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Where to Go Spearfishing in Thailand?
It's not the most popular type of fishing. But the centuries-old sport of hunting, spearing fish, and catching food is an exciting activity for some adventure seekers.
This help guide explains the safety rules about spear fishing in Thailand and where you can - and must not - use a handheld, elongated sharp-pointed tool (harpoon) to hunt for fish underwater.
Legalities and Regulations for Spearfishers
Always check the local laws before using spearfishing equipment (e.g. fishing spear, harpoon gun) to spear any kind of marine life, and:
- Get professional training or dive with an experienced spearfisher.
- Be aware of boat traffic and local sea and weather conditions.
- Learn about the common free-diving hazards, such as shallow water blackout and drowning.
- Use caution around hazardous marine life and avoid being dragged or pulled underwater by large powerful fish (e.g. groupers, tuna).
By and large, traditional spearfishing is usually undertaken while free diving, skin diving, or snorkel swimming. As a consequence of that, the techniques used by underwater hunters can be dangerous.
Key Takeaways...
- It is illegal to spear fish or sea wildlife in some areas, such as the twenty two (22) marine national parks in Thailand - managed by the Marine National Park Division (MNPD).
- Even though there is no standardised spearfishing license nationwide, check with local dive shops, fishing tour operators, and harbourmasters for any required permits.
- The fines and penalties for targeting any marine protected species are severe in Thailand. These include giant clams, sharks, sea turtles, and some vulnerable species of reef fish.
- In most Thai provinces, selling spearguns is legal. However, using chemicals, explosives, or fish pouch (catch bags) for live fish are prohibited by law.
Pro Tip: Another section contains a list of equipment needed for spearfishing, including the essentials that first-timers need to start hunting for fish underwater.
Spearfishing Areas in Thailand
The Kingdom of Thailand has a hot climate all year round and the main diving destinations have warm clear water and an overabundance of reef life, including:
- The Andaman Sea on the west coast of Thailand has several superb locations like Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta, and selected parts of the Similan Islands (outside the national parks). Harpooners will find these spots ideal for pelagics, such as trevally, coral trout, Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorini), and an occasional wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri).
- The Gulf of Thailand on the east coast is where you'll find even more popular tourist destinations, including Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Pattaya, the Samaesan Islands, and Koh Phangan. It's worth noting that the water is shallower, less clear, and the reef fish are smaller than the Andaman side.
- Offshore trips and liveaboard charters to the best deep-water pinnacles where the big fish roam, especially great barracuda, cobia (black kingfish), and tuna.
Tips for Spearing a Fish
Traditional spearfishing requires an extensive combination of patience and concentration. The art of spearing a fish also results from adhering to safe practices and employing the correct technique, especially if you intend to eat the catch afterwards.
Here are some of the recommended techniques explaining how to spear a fish.
- Always use the appropriate hunting gear and make sure it's properly maintained. Spearfishing in clear water is preferable, and do some prior research into the fish stocks that you will be hunting. Use a bright float and flag to alert boat traffic that spearfishers are in the water.
Check if the fish you're hunting are edible and learn how to recognise the tastiest species.- Targeting a lone meanderer (or feeding fish) is likely to increase your chance of a successful kill.
- As you approach the chosen target, make sure the gun safety device is enabled and the spear is cocked ready.
- Inhale deeply... then thrust your legs and fins into the air allowing your torso to sink quietly downwards into the water with minimum splashing. You may need to compensate for the buoyancy in your wetsuit and your body mass.
- Avoid diving down when there are bubbles inside your wetsuit. A sudden release of air bubbles at the wrong moment is likely to scare the fish away and ruin the catch.
- If you can creep close to the fish, try to assess if the prey is within the reach of your spear. If so, aim for the fish's head and release the spear as smoothly as possible.
- Having speared the chosen target, quickly swim towards the fish and grab your spear - or a safe part of the fish's body. Ascend to the surface safely and remove the fish from the water as quickly and as humanely as possible.
Spearfishing Safety Tips
- If you're a beginner - or you're uncomfortable diving down underwater - you can try stabbing them from the surface while wearing a dive mask and snorkel. Remember to stay away from dangerous species that are difficult to see in shallow water, such as jellyfishes, stonefishes, and sea snakes.
- Consider using a wooden spear-gun instead of a metal version. Top spear fishermen suggest that the wooden types help to absorb recoil and they tend to be much quieter. Wooden spears also have the advantage of being positively buoyant so it would float at the surface if you lose contact with it.
Pro Tip: A map of the legal spearfishing zones in Thailand helps you avoid breaking any local laws as it highlights the marine park boundaries and permitted zones.