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, makes the diving here unsuitable for beginners.
Due to the beautifully 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. You can hear the boat creaking as you dive around it, which gives it a really authentic shipwreck atmosphere!
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!
We make trips out to the King Cruiser Wreck, Shark Point & Anemone Reef about once per week during high season, onboard our comfortable, faster, bigger boat; MV Maya II. These sites are recommended for more experienced divers due to their exposed position and likelihood of currents and reduced visibility. These dive sites provide a diverse choice of diving environments that can be experienced within a single day-trip from Ko Lanta.
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!
Our experienced Instructors and Divemasters know the dive sites extremely well, and are happy to discuss what you would like to see, and the type of dive or snorkel experience you would like to have. Each dive is personally planned with the divers in each group, to ensure you enjoy each and every dive you make with us.
A full briefing is provided at each site, with helpful tips on what to look for, safety information, and the most interesting places to visit.
The King Cruiser Wreck is recommended for experienced Advanced divers who have dived recently, due to its exposed position, the likelihood of strong currents and reduced visibility. This is a great dive site to dive with Enriched Air (NITROX).
Dive Site Tips – Insider Knowledge from the Locals!
As with many wreck dives, the conditions at the King Cruiser often fall prey to strong currents and reduced visibility. However, the artificial reef attracts not only mind-bogglingly huge schools of reef fish, but is home to a surprisingly rich array of marine life that can rival any of the natural reefs in the area. Look for big red octopus, the large resident Hawksbill turtle as well as a wealth of other critters. Large species of sharks are also spotted here from time to time.
Shark Point (or Hin Musang) is a group of pinnacle dive sites that lie half-way between Ko Phi Phi and Phuket. These sites have some of the most abundant and colourful soft corals in Thailand and are home to literally thousands of fish and other marine species. The site is named after the Leopard Sharks that are often seen resting on the sand, facing into the currents that are common to this site. The sheer density of fish and other marine life, make diving here a wonderful, magical experience.
Anemone Reef (or Hin Jom – Submerged Rock) is located about 600m away from Shark Point. This pinnacle site is completely covered in Anemones that gently sway in the current. You can find an enormous variety of Moray Eels, from Zebra and Spot-Face Morays to Honeycombed Yellow-Edged, Undulated, White Mouth and Clouded Morays. There are also many Lionfish and Bearded Scorpionfish on this site – the largest I’ve seen was – nearly 80cm long!
Download our free Lanta Dive Site Guide – includes Dive Site Maps & Marine Life Guide |
 |
Dive Site Map of the King Cruiser Wreck
