King Cruiser Wreck
Conditions & tides
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Marine forecast via Copernicus Marine. Score is a rule-based guide from swell/wind vs. the site's exposure — always dive your own assessment.
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About this site
The King Cruiser Wreck is a sunken passenger ferry lying off the coast of Phuket, Thailand. On 4 May 1997, the 85–87 metre catamaran ferry strayed off course and struck Anemone Reef, tearing open one of her twin hulls; she sank within an hour with no loss of life. The wreck — sometimes called the Thaitanic — now rests on the seabed at a maximum depth of around 30–31 metres, with its shallowest points at approximately 16 metres, and its multiple decks and open passages span that entire depth range.
The structure has deteriorated significantly in recent years, with sections collapsed and the upper framework in poor condition, leaving little shelter in the shallower parts of the wreck. Wreck penetration is not permitted. Divers descend and ascend using the buoy line, as currents can be strong and tidal conditions dictate timing. Visibility can change rapidly and may be poor, and the depth is sufficient to bring a risk of nitrogen narcosis; a safety stop is required. The site is recommended only for Advanced certified divers with recent diving experience.
Dense schools of snappers and yellowtail barracuda swarm over the wreck, using it for shelter from the current. Lionfish, scorpionfish, and porcupinefish are commonly seen residents, along with eels, octopus, and nudibranchs. The wreck's surfaces are colonised by soft corals. Jacks, rainbow runners, and fusilliers also frequent the site.
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The best conditions fall between November and April (sometimes extended to end of May), with water temperatures ranging from 26–31°C depending on the season. Currents can be quite strong, and boat traffic in the area is an additional hazard to be aware of during ascent.
Marine life here
Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.
CuttlefishCuttlefishConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
AngelfishAngelfishReported here · unconfirmed
MackerelMackerelConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
Whale sharkWhale sharkReported here · unconfirmed
Jack / amberjackJack / amberjackConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
StingrayStingrayReported here · unconfirmed
Sea turtleSea turtleReported here · unconfirmed
Tawny Hermit CrabCoenobita rugosusReported here · unconfirmed
Indo-Pacific Sergeant MajorAbudefduf vaigiensisReported here · unconfirmed
Powder Blue TangAcanthurus leucosternonReported here · unconfirmed
Blacktip Reef SharkCarcharhinus melanopterusReported here · unconfirmed
Spotted PorcupinefishDiodon hystrixReported here · unconfirmed
Striped SurgeonfishAcanthurus lineatusReported here · unconfirmed
Boring Giant ClamTridacna croceaReported here · unconfirmed
Checkerboard WrasseHalichoeres hortulanusReported here · unconfirmed
Blackspotted PufferArothron nigropunctatusReported here · unconfirmed
FusilierFusilierConfirmed present · 5 independent sources
TunaTunaReported here · unconfirmed
StonefishStonefishReported here · unconfirmed
PipefishPipefishReported here · unconfirmed
BannerfishBannerfishReported here · unconfirmed
Leopard / zebra sharkLeopard / zebra sharkConfirmed present · 4 independent sources
Whale SharkRhincodon typusConfirmed present · 6 independent sources
PufferfishPufferfishConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
ScorpionfishScorpionfishConfirmed present · 9 independent sources
BatfishBatfishReported here · unconfirmed
GrouperGrouperConfirmed present · 4 independent sources
SnapperSnapperConfirmed present · 15 independent sources
Manta rayManta rayConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
LionfishLionfishConfirmed present · 12 independent sources
SeahorseSeahorseReported here · unconfirmed
SurgeonfishSurgeonfishConfirmed present · 3 independent sources
TriggerfishTriggerfishReported here · unconfirmed
SweetlipsSweetlipsReported here · unconfirmed
BarracudaBarracudaConfirmed present · 16 independent sources
TrevallyTrevallyConfirmed present · 8 independent sources
OctopusOctopusConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
NudibranchNudibranchConfirmed present · 11 independent sources
Durable tips from divers — access, hazards, marine life, facilities. For day-of conditions, use the report tool in the conditions card above.
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