Phu Quoc Fishing Trip: Squid Fishing at Night & Deep Sea Options (2026)

Phu Quoc Fishing Trip: Squid Fishing at Night & Deep Sea Options (2026)

Night squid fishing in Phu Quoc costs $15–$25 per person and is the island's most unique evening activity. Deep sea fishing charters run $120–$300 for the whole boat. Both include all equipment, and most boats will cook your catch right on board or arrange a beachside restaurant to grill it for you. No experience required for any option.

I book fishing trips for travelers year-round. This guide covers every type of fishing available on the island, real prices from local captains, what you will actually catch, and the honest truth about which trips are worth your money.

Types of Fishing Trips in Phu Quoc

Four distinct fishing experiences are available on the island, each targeting different budgets, skill levels, and interests.

Night Squid Fishing

The signature Phu Quoc fishing activity. You go out after dark on a traditional wooden boat, green underwater lights attract plankton and then squid, and you jig for them by hand using simple lures. Duration: 3–4 hours (6 PM–10 PM typically). Price: $15–$25 per person. Equipment: all provided. Cook your catch: yes, on the boat or at a nearby restaurant. Difficulty: total beginner friendly.

Deep Sea Fishing

A full-day or half-day charter targeting larger game fish in deeper waters around the An Thoi archipelago. Duration: 4–8 hours. Price: $120–$300 for the whole boat (up to 6 passengers). Equipment: rods, reels, bait, tackle all included. Cook your catch: yes, at a partnered restaurant. Difficulty: moderate, the crew helps with everything.

Local Fishing Experience

Join a local fisherman on his daily routine — net casting, crab trapping, or handline fishing near the coast. Duration: 3–5 hours (early morning). Price: $20–$40 per person. Equipment: traditional gear provided. Cook your catch: yes, usually cooked on a beach or at the fisherman's home. Difficulty: easy, very hands-on.

Combined Fishing + Snorkeling

A private or semi-private boat trip that splits the day between fishing and snorkeling at coral reefs around the southern islands. Duration: 6–8 hours. Price: $80–$200 for the whole boat. Equipment: fishing gear + snorkeling masks and fins included. Cook your catch: yes, lunch on the boat or at an island restaurant. Difficulty: easy.

Night Squid Fishing: Complete Guide

This is the trip I recommend to nearly everyone who asks about fishing in Phu Quoc. It is affordable, genuinely fun even if you have never held a fishing rod, and the atmosphere on the water at night is something you will not find on any other tour.

How It Works

The boat departs from Ham Ninh pier or An Thoi harbor around 5:30–6:00 PM. You cruise 20–30 minutes offshore as the sun sets — this alone is worth the trip. Once it is dark enough, the crew drops powerful green LED lights over the sides of the boat. These attract microscopic plankton, which attract small fish, which attract squid.

Within 15–20 minutes of lights going on, you will see squid gathering below. The crew hands you a simple squid jig — a plastic lure with upward-facing hooks and no bait needed. You drop it near the lights, jig it up and down slowly, and wait for a squid to grab on. When it does, you feel a sudden weight and gentle tugging. Pull steadily, and you have your first squid.

What to Expect Realistically

First-timers typically catch 3–8 squid each over a 3-hour session. Experienced jiggers can land 15–20+. The crew catches far more using professional techniques alongside you — this goes into a shared haul that everyone eats.

The squid are mostly arrow squid (Uroteuthis duvaucelii), ranging from palm-sized to about 30 cm. Occasionally you will hook a cuttlefish, which fights harder and tastes even better.

Tip: Squid spray ink when pulled from the water. Wear dark clothes you do not mind getting splashed. The ink washes out, but a white shirt will have battle scars.

Night Squid Fishing Tips

• Moon phase matters. Darker nights (new moon week) produce better catches because the boat's lights create stronger contrast. Full moon nights are still enjoyable but yields drop 30–40%.
• Sit near the brightest light cluster. Squid concentrate where light intensity is highest. Position yourself there.
• Slow, steady jigging beats fast jerking. Let the lure sink, raise it 1 meter, pause, lower it. Squid strike on the pause.
• Bring a light jacket. The ocean breeze after sunset drops the temperature noticeably, especially November through February.
• Eat before you go. Some boats offer drinks and snacks, but none serve a full dinner before the catch is ready.

Cook Your Catch

Most squid fishing boats include cooking as part of the package. The crew prepares your squid three ways right on the boat: grilled over charcoal, boiled in a light broth, or served as sashimi with lime and chili. Some operators instead take you to a waterfront restaurant in Ham Ninh after returning, where the kitchen grills your catch for a small fee (50,000–80,000 VND, about $2–3).

Deep Sea Fishing: What to Expect

Deep sea fishing in Phu Quoc targets larger species in the waters south and west of the island, around the An Thoi Islands and beyond. This is a different experience from squid fishing — longer, more physical, and with a real chance of hooking something impressive.

What Fish Can You Catch?

The waters around Phu Quoc hold a solid variety of game fish:

• Barracuda — Year-round, 1–8 kg. Aggressive strikers, great fight on light tackle.
• Trevally (Giant and Golden) — November to April, 2–15 kg. The most common game fish here.
• Red snapper — Year-round, 1–5 kg. Excellent eating. Bottom fishing technique.
• Grouper — Year-round, 2–10 kg. Usually caught near rocky reefs.
• Spanish mackerel — October to March, 2–8 kg. Fast surface feeders, exciting on a trolling line.
• Cobia — December to April, 5–20 kg. The trophy catch. Not guaranteed, but the crew knows the spots.
• Squid and cuttlefish — Year-round. Often caught as bait, but kept for eating.

You will not find marlin or tuna in these waters — this is not an open-ocean big-game destination. But for varied tropical reef and pelagic fishing with a scenic backdrop of islands, it is genuinely rewarding.

Half-Day vs Full-Day

A half-day trip (4–5 hours) stays closer to shore, focuses on reef fishing and trolling between islands. Good for casual anglers or those who want to combine with other activities.

A full-day trip (7–8 hours) reaches deeper water, includes lunch on the boat, and gives you time to try multiple techniques: trolling, bottom fishing, jigging, and live bait. Significantly better chances at larger fish.

Equipment Provided

All deep sea charters include: medium-heavy spinning rods and reels, trolling rods, bait (live and cut), lures, tackle, ice box for your catch, drinking water, and basic snacks. Some boats include a full lunch; confirm when booking. You do not need to bring anything except sun protection and seasickness medication if you are prone.

Local Fishing Experience

This is not a tourist product — it is a real working fisherman letting you tag along on his daily routine. You meet at the dock before sunrise (5:00–5:30 AM), help load the nets, and spend the morning doing what Phu Quoc fishing families have done for generations.

Depending on the fisherman and the season, you might cast nets for small reef fish, check crab traps set the previous day, handline for bottom fish, or help haul in a gill net. The experience is unscripted and varies every time.

After 3–4 hours, you return to shore and the fisherman's wife (or the fisherman himself) cooks the catch. This usually happens on a beach or at their home — grilled fish, rice, local herbs. It is one of the most authentic meals you can have on the island.

Who this is for: Travelers who want cultural immersion over sport fishing. Photographers. Families with curious kids. Anyone tired of polished tourist experiences.

Heads up: Communication can be a challenge — most traditional fishermen speak limited English. Having a translator or booking through a local contact who speaks both languages makes the experience far smoother.

Combined Fishing + Snorkeling Trips

The most popular full-day boat trip combines morning fishing with afternoon snorkeling at coral reefs near the An Thoi islands. This is essentially a private boat charter with a fishing-focused morning.

A typical itinerary: depart 8 AM, troll and bottom fish for 2–3 hours around the southern islands, anchor at a reef for snorkeling, have lunch on the boat (including your catch cooked fresh), snorkel one or two more spots, return by 3–4 PM.

This works exceptionally well for mixed groups where some people love fishing and others prefer snorkeling. Everyone gets their favorite activity, and you share the catch over a boat lunch.

Price: $80–$200 for a private boat (4–6 people), all equipment for both fishing and snorkeling included.

Price Comparison: Direct Booking vs Platforms

<PriceTable headers={["Trip Type", "Duration", "Platform Price", "Direct Price", "Includes"]} rows={[ ["Night Squid Fishing (group)", "3–4 hours", "$25–$40/person", "$15–$20/person", "Equipment, lights, cook your catch"], ["Night Squid Fishing (private boat)", "3–4 hours", "$80–$120 total", "$50–$70 total", "Private boat, equipment, cooking"], ["Deep Sea Half-Day", "4–5 hours", "$180–$250 total", "$120–$160 total", "Rods, bait, tackle, water, ice box"], ["Deep Sea Full-Day", "7–8 hours", "$280–$400 total", "$180–$300 total", "All gear, lunch, ice box, multiple techniques"], ["Local Fishing Experience", "3–5 hours", "Not available", "$20–$40/person", "Traditional gear, cooked meal, cultural experience"], ["Fishing + Snorkeling Combo", "6–8 hours", "$200–$320 total", "$80–$200 total", "Fishing gear, snorkel gear, lunch, island stops"] ]} caption="Prices current as of early 2026. Platform = Klook, Viator, GetYourGuide. Direct = booked through a local contact." />

Why the price gap? Online platforms charge operators 20–35% commission. That cost gets passed directly to you. The boats, captains, and routes are identical — the only difference is who pockets the markup.

Best Season by Fish Type

Phu Quoc fishing is year-round, but your catch varies dramatically by season.

November to April (Dry Season — Peak Fishing) Calm seas, clear water, and the widest variety of species. This is when trevally, cobia, Spanish mackerel, and barracuda are most active. Squid fishing is also excellent, especially December through February when water temperatures dip slightly and squid move closer to shore. Deep sea trips rarely get cancelled due to weather.

May to October (Wet Season) Rougher seas, especially July through September. Deep sea fishing is still possible but trips may be cancelled on bad weather days. Squid fishing runs year-round since you stay closer to shore. Red snapper and grouper fishing actually improves during the wet season because nutrient-rich runoff draws them to shallower reefs.

Seasickness Prevention Tips

Seasickness is the number one concern travelers mention before booking a fishing trip. Here is what actually works, based on hundreds of guests I have sent on boats:

1. Take medication 30–60 minutes before departure. Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) or meclizine are available at every pharmacy in Phu Quoc without a prescription. Take it early — once you feel nauseous, pills take too long to work.
2. Skip the heavy breakfast. Eat something light — crackers, bread, banana. An empty stomach is worse than a light one, but a greasy pho will come back to haunt you.
3. Stay above deck and look at the horizon. Sitting in the cabin or staring at your phone is the fastest way to feel terrible. Fresh air and a stable visual reference point help your inner ear recalibrate.
4. Ginger works. Ginger candies, ginger tea, or raw ginger slices. Not a miracle cure, but a noticeable calming effect for mild cases.
5. Acupressure wristbands. The elastic bands that press on the P6 point on your inner wrist. Mixed scientific evidence, but many travelers swear by them and they are cheap.
6. Choose calm-water trips if you are sensitive. Night squid fishing stays close to shore in sheltered waters — motion is minimal. Deep sea trips in rougher conditions (especially July–September) are the worst for seasickness.

Family-Friendly Fishing Options

Fishing is one of the best family activities on Phu Quoc because kids are actively doing something, not just sitting and watching.

Night squid fishing (ages 6+): Kids love the green lights, spotting squid in the water, and the hands-on jigging. The simple technique means a 7-year-old can catch squid as easily as an adult. Boats are stable at anchor, and the 3-hour duration keeps it exciting without dragging on too long. Cook-your-catch at the end is a huge hit with children.

Local fishing experience (ages 5+): Pulling up crab traps and seeing what is inside is endlessly entertaining for young kids. The pace is slow, the water is shallow and calm, and the fisherman usually loves showing children his techniques.

Combined fishing + snorkeling (ages 8+): A full day on the water requires some stamina, but older kids who enjoy both activities will have the time of their lives. Pack reef-safe sunscreen and snacks — the boat provides lunch but kids burn through energy fast.

Deep sea fishing (ages 12+): The long duration, open water, and waiting periods make this less ideal for younger children. Teenagers who are genuinely interested in fishing will enjoy it. For younger kids, it is usually too much sitting and waiting punctuated by intense bursts of action they may not be ready for.

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