On this page9 sections
At a glance
- Fishing grounds (one operator)
- Pattaya Yacht Charters names the waters around Koh Phai, Koh Khram and Koh Samae San
- Departure point (same operator)
- Most of its charters leave from Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Na Jomtien
- Fish it lists
- Barracuda, trevally, queenfish, king mackerel, groupers, cobia, snappers, tuna and marlin among others, and occasionally sailfish
- Marine forecast
- The Thai Meteorological Department's seven-day forecast has an Eastern-region section on wind, rain and wave height
Sources for these facts (3)
- Fishing grounds (one operator), Fish it lists: Pattaya Yacht Charters: deep-sea fishing, checked 1 Oct 2026
- Departure point (same operator): Pattaya Yacht Charters: charters and departure point, checked 1 Oct 2026
- Marine forecast: Thai Meteorological Department: seven-day forecast, checked 26 Jul 2026
Choose the kind of trip
| Trip | Usually suits | Questions that decide the value |
|---|---|---|
| Private sport-fishing charter | Anglers who want a chosen method, a small group and the crew's full attention | Is the price for the whole boat? Which tackle is aboard? How far can you go in the day's conditions? |
| Full day on a traditional Thai fishing boat | Groups who want deck space, shade and a slower day | What are the facilities, the passenger limit, the food and the transfer arrangements? |
| Shared or mixed-activity trip | Solo travellers, beginners and smaller budgets | How many people share the rods, and how much of the day is fishing rather than cruising or swimming? |
| Overnight or squid-fishing trip | Experienced guests who are comfortable at sea after dark | What sleeping space, lighting, night watch and weather limits apply? |
Do not book a boat described only as “big” or “luxury”. Ask for its name, recent photographs, the maximum number of passengers and its layout. A small, fast boat cuts travel time but brings more spray and motion; a larger, slower boat gives shade, a toilet and room to move.
Operators price the whole boat, a seat or a package, so price lists cannot be compared without the boat and the plan for the day. Ask for both in writing, and check availability and details with the operator directly.
How the day is spent
A nine-hour trip is not nine hours with lines in the water. The time can include the hotel pick-up, the drive to the pier or marina, loading, the run out to the fishing grounds and the return. Ask for:
- the departure point and meeting time
- the expected time with lines in the water
- the usual cruising time in suitable conditions
- the latest return time
- whether the captain can change fishing grounds
- what happens if the weather shortens the day
Pattaya Yacht Charters, which lists deep-sea fishing among its charters, says most of its boats leave from Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Na Jomtien and fish the waters around Koh Phai, Koh Khram and Koh Samae San, with live bait such as squid. Ask each operator for its own pier and grounds.
A long run offshore can suit a specialised goal, but it is not automatically better for a beginner. A closer, more sheltered spot with active fishing can make a more enjoyable day than hours of fast travel.
Tackle, bait and fishing methods
Tell the operator what experience the group has and what kind of fishing you want: trolling, bottom fishing, live-bait fishing, jigging and squid fishing need different gear and a different pace. Ask:
- which rod, reel and line classes are on board
- whether tackle is shared or given to each angler, and whether breakages cost extra
- whether the bait is live or frozen
- whether you can bring your own tackle
- how the catch is stored and kept cold
Species vary with the season, the grounds, the water and luck. Read a list of possible fish as a guide to the methods on offer, not a forecast, and be wary of any operator who promises a species or a weight.
Safety before price
UK government travel advice notes that boat accidents in Thailand have involved overloading, poor maintenance and rough seas, especially in monsoon conditions. Before you pay a deposit, ask the operator to confirm:
- the passenger limit and the number booked
- a correctly sized life jacket for every passenger
- the communication equipment and emergency contacts
- the first-aid equipment
- shade, drinking water and a toilet
- that the captain has the final say on weather
- the refund or rescheduling terms
When you board, find the life jackets and listen to the briefing. Do not accept an overloaded boat or a life jacket that will not fasten. Keep the deck clear of bags, hooks and line, and follow the crew's lead when a fish is being landed.
Check what your travel insurance covers for a day at sea, and tell the crew about any serious allergy or medical need.
Weather and cancellations
Use the Thai Meteorological Department's seven-day forecast while you plan, then check it again close to departure, because a weekly outlook changes. Thunderstorms can raise waves above the general forecast, and the captain makes the final decision for the boat and the conditions.
If fishing is a priority, keep a spare day in your plans, and ask whether the operator refunds, reschedules or offers a shorter, sheltered trip when offshore conditions are unsuitable. For the wetter months, see Pattaya weather month by month.
Comfort at sea
A fishing boat drifts and rolls while the lines are down, so people who are fine on ferries can still feel seasick. If you are prone to it, get advice on medication before the trip rather than after symptoms begin, eat a light meal, drink water and go easy on alcohol.
Bring high-factor sunscreen, a hat with a strap, polarised sunglasses, a light long-sleeved layer and a dry bag, and wear soft-soled shoes with grip rather than loose sandals. Keep essential medicine with you. If pregnancy, a back problem or recent surgery could make a rough ride unsafe, take medical advice and tell the operator before booking.
Meals vary from boat to boat, so ask whether lunch is included, whether drinking water is unlimited and whether alcohol is served; heavy drinking around hooks on a moving deck is a poor mix.
Booking checklist
Ask for a written quote with the date, group size, boat name, departure point, hours, price, deposit, cancellation policy and inclusions. If a hotel or agent sells the trip, ask who actually runs the boat. If there is no pick-up, plan the ride to the pier with getting around Pattaya.
Save the operator's phone number and send the booking details to someone ashore. The evening before, confirm the pick-up, the forecast and any change of plan. Keep your passport in a dry bag, and never leave it as a deposit.
If your boat leaves from Ocean Marina Jomtien, the yacht marina in Na Jomtien, its page has the address and map.
Questions
Can beginners and children go deep-sea fishing?
Yes, with a patient crew and a stable boat, but a long day of heat, engine noise and motion is demanding. Give the operator each child's age and swimming ability, check that there are life jackets in the right sizes, and choose a shorter or more sheltered trip when that suits the group better.
Can we keep the fish we catch?
It depends on the boat and the species. Before you leave, ask whether fish may be kept, whether protected or unsuitable species are released and who decides, and whether the crew will clean or cook what you keep. Released fish should go back quickly, handled with wet hands or as the crew shows you, and photos should not hold that up.
Is a shared trip cheaper than a private charter?
It can be per person, but you are buying a different day. A private charter is often priced for the whole boat, while a shared trip is priced per passenger and splits the rods, the crew's attention and the plan. A low price can also mean a shorter trip or fewer inclusions, so compare what each one includes.
What fish can you catch off Pattaya?
Pattaya Yacht Charters lists species such as barracuda, trevally, queenfish, king mackerel, groupers, cobia, snappers, tuna and marlin, and occasionally sailfish, around Koh Phai, Koh Khram and Koh Samae San (checked 1 October 2026). Catches vary with the season, the grounds and luck, so treat any list as a guide to the methods on board, not a promise.
