REVIEW · KOH SAMUI
Mr. Tu Fishing Day Trip by Escort Boat from Koh Samui
Book on Viator →Operated by Trip Store Krabi · Bookable on Viator
Fishing help makes the day feel easy. This Koh Samui trip has a crew that actually coaches you on line fishing, and you get everything you need on board like fishing gear and bait plus the crew’s guidance (including hands-on help noted from Mr Yao). Midday is backed up with a Thai buffet lunch and refreshing towels, so you’re not just killing time waiting for a bite.
I also like how smooth the full day feels for first-timers. You get hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking guide, life jackets, and insurance covered, so you can focus on fishing and enjoying the water instead of logistics.
One drawback to plan for: big fish are never guaranteed. Even on good days, you might end up with lots of small catches, and if the sun is strong you’ll want to protect yourself from heat.
In This Review
- Key Reasons To Go
- The Gulf Of Thailand, But With Real Coaching
- Price and Value: What $48.40 Buys You Here
- Where You Start: Phu Yai Non Pier, 10:00 AM Energy
- The Escort Boat Ride: How They Set You Up to Fish
- Fishing for Barracuda, Trevally, and Snapper: The Part That Can Be Hit or Miss
- How to set your expectations
- Lunch on Board: Thai-Style Buffet With a Real Purpose
- Swimming and Snorkeling Time: A Built-In Reset
- Crew and Comfort: Towels, Life Jackets, Insurance, and English Support
- How Crowded It Can Feel (and Why It Still Usually Works)
- Who This Trip Fits Best on Koh Samui
- Practical Tips So Your Day Stays Fun in Strong Sun
- The Bottom Line: Should You Book Mr. Tu Fishing Day Trip?
Key Reasons To Go

- Gear, bait, and licenses are included so you can start fishing without hassle
- Crew coaching helps beginners with practical line-fishing tips (including Mr Yao’s help)
- Thai-style buffet lunch onboard with savory dishes plus tropical fruit
- Towels, life jackets, and insurance make it feel safer and more comfortable in the heat
- Swimming or snorkeling time means the day has more than just fishing
- Small-group feel with a cap around the low twenties, not a huge crowd
The Gulf Of Thailand, But With Real Coaching

This is the kind of fishing day that works even if you’ve never held a rod seriously. The trip is built around a captain and crew who assist you while you cast, and they also answer questions as you go. That matters, because in open water you’ll often wonder where to stand, how hard to reel, and what the line is telling you.
You’re fishing in the Gulf of Thailand with the goal of local species like barracuda, trevally, and snapper. The vibe is relaxed and geared to both novices and more experienced anglers, so you don’t have to pretend you know what you’re doing.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Koh Samui.
Price and Value: What $48.40 Buys You Here

At $48.40 per person for about 6 hours 30 minutes, the value comes from what’s bundled in. This isn’t just a boat ride with a rod tossed at you. The package includes all fishing equipment, lures, bait, and licenses, plus a Thai-style buffet lunch, drinking water, and towels to keep you cool.
It also includes round-trip car service to and from your hotel, which is a big hidden cost you’d otherwise deal with in Koh Samui. On top of that, you get life jackets on board and insurance covered. If you want a full day on the water without chasing extra add-ons, the structure here is pretty fair.
Where You Start: Phu Yai Non Pier, 10:00 AM Energy

Your day begins at Phu Yai Non Pier (Plai Laem Soi 3 area in Bo Put). The tour starts at 10:00 am, and you’ll meet the boat crew of Mr. Tu there. Expect a quick setup moment where you get the basics for the day and then head out by escort boat to the first fishing area.
The pier is the calm “get sorted” part of the experience. The real fun starts once you’re moving and the crew is running the plan. If you hate rushing, this is actually a decent start time for vacation mode.
The Escort Boat Ride: How They Set You Up to Fish
After meeting at the pier, you head out by escort boat to the first fishing spot. This is where you’ll get practical tips for line fishing and where the day’s learning starts. The crew doesn’t just point you toward water and wish you luck. They share guidance about how to fish for the local species the trip is targeting.
One smart detail is that the boat doesn’t just drift in one spot all day. It stays close to the island while moving according to crew suggestions. That keeps the day feeling active and helps beginners understand what’s going on instead of feeling lost.
Fishing for Barracuda, Trevally, and Snapper: The Part That Can Be Hit or Miss

Here’s the truth about fishing trips: results can vary a lot. The good news is that this trip gives you the best possible odds by providing everything and pairing you with people who can help.
You’ll be casting for local fish in the Gulf of Thailand, with the day’s targets including barracuda, trevally, and snapper. Some days you’ll reel in plenty of fish, and other days might be slower—possibly even lots of smaller catches rather than a trophy.
A detail I’d watch for: on the way back, the crew may throw out a lure for trolling, specifically noted for barracuda. In one case, a large barracuda over three feet was caught during this return trolling moment. The takeaway is simple: stay tuned. The action can happen when the boat is on the move, not only at the first spot.
How to set your expectations
- If you’re hoping for a giant fish, plan to be happy with any meaningful catch and the experience of learning.
- If you’re mainly here for fun on the water, you’ll probably still have a great day even when the bite is light.
- If you’re heat-sensitive, you’ll want sunscreen and shade habits, because sunny conditions can make the day feel very hot.
Lunch on Board: Thai-Style Buffet With a Real Purpose

Midday isn’t an awkward break where you eat something small and underwhelming. You get a Thai-style buffet lunch on board while you admire the views of the surrounding islands.
The meal includes savory dishes plus tropical fruits, and drinking water is part of the package. In plain terms, the lunch is there to keep you fueled for the rest of the fishing time—and that matters, because sun + salt air can make you hungry fast.
Not every meal report is identical in quality notes, but the overall message is consistent: lunch is a highlight for many people. Even on days when the fishing is slower, the food and the onboard break help the day feel complete.
Swimming and Snorkeling Time: A Built-In Reset

One of the best parts of this trip is that it’s not only about fishing. There’s an opportunity for swimming or snorkeling, so you can cool off and stretch your legs after time at the rail.
This is also where the day shifts from “work” (casting, watching the line) to “vacation” (getting wet, enjoying the water). If you booked this for a family, this is the segment that often keeps everyone happy, because it doesn’t depend on landing fish.
Even better, towels are provided, which saves you from the wet-towel chaos later. If you tend to get clammy after swimming, you’ll appreciate having something practical ready.
Crew and Comfort: Towels, Life Jackets, Insurance, and English Support

This trip is designed for comfort and clarity. You’ll have life jackets on board and insurance covered, and you’re guided by an English-speaking guide. That support helps a lot if you’re new to fishing terms or unsure how to handle bait and lures.
The crew is also described as friendly and competent, with special mention of Mr Yao for help during the day. That’s more than a nice-to-have: when you’re learning, small fixes—like how to cast, how to manage line tension, or when to reel—turn the day from frustrating to fun.
How Crowded It Can Feel (and Why It Still Usually Works)
Group size is capped in the published info at a maximum of 22 travelers. In one operator response tied to a specific date, the boat was described as capped at 20 and had 14 people aboard that day. The practical takeaway: this is not a massive party boat, but it can still feel busy if everyone is concentrated in the same area at once.
A worst-case scenario you should plan for is crowded deck space. If you’re tall, or you hate shoulder-to-shoulder movement, consider picking a day when you expect the group to be smaller, and keep your expectations realistic.
The good news is that even with a decent group, the crew’s job is to help people fish and coordinate the day. Many reports highlight that transfers and the sea excursion feel well organized.
Who This Trip Fits Best on Koh Samui
This is a strong match if you’re one of these:
- You want a full day out on the water with minimal planning stress
- You’re a beginner who needs hands-on help, not just a rental rod
- You value the bundled package: gear, lunch, water, towels, pickup, and insurance
- You want both fishing and time to swim
If you’re an advanced angler searching for serious tournament-style fishing, you might find the experience more relaxed than technical. But if your goal is a fun, guided day with local species and good onboard support, this is the right lane.
Practical Tips So Your Day Stays Fun in Strong Sun
This trip can be brutally hot when the sun is out. I’d treat it like a full beach day, because you’ll be outside for long stretches.
Bring:
- Sunscreen and a hat
- Sunglasses with a strap if you don’t want them slipping
- Swimwear you’re happy to wear for a long boat day
- A light rashguard if you burn easily
You’ll get towels onboard, but you’re still the one responsible for sun protection. Also, expect salt air and water spray. If you care about dry electronics, keep them in a waterproof pouch.
The Bottom Line: Should You Book Mr. Tu Fishing Day Trip?
Book it if you want an easy, guided fishing day with real extras built in: included licenses and gear, a Thai buffet lunch, hotel pickup/drop-off, and time to swim or snorkel. At this price point, the value is mostly in the bundle—especially the pickup and what you don’t have to buy separately.
Skip it only if your main goal is guaranteed big-fish action or if you strongly dislike any chance of deck crowding. Since fishing can be hit or miss, you’ll enjoy the day more if you show up wanting the whole experience, not just one perfect catch.







