About this tour
When Lily from our team booked the King Cruiser Wreck dive out of Phuket, we knew we were after something properly different — a 10-hour trip to one of the Andaman Sea's most visited wreck sites. The 85-meter car ferry went down in 1997 and now sits at 33 metres, drawing experienced divers keen to explore its decks and corridors. It's a solid day out if you've got the certification and can handle strong currents; the crew manage groups by experience level and include full kit, meals, and hotel pickups in the package.
Highlights
- Wreck exploration at 33 metres — actual ferry structure still intact
- Licensed English-speaking instructors tailor briefings to your cert level
- Hotel pickup and drop-off saves the early-morning drive hassle
- Full kit hire included — no need to lug your own gear
- Breakfast and lunch on the boat, dietary needs accommodated
- Group separation by experience means you're with divers at your level
- Andaman Sea setting — working dive site, not a staged pool
What to expect
The day starts early with hotel pickup, then a boat ride out to the wreck. Lily found the crew thorough during the pre-dive briefing — they genuinely ask about your certification and recent dives to sort you into compatible groups. Expect moderate to strong currents at this site; it's not a drift you can ignore. Visibility varies but often sits on the murky side, which actually adds to the wreck atmosphere once you're down.
You'll get two or three dives depending on conditions and group pace. The wreck itself is genuinely eerie — you can swim through cabin sections and explore external structures. It's busy during peak season, so don't expect solitude, but the operators manage the flow reasonably well. The boat crew keep an eye on timings and fuel-tank swaps between dives. Lunch and breakfast happen on deck between dives, which breaks up the day nicely.
What travellers say
- Proper wreck dive — explores real structure, not a shallow tourist setup
- Instructors group you by cert level for safer, more enjoyable diving
- Full kit included saves cost and hassle for divers without personal gear
- Hotel pickups and meals mean less logistical stress on your part
- Crew openly ask about experience to place you appropriately
- Strong currents and limited visibility — not beginner-friendly or comfortable
- Crowded during peak season; expect other boats and divers at the site
- Optional extras like dive torches and cameras add up quickly
- Early starts and full-day commitment; physically demanding throughout
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is a real working wreck, not a purpose-built teaching site, so if you want to see where a ship actually came to rest, it delivers. The crew know their stuff and separate groups sensibly. Full equipment hire means first-time wreckers don't need to buy or bring a tonne of kit. Dietary needs are genuinely handled — tell them at booking and they'll sort you out.
Strong currents and dodgy visibility aren't for the faint-hearted; this isn't a beginner's reef dive. The site gets rammed in high season, so don't expect a private experience. You'll need PADI Open Water Advanced or equivalent — no exceptions. Not suitable if you have heart problems, spine issues, or are pregnant. The boat ride can be choppy, and you're on stairs and moving kit between decks — moderate physical effort throughout. Optional extras (dive computer, torch, underwater camera) cost extra and aren't cheap. Early starts, and the full day can leave you knackered.
Bring sun protection, a light jumper for the boat, and any personal medications. The package covers hotel transfers, all diving gear, breakfast, lunch, and the national park fee. Group sizes aren't specified but are managed by certification level. Peak season (November–April) will be busiest.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.