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King Cruiser Wreck Liveaboard Diving

Our customers rated liveaboard diving in King Cruiser Wreck as 9.2.

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Liveaboard Diving in King Cruiser Wreck

WHAT TO EXPECT ON A KING CRUISER WRECK LIVEABOARD

Liveaboards to the King Cruiser Wreck in Thailand will usually depart from Phuket and head towards the Phi Phi Islands, including this dive site on their itinerary.

On the 4th of May 1997 the car ferry 'King Cruiser' hit a group of submerged rocky pinnacles on a routine run between Phuket and the Phi-Phi Islands at Anemone Reef. Built in Japan 30 years ago, this catamaran has four decks, at 85m long and 25 m wide. With 561 passengers on board, it sank within a couple of hours. Luckily there was no loss of life as rescue came quickly. The wreck, which sits upright on a sandy bottom in around 33m of water has created an interesting artificial reef and attracts many divers to the area, who dive nearby Anemone Reef. It is surprising how much marine life surrounds the wreck, now encrusted with a variety of corals. The wreck remains relatively intact, with the upper deck having collapsed a bit and offers excellent multi-level diving. Due to its exposed location, this site often faces strong currents and bearing in mind its’ depth, is more suitable for the advanced diver.


WHAT YOU CAN SEE

Whilst on a King Cruiser Wreck liveaboard dive it is best to start at the maximum depth of 33m and slowly make your ascent towards the upper deck at 12m. The propeller are at the deepest point and rest at about 32m. At 25 meters, you can explore the engine room and car decks. You’ll be able to see large schools of yellow snapper that tend to hover around the entrance to the car decks. As mentioned, the ferry has four decks and the mooring line drops down to the passenger section at 18 meters where you can find the bar, and lots of tables and chairs. Over time, parts of the wreck have been degraded and leave the safety of entrance to this area and all others in question. Even for the experienced diver, it is best to seek the advice of your liveaboard Divemaster. At 12 meters lies the captain's cabin where you can often see circling schools of bigeye trevally near the wheel house. On your ascent to the surface you start your safety stop around the smokestacks which sit at about 6-7 meters.

Schools of Barracudas and curious turtles are often seen patrolling the wreck, with the usual large grouper and growing population of lionfish lurking around. Undoubtedly, you will see many scorpionfish everywhere hiding amidst the barnacles and rusting steel of the wreck. If luck is on your side, Leopard sharks on the sandy bottom, bamboo sharks, and even the rare Whale shark have been seen around the wreck.

Conditions can vary here and the visibility can vary. With year round diving, it can get quite crowded during the high season.

GETTING THERE

Liveaboard.com offers good itineraries that cover the best of Thailand’s west coast. The best way to get to King Cruiser is on a Thailand liveaboard trip from Phuket departing from Chalong Pier in Phuket.

King Cruiser Wreck Diving Reviews

  • Rating 9.2 out of 10
  • 9.2 Superb
  • Rating 10.0 out of 10
  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Bradley F
  • Flag of United StatesUnited States

Covered in beautiful purple coral. Even in low visibility, it was a beautiful time.

Diving King Cruiser Wreck in July on the Seatopia
  • Rating 10.0 out of 10
  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Brian H
  • Flag of United StatesUnited States

Strong current, but had rope to help with descent, ascent and safety stop. However rope scattered with barnacles, so don't slide your hand down or up. Once over the wreck, the current was minimal allowing us to swim around without much effort.

Diving King Cruiser Wreck in September on the Seatopia
  • Rating 9.6 out of 10
  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Jeffrey L
  • Flag of United StatesUnited States

Visibility was not great, but some impressive schools of fish.

Diving King Cruiser Wreck in December on the The Phinisi
  • Rating 10.0 out of 10
  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • John P
  • Flag of United StatesUnited States

So many fish - unbelievable. Lion fish, schools of snapper and a the wreck was covered in marine life

Diving King Cruiser Wreck in July on the The Junk

What to know about diving in King Cruiser Wreck

When did the King Cruiser sink?

The King Cruiser, a car ferry running between Phuket and Phi Phi Island, struck Anemone Reef and sank on May 4, 1997. It settled upright on the seabed and has been a fixed dive site in the Andaman Sea ever since.

Why did the King Cruiser sink?

The ferry ran aground on the shallow pinnacle of Anemone Reef, tearing open its hull; it sank slowly enough that nearby dive boats were able to help evacuate everyone aboard before it went down.

Was anyone killed when the King Cruiser sank?

No — there were no fatalities. The slow sinking gave passengers and crew time to get off, and several dive boats already in the area assisted with the rescue.

How deep is the King Cruiser Wreck?

The wreck's highest point sits around 52 ft (16 m), with the seabed and lowest sections reaching about 102 ft (31 m), putting most of the dive within advanced recreational depths.

Where is the King Cruiser Wreck located?

It rests near Anemone Reef and Shark Point, between Phuket and Phi Phi Island in the Andaman Sea, making it an easy add-on to a day of diving in that area.

Is the King Cruiser Wreck suitable for beginner divers?

It's generally recommended for divers with advanced certification or solid experience, given the depth range and the fact that visibility over the wreck can be limited. Some operators offer a shallower orientation dive first for less experienced divers.

Can you penetrate the interior of the King Cruiser Wreck?

Limited penetration is possible in some open sections for divers with wreck training, but much of the structure has deteriorated and silted up over the decades, so most dive operators stick to exterior swim-throughs rather than deep penetration.

What marine life lives on the King Cruiser Wreck now?

Soft corals, sponges, and anemones have colonized much of the superstructure, and the wreck now shelters lionfish, groupers, batfish, and schools of barracuda that use it as an artificial reef.

How do you get to the King Cruiser Wreck?

It's reached by day boat from Phuket, typically combined with Anemone Reef and Shark Point on the same trip since all three sites sit close together in the channel toward Phi Phi Island.

What was the King Cruiser before it sank?

It operated as a passenger and car ferry running the route between Phuket and Phi Phi Island, carrying tourists and locals between the two before it struck Anemone Reef in 1997.

Is the King Cruiser Wreck a day trip or liveaboard site?

It's almost always dived as part of a day-trip itinerary from Phuket rather than a stop on Similan or Surin liveaboard routes, which run further north.

What's the visibility like at the King Cruiser Wreck?

Visibility is often middling — roughly 20–50 ft (6–15 m) — since the site sits in a channel with more current and sediment than the outer islands, though calm days can open up considerably.

How long has the King Cruiser been underwater?

As of 2026, the King Cruiser has been submerged for just over 28 years, having sunk in May 1997, and its coral growth reflects nearly three decades of colonization.

What certification do you need to dive the King Cruiser Wreck?

Most operators require at least an Advanced Open Water certification given the depth, and wreck-specialty training is recommended for anyone wanting to explore beyond the exterior.

Are there other dive sites near the King Cruiser Wreck?

Yes — Anemone Reef and Shark Point are both within a short boat ride and are commonly combined with the King Cruiser Wreck on the same day trip out of Phuket.

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