- Hilux is the boat built around fishing on Koh Samui: most of its programs combine island stops with fishing, from ฿32,000 for 4 hours to Koh Tan and Koh Madsum.
- Hilux prices cover 1-10 people, fishing equipment is provided on request, and a BBQ grill is on board.
- Anda is a fast 12 m speedboat whose 8-hour days start at ฿30,000 for up to 6 people, with fishing equipment available at an extra charge.
- Several sailing catamarans, such as Nina and Scarlet, list fishing and sashimi among their inclusions, which suits a relaxed day with a line in the water.
- Island fees on Koh Madsum and Koh Rap are THB 50 per person for each island and are not part of the boat price.
Somewhere off Koh Tan, the engines go quiet, the crew drops a few lines over the side, and within ten minutes someone who has never held a rod is shouting because the tip is bending. That moment is why people book a fishing trip on Koh Samui, even people who would never call themselves anglers. It is less about trophies and more about a slow, salty, happy day at sea with your own group.
This guide is about private fishing days, where the whole boat is yours. It covers the boats that include fishing, what is free and what is extra, what you might catch, and how to fold the fishing into a day with snorkelling and an island lunch stop.
What is a fishing trip on Koh Samui by private boat like?
A private fishing trip on Koh Samui is usually a mixed day: a few hours of relaxed fishing combined with island stops and swimming, not a hardcore sport-fishing expedition. The boat is booked for your group only, so you decide how much time goes to the rods.
The typical rhythm goes like this. You board in the morning, cruise to the first island, swim or snorkel, then the crew picks a spot over rocks or a reef edge and hands out the gear. After an hour or so of fishing, you move on to another island, have lunch, and fish again on the way back if the mood is right.
For most guests this is the right balance. Pure fishing for six or eight hours in the Gulf of Thailand heat is tiring, and the fish are not always cooperative. Splitting the day keeps everyone happy, including the friend or partner who came for the beach.
The south of Samui is the natural area for it. Koh Tan, Koh Madsum (the island known as Pig Island) and Koh Rap are close, the water around them is sheltered on most days, and there are rocky edges where fish gather. You can read more about the islands themselves on the page for Koh Tan and Koh Madsum by private boat.
Which boats on Koh Samui include fishing?
The boat that builds its programs around fishing is Hilux, a 15 m motor yacht where most routes include a fishing activity. Several other boats list fishing equipment too, some included and some at an extra charge.
Here is how the fishing options compare, using what each boat lists:
| Boat | Type, max guests | Fishing on board | Price range per boat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilux | Motor yacht, up to 20 | Fishing activity in most programs, equipment on request | ฿18,000 - ฿62,000 |
| Anda | Speedboat, up to 12 | Equipment for fishing at an extra charge | ฿30,000 - ฿32,000 |
| Nina | Sailing catamaran, up to 15 | Fishing and sashimi, fishing rod | ฿22,000 - ฿43,000 |
| Scarlet | Sailing catamaran, up to 20 | Fishing and sashimi, fishing rod | ฿32,900 - ฿52,000 |
| Victoria | Sailing catamaran, up to 13 | Fishing, fishing rod | ฿21,000 - ฿39,900 |
| Neverland, Ofcourse, Sapphire, Ti Ti | Speedboats | Equipment for fishing at an extra charge | See each boat page |
A few larger boats, such as Serenity, list equipment and bait for fishing, and Princess 42 and Minor Affair offer fishing equipment or rods on request. On those, fishing is a side activity rather than the point of the day.
My honest take: if fishing is the main reason you are going out, pick Hilux. If fishing is one fun thing among several, a catamaran with rods on board or a speedboat with gear added for an extra charge works fine.
Hilux: the fishing yacht on the west coast
Hilux is a 15 m (50 ft) twin-engine motor yacht for up to 20 passengers, and its prices cover 1-10 people, which makes it one of the most sensible fishing boats for a medium-sized group. It is moored on the west side of Koh Samui, close to Koh Tan, Koh Madsum and Ang Thong.
The fishing programs run like this:
- Koh Tan and Koh Madsum with fishing, 4 hours (09:00-13:30 or 14:30-18:30): ฿32,000.
- Koh Tan, Koh Madsum and Koh Rap with fishing, 6 hours (10:00-16:00 or 12:00-18:00): ฿49,000.
- Dolphin sightseeing with Koh Tan, Koh Madsum and fishing, 8 hours (09:00-17:30): ฿57,000.
- Koh Tan, Koh Madsum, Koh Rap and the Five Islands with fishing, 8 hours (09:00-17:30): ฿57,000.
- Around Koh Samui with fishing, or around Koh Phangan with fishing, 8 hours (10:00-18:30): ฿62,000.
Included are captain and crew, travel insurance, the fuel surcharge, a guide, soft drinks and water, fruits, a BBQ grill, snorkeling equipment and life jackets. Fishing equipment is provided on request, so mention it when you book rather than assuming it will be laid out.
Group pricing is generous for families. From the 11th guest, each extra adult pays ฿1,500, children aged 11-14 pay ฿800, and children aged 0-10 travel free. The island fees are separate: THB 50 per person for Koh Madsum and THB 50 per person for Koh Rap. Full details are on the Hilux motor yacht page.
Hilux also runs an 8-hour Ang Thong National Marine Park day for ฿62,000, but that program is not listed with fishing. Keep in mind that the park is usually closed every year from 1 November to 15 December.
Anda: a fast speedboat with fishing gear on board
Anda is a 12 m (38 ft) speedboat with two 200 hp Yamaha engines and a top speed of 40 knots, and fishing equipment is available on Anda at an extra charge. It suits a smaller group who want to cover distance quickly and fish at a stop or two.
All three Anda routes are 8-hour full days. Koh Phangan or Koh Tan, Koh Madsum and Koh Rap cost ฿30,000, and Ang Thong Marine Park costs ฿32,000. The price is for up to 6 people, and each additional guest costs THB 1,000, up to 12 guests plus crew.
What I like about Anda for fishing is the hotel transfer, which is included, and the licensed guide on board. Snorkeling equipment and fins come with the boat, so the swim stops are easy. Lunch is not included, so plan a beach restaurant or bring food.
The downside is comfort. A speedboat is a speedboat: it is fast and fun, but on a choppy day the ride is bumpy, and when you stop to fish, a smaller hull rocks more than a 15 m yacht. If anyone in your group gets seasick, Hilux is the kinder choice. Anda is moored on the north side of Samui, and you can compare routes on the Anda speedboat page.
What fish can you catch in the Gulf of Thailand?
Around Koh Samui you can expect reef and rock fish on most days, with the occasional bigger predator if you are lucky. Exact catches depend on the season, the tide, the spot and plain luck, so treat any species list as a hope, not a promise.
Over rocky bottoms and reef edges, guests often pull up small groupers, snappers and colourful reef fish. Mackerel, trevally and barracuda turn up in open water at times. Squid fishing is also popular in the Gulf in general, usually after dark, but it is not a standard part of a day charter, so ask before you count on it.
Most fishing on these day trips is simple bottom fishing with bait, sometimes with a short spell of trolling while the boat moves between islands. The crew knows a few productive spots and will move if nothing bites. You do not need to bring your own tackle.
A word of respect: if you catch something too small, too pretty or simply not worth eating, let it go. Reef fish keep the reefs healthy, and the snorkelling you enjoy an hour later depends on them. Keep what you will actually eat.
Half day or full day for a fishing trip on Koh Samui?
For beginners and families, a 4-hour half day is usually enough fishing; a 6 or 8-hour day makes sense when you want fishing plus several islands, lunch and a proper swim.
The Hilux 4-hour program at ฿32,000 is the easy option. You fish, visit Koh Tan and Pig Island, and are back for a late lunch or an early evening. The afternoon slot (14:30-18:30) is a good choice in the hot months, because the light softens and the sea is often settled on the way back.
The 6-hour program adds Koh Rap and more time. This is my favourite length for a mixed group: enough hours that nobody feels rushed, not so long that kids melt. The 8-hour days are for groups who want the full picture, such as dolphin sightseeing, the Five Islands or a circuit around Samui or Koh Phangan.
A practical point on seasons: from about November to January the north-east monsoon can make the sea in the Gulf of Thailand rough, and trips may change route or be postponed. Fishing from a rolling boat is no fun, so if your dates fall then, keep a spare day.
For groups who want fishing to be a gentle part of a sailing day, the catamarans are worth a look. Nina offers a 4-hour morning trip to Pig Island and Koh Tan for ฿29,000, and its inclusions list fishing and sashimi. More catamarans are on the page to rent a catamaran on Koh Samui.
Is a fishing trip good for beginners and kids?
Yes. No experience is needed: the crew baits the hooks, shows you how to drop and feel the line, and helps land and unhook the fish.
Children usually love it, especially the first catch. Keep sessions short, about an hour at a time, and alternate with swimming. Hilux is easy for families: children aged 0-10 travel free above the base group, and life jackets are on board.
Beginners should know a few things before they go:
- Bites can be slow. Some days the fish come fast, some days nothing happens for half an hour.
- Hooks are sharp and fish have spines. Let the crew unhook anything you are not sure about.
- The sun is stronger on the water than on the beach. Hats, long sleeves and sunscreen matter more than any tackle.
- A boat at anchor rocks more than a moving one. If you are prone to seasickness, take something before you board.
If your group mostly wants speed and long-distance islands such as Koh Tao, with fishing only as a vague idea, a speedboat such as Pearl, the most popular speedboat on Samui, is a great day out, but it does not list fishing gear. The speedboat page shows which ones do.
How to plan a private fishing day from Koh Samui
Choose the boat by how serious you are about fishing, then confirm the fishing gear and the food when you book. That covers most of what can go wrong.
For a fishing-first day with a group of up to ten, Hilux is the clear choice; for a fast day for a small group with fishing added, Anda is the better match:
- Tell the manager fishing is a priority, and ask for the equipment to be confirmed (on request on Hilux, extra charge on Anda).
- Pick the half day if your group includes small children or first-timers.
- Bring cash for island fees on Koh Madsum and Koh Rap.
- Pack a hat, a long-sleeved shirt, reef-safe sunscreen and a dry bag.
- Ask whether your catch can be grilled on board, and plan lunch accordingly.
- Check the forecast the evening before, especially from November to January.
The booking request is free and non-binding: send your date, group size and the route from the boat page, or write on WhatsApp, and a manager confirms availability and the final price.
Questions and answers
Is a fishing trip worth it if the fish do not bite?
On a mixed program, yes: the islands, the swim stops and the time on the water carry the day even when the fishing is slow. If catching fish is the only thing that will make you happy, accept that no crew can guarantee it.
Can we keep and cook the fish we catch?
Hilux has a BBQ grill on board, so ask the crew whether they can grill your catch on the day. On the catamarans that list fishing and sashimi, very fresh fish may end up as sashimi.
Is fishing equipment included in the price?
It depends on the boat. On Hilux fishing equipment is provided on request, on Anda and several other speedboats it costs extra, and some catamarans list a fishing rod among their inclusions.
Can I bring my own fishing rod?
You can ask, and most crews do not mind a guest's own tackle. Mention it in the booking request so the crew knows what to expect.
What is the best time of day to fish around Koh Samui?
Early morning and late afternoon are often more active than midday, and they are cooler for you too. Hilux runs its 4-hour program in the morning (09:00-13:30) or afternoon (14:30-18:30).
Can non-anglers in the group enjoy the day?
Yes, because the fishing programs combine fishing with island stops and snorkelling. On Hilux snorkeling equipment is included, and Koh Tan and Koh Madsum are good places to swim.
How many people can join a fishing trip on Hilux?
Hilux takes up to 20 passengers. The price covers 1-10 people, and from the 11th guest extra adults pay ฿1,500, children aged 11-14 pay ฿800 and children up to 10 are free.
Ready to choose your boat?
Every boat page shows the routes, prices and what is included. The booking request is free: a manager checks the boat is free on your date and confirms the price.
Updated 7 November 2026. Prices can change: the boat page always shows the current price.
