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Itineraries

7-Day Andaman Fishing Itinerary: Phuket Day Charters + Khao Lak Liveaboard

Seven days of maximum Andaman saltwater intensity — Phuket day charters, a 3-night Khao Lak liveaboard, and blue-water fishing at the Similan Islands.

ThaiAngler Editorial · 27 April 2026 · 5 min read

Liveaboard fishing vessel anchored near the Similan Islands in the Andaman Sea

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Andaman at Full Throttle

Seven days is the minimum to do the Andaman Sea proper justice — and this itinerary does not waste a single one of them. Three days of escalating day-charter intensity in Phuket, a seamless transfer north to Khao Lak, and three nights aboard a liveaboard over the Similan Islands grounds. For serious saltwater anglers, this is the Thailand trip.

The structure reflects how serious anglers approach a week in Phuket: you come in hot, assess conditions in the first session, build through progressively more demanding fishing styles, then extend your range and your time on the water with a liveaboard component that takes you to world-class structure fisheries simply not accessible on day-charter range.

Why the Liveaboard Changes Everything

Day charters from Phuket and Khao Lak are excellent. But they're constrained by the daily run — you spend one to three hours each way transiting to and from the fishing grounds. A liveaboard eliminates that transit time entirely. You wake up anchored at the grounds, fish at dawn when feeding activity peaks, eat breakfast, fish more, eat lunch, fish more.

The Similan Islands — specifically the northern islands and the external reef walls — hold some of the most productive popping and jigging structure in Thailand. GT, dogtooth tuna, and red bass on the structure; sailfish and wahoo when the boat drifts into blue water. The variety on a three-night Similan liveaboard is unmatched by any day-charter operation.

Three days of day charters is good fishing. Three nights at the Similan grounds is something else entirely — the kind of fishing that resets your expectations.

Weather Flex and Backup Plans

This itinerary is designed for the dry season (November to April). During this window, the Andaman is at its most fishable and liveaboard operators run on schedule.

If a Phuket day-charter is cancelled due to weather, swap it for a Phang Nga Bay mangrove fishing day — sheltered, interesting, and surprisingly productive for snook and small trevally.

If the liveaboard cannot reach Similan grounds due to swell or unexpected marine park access issues, reputable operators have contingency dive/fish grounds south of the islands that still offer productive structure fishing. Always ask operators what their weather contingency protocol is before you book.

Monsoon season (May–October): This itinerary as written is not recommended. See the monsoon season fishing strategy guide for a heavily adjusted version that keeps you fishing productively through wet-season conditions.

Logistics: Phuket to Khao Lak

The transfer on Day 4 is straightforward. Khao Lak is 80 km north of Phuket via Highway 4 — a 70–90 minute drive depending on traffic. Minivan shared transfers cost around USD $15–$20 per person; private taxis run USD $40–$60. Most liveaboard operators can arrange pickup as part of their package.

Plan to arrive at the liveaboard check-in by 12:00 so you have time to load gear, complete the briefing, and be ready for the 13:00–14:00 departure. Vessels do not wait for late arrivals.

Pack your liveaboard bag the night before departure in Phuket. Keep it to one large waterproof bag or dry bag. Liveaboard cabins are compact — leave anything non-essential at a storage locker in Khao Lak or with your Phuket hotel.

Total Budget Range

| Category | Low Estimate | High Estimate | |---|---|---| | Accommodation (3 nights Phuket + 1 Khao Lak) | USD $200 | USD $500 | | Phuket day charters x3 (per angler, 4-share) | USD $450 | USD $675 | | 3-night Similan liveaboard | USD $600 | USD $1,400 | | Transfers, food, incidentals | USD $150 | USD $350 | | Total per person | ~USD $1,400 | ~USD $2,925 |

Solo anglers chartering private day boats will add USD $500–$1,500 to the day-charter portion. The liveaboard is priced per berth regardless of group size, so it represents better value per-person than private day charters.

Packing Notes

You're packing for two distinct environments: the day-charter comfort of a Phuket beach town and the compact functionality of a liveaboard cabin. Pack light and smart.

Essentials: SPF 50+ sunscreen (waterproof, reef-safe), long-sleeved fishing shirt x3, moisture-wicking shorts x2, wide-brim hat, polarised sunglasses, fingerless fishing gloves, lightweight waterproof jacket for night fishing aboard the liveaboard, rubber-sole non-marking shoes for the deck.

Tackle: If bringing your own rods, tube cases travel well and most operators allow them. Otherwise, trust the provided gear — serious liveaboard operators stock quality tackle. Bring your own favourite jigs and poppers if you have brand preferences.

For the complete packing framework, see What to Pack for Fishing in Thailand.

Who This Trip Is For

  • Anglers who have done a Phuket day-charter trip before and want to go deeper
  • Serious saltwater fishermen with blue-water bucket-list species: GT, dogtooth tuna, sailfish
  • Groups of 2–6 who can split day-charter and liveaboard costs to manage per-head budget
  • Anyone who wants to say they've fished the Similan Islands

This is not the right trip for beginners fishing their first saltwater session, anglers who get seasick easily, or anyone expecting resort comforts on the liveaboard.

Further Reading

Day 1

Arrive Phuket — Chalong Inshore Orientation

  • Morning. Fly into Phuket International Airport. Check into Rawai or Chalong. Spend the morning at the pier meeting your Day 2 charter operator, confirming weather and targets.
  • Afternoon. Half-day inshore session from Chalong: light tackle, reef species, queenfish. Shake off travel fatigue in calm water before the heavier days ahead.
  • Evening. Early dinner near Chalong. Rig leaders, charge camera batteries, review the liveaboard packing list. Bed by 21:00.
  • Stay. Rawai or Chalong — guesthouse or mid-range hotel
Day 2

Full-Day Big-Game Charter — Sailfish & Wahoo

  • Morning. Depart Chalong 07:00 on a full-day blue-water charter. Troll skirted lures and rigged baitfish for sailfish, marlin, wahoo, and mahi-mahi on grounds 25–45 nautical miles offshore.
  • Afternoon. Afternoon drift and deep jigging over seamount structure if trolling slows. Sailfish are most active mid-morning; many double-header days happen before noon.
  • Evening. Return to port by 17:00. Dinner out. An early night is advisable — Day 3 is more physically demanding.
  • Stay. Rawai or Chalong (same base)
Day 3

GT Popping & Deep Jigging Specialist Day

  • Morning. 06:00 departure on a specialist GT popping charter. Reef outcrops, rocky headlands, and submerged structure around the Raya Islands and southern Phuket offer reliable GT concentrations. Cast large surface lures on PE6–8 outfits.
  • Afternoon. Afternoon jigging session for dogtooth tuna, amberjack, and king mackerel. Many operators run combined popping-jigging days to maximise variety.
  • Evening. Last night on land. Double-check your liveaboard bag — three nights of clothing, sun protection, and fishing gear need to fit into one manageable bag or dry bag.
  • Stay. Rawai or Chalong (same base)
Day 4

Transfer to Khao Lak — Board Liveaboard

  • Morning. Minivan or private transfer from Phuket to Khao Lak (approximately 90 minutes north). Check in at the liveaboard operator's office, complete paperwork, and load gear.
  • Afternoon. Board the vessel by 13:00–14:00. Safety briefing, tackle setup, and departure northward toward the Similan Islands Marine Park. Afternoon fishing as the boat transits.
  • Evening. First liveaboard dinner aboard. Reach northern anchoring grounds by dusk. Night squid fishing optional off the stern deck.
  • Stay. Liveaboard vessel
Day 5

Similan Islands — Jigging, Popping, Reef Fishing

  • Morning. Full fishing day on the Similan grounds. Morning topwater popping and jigging over pinnacles and reef walls. GT, dogtooth tuna, red bass, and coral trout are primary targets.
  • Afternoon. Deeper jigging over blue-water structure outside the reef line. Amberjack and large grouper are common afternoon targets. Light tackle reef fishing in shallower bommies.
  • Evening. Second liveaboard dinner. Night fishing optional — reef squid and snapper respond well to light rigs after dark.
  • Stay. Liveaboard vessel — anchored Similan grounds
Day 6

Similan Islands — Maximum Variety Day

  • Morning. Final full Similan fishing day. Drift fishing over current lines, targeting pelagic species in open water. Many skippers position the boat to intercept feeding schools of tuna and mackerel at first light.
  • Afternoon. Wreck or deep-structure jigging session. Return transit begins mid-afternoon as the liveaboard heads south toward Khao Lak.
  • Evening. Sunset fishing from the boat during transit. Debrief with the crew, clean tackle, pack gear. Return to Khao Lak pier by 20:00–22:00.
  • Stay. Khao Lak hotel or late-transfer back to Phuket
Day 7

Flex Day — Khao Lak or Phuket Farewell

  • Morning. Optional: one final half-day inshore charter from Khao Lak targeting reef species and queenfish in Phang Nga Bay's sheltered waters — a very different experience from the offshore intensity of the past three days.
  • Afternoon. Transfer to Phuket International Airport. Most international departures are afternoon or evening. Allow 90 minutes for the road transfer.
  • Evening. Depart Thailand, or overnight in Phuket if your flight is the following morning.
  • Stay. Airport hotel or flight home

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to run this 7-day itinerary?

November through April for the Andaman side. Liveaboards to the Similan Islands typically operate October through May, with the peak season for fishing being December to March. The park is closed to visitors from mid-May to mid-October.

Is liveaboard fishing suitable for beginners?

The day-charter portion (Days 1–3) is beginner-friendly. The liveaboard (Days 4–6) is more appropriate for anglers with at least some offshore experience — you'll be fishing in deeper water, further offshore, and in conditions that can be more demanding. A good liveaboard crew will support beginners, but the experience will feel more rewarding with some existing saltwater familiarity.

What does a 3-night Similan liveaboard typically cost?

Budget USD $600–$1,200 per person for a 3-night liveaboard, depending on vessel standard, cabin type (shared vs. private), and whether all-inclusive fishing tackle is provided. Premium operators run USD $1,400–$2,000 per person.

Do I need a fishing licence for liveaboard fishing in Thailand?

Recreational saltwater fishing in Thailand does not require a personal licence for foreign anglers on chartered vessels. Your operator handles all relevant permits. Fishing within the Similan Islands Marine Park boundary may require the operator to hold specific permits — confirm with your chosen liveaboard company.

What tackle should I bring for GT popping?

If you're bringing your own gear, a PE6–8 popping rod rated 50–120g with a 10,000–18,000 size spinning reel loaded with PE6–8 braid is the standard setup. A heavy slow-jigging rod rated 200–350g paired with a high-ratio jigging reel covers the jigging sessions. All operators provide gear if you prefer not to travel with rods.

Can this itinerary be split between two people fishing and one non-fishing partner?

Yes. Non-fishing partners travel easily to Khao Lak and can enjoy the national park, spas, and beaches while anglers are on the liveaboard. Day 4's transfer is a logical point for non-fishing partners to stay in Khao Lak rather than boarding the vessel.

What is the difference between Day 2 big-game and the Similan liveaboard fishing?

Day 2 targets open-water pelagic species through trolling on day-charter grounds. The Similan liveaboard focuses more on structure-oriented fishing — popping and jigging over reefs, pinnacles, and walls. Both target some overlapping species (GT, tuna, mackerel) but through different methods and in different environments.

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