King Cruiser Wreck Dive

King Cruiser journey map from Phuket

wreck diving trip.

฿ 3,900

per person
  • Three Scuba Dives
  • 7.15am – 5.30pm
  • Breakfast & Lunch Onboard
  • Return Hotel Transfers
  • Max Group Size – Four Divers
  • Certified Divers Only
  • Approx (US$110 / £85 / €105 / AUD150)
dive one

king cruiser wreck

On the 4th of May 1997 King Cruiser wreck, an 85-meter passenger ferry from Phuket was on its regular route from Phuket to the Phi-Phi Islands strayed several miles off course and hit Anemone Reef, the only navigational hazard in several miles. King Cruiser wreck, with its multiple collapsed decks and spacious swim-throughs, the wreck provides living quarters for large numbers of fish and crabs. Overtime King Cruiser wreck has become an even better dive-site as it takes on a patina of age and becomes encrusted with a variety of colourful soft corals.

king cruiser wreck phuket
shark point phuket scuba diving
dive two

shark point

Hin Musang means shark rock in Thai and gets its name from the common sighting of Leopard Sharks found resting on the seabed. This is a pinnacle dive with a series of 5 pinnacles running north to south. All the pinnacles are covered in soft corals, large sea fans and home to big schools of colourful reef fish. There are tiger tail seahorses, ghost pipefish, barracuda and an almost unlimited variety of life on the pinnacles.

DIVE THREE

koh doc mai island

This is a wall dive and perfect for drift diving and one of the most popular dives for macro photographers. The wall itself is covered with soft corals, gorgonian sea fans and barrel sponges. The walls are home to a vast amount of marine life including nudibranchs, seahorses and ornate ghost pipefish. A couple of bamboo sharks can almost always be found sleeping under a ledge at 24 meters. This dive site is more suitable for advanced divers as the current can sometimes be challenging and visibility unpredictable.

koh doc mai wall diving
Phuket scuba diving day trip boat MV Mermaid
MV Mermaid day trip scuba diving boat phuket
Thailand Divers day trip diving boat - Phuket
Phuket day trip scuba diving boat - MV Mermaid

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

 

07:00-07:30 – Hotel pick up

08:30 – Meet your Divemaster

09:00 – Scuba dive safety briefing

09:00 – Freshly prepared Breakfast

10:00 – Arrive at King Cruiser Wreck

10:15 – First Dive of the day

11:45 – Thai buffet lunch is served

13:00 – Second dive of the day

14.30 – Arrive at Koh Doc Mai Island

15:30 – Third dive of the day

16:30 – Sail back to Phuket

17:00-18:00 – Return back to your hotel

 

 

Pick Up

Return

 

 

 

Naiharn

07:30

18:00

Rawai

07:30

17:30

Chalong

07:45

17:30

Kata Beach

07:40

17:00

Karon Beach

07:30

17:30

Patong Beach

07:15

17:00

Nakalay

07:10

17:30

Kamala Beach

07:00

17:45

Kalim Beach

07:10

17:45

If you are staying in a different area, then please check out this page – Hotel Transfers

 

Advanced Open Water Divers – as the wreck is sat at 28 meters on the sea bed.

 

Yes, non-divers are welcome on the day trip boat but most of the dive sites are not suitable for snorkeling. So if you are looking for a snorkelling-only day trip then we suggest the Phi Phi Islands Snorkeling Trip.

2,500 THB per person – non-diver.

 

Scuba diving requires a minimum level of health and fitness. Anyone, regardless of age, with shortness of breath, blurred vision, or any form of chest pain may need to reconsider diving. Avoid disappointment, download and review the Diver Medical form to ensure you won’t need a physician’s approval to dive before enrolling in a scuba course.

 

We expect no issues but in the unlikely event of injury, it only makes sense to be prepared. Check your current travel insurance covers you for scuba diving activities. Be sure to contact them directly to make sure. If they do not then we recommend DAN Scuba Diving Insurance.

 

While we may not be able to accommodate every requirement please let us know in advance and we’ll make every effort to ensure there is food available for you. In addition, we can help you store your own food on the trip if necessary.

 

Absolutely! While some places use amateurs or fresh out of school dive guides, we use local experienced experts. Our concern for your safety is paramount and we take pride in our staff’s experience and professionalism.

 

Full set rental scuba gear: 600 THB per day.
Dive Computer Rental: 300 THB per day.

12lt Nitrox cylinder: 300 THB

dive site information

 

 

Scuba diving in Phuket is diverse and rich in experience, with the King Cruiser Wreck providing intrigue and uniqueness that other sites do not.
This eighty-five-meter passenger ferry lies between the southeast coast of Phuket and Koh Phi Phi and has become one of Phuket’s most popular dive sites.

King Cruiser was never a planned addition to the underwater world as it set off on the 4th of May 1997 with five hundred people on board. For reasons unknown, it veered off course and collided with Anemone Reef. Within an hour, the boat had sunk, with everybody escaping with their lives. It now lies at depths of at least thirty meters, in the most incredible upright position with the Captain’s cabin at a depth of about twelve meters. 

At twenty-five meters wide, the wreck is a copious space in which many species of marine life have made their home, and its proximity to Shark Point has only contributed to the abundance. As the wreck decomposes and breaks up, creating new hideaways and swathed in beautiful, coloured corals, it becomes more attractive to the diverse life.

A wreck dive is always thrilling, and King Cruiser does not disappoint. The often strong currents mean this dive is more suited to those with experience. Although no longer safe to swim through, there is plenty to explore and observe as marine life is abundant on this artificial reef. For the macro enthusiast, numerous crabs and nudibranchs hide in the nooks and crannies. 

Continue to explore the propellers at around thirty-two meters, and you will discover large Lionfish; keep an eye out for Scorpion Fish camouflaged against the rusting wreck. You may be fortunate to see Honeycomb and Moray Eels, and massive schools of Rabbitfish, Fusiliers or Surgeon Fish may engulf you. Snappers, Yellowtail and Barracudas, are often in the area too.

Anemone Reef’s Thai name is ‘Hin Jom’, which translates to Submerged Rock; precisely what Anemone Reef is: a beautiful, vibrant reef, host to a diverse marine life, popular with divers and photographers. Located one mile Northwest of Shark Point or a two-hour boat ride from Chalong Bay, Phuket, Anemone Reef is part of a marine sanctuary. 

Their conditions mean boats are not allowed to drop anchor or tie up, creating a well-reserved, uninterrupted environment for marine life, making it top of most divers wishlists to visit. At about five meters below sea level, it rises approximately thirty meters from the seabed and is the reef with which the King Cruiser collided.

Described as a living carpet, Anemone Reef is covered in beautiful green and blue sea anemones with soft coral swaying; it looks like the pinnacle is, in fact, alive. Here is an excellent opportunity for any keen underwater photographer; you must observe from afar and up close. Amongst this beautiful scene live vibrant coloured Clownfish, Anemone Fish, Scorpionfish and Soldierfish that dash through the corals. Moorish Idols, Cornet Fish, Parrotfish and Red-tailed ButterflyFisgh, amongst many others, are all attracted to these nutrient-rich waters and a real honour to witness. 

Yellowtail Barracuda regularly circle the pinnacle, and visitors such as Leopard Sharks may glide by, visiting from nearby sites. There is life everywhere here, thanks to the rich, healthy environment. You will undoubtedly be in awe of your natural surroundings, and a sloped channel towards the south acts as an exciting discovery, holding many more treasures.

Divers usually descend to the bottom of the pinnacle to start their dive and circular or zigzag their way up, although this depends on the current’s direction. The sea’s current can be strong here, and there are few places to hide, so avoid going against it if possible. Visibility is usually good, ranging from five to twenty meters, and along with such a vast array of marine life, Anemone reef is worthy of being classed as one of the best sites worldwide.

Located close to the King Cruiser Wreck and one-mile southeast of Anemone Reef, this site is the most diverse and, along with Anemone Reef, is the favourite amongst scuba divers in Phuket. Its name originates from the number of Leopard Shark sightings that have taken place and consists of three pinnacles, each fifteen to twenty meters away from the other at depths ranging from fifteen to thirty meters. 

The northern pinnacle is the only one seen above sea level. It often acts as the starting point, if the current allows, providing a visual reference for divers to descend either by line or to make a free descent into depths of approximately twenty-four meters. If the current is heading north, you will often start at the second pinnacle, where the depths are more shallow at around six to seven meters.

So nutrient-rich is the waters that a diverse marine life will undoubtedly welcome you. Take your time to observe and immerse in their world and take comfort in knowing that not many manage to dive all three pinnacles in one dive. Like Anemone Reef, the beautiful, vibrant soft corals cover surfaces with huge Sea Fans, Table Coral, Staghorn, Coral Head and hard corals in deeper waters. 

Look between the corals for wonderfully coloured Nudibranchs, Cube Boxfish, Harlequin Sweetlips, Ghost Pipefish, Shrimp and Seahorses. Above the reef, you will not fail to notice the hundreds of small Silversides or schools of SoldierFish and Snapper. Remember to watch out overhead as the shadow of a Whaleshark can occasionally glide over, and as its name suggests, the famous Leopard Sharks can be spotted.

Koh Doc Mai is twenty kilometres east of Phuket, and as with neighbouring dive sites, it is very popular. Koh Doc Mai translates into “Flower Island” and is a limestone rock that rises above sea level and vertically drops to depths of around thirty meters. There is a sheer drop on the East side, whilst a gently sloping reef of hard coral can be found on the West.

Most people dive the wall on the East side, stretching to a depth of around twenty-five meters. A macro lovers joy as you will be amazed at the diverse life here. The wall is covered in Yellow Tube Corals, Gorgonians, Sea Whips, harps and Sponges. Small, white-eyed Morays and clusters of Dancing Shripmp flourish here, as well as bright yellow Tigertail Seahorses and Ghost Fish. Angel Fish are also a frequent sight, so it is worth taking your time to investigate what lies behind and amongst the corals.

At the base of the wall, you will discover some caves, one bigger than the other. Use your torch to see the incredible architecture of the limestone creation, but be aware that the smaller cave is long and narrow. Both should only be entered with proper training and/or a professional dive guide. The seabed here is a mixture of sand and limestone gravel, perfect for hiding Flatfish and Rays.

Always keep checking out into the deep blue for a glimpse of Black Tip Sharks, Mantas, Whale Sharks or even a visiting turtle. Visibility is usually around twenty meters, but a strong current can reduce this, but many use this to their advantage and use a stronger current to enjoy a drift dive.

King Cruiser journey map from Phuket
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