Fishing in Phuket 2026: sunrise tours and deep-sea charters
Sea fishing formats in Phuket — from a budget sunrise tour to a private charter, what you can actually catch in the Andaman Sea, and what it costs.
Updated: 2026-08-19 · 6 min read · AURA Phuket
The Andaman Sea is rich in fish year-round, and Phuket fishing formats fit any budget — from a group sunrise tour to a full-day private charter.
Key facts
- A group sunrise tour — from 2,200 ฿, usually 4–5 hours with breakfast on board.
- A private full-day charter — from 16,900 ฿ per boat, not per person.
- The best bite is early morning and just before sunset, once the heat eases.
- Tropical fishing usually runs catch-and-release for larger fish; a catch dinner is cooked separately on board or on shore.
- Tackle and bait are almost always included in the tour price — confirm this before booking, not after you are at sea.
Group tour or private charter
A group sunrise tour is the most affordable format: a small boat, an instructor, tackle and breakfast already included, with the group made up of several travellers. A private charter costs more, but the boat and route are yours alone: you can choose the fishing spot, duration and even the style — trolling underway or spinning near the reefs.
What you can catch in the Andaman Sea
- Tuna and marlin — on deep-water trolling trips further from shore.
- Barracuda and trevally — popular for spinning near the reefs.
- Grouper and snapper — bottom fishing closer to the islands, good for beginners too.
- Squid — night fishing under lights, a separate and very atmospheric tour format.
When the bite is best
Early morning and the hour or so before sunset are consistently the best windows: the heat eases and fish move closer to the surface to feed. The open-water season from November to April also brings calmer seas and a steadier ride for anyone new to being on a boat, though the Andaman Sea fishes year-round.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need fishing experience?
No, on group tours the instructor teaches technique right there, and the tackle is beginner-friendly. Experienced anglers should consider a private charter aimed at a specific target species.
Can I keep the fish I catch?
Often yes, especially on bottom-fishing trips — the crew can cook part of the catch for lunch right on board. Larger trophy fish on deep-water trips are more often released.
What if I get seasick?
Choose island-area fishing instead of deep-water trips — the water is calmer there. It also helps to take motion-sickness medication in advance and stay on deck looking at the horizon rather than below in the cabin.
Not sure where to start? Tell the AURA AI concierge what you need — it pulls matching options from the live catalogue, and a partner confirms the details personally.