The Andaman Sea around Phuket is one of Southeast Asia's finest fishing grounds — rich in pelagic species, reef fish, and the kind of pristine blue-water scenery that makes a day at sea genuinely hard to beat. Whether you're after a casual half-day or a serious offshore jigging mission, Chalong Pier is where it starts.
Where to Base: Chalong Pier & Rawai
Chalong Pier in Chalong Bay is Phuket's main fishing and marine hub. Most charter fishing boats, dive boats, and liveaboards depart from here. The pier area has a cluster of charter operators, bait shops, and boat services. Chalong Bay itself is protected and calm year-round — making early morning departures straightforward even during monsoon season. The bay is also home to Phuket's sailing and yachting community — if you're interested in exploring by sail rather than motor, see our Sailing & Yachting in Phuket guide.
Rawai Pier is the secondary departure point, primarily used for longtail boat trips and some small charter fishing boats targeting inshore species around the small islands (Koh Lone, Koh Hae, Koh Racha Yai). It's a smaller, more local atmosphere than Chalong.
Most serious offshore fishing operators work from Chalong. If you're staying in Rawai or Nai Harn, Chalong is a 10-minute drive south.
What to Catch: Target Species in the Andaman Sea
The Andaman Sea around Phuket is significantly richer than the Gulf of Thailand side — colder, deeper, and with better-maintained reef ecosystems. Common catches include:
- Barracuda: Fast, aggressive, great sport on lighter tackle. Common on both reef fishing and trolling trips.
- Spanish Mackerel (Pla Thu): Excellent eating. Found year-round in the Andaman — often the bread-and-butter catch on half-day trips.
- Grouper & Snapper: Bottom fishing around structure and reefs. Grouper is one of the best eating fish in Thai waters.
- Giant Trevally (GT): The target for serious sport fishers. Offshore jigging around deep reefs and sea mounts produces big GTs — 10–30kg fish are not uncommon.
- Dogtooth Tuna: The Andaman's trophy species for vertical jigging. Fast, powerful, and targets deep structures. Full-day offshore trips targeting DTT require proper jigging equipment.
- Wahoo: Seasonal (usually December–March). Exceptional eating, very fast — caught on trolling trips to offshore banks.
Charter Options & Costs
| Trip Type | Duration | Cost (THB) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared half-day charter | 4–5 hours | 2,500–5,000/person | Group boat, basic tackle provided |
| Private half-day charter | 4–5 hours | 8,000–15,000 | Full boat for your group |
| Private full-day charter | 8–10 hours | 15,000–35,000 | Offshore capable, includes lunch |
| Inshore longtail fishing (Rawai) | 3–4 hours | 1,500–2,500/person | Reef species, great for beginners |
| Offshore jigging — deep sea | Full day | 20,000–40,000 | Specialised boat + high-end gear |
| Liveaboard fishing trip | 3–5 days | 8,000–15,000/day | Similan Islands area, advanced |
Recommended Charter Operators from Chalong Pier
Phuket Fishing Charters (various operators at Chalong Pier): Walk the pier and compare boats, equipment, and captain experience. Look for operators with GPS plotters, good safety equipment, and modern rods rather than the rusty single rods some tourist-oriented boats carry. Better operators also have fighting chairs, rod holders, and coolers with ice — essentials for a proper day out.
The expat fishing community: The best charter recommendations in Phuket come from the active expat fishing community on Facebook Groups (search "Phuket Fishing" or "Andaman Sea Fishing"). Serious fishers in Rawai and Chalong know which captains are finding fish and which are going through the motions.
Fishing Seasons in Phuket
Dry season (November–April): Generally the best conditions — calm seas, good visibility, consistent winds. November–January is particularly productive for offshore species including wahoo and dogtooth tuna. March–April can produce strong big-game fishing on the offshore banks.
Monsoon season (May–October): Inshore fishing from Rawai remains good year-round as the bay is protected. Offshore is rougher and some operators suspend deep-sea trips during peak monsoon months (July–September). That said, resident expat fishers know that some of the year's best barracuda and trevally fishing happens during the monsoon when the baitfish schools move.
Beach & Shore Fishing in Phuket
Shore fishing is popular among local Thai residents and some expats. The rocky points around Rawai, the causeway near Chalong, the Sarasin Bridge (northern Phuket), and the rocks at Laem Promthep (the southern tip viewpoint area) all produce results for experienced shore anglers. Target species: small barracuda, various snappers, ladyfish, and occasionally larger trevally during baitfish runs.
Equipment is available at local fishing shops in Chalong and Phuket Town — basic rod-and-reel combos from 500–2,000 THB, quality spinning setups from 3,000–8,000 THB. The 7-Eleven convenience stores near the pier often stock basic bait (squid strips, frozen shrimp) for shore sessions.
Fishing Day Out? Make Sure You Have Health Insurance
A day at sea on the Andaman deserves proper medical cover. Bangkok Hospital Phuket handles marine injuries; make sure your expat health plan is in place before you go offshore.
Compare Expat Health Plans — Free Quote →Regulations & Catch-and-Release Ethics
Recreational sea fishing in Thailand doesn't currently require a licence for expats and tourists — your charter operator holds the necessary boat permits. However, some species have size restrictions and there are seasonal closures for certain reef areas (ask your charter captain). The Thai fisheries department has increased monitoring in recent years.
Catch-and-release is increasingly practised among the Phuket expat fishing community, particularly for dogtooth tuna and giant trevally. Many charter operators now carry appropriate release tools and handling equipment. If you're targeting sport species, discuss C&R with your captain beforehand.
Looking for charter recommendations or fishing community connections in Phuket?
Ask Us Free →Related Activity Guides
Also see our guides to learning to dive in Phuket, the complete water sports guide, swimming pools in Phuket, the Chalong area guide, and the Rawai and Nai Harn guide. For a full overview of island living, start with the lifestyle hub.