| Diving Type | - Wreck Dive: Exploring the structure of the sunken ship and its inhabitants.- Drift Dive: When currents are present, divers can drift along the wreck. |
|---|---|
| Level | This site is best suited for Advanced Open Water Divers and above, due to the depth and the potential for strong currents that may require specific skills to manage. |
| Depth | The base of the wreck lies at approximately 32 meters. |
| Visibility | Underwater visibility typically ranges from 5-20 meters, depending on currents and the season. |
| Current | Currents can range from mild to strong. The varying currents at different times help facilitate a Drift Dive and bring in plankton, providing food for the abundant marine life. |
| Water Temp | The average water temperature is between 28-30 degrees Celsius. |
| Season | You can dive year-round, but the best time is between November and April. During this period, the skies are clear, the sea is calm, and underwater visibility is excellent, allowing for clear views of marine life. - Best Time: November - April - Monsoon Season: May - October. The sea may be rougher with reduced underwater visibility, but diving is still possible. |
| Highlight | The King Cruiser is an ecosystem of its own, making it a very rich dive site.- Fish Schools: Large schools of Snappers, Barracudas, Batfish, and Trevallies.- Resident Fish: Lionfish, Scorpionfish, Moray Eels, and Parrotfish.- Macro Life: Shrimps, Crabs, and numerous species of Nudibranchs.- Other Life: Anemones with resident Clownfish, and a wide variety of colorful soft corals completely covering the wreck. |
General Info
The King Cruiser was originally an 85-meter long hulled catamaran ferry from Japan, which was later acquired by the company "Songserm" in 1990. For seven years, it was used daily to transport goods and passengers between Phi Phi Island and Phuket. On May 4, 1997, while carrying 539 passengers and 22 crew members on a journey to Phi Phi, the ship collided with a submerged reef. The hull was severely damaged, and water rushed in, causing the vessel to sink. In this incident, all passengers and crew were successfully rescued, and there was no loss of life. Only the ship itself sank to a depth of 32 meters, eventually becoming one of the most famous wreck dive sites.
The King Cruiser Wreck is now covered in sponges, colorful soft corals, and is home to large schools of fish such as groupers and yellowtail snappers. Nudibranchs are also a common sight. This site is suitable for adventurous divers with an Advanced Open Water certification or higher, as the wreck sits upright at a depth of 32 meters, with the shallowest point on the deck at about 17 meters. Due to the frequent strong currents in the area, the dive site is not suitable for novice divers. Dives here are often shorter than usual because some divers may not have enough air, and underwater visibility can be poor. Divers must also be cautious of sharp and corroded parts of the ship that risk collapsing. It is not recommended for divers to enter the wreck, as its structure has significantly deteriorated and rusted, making it highly unstable.
Dive Site (Detail)
Divers typically explore the entire wreck, starting from the deck and then descending to the bow, midship, and stern sections. The original structure, including the bridge and parts of the cabin, is still visible, now beautifully covered in corals and marine life.Go There
Tourists can visit these dive sites on either a one-day trip or a liveaboard. One-day trips typically depart from Phuket and include three dives at the King Cruiser Wreck, Shark Point, and Koh Dok Mai. The travel time is approximately 1.5 hours, and most companies offer hotel transfers in Phuket.
As for liveaboard trips, these dive sites are usually included in the Southern Andaman route. Each trip may have slightly different dive sites depending on suitability and weather conditions.
How to Go toPhuket
By Plane
Currently, there are direct domestic flights from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, and several other provinces in Thailand, as well as direct international flights from dozens of countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea, London, Frankfurt, Bali, Sydney, and Paris. If you cannot fly directly from your country to Phuket, you can fly to Bangkok and then choose from over 50 daily flights from Bangkok to Phuket, with a travel time of just one hour.
By Car
From Bangkok, take the Thonburi-Pak Tho route (Highway 35) and then Highway 4 (Phetkasem Road), passing through Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Ranong, and Phang Nga. Cross the Sarasin Bridge to enter Phuket Province. The total distance is 862 kilometers.
By Bus
Regular and air-conditioned buses depart from the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok to Phuket daily.
By Train There is no direct train service from Bangkok to Phuket. If you wish to travel by train, you must get off at Phun Phin Railway Station in Surat Thani Province and then take a bus to Phuket.
Flight Info.
Airport: Phuket International Airport (HKT). There are direct flights from Bangkok and other major cities in Thailand, as well as international direct flights.Overnight
You can find a wide range of accommodation options in various parts of Phuket, from budget-friendly hostels to luxury resorts. Areas that are convenient for travel to Chalong Pier include Chalong, Rawai, Kata, and Karon.Emergency
Here is the English translation for the list of hospitals in Phuket that provide hyperbaric chamber services:
