Andaman — November 2026 Fishing Report
November is the Andaman Sea fishing calendar's jewel. The southwest monsoon that dominated the coast through May to September is now a memory, the northeast monsoon has established its clean, organising influence on the region's weather, and the offshore fishing grounds that were inaccessible for six months are now delivering their full seasonal potential. The Similan Islands liveaboard fleet is running at capacity. The granite pinnacles around the Similan chain are producing GT on surface lures. Dogtooth tuna are jiggable on the deep Surin Island walls. The Andaman in November is operating at peak performance across every metric that matters to serious fishing anglers.
Water and Weather
November on the Andaman represents the northeast monsoon's full seasonal establishment. Northeast wind at 10–15 knots from the northeast creates a mild, organised sea state of 0.5–1.5 metres on the western Andaman coasts — a dramatic contrast to September's 3–5 metre southwest swell. Dawn sea conditions on most November mornings are glassy or nearly so, allowing the liveaboard fleet to reach even the most exposed Similan Island pinnacles by 6 am.
Sea surface temperatures have cooled to 28–29°C from the summer maximum — ideal for the pelagic species that are the Andaman's primary fishing targets. Clarity at offshore sites is outstanding: 25–30 metre visibility is typical at the Similan and Surin Island sites. The combination of calm sea and clear water makes November the Andaman's most visually spectacular fishing month.
Phuket, Khao Lak, Krabi, and Phang Nga Province all experience near-zero rainfall in November — typically less than 20mm for the month. The days are consistently sunny with thin high cloud. Air temperature on the coast runs 28–32°C by day, comfortable rather than hot. The November coastal climate is the basis for the Andaman's reputation as Southeast Asia's finest dry-season beach destination.
What's Biting Now
Giant trevally — November GT fishing at the Similan Islands granite pinnacles is the Andaman's signature experience. The fish are present in good numbers on the shallow reef structures, and the dawn surface window — typically running from 5:30 to 8:30 am — produces the most aggressive popper and stickbait responses. Large GT (15–30kg) are reliably encountered. The deep-water GT at the outer edges of the Similan chain require heavy jigging gear (PE6-8, 200–400g jigs) but produce encounters with fish in the 25–40kg range.
Dogtooth tuna — The Surin Islands, and particularly the deep walls and pinnacle bases around Richelieu Rock, hold dogtooth tuna populations that are most accessible in November's clear conditions. Flutter jigging at 80–200 metre depth with 200–400g jigs on PE4-6 tackle produces consistent encounters. Fish from 10–40kg. The dogtooth tuna is one of the most powerful offshore fish available from Thailand's waters.
Sailfish — Present on the Andaman offshore grounds in November though not in the concentrated numbers seen in the Gulf. Trolling rigged ballyhoo and circle-hook livebaits on the Similan Bank troll runs produces encounters. An Andaman liveaboard in November can realistically expect a sailfish encounter as part of the overall day's mixed-species bag.
Spanish mackerel — Abundant throughout the Andaman in November, from inshore reef systems to the offshore banks. Trolling chrome lures over reef tops at 6–8 knots; also responsive to high-speed jig retrieves around current-swept points. Excellent sport on 30–50lb class trolling gear.
Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) — November is the Andaman's best wahoo month. These high-speed pelagics — among the fastest fish in the ocean — concentrate around the offshore bank edges and floating debris lines. High-speed trolling at 14–16 knots with skirted lures and rigged fish produces wahoo encounters. A 20kg wahoo is a genuinely memorable catch.
Barracuda — Abundant at all reef systems throughout November. Large barracuda (3–8kg) are caught on slow-trolled lures, jigs, and whole bait presentations at the reef top structures.
Grouper — Deep bottom fishing at the Similan and Surin reef bases produces good grouper in November. Large grouper specimens (coral grouper, camouflage grouper) inhabit the 40–80 metre reef base zone. Fresh bait and large rubber presentations on heavy bottom rigs.
What to Target This Month
Top pick: Similan Islands liveaboard for GT and mixed pelagics. The definitive Andaman November experience. A 4-night, 5-day liveaboard from Khao Lak to the Similan Islands covers the fishing program that makes the Andaman famous. Dawn and dusk surface lure sessions for GT on the granite pinnacles; midday slow-pitch jigging for the deeper structures; trolling between sites for sailfish, wahoo, and Spanish mackerel. The November light quality, sea state, and water clarity make this one of the world's great offshore fishing experiences.
Second pick: Surin Islands and Richelieu Rock for dogtooth tuna. A specialist choice for anglers who prioritise the dogtooth tuna target. The Surin liveaboard program from late October through November offers dedicated access to Richelieu Rock's deep jigging. The combination of the world-famous dive site context, the extraordinary GT fishing on the shallow structure, and the deep dogtooth jigging makes a Surin-focused liveaboard one of the Andaman's most productive November options.
Third pick: Khao Lak inshore day charter for Spanish mackerel and wahoo. For anglers who prefer day fishing from a land base, Khao Lak's charter fleet provides access to the offshore zone between the coast and the Similan chain — a productive November fishing area for Spanish mackerel, wahoo, and barracuda. Full-day trips departing at 6 am from the Khao Lak pier return by 4 pm with excellent catch rates. The area is less pressured than the full liveaboard grounds.
What to Avoid
Avoid the first days of November if booking without a weather consultation — while November is reliably excellent, the transition from October's variable conditions occasionally extends the first few days of the month. After 5 November, conditions are effectively guaranteed to be at dry-season quality. Avoid attempting self-guided offshore navigation to the Similan or Surin Islands without a licensed captain familiar with the local channels and reef systems — the passage is straightforward in good weather but the reef systems require local knowledge. Avoid squandering GT dawn windows on leisurely breakfasting — the 5:30 to 8 am surface window is finite and precious.
Andaman Dawn Light and Giant Trevally
The November dawn sequence at a Similan Island granite pinnacle is one of Thailand fishing's most extraordinary experiences. The liveaboard vessel is anchored before first light; the anglers are on the bow with poppers and stickbaits ready as the sky lightens over the Andaman horizon. In the gloaming — the 20-minute window when the sky is light but the sun has not yet crested the horizon — the GT begin their morning patrol of the shallow pinnacle edges. A well-placed popper cast parallel to the boulder wall at first light, with a slow walk-the-dog retrieve, is met with an explosive take that announces November's arrival on the Andaman as emphatically as any fishing experience in Asia.
Venue Spotlight
Similan Islands (Mu Ko Similan National Marine Park, Phang Nga Province) — The nine-island Similan chain is the Andaman's premier November destination. The northern islands — particularly Koh Bangu (Island 9) and Koh Similan (Island 8) — hold the most accessible GT structures. The liveaboard departure infrastructure at Khao Lak's Tab Lamu Pier is professional and well-organised. Multiple operators run 4–7 day Similan programs in November at varying price points; book at least two months ahead for preferred departure dates.
Surin Islands and Richelieu Rock (Mu Ko Surin National Marine Park) — The more remote northern Andaman destination, accessible by liveaboard from Kuraburi Pier (north of Khao Lak, 100km from Phuket). Richelieu Rock is one of the world's most celebrated dive sites and an equally impressive fishing location. The park opens in mid-October and by November the diving-and-fishing combination trips are running at full schedule. A Surin-focused liveaboard offers less total fish diversity than the Similan program but better access to the dogtooth tuna jigging and the very largest GT populations.
Khao Lak (Phang Nga Province) — The mainland base for Similan and Surin liveaboard operations is at its most attractive in November. The beaches are beautiful, the main street restaurants are fully open, and the day-charter fishing operations supplement the liveaboard calendar with productive inshore and mid-channel alternatives. Khao Lak is a more relaxed and less developed alternative to Phuket — a better choice for anglers whose primary purpose is fishing rather than nightlife.
Logistics in November
Phuket International Airport is the primary Andaman gateway with direct flights from Bangkok (70 minutes), Singapore, and major European hubs. Khao Lak is 80km north of Phuket Airport — a 90-minute drive. November accommodation across Phuket, Khao Lak, and Krabi is at mid-to-peak season rates; book lodging at least 4–6 weeks in advance. Liveaboard fishing trips should be booked 2–3 months in advance for prime November dates. The Similan National Marine Park charges a daily park entry fee (included in liveaboard pricing but worth confirming). Fishing regulations within the marine park prohibit certain techniques — confirm legal methods with your operator before departure.
Looking Ahead to December
December continues the Andaman's peak season without interruption. GT fishing remains excellent through December, the liveaboard calendar is fully operational, and the Christmas-New Year holiday period brings significant visitor numbers to Phuket and the surrounding coast. The offshore fishing maintains its November quality — this is not a season that peaks then drops but rather maintains consistent excellence through the four-month window from November to February. Book December trips early.
