The King Cruiser is one of the most popular wreck dives in Thailand: an 85-metre car and passenger ferry that sank in 1997 after hitting a submerged rock. No lives were lost.
The wreck sits upright on a sandy bottom in around 30 metres of water. The shallowest part is now about 18 metres, since the upper deck has collapsed, but the ship remains largely in one piece.
It’s popular because it’s accessible and offers a variety of depths and features. Marine life is everywhere: lionfish, scorpionfish, trevally, snappers, barracuda, fusiliers, batfish, pufferfish, octopus, moray eels and even nurse sharks.
The main features
- The stern — the simplest and safest entry point. The car decks and machinery are still there.
- The wheelhouse — at the top of the wreck, with views across the whole site.
- The passenger deck — 18 to 22 metres, and the best place for marine life.
- The interior — not recommended for penetration: it’s unstable. Plenty to see through the windows and doorways.
Diving it safely
- Dive with a qualified guide and a buddy
- Know the risks of wreck diving: entanglement and collapse
- Take care near the interior
- Stay aware of other divers
- Don’t touch or remove anything from the wreck
It’s suitable for all experience levels with the right supervision, and it’s the natural wreck dive for the Advanced Open Water course.