At close proximity from each other, all of the Phuket dive sites
allow for a most amazing day trip out on the boat. Always promising you
of some most interesting sightings, Phuket’s dive sites are famous for
their vast array of colours, large and small marine life, and
incredible soft corals and multi-colored anemones.
Phuket has dozens of Scuba Diving operators. Trips offered range from day trips to 10 day liveaboard scuba adventures. There is something in Phuket for every diver at every level. For advanced divers consider booking a 8 - 10 day trip on one of the liveaboard scuba diving trips offered by a number of oprators. Before you book check their reputation as well as their safety record.
King Cruiser Wreck
- Depth: 16 to 32 meters
- Visibility: 5 to 20 meters
- Current: Mild to Moderate
- Experience: Advanced Divers
- Best Time: Oct to Jun
Spanning 87 meters, the King Cruiser was a catamaran used as a car ferry that was on a routine run to Phi Phi on the 4th of May 1997, when it strayed several kilometers off course, crashing into Anemone Reef. With one of its twin hulls ripped through, she went down in less than an hour, thankfully with no loss of life. Amidst the misfortune, the event provided the diving community and visitors to Phuket with their very own artificial wreck at long last and is now one of Phuket's best highlights.
Schools of snappers and yellowtail barracuda swarm over the wreck, sheltering from the rather strong currents. Lionfish, scorpion fish and porcupine fish are other notable residents. With its multiple decks, great open passages and depths between 15 and 30 meters (50 to 100 feet) the King Cruiser used to be a fairly easy dive. In the last 3 years however, the condition of the wreck has deteriorated and it has collapsed in places. There is now very little shelter from the currents in shallow parts. Also expect to see jacks, tuna, fusiliers, lionfish, bat fish and lots more all around the King Cruiser. At the maximum depth of 30 to 32 meters, you will find the propellers of this Twin Cat. And if it is your lucky day, you will spot the sleepy resident shark that has been living here for many years.
