From Phuket: Fishing Trolling & Spinning

The main appeal here is a fishing day that pairs trolling in open water with a hands-on spinning session near Raya Yai Island. You get a long stretch on the Andaman Sea, lunch aboard, and the chance to turn a successful catch into sashimi.

I like the mix of fishing styles and the practical inclusions: hotel transfers, fishing gear, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and fruit are covered. The catch is that fishing time may be brief, and snorkeling near other boats may not be the highlight you hoped for.

What to Know Before You Book

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• Trolling begins on the ride out from Chalong Pier toward Raya Yai Island, with the crew handling this part of the fishing.
• Spinning is the more hands-on session, using a professional reel setup from the boat.
• Sashimi depends on the catch. If fish are caught, the crew can prepare sashimi and other food.
• Lunch is served on board, with vegetarian food available if you request it.
• Snorkeling is optional, but the time near the island is limited and the area may have other boats.
• The shared boat may feel busy. Group size is not specified, and one outing included 22 other people.

👉 See our pick of the 24 Best Shopping Tours In Phuket

A Fishing Day, Not a Dedicated Angling Charter

This trip is best understood as a shared sea excursion with fishing at its center, not a private charter built around hours of uninterrupted angling. You set out from Chalong Pier, troll while heading toward Raya Yai Island, try spinning from a floating boat, eat lunch, and have time for a swim or snorkel before returning.

That distinction matters. If you are an experienced angler hoping to spend most of the day working different spots, the scheduled fishing periods may feel short. One account described several brief fishing stops, with around 20 minutes at each, while another praised the crew and the overall day. The time actually spent fishing can shape your satisfaction more than the list of activities.

For a first fishing trip, or for a group where some people want a boat outing and others want a chance to swim, the combination makes more sense. You are not expected to bring tackle: fishing equipment is included, along with masks, snorkels, and life jackets.

The tour is offered from $93.55, while the shared-transfer package is also shown from $85.05. Those figures do not align, so check the selected package and final price before you pay. Value depends on what you want from the day. Transfers, meals, drinks, fruit, equipment, and insurance are included, which makes the package convenient. It is less compelling if your only goal is to fish for as long as possible.

From Chalong Pier to Raya Yai Island

The day starts early. The listed departure is 07:00, while hotel pickup is given as a window from 07:00 to 08:30. The operator confirms your pickup time in advance, and you should be ready in your hotel lobby. Arrive at the pickup point 10 minutes early. If you miss the driver, you must arrange your own transport to the pier.

The boat is scheduled to be underway by about 09:00. The route heads from Chalong Pier toward Raya Yai Island, also referred to as Racha Island in the tour schedule. Trolling takes place on the way out, so this is not simply transit time. The crew handles the trolling setup, though that may mean you have less direct involvement than you would on the later spinning session.

Open-water views are part of the appeal, and the ride gives you a broad sense of Phuket’s coastal setting. But the sea trip takes time, and the return leg is also substantial. The schedule has the boat arriving back at the pier at about 16:30, followed by a transfer to your hotel or another personal address. Plan on a full-day commitment, not a quick morning activity.

Weather and traffic can alter the schedule. If you have a tight connection or a fixed evening reservation, leave a generous buffer.

Trolling on the Way Out

Trolling is a fishing method in which lines are drawn through the water as the boat moves. On this tour, the crew manages that part of the trip while the boat heads toward the island. It gives you a chance of a catch without needing to handle the entire setup yourself.

The trade-off is that a guided trolling session is not necessarily the same as taking an active turn with the rod. One account of the trip described the guides doing most of the trolling, leaving passengers feeling they had little to do. If hands-on fishing is your priority, keep your expectations measured and ask the operator how passengers participate before booking.

The tour then includes groundfish fishing with a spinning reel while the boat is floating. This is the clearest opportunity to try fishing yourself. The equipment is provided, and the crew can assist, but the schedule does not promise a specific number of minutes at the rod or a particular fish species.

Fish are not guaranteed. If you do catch something, the crew may prepare sashimi and other dishes on board. That can be a memorable part of the day, especially if you have never eaten a catch soon after it comes out of the sea. But do not book on the assumption that sashimi will be served: it depends on whether the group catches fish, and the menu can change with the season and ingredient availability.

Lunch, Snorkeling, and Time Near the Island

Lunch is served aboard around midday, with ocean views as the backdrop. Food can include fish, rice, pasta with meat, and chicken, though the menu varies. Vegetarian meals are available if you inform the operator. The package also includes soft drinks, water, and seasonal fruit.

The meal is practical rather than a reason to choose the trip on its own. One account found the lunch average, while another praised the food as fresh and enjoyable. The menu depends on what is available, so treat it as a useful included meal rather than a set dining experience.

After lunch, there is optional time for swimming or snorkeling near the island. Masks, snorkels, and life jackets are supplied, so you do not need to bring your own equipment. The schedule does not promise a particular reef, marine life, or a long snorkel session.

The location may be less appealing if you picture a quiet stretch of water. One account described snorkeling among boats and felt that the time could have been used for more fishing. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, this may not be the right excursion. If you are happy with a short swim as a break from the boat, it adds variety to a fishing-focused day.

The Return to Chalong Pier

The return trip is scheduled for about 16:30 at the pier, followed by a transfer back to your hotel or personal address. The ride back includes another relaxed trolling session, according to the tour description, but do not count on the return leg being a separate, intensive fishing block.

Transport is part of the value, especially if your hotel is not close to Chalong. Still, pickup and drop-off service can be affected by timing. One person reported a drop-off vehicle nearly an hour late, and another found the pickup driver unfriendly. Those are reminders to keep your plans flexible and to confirm your pickup details in advance.

The operator provides insurance and an English- and Thai-speaking guide. The trip is described as having an ecotourism-minded English-speaking guide, but no guide names are provided. Communication has not been equally strong on every departure, so ask for a clear briefing about the day’s sequence and how fishing turns will work.

Who Will Get the Most from This Trip

I would consider this outing if you want a full day at sea, are curious about fishing, and like having lunch and a possible swim folded into the same trip. It can suit beginners, couples, and families with older children who are comfortable spending many hours on a boat. The mix also gives non-anglers something to do while the fishing is underway.

It is a weaker match for a serious angler who wants a private boat, long uninterrupted fishing sessions, or control over the trolling. The shared format, brief fishing periods, and possible crowding are worth weighing carefully. If the group is large, you may need to take turns with the gear.

It is also not a good choice if your main goal is snorkeling in a quiet, uncrowded spot. The island stop is an add-on to a fishing excursion, and the snorkeling time may be short.

Children aged 0 to 3 can join free, but they still must be included in the passenger count. Participants must be under 70. The activity is not recommended for people with high blood pressure, epilepsy, heart disease, asthma, serious medical conditions, pregnant people, people with disabilities, older adults, or infants. Read the health and safety terms carefully and assess whether a long day at sea is suitable for you.

Should You Book the Phuket Fishing Trip?

Book it if you value an easy-to-arrange day on the water with fishing, lunch, equipment, and hotel transfers bundled together. The best parts are the chance to try spinning yourself, the possibility of eating your catch, and the variety of a sea outing that includes an island stop.

Think twice if you expect a focused sport-fishing charter or a standout snorkeling site. Fishing time can be limited, the boat may be crowded, and the quality of the meal and transport can vary. Before confirming, check the exact package price, ask how passenger turns are managed, and make sure you are comfortable with the health restrictions and long schedule.

FAQ

What time does the trip leave?

The listed departure is 07:00. Hotel pickup is scheduled between 07:00 and 08:30, and the operator will confirm your pickup time in advance. Be ready in the lobby and arrive 10 minutes early.

Where does the boat depart from?

The boat departs from Chalong Pier in Phuket. Hotel transfers to and from the pier are included in the shared-transfer package.

How long does the trip last?

The schedule runs from an early-morning pickup to a return at Chalong Pier around 16:30, followed by a transfer back to your hotel or personal address. Expect to set aside most of the day.

What types of fishing are included?

The trip includes trolling on the way to Raya Yai Island and groundfish fishing with a spinning reel from the boat. Fishing equipment is provided.

Is a catch guaranteed?

No. The trip offers fishing opportunities, but the information does not guarantee a catch. Sashimi and other dishes made from your catch are available only if fish are caught.

Are lunch and vegetarian food included?

Lunch is included and served on board. Vegetarian food is available if you inform the operator. The menu may change depending on the season and ingredient availability.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, and life jackets are included. Swimming and snorkeling near the island are optional.

Can young children join?

Children aged 0 to 3 can join free of charge, but infants and children must still be included in the passenger headcount. Participants must be under 70, and the activity is not recommended for infants.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, using the destination’s local time.