King Cruiser Wreck Site

“Experienced dive wreck!”

Deep with impressionant species.

Max depth 32m - Visibility 10/20m
Open All Year
Experienced divers
Last dive within 6 months
At least 30m divers
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King Cruiser Wreck site, Old sunk ferry

On the 4th May 1997, the MS King Cruiser (a catamaran style car ferry) was travelling on its normal route transporting around 560 passengers from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi, as it had been doing since entering service in 1989. For unknown reasons, the captain veered off course and collided with the Anemone Reef, causing one of its twin hulls to rupture. King Cruiser Wreck site, the ferry slowly began to sink and finally came to rest on the sea cot less than one mile from the reef it had originally hit. Before sinking, all the passengers were safely evacuated with only a few injuries having been reported.

King Cruiser Wreck site, perfect inhabitat

The King Cruiser now lays in an upright position at approximately 33 meters deep waters, where it can be accessed via a descent down a buoy line attached to a winch at the stern of the boat. This marks the highest point of the dive at about 16 meters.

King Cruiser mapping

As the diver descends, the ship becomes visible beneath him, and upon reaching the winch, the first thing to see are the toilets! Taking a route down the port side of the boat, divers can enjoy a wall type dive where many nudibranchs can be found. There are also numerous large openings to look in for the chance to find groupers hiding in the darkness. Moving around the bow of the boat, a sizable gap makes up the bow loading area, although penetration is not allowed due to the fast deterioration of the ship. Two winches placed on either side of the ship at about 18-20 meters are home to various shrimps hiding within the mechanisms. Ornate ghost pipefish can be seen here as well.

Deep Dive life

If the diver has excellent air management skills, then he can enjoy in a second wall dive back down the starboard side. Alternatively, if shallowing up is required, then a trip down to the centre of the ship can be undertaken. At this point, the deterioration has reached such an extent that the top of the ship is nothing but a tangled mess of steel collapsing on itself. Hundreds of dark recesses have been formed there, providing a home to countless species of morays.

Wreck dive in

Regardless of the fact that the main cargo area is out of bounds, there are still numerous swim-troughs that divers can enjoy, particularly towards the end of the dive where large semi-enclosed expanses are filled with huge schools of snappers. The wreck is a huge attraction to predators such as rainbow runners, trevallies, barracudas, mackerels, and tunas occasionally, and large schools of these fish can be seen hunting all around the wreck.

WHAT PEOPLE SAYS

 

  • star ratingThe DC provides the best experience ever. I've been diving with Emir for fun dives in Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. The visibility is so clear, it can go up... read more

    avatar thumb AndreaEnos
    17 September 2023
  • star ratingDive with Blue Planet Divers Koh Lanta - Friendly budget price for diving 3 days.
    Dive Lead : Kabi is the best, he good at searching the big things and small things. I’m so happy.
    Boat is big... read more

    J5737EWkatec
    7 March 2023
  • star ratingConvenince for divers. Friendly vibe. - Friendly welcome. This dive center is international vibe. Good management on boat and also since preparation on shore (equipment). Staffs have good experience and skill. Espicially Kabi dive leader is... read more

    Coastal24272695621
    7 March 2023
  • star ratingGreat experience - Dive Shop
    Had a lovely experience with Blue Planet divers shop Koh Lanta - Thailand.Dive Shop deserve that 5 stars and the recommendations..
    because they do their job perfectly and... read more

    gunaseelan28
    3 March 2023
  • star ratingHope to dive with you again, great experience - I was unable to dive due to injury but I would go to the shop everyday and was greeted, they have a nice sitting area next to the water... read more

    Ccc34
    25 February 2023
  • star ratingI just did my open water diving licence there and the guys from the Diving Center are doing a very professional job (they are not overwhelmingly friendly or funny, I... read more

    avatar thumb Stay08598734055
    9 February 2023
  • Awesome experience. It was my first dive ever, definitely not the last. Great places, awesome people ...

    Julien Quéré Avatar Julien Quéré
    23 February 2020
  • We've had a great 3 days diving experience at sites like Ko Bida Nok, Kled Kaeo Wreck, Koh Haa - some of the best places in Thailand. Dive instructor Katarina... read more

    Mariya Velychko Avatar Mariya Velychko
    8 December 2019
  • Great outfit, good food and equipment, and excellent staff. Diving was awesome especially to see whale sharks up close on three of my dives.

    Nico Wempe Avatar Nico Wempe
    8 March 2020
  • Good company to dive with, easy communication before the dive day. Enjoyed two days diving with these guys. The catamaran is a great dive boat . Koh Lanta is a... read more

    Tdog Ambrose Avatar Tdog Ambrose
    3 December 2022
  • Very warm and welcoming staff, equipment and safety in place, the food in the boat was much better than in other boats I’ve been in Thailand. I’ll definitely come back... read more

    Pau Badia Avatar Pau Badia
    24 December 2020
  • We did two full days on the boat, honest price, which includes breakfast, snacks and lunch, equipment rental and 2/3 dives. Very nice and comfortable boats. Prepared and attentive guides, special... read more

    Stefano Molinari Avatar Stefano Molinari
    13 December 2022