Your chances at tuna start with a simple cast. This full-day trip is built for an Andaman Sea fishing day that also throws in snorkeling gear and a Thai-style lunch.

I like the way the tour provides the core stuff you’d otherwise have to hunt down—trolling and bottom-fishing tackle plus bait and lures—so you can focus on learning what the guide is doing.

After the main fishing time near Koh Racha Yai, you can switch gears and swim/snorkel without scrambling for equipment.

What I really like is the hotel pickup/drop-off from central Phuket areas, and how that buys you time for the day instead of wasting it getting to a pier.

The other big win is the Thai buffet-style lunch and the included drinks, which matter on a boat day when you don’t want to wait in a line or pay extra for basic fuel.

Now for the key consideration: catches are never guaranteed. Even though the trip is marketed as big-game fishing and trolling, the real fishing depends on what the sea is handing out that day—seasonality, water conditions, and how fish are biting can swing the experience.

Key things to know before you go

• Hotel pickup is built in from many central Phuket hotels, with extra fees only for outer areas.
• Trolling and bottom fishing gear are included, plus bait/lures, so you can fish without renting extras.
• Snorkel & mask are included, which turns the day into more than just fishing.
• Koh Racha Yai gets a dedicated fishing window, with guide-led spots and tips.
• Lunch and drinks are included, which helps when the boat day runs long.
• Small group size (max 15) means you’re less likely to feel lost in a crowd on the water.

Price and value: $104.17 for a full 8-hour boat day

At about $104.17 per person for an approx 8-hour outing, you’re paying for a whole package: the boat cruise, fishing gear, snorkeling gear, lunch, and drinks, plus a professional guide. In Phuket, boat trips can get expensive fast once you add fuel, tackle rentals, and a proper meal—so bundling it all is the point here.

The value gets even better if you’re staying in areas covered by the standard pickup routes (Patong, Karon, Kata, Rawai, Naitharn, Yacht Club, Ban Krating, Chalong, and Kalim Beach). If you’re farther out, expect extra transfer costs: Surin, Bangtao, and Kamala cost 200 Baht per person; Panwa is 1200 Baht per group; Rawai, Yanui, and Naithorn are 800 Baht per group.

Also, keep your expectations realistic. This isn’t a guaranteed trophy day; it’s a guided effort to put you on fish (and keep you busy doing it). That’s why the included lunch, soft drinks, and water are a big deal. You’re not paying only for the chance of a bite—you’re paying for the entire day on the water.

Getting to the pier: pickup timing, start time, and what to pack

The day starts at 8:00 am. Pickup often happens 30–90 minutes before the start time depending on your hotel location, so build in buffer time rather than assuming the bus will magically hit your lobby right at the clock.

You’ll use a mobile ticket, and the company confirms booking details after you reserve. Alcohol and controlled substances are prohibited on this tour, which is a good safety rule on a boat day.

What to bring is simple, but don’t skip it:

• Swimsuit
• Sunscreen
• Towel
• Change of clothes
• Sunglasses

One more practical note: boats can be safety-obsessed. In at least one experience, the crew required guests to take off shoes and store them, and there was an issue with shoes being misplaced. That doesn’t mean it happens every time, but it does suggest you should plan to go by whatever the crew requests onboard and keep an eye on your stuff.

If you have any limits on physical strain, take them seriously. The tour asks for moderate physical fitness, and it specifically says you should not take part if you’re pregnant or have back, neck, joint, or muscular problems.

On the water from Chalong pier to Koh Racha Yai

From Chalong pier, you head across the Andaman Sea toward Koh Racha Yai. The guide chooses fishing spots rather than making this a random drift with a rod handed out like a prop.

This first main stop includes a 2-hour fishing window. That timing matters: you get a chunk of focused effort instead of one quick “try it and go” moment. The guide provides tips on how to catch big fish such as tuna, mackerel, razorfish, and other local species.

Also included: your ride is on a modern, comfortable boat, and you have trolling and bottom fishing gear, plus lures and bait. That setup is important for beginners. If you’ve never fished in open water, having everything ready (gear, bait, and method) helps you spend energy learning rather than figuring out what line to use.

Fishing methods explained: trolling, bottom fishing, and why the day varies

The trip includes trolling, bottom fishing gear, lures, and bait, and that combination is really the heart of the experience. In plain terms: you’re not stuck with only one technique. Your guide can adjust based on what the water seems to be doing and what fish are showing up.

Here’s the catch: you still can’t force fish to bite.

Some days, conditions line up and you get the payoff you came for. One review praised a day with a “large catch of tuna,” and another mentioned skipjack tuna showing up in good numbers. But other days, the fishing can feel slower or mismatched with the big-game expectation. A few experiences complained that it became mostly bottom fishing or that the promised trolling/big-game style didn’t match what was happening that day.

This is where you should get smart before you spend the day:

• Treat the day as guided fishing practice plus a real shot at tuna/mackerel.
• Don’t bet your whole vacation mood on a specific species.
• If you want a particular target (like sailfish or wahoo), ask how likely it is given current conditions, since the tour is at the mercy of the sea.

Rougher seas can also impact comfort and fishing time. One review described rough seas on the way out and no fish at all—meaning even when the effort is real, the ocean decides how cooperative it is.

Snorkeling at Koh Racha Yai: gear included, water visibility is the wildcard

Your tour includes snorkel & mask, so you can plan for a swim/snorkel break without paying extra gear fees. And Koh Racha Yai is the kind of island stop that usually gives you a clean change of pace from the rods.

The real-world variable is water clarity. In at least one experience, the water was cloudy and snorkeling didn’t produce much to see. Another experience described snorkeling as great.

So I’d treat snorkeling here as a bonus, not a promise of perfect visibility. If you get good light and calm conditions, you’ll enjoy the break. If not, at least you still get the simple pleasure of being in the water when the boat day can feel long.

Lunch and drinks on a boat: Thai buffet-style food, with some swings

Lunch is included and described as Thai buffet-style. You’ll also have drinking water and soft drinks throughout the day, which you’ll appreciate when you’re out longer than you planned or the sun is doing its thing.

Quality sounded strong in several experiences, including comments about plentiful food and a well-prepared meal. But at least one review described lunch as more minimal (salad, wings, and rice). That doesn’t mean the food is always small—it means portion and variety can vary by day.

One logistical detail to know: lunch may happen when the boat anchors or crowds gather. One review complained about too many other boats at the lunch anchorage. In other words, expect a shared stop, not a private island moment.

My advice: eat steadily, stay hydrated, and don’t let a slow lunch break mess with your fishing mood later. This is a full-day rhythm trip. You’ll want to reset quickly.

The crew experience: service, energy, and names you can remember

The strongest praise across the experiences is about the crew. Multiple reviews praised the staff as professional, hard working, and attentive, even when the fishing outcome wasn’t what people hoped for.

A guide named Eddie was called out as knowledgeable and entertaining. That’s exactly what you want on a boat tour: someone who can explain what you’re doing in real terms and keep the energy up while you’re waiting for fish to show.

This is also where the small group size (max 15 people) matters. When the crew isn’t shuffling hundreds of people, it’s easier to get help with casting technique, baiting, and switching methods when the guide calls it.

Fishing outcome reality check: big-game names vs what bites today

The tour title promises big game fishing and trolling, and the included gear supports that idea. But the day can still end up looking like something simpler: a school of tuna, a few solid bites, or mostly bottom fishing.

A few experiences specifically mentioned disappointment about the match between advertising and what happened (trolling season, or only smaller catches, or limited time fishing). Others were happy with tuna results even while noting off-season limitations.

So I think the best way to approach this tour is:

• Go for the guided fishing experience, not a guaranteed headline catch.
• If you’re there mainly for a very specific fish, understand you’re playing the odds.
• Treat the guide’s tactics as the value. If you learn something and enjoy the process, a slow day still beats wasting time on a “sit and wait” tour.

And if you care about comfort, note that some days involve rougher sea conditions. You’ll be on a boat for the whole experience, so bring what helps you feel steady.

Who this tour suits best in Phuket

This is a good match if:

• You like being on the water for a full day, not a short half-day.
• You want a guided experience with tackle provided.
• You’d enjoy snorkeling at Koh Racha Yai as part of the package.
• You prefer smaller group dynamics (max 15).

It might be less ideal if:

• You need guaranteed big-game fishing results.
• You’re sensitive to rough seas.
• You’re pregnant or have back/neck/joint/muscular issues, since the tour says you shouldn’t take part.
• You’re traveling with very young kids: children 3 and younger are complimentary with a paying adult, but children 1 and younger aren’t allowed.

Should you book this Phuket big-game fishing and trolling day?

I’d book this if your goal is a well-run Phuket boat day that blends real fishing time with snorkeling and a solid lunch, with gear and guidance taken care of. The value is strongest when you’re staying in central Phuket (so pickup is smooth) and you’re happy to let the sea decide what species shows up.

Skip it if you’re the type who needs a specific trophy fish. The included gear and guide effort are real, but fishing outcomes vary wildly with season and conditions. Go in flexible, bring sunscreen and patience, and focus on the learning and the day on the water.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour start time is 8:00 am.

How long is the fishing trip?

It runs for approximately 8 hours.

Where is pickup available in Phuket?

Hotel pickup is available from many central areas including Patong, Karon, Kata, Rawai, Naitharn, Yacht Club, Ban Krating, Chalong, and Kalim Beach.

What if my hotel is farther out from the pickup zones?

Transfers from Surin, Bangtao, and Kamala cost extra (200 Baht per person). Panwa has an additional cost of 1200 Baht per group, and Rawai/Yanui/Naithorn are 800 Baht per group.

What’s included for fishing?

The tour includes boat cruise, trolling and bottom fishing gear, lures, and bait, plus a professional local guide.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Yes. Snorkel and mask are included.

What lunch and drinks are provided?

You get a complimentary Thai buffet-style lunch, plus drinking water and soft drinks throughout the day.

What fish are you trying to catch?

You’re set up to try for tuna, mackerel, razorfish, and other local fish.

How big are the groups?

The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.

Are there age limits for children?

Children 3 and younger are complimentary when accompanied by a paying adult. Children 1 and younger are not allowed.

Will the tour run in bad weather?

Weather and sea conditions determine whether the tour operates. The company may change the program for safety and comfort due to weather, tide, or sea conditions, and no refunds can be given; the supplier can cancel if conditions are bad.

You Might Also Enjoy

Fishing Experience in Faroe IslandsFrom Rovaniemi: Snowshoeing and Ice Fishing TourFull Day Fishing Package Kenai River or Kasilof River Salmon and TroutMiami Big Game Deep Sea Fishing Charter