King Cruiser Wreck Scuba Diving
3 Dives at 5500 THB All Inclusive
If the Phuket dive scene had been previously lacking in anything, it was a decent shipwreck for divers to explore. This unplanned addition to Anemone Reef has become one of the most popular dive sites around Phuket. With its width of 25 metres, multiple decks and spacious open areas the King Cruiser wreck is providing sheltered living quarters for large numbers of fish and crabs. The wrecks location near to Shark Point has undoubtedly has much to do with its soaring fish population, and the older and more broken up the wreck becomes the more fish it attracts. Over time, this will become an even better dive site as the wreck becomes more encrusted with a variety of colourful corals. It seems strange that the fish prefer to live in a rusting metal hulk rather than the natural sanctuaries of Anemone Reef and Shark Point but it makes for a great dive location!
Around the propellers at 32 metres, large lionfish roam the place. They are also found around the toilet area of the main deck. Hard to spot as they are so well camouflaged against the rusting steel and corals, numerous scorpion fish live on the wreck. For the macro-lovers and photographers, there are many nudibranchs and crabs, which inhabit the nooks and crannies. You definitely encounter different kinds of eels including the Honeycomb moray eel. Especially in low currents, the boat can be virtually obscured by huge shoals of reef fish like rabbitfish, surgeonfish, and fusiliers. Bigger hunting fish like trevally, snappers, mackerel, and yellowtail barracuda are never far away.
- Visibility 5-20M
- Difficulty : Advanced
- Current : Moderate to Strong
- Dive Level Recommendation : Advanced ++
MARINE LIFE
For those interested in sharks – sightings, sometimes a leopard shark was has been seen near the remains of the propellers at the sandy bottom. and gray bamboo sharks has been spotted at the opening around the middle level at the stern. During the high season, scuba divers may spot the largest fish on earth – the Whale Shark.
The incredible variety of marine life of the King Cruiser wreck, make it one the most famous dive spot of Thailand – dozens of scorpionfish are usually camouflaged almost everywhere on the rusting steel of the wreck. Thus, divers are advised to be careful if they absolutely have to hold on the part of the wreck. Along the stern, hovering lionfish are common, and divers may find themselves surrounded by schools of trevally, snapper, rabbitfish, fusilier or a mixture of several thousands fishes at the top of the wreck.
Other creatures that can be spotted on the wreck are nudibranch, eels, crabs and a huge great barracuda.
King Cruiser Wreck diving recommendations
King Cruiser wreck can be intimidating for beginners or intermediate scuba divers because of the depth, the visibility and the strong currents. For this reason, the recommended level to dive here is Advanced Open Water diver with minimum 20 dives, or equivalent certification. We also recommend to dive with Nitrox.
What to Expect on your Dive with us at King Cruiser Wreck
Sirolodive is aimed at providing you with the best experience of scuba diving in Phuket. We are able to tailor all requirements to fit and suit you exactly how you would require them to be.
Our team would pick you up from your hotel at 7:15am and drop you at our Boat at Chalong Pier. We would also be dropping you off at your hotel once we have returned back from your diving trip.
You can enjoy a very good breakfast buffet on board and we serve you with snacks and drinks throughout. Lunch buffet is also served with all dietary requests taken into account. If you wish to order a Vegetarian meal please contact Sirolodive’s staff when you board.
You will be briefed by your instructor regarding the use of all diving equipments, dive sites, what you can expect from each dive location and all safety related matters.
What’s not included:
- Underwater photos and video may be possible from dive staff on the boat as an optional extra, usually 1,000 THB per day
- Pickup/Dropoff additional charges will apply for locations from Surin onwards to Maikhao beach or the North of Phuket