The King Cruiser was originally a car ferry in Japan before being used to transport passengers between Phuket and Ko Phi Phi. On May 4th, 1997, the ferry hit dive site Anemone Reef and quickly sank. All the passengers were rescued by nearby dive and fishing boats and there were no casualties.

The wreck is 85 m long by 35 m wide, and has four decks with large walkways and windows. The Wreck lies perfectly upright at 32 metres, with the captain’s cabin at 12 metres.

 

The depth, together with the frequent strong currents, make this site an ideal place to gain experience as you train to become a PADI Divemaster or PADI Dive Instructor.

The steel wreck has now evolved into a fantastic natural reef and is home to a huge variety of marine life, who seek shelter within it. We make trips to the King Cruiser Wreck, Shark Point & Anemone Reef about once per week during high season, onboard our high-speed Dive Cruiser MY Scubafish.

Due to the warm tropical waters, the internal structure of the boat is weakening. During the monsoon storms in 2003, part of the upper deck collapsed into the car deck and the wreck is now considered unsafe to penetrate.

Please visit the Liquid Lense Flickr photostream to view more of our underwater images of the King Cruiser Wreck.

You can hear the boat creaking as you dive around it, which gives it a really authentic shipwreck atmosphere! The toilets, which are now home to White Eyed Morray Eels, are one first things you see, as they are at the end of the decent line.

This artificial reef is completely covered in Scorpionfish (be careful where you put your fingers!) and Lionfish and is home to enormous schools of Travellie, Batfish, Pufferfish and Snappers. There is a huge Turtle that lives inside – you can often spot him as he comes towards the surface to breathe.

You can also find Octopus, many types of Moray Eel and all sorts of unexpected visitors who come to see if this haven might house a tasty snack. There have been sightings of Whale Sharks, various Reef Sharks, enormous 2m Groupers and even a Bull Shark!

www.flickr.com

We keep group sizes small to ensure you get the most out of each fun dive. This also reduces impact on our reefs. Our emphasis is on safety, fun and personal service within a relaxed and stress-free environment. You will find the atmosphere and service on our dive boats, beyond anything you have experienced before!

 

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Dive Site Map of the King Cruiser Wreck

Please contact us if you would like any further information

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