King Cruiser Wreck

Krabi, Koh Phi Phi, Southern Thailand, Thailandwreck31 m maxadvanced

Conditions & tides

King Cruiser WreckKoh Phi Phi

Fair · 3/5

conditions visualisation

Fair3/5

Some chop right now — best window today 7 AM–5 PM.

Wind15 kn ENE

Current~0.1 kn WSW · model

Swell

0.1 m · 4s · SSE

Water

31 °C

Max depth

31 m

Conditions through the day

6 AM6 PM

Calmest current near slack — 15:45 & 04:30 local

Sunrise 06:14 · Sunset 18:03 local

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Tide · local

Outlook — select a day for full conditions

On-face swell 0.2 m — the component of the swell aimed at this site’s exposed face. Current is a regional model value (Copernicus, ~9 km grid) — a guide to the area, not a precise reef measurement. Imagery © Esri · not depth or visibility.

Scored by DiveConnect's site-physics model

Marine forecast via Copernicus Marine. Score is a rule-based guide from swell/wind vs. the site's exposure — always dive your own assessment.

Dived here today? How were conditions vs. what we showed?

About this site

King Cruiser Wreck is a sunken passenger ferry lying in the Andaman Sea near Phuket, Thailand. The vessel sank in 1997 and has since transformed into one of Thailand's most well-known artificial reefs, now encrusted with soft corals and sponges across its exterior.

The wreck rests at 30 metres, with the shallowest accessible sections at around 18 metres, giving a depth range of roughly 18 m to 30 m across the structure. The hull and superstructure have weakened and deteriorated over the years, and wreck penetration is not permitted due to the collapsed and unstable upper sections. Divers explore the exterior, swimming around the coral- and sponge-covered framework.

The wreck draws large aggregations of pelagic species: schools of barracuda, trevally, snapper, and rainbow runners move through the open water around it, while the structure itself shelters scorpionfish, lionfish, moray eels, nudibranchs, and the occasional bamboo shark tucked into the wreckage. Porcupinefish and juvenile barracuda are also present around the site.

Read the full guide

Access is by boat, departing from Chalong Pier. Descent and ascent are made using a buoy line, which is important given the currents that run across the site. Visibility ranges from 10 m to 25 m depending on season; conditions are clearest between November and May. Water temperature runs between 27 °C and 30 °C. Currents can be strong, and conditions are tide-dependent, so timing dives to current and sea state is essential. A safety stop is required after every dive at this depth.

The site is rated advanced. Advanced Open Water certification is recommended; experienced Open Water divers with solid deep-dive experience may also be suitable, but good buoyancy control is essential at this depth. Nitrox is recommended to extend bottom time within no-decompression limits. Hazards include strong currents, depth, rapidly changing visibility, deteriorating metal structure, boat traffic, and the risk of nitrogen narcosis. Wreck penetration is not allowed under any circumstances.

AI-written site guide

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 · 3 independent sources
ScorpionfishScorpionfishConfirmed present · 10 independent sources
BatfishBatfishReported here · unconfirmed
GrouperGrouperConfirmed present · 4 independent sources
Manta rayManta rayConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
LionfishLionfishConfirmed present · 13 independent sources
SeahorseSeahorseReported here · unconfirmed
SurgeonfishSurgeonfishConfirmed present · 3 independent sources
TriggerfishTriggerfishReported here · unconfirmed
SweetlipsSweetlipsReported here · unconfirmed
OctopusOctopusConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
SnapperSnapperConfirmed present · 16 independent sources
TrevallyTrevallyConfirmed present · 9 independent sources
BarracudaBarracudaConfirmed present · 17 independent sources
NudibranchNudibranchConfirmed present · 12 independent sources