutes according to the schedule, though actual timing can shift with the sea and the day’s fishing.

This second trolling period gives you another chance after lunch. It also means the day does not end once you reach Racha Yai. If the morning was quiet, you still have time for another strike. If you already caught plenty, you can enjoy the ride and the scenery.

After returning to Ao Chalong around 4:30 PM, your transfer takes you back to your hotel. With pickup, pier time, fishing, lunch, the island stop, and the return drive, this is a full-day commitment rather than a quick morning activity.

What the catch can really be like

The strongest fishing days sound excellent. Reports include eight tuna, six tuna, a large mahi, and additional bottom fish. Fresh sashimi on board was praised repeatedly, and the crew was often credited for helping with the fishing and keeping the day friendly.

But the range of results matters more than the best catch. One outing spent about four hours trolling through large seas and caught only one small tuna. Bottom fishing produced no bites, the line snapped, and there was little attention to changing bait. That person felt the price was too high for the fishing result.

I would read this as a real fishing excursion, not a guaranteed catch package. You may have a memorable haul, or you may spend much of the day waiting. The operator can choose routes and timing around tide and weather, but nobody can control the fish.

For that reason, your attitude matters. If you can enjoy a boat ride, Racha Yai scenery, lunch, and a swim even after a slow morning, the risk is reasonable. If an empty hook would ruin your day, choose a different Phuket activity or ask the operator about current conditions before booking.

How the guides and crew affect the day

The crew’s role is important because fishing equipment can feel unfamiliar, especially when you are using a spinning reel or handline. The better outings describe the guide and two crew members as friendly, helpful, and active during the fishing.

Guide Eddie receives a particularly warm mention for making the day enjoyable. Language support is available in English, Chinese, and Thai, but individual fluency may vary. One account describes a guide’s English as limited but still found him kind and helpful.

You should expect practical instruction rather than a formal lesson. The crew helps you handle the tackle, bring in fish, and make the most of the time. Since the trip may involve physically demanding reeling, ask for help early if the line feels too heavy or the reel is difficult to use.

Is $125 good value?

The price makes sense if you use the whole package. A comparable private fishing day could cost much more, while a basic island boat trip would not include fishing gear or the chance to eat your own catch.

Here, $125 covers land transfer, a local guide, fishing equipment, lunch, soft drinks, fruit, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and accident insurance. That removes several small costs that can add up during a day on the water.

The value is strongest for couples, friends, or families with older children who want a mixed day. The value is weaker if you are an experienced angler judging the trip only by tackle quality and fish numbers. The uneven equipment report is the main concern at this price.

You should also add the relevant transfer fee if you are staying outside the main pickup areas. Ask about the extra charge before paying, particularly if your hotel is near Laguna, Surin, Kamala, Cape Panwa, the airport, or the northern beaches.

Who should book this trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want three things in one day: active fishing, a scenic island stop, and lunch on board. It suits people who enjoy a little uncertainty and do not need a guaranteed result.

It is also a good choice if your group includes mixed interests. One person can fish while another swims, snorkels, rests, or takes photos. The island break gives non-anglers something to look forward to.

I would not choose it for children under four, pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone over 65, since the operator specifically excludes those groups. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and non-folding wheelchairs cannot be brought on board.

Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a camera, snacks, and a copy of your passport or ID. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Keep your bag small and easy to manage on the boat.

My booking advice

Book this tour if you see the fishing as one part of a full Racha Yai day. The chance to eat fresh sashimi from your own catch, combined with the island stop and included transfers, gives the outing a memorable character.

Skip it if you need modern tackle, calm water, or a dependable number of fish. Before booking, confirm your hotel pickup, ask about the sea forecast, and pack for both sun and rough water. The best version of this trip can deliver tuna, mahi, sashimi, and a beautiful island afternoon. The slower version is still a boat day, but it may test your patience.

FAQ

How long does the Phuket fishing trip last?

The activity lasts about eight hours. The planned day runs from early morning pickup and pier check-in at about 7:45 AM until return to Ao Chalong around 4:30 PM.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat departs from Ao Chalong Pier in Phuket. You meet the guide at Nikorn Marine’s office before boarding.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return transfer are included from Phuket, Chalong, Pa Tong, Kata Beach, Nai Harn Beach, Tri Trang Beach, Rawai, Kalim Beach, and Karon Beach.

Are there extra pickup charges?

Yes. Pickup from Laguna, Bangtao, Surin Beach, Kamala, Leam Hin, Kah Kaew, Siray, Cape Panwa, and Ao Yon costs an extra 250 baht per person. Mai Khao, Nai Yang, Nai Thon, Ao Por, Layan Beach, and the airport require a private van costing 2,000 baht.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch, soft drinks, and fruit are included. Fish caught during the trip may be cooked on the boat.

Can I eat sashimi made from the fish caught?

You may be able to. Fresh sashimi has been prepared from caught fish on some outings, but the catch and preparation cannot be guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask, snorkel, and life jacket are included. The schedule includes time around Racha Yai for snorkeling, swimming, sightseeing, or relaxing.

What languages are available?

The tour offers live guides in English, Chinese, and Thai.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also allows you to reserve now and pay later.