Wreck structure and penetration guidance.
Phuket's signature ferry wreck and artificial reef.
Phuket's signature ferry wreck and artificial reef.
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Use a Phuket wreck operator for the mooring-line approach, current checks, and wreck briefing.
King Cruiser is Phuket's famous ferry wreck, an open-water artificial reef between Phuket and Phi Phi that now sits upright and heavily deteriorated in places. It is a true wreck dive rather than a casual reef outing: the wreck lives in current-prone water, visibility is often modest, and the standard recreational plan is to work the outside rather than improvise penetration. The payoff is a dense fish show on and around the hull, with coral growth, schools of snapper, trevally, lionfish, scorpionfish, barracuda, turtles, and zebra sharks making it one of Phuket's signature dives.
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
18m - 30m
Depth Note
The mooring-line entry is around 18 meters, and the wreck spans down to roughly 30 meters in open water.
Best Season
Year-round when Phuket sea conditions allow, with the easiest window in calmer weather.
Typical Conditions
Open-water wreck between Phuket and Phi Phi with a mooring-line descent, moderate visibility on many days, and current that can change with the moon. Outside-only wreck diving is the standard recreational approach.
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Safety Notes
Treat the wreck as outside-only for ordinary recreational dives. If current or visibility is off, keep the dive conservative or skip it.
Access Restrictions
Do not plan casual penetration; the wreck has collapsed in places and needs a proper wreck briefing.
Legal Notes
Dive within certification limits and follow the operator's wreck rules.
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Best for experienced wreck divers who are comfortable with a guide, current, and a no-penetration exterior profile.
Freediving
Not a freedive target; the wreck is too deep and the conditions are built for scuba.
Snorkeling
Not a snorkel site.
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Last Updated
Research Sources
Wreck structure and penetration guidance.
Depth, visibility, and wreck-profile context.
Entry depth, current, and visibility baseline.
General wreck-diving difficulty context.
Wreck history and artificial-reef context.
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