Diving Phuket – King Cruiser, Shark Point & Koh Dok Mai | 3 Dives from Chalong Pier
From: ฿3,600
The big dive day for certified divers: an 85 m wreck, a soft-coral reef and a cave-riddled wall – all in one trip from Chalong Pier.
Three dive sites, three completely different dives, one day. This is the Phuket dive day trip to the King Cruiser wreck, Shark Point and Koh Dok Mai. You start on one of South-East Asia’s best-known wrecks – the 85-metre roll-on/roll-off car ferry King Cruiser, which sank on 4 May 1997 after striking Anemone Reef and now rests on the sand at 32 metres. Then it’s the soft-coral gardens of Shark Point (Hin Musang), before the vertical wall of Koh Dok Mai closes the day with caves and swim-throughs.
The trip is built for certified divers with only one day in Phuket: three guided dives of 45–50 minutes, a maximum of four divers per guide, hotel transfer, lunch and national park fees included – from ฿3,600 per person. Non-divers join as snorkellers for ฿2,500 and explore the shallow areas at Shark Point and Koh Dok Mai while the divers are below.
The trip is operated by our partner South Siam Divers – founded in 2002 and now one of Thailand’s largest dive boat operators, departing daily from Chalong Pier.
Your three dives, hour by hour
| 07:30–08:00 | Hotel pick-up by air-conditioned minivan – between 07:00 and 08:00 depending on your zone. |
| 08:30 | Departure from Chalong Pier. Set up your gear, certification check and a full safety briefing covering all three dives. |
| 11:30 | Dive 1: King Cruiser wreck. Descend along the railings, past the superstructure and down to the sand. Big schools, plenty of metal, plenty of history. |
| 12:30 | Dive 2: Shark Point (Hin Musang). Three granite pinnacles covered in soft corals and sea fans – the most colourful dive of the day. |
| 13:30 | Lunch on board. Freshly prepared Thai food, fruit, water, coffee, tea and soft drinks, plus a cylinder change and a proper surface interval. |
| 14:30 | Dive 3: Koh Dok Mai. Along the wall, through overhangs and caves – the most relaxed of the three dives and a macro paradise. |
| 17:00 | Back at Chalong Pier. Get your logbook signed and rinse your gear. |
| 18:00 | Transfer back to your hotel (between 18:00 and 19:00 depending on traffic). |
Important: all times are approximate. The order of the dives and the choice of sites depend on weather and sea conditions – the operator may swap a site (for example to Anemone Reef or Racha Yai). Your guide makes the final call on the morning of the trip.
Tour highlights
- 🚢 King Cruiser wreck: One of Southeast Asia’s most renowned wreck dives – rich marine life at approx. 30 m depth
- 🦈 Shark Point (Hin Musang): Soft corals, leopard sharks & seahorses – Phuket’s top reef dive
- 🪸 Koh Dok Mai wall dive: Vertical wall with caves, overhangs & macro life
- 🍛 Lunch on board: Freshly prepared meal, water & fruit included
- 🎓 PADI/SSI-certified dive guide: Experienced guidance across all three dives
- 🤿 Non-divers welcome: Snorkelers may join upon request (฿2,900)
Meals
- Welcome drink
- Thai lunch menu
- Seasonal fruit
- Snacks & fruit onboard
- Soft drinks included
- Alcoholic beverages at extra charge
What to bring
- Hat or cap
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Cash
- Passport, copy permitted
Please note
- In case of bad weather, rebooking or refund is possible.
- All-round service – English-speaking support via WhatsApp.
Tour duration
Tour start time
Tour end time
What's included
- Hotel transfer in an air-conditioned minivan (Patong, Kata, Karon, Kamala)
- Licensed tour guide (English)
- Qualified staff (first aid, CPR)
- Life jackets (for adults & children)
- Mask & snorkel (undamaged return)
- National park fees included
- Insurance (valid 24h from tour start)
- Refreshments on board (fruit & soft drinks)
What is not included
- Tips/gratuities
- Local activities on the island
- Personal expenses
- Towels
Know before you go
- The schedule may change due to weather or traffic conditions.
- Insurance is valid for 24 hours from the start of the tour.
- Not recommended if flying on the same day.
- Price applies to all age groups (children aged 1–3 years must be registered in advance).
Not suitable for
- Pregnant individuals
- People with back problems
- Individuals with limited mobility
- People with heart problems
Send us a message
Reviews
The three dive sites
King Cruiser – the wreck
The King Cruiser was an 85-metre-long, 20-metre-wide roll-on/roll-off car ferry working the Phuket–Phi Phi route. On 4 May 1997 she struck the submerged pinnacle of Anemone Reef about two-thirds of the way to Phi Phi, took water and sank. All 500-plus passengers were evacuated and there were no casualties. Today the ship sits upright on the sand: top of the wreck at about 15–16 m, bottom at 32 m.
Three decades underwater have turned her into a reef. Soft corals and black corals cover the decks and superstructure, sea fans fill the sheltered spots, and huge schools of snappers and fusiliers pour over the wreck while barracudas circle above. Moray eels, scorpionfish and stonefish sit in the recesses, and leopard or bamboo sharks regularly rest on the sand around the hull.
One important safety note: we dive this wreck from the outside, swimming along the decks and superstructure. Penetration inside the wreck requires specialist training and is not part of this trip.
Shark Point (Hin Musang) – soft corals & leopard sharks
Shark Point – Hin Musang in Thai – is a group of three granite pinnacles rising from 26 metres to around 18. The site is famous for dense gardens of purple and yellow soft corals and sea fans, and for the leopard sharks that often lie on the sand patches between the pinnacles. Add seahorses, cuttlefish, nudibranchs, frogfish and an enormous density of reef fish and you have the most photogenic dive of the day. Expect mild to moderate drift.
Koh Dok Mai – wall, caves & macro
Koh Dok Mai (“Flower Island”) is a small limestone island east of Phuket. The dive runs along a near-vertical wall from 5 to 26 metres, cut through with caves, overhangs and cracks. It is famous for macro life – frogfish, nudibranchs, harlequin shrimp, moray eels and bamboo sharks in the fissures – while barracudas, trevallies and turtles pass by on the blue water outside. Equally good for photographers and for anyone who simply likes a wall covered in life.
Requirements & safety
- Certification: Open Water Diver or higher (PADI, SSI, CMAS). Bring your certification card and logbook.
- Depth limits by certification: the wreck sits between 15 and 32 m. Open Water divers stay within the limits of their training (max. 18 m) and still see a large part of the superstructure. To go down to the sand you need Advanced Open Water or an equivalent deep-dive rating; around 20 logged dives is a good rule of thumb. Your guide sets the maximum depth at the briefing.
- Recent experience: your last dive should be within the past 12 months, otherwise a Scuba Review is required. With little experience and a fresh current, the guide decides whether the wreck makes sense for you.
- Minimum age: 10 years (Junior Open Water Diver) – in practice the wreck suits divers from about 15 upwards.
- Health: a medical certificate is required for relevant pre-existing conditions. Not suitable for pregnant women or anyone with heart problems, back problems or limited mobility.
- No-fly time: allow at least 18–24 hours after your last dive before flying. Three dives in one day makes this especially important – never book this trip on your departure day.
- Dive computer: mandatory on board. A computer can be hired, or take the full set for ฿500 per day. Dive insurance (DAN, Aqua Med) is strongly recommended.
- Packing list: certification card, logbook, swimwear, towel (not provided), reef-safe sunscreen, seasickness tablets for the 1.5–2 hour run out, and your camera.
Prices & what’s included
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Diver (3 guided dives) | ฿3,600 per person |
| Non-diver / snorkeller | ฿2,500 per person |
| Full equipment set (incl. dive computer on request) | ฿500 per day |
| Single items | BCD ฿200 · regulator ฿200 · wetsuit ฿100 · mask & snorkel ฿50 · fins ฿50 (per day) |
| Transfer surcharge, remote areas | ฿500–฿2,000 (see table below) |
Included
- Hotel transfer by air-conditioned minivan (Patong, Kata, Karon, Kamala, Naiharn, Rawai, Chalong)
- 3 guided dives with a certified PADI/SSI guide, max. 4 divers per guide
- Tanks (12 l aluminium), weights and weight belt
- Lunch on board, fruit, snacks, drinking water, coffee, tea and soft drinks
- National park fees
- Life jackets, first-aid equipment and staff trained in first aid and CPR
- Insurance (valid 24 hours from the start of the trip)
Not included
- Equipment hire (฿500 per day for the full set)
- Towels – please bring your own
- Alcoholic drinks (available on board at extra charge)
- Tips for crew and guide
- Personal expenses and the transfer surcharge for remote areas
Pick-up times & zones
It’s a long day and an early start. Pick-up depends on where you stay and the transfer takes 30–90 minutes depending on the zone.
| Zone | Pick-up | Surcharge |
|---|---|---|
| Kamala Beach | 07:00 | – |
| Patong Beach | 07:30 | – |
| Naiharn Beach | 07:30 | – |
| Rawai Beach | 07:40 | – |
| Karon / Kata | 07:45 | – |
| Chalong | 08:00 | – |
| Phuket Town, Siray Bay, Cape Panwa, Laem Hin, Boat Lagoon | 07:20–07:30 | +฿1,200 per person |
| Bangtao Beach, Surin Beach | 06:45 | +฿500 per person |
| Mai Khao, Naiyang, Naithon, Pa Klok, JW Marriott | 06:45 | +฿2,000 (private) |
| Self-arrival at Chalong Pier | 08:15 at the pier | – |
Staying further out? Message us and we will check your pick-up time before you book, or combine the trip with our Phuket transfer service.
Best season & visibility
All three sites lie east and south-east of Phuket and are diveable year round in principle – the monsoon is what matters:
| Period | Water | Visibility | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| January–April (peak) | 28–30 °C | 20–35 m | Calm sea, best conditions at the wreck and Shark Point |
| November–December | 28–29 °C | 15–25 m | Very good, occasional showers |
| May–October (SW monsoon) | 27–29 °C | 10–20 m | Changeable, more current at times – more frequent switch to Racha Yai |
From late spring into summer the operator more often diverts to the sheltered Racha Islands when the sea is rough. If you have your heart set on the wreck, book between January and April.
King Cruiser or Racha Yai – which dive day suits you?
| King Cruiser, Shark Point & Koh Dok Mai (3 dives) | Racha Yai (2 dives) | |
|---|---|---|
| Boat ride from Chalong | 1.5–2 hours | 45–60 minutes |
| Duration | approx. 9.5 hours | approx. 7.5 hours |
| Depth | 12–32 m | 5–30 m |
| Best for | Experienced divers, Advanced Open Water, wreck fans, one-day-only visitors | Beginners, newly certified divers, refreshers |
| Highlight | Wreck, leopard sharks, wall with caves | Coral gardens, relaxed diving, plenty of light |
| Price per diver | ฿3,600 | ฿3,000 |
| Price snorkeller | ฿2,500 | ฿2,000 |
| Year round | Usually – the boat switches to Racha Yai in bad weather | Yes |
Our recommendation: newly certified, prone to seasickness, or short on time? Take Racha Yai diving. Want the wreck, sharks and three completely different dives? Then this King Cruiser wreck dive day is the one.
More diving & snorkeling tours from Phuket
- Diving in Phuket: every dive area at a glance – from Racha Yai to the Similan Islands.
- Racha Yai diving day trip (2 dives) – the relaxed alternative when you are short on time.
- Snorkelling in Phuket: which tour matches your ability?
- Similan Islands by speed catamaran – Thailand’s top dive region (15 Oct–15 May).
- Coral & Racha Island speedboat trip – a snorkelling day for mixed groups.
- Phi Phi Islands, Maya Bay & Khai Island – the classic day out without a certification.
Not sure whether this dive day matches your certification? Message us on WhatsApp, LINE or by email – we will confirm it directly with the dive centre.
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7 reviews for Diving Phuket – King Cruiser, Shark Point & Koh Dok Mai | 3 Dives from Chalong Pier
Nicole Hartmann aus Berlin – OWD – November 2025 –
Allein als Frau – super betreut
Hatte etwas Bammel allein zu buchen, völlig umsonst. Crew trägt schweres Gerät, Buddy war ein anderes Mädel aus Holland, Guide geduldig.
King Cruiser tief, aber Guide achtet ständig auf Luft und Tiefe. Shark Point Seepferdchen gesehen! Dok Mai Höhlen und bunte Wand. Mittagessen lecker Thai. Leihausrüstung Full-Set 500 Baht in top Zustand. Abholung Chalong 8 Uhr pünktlich. Danke, komme wieder!
Ralf Seidel aus Frankfurt – OWD, 40 Tauchgänge – Dezember 2025 –
Pünktlich, sicher, tolle Guides
Abholung Patong 7:30, Chalong Pier 8:30 los wie Uhrwerk. 3 Tauchgänge à 45-50 Minuten, Pause mit Obst und Wasser.
King Cruiser 30m Wrack, Shark Point Weichkorallen in Lila-Gelb, Dok Mai Makro-Paradies. Guide max. 4 Taucher, Briefing klar, Sicherheits-Check ernst genommen. Mittags Massaman Hähnchen mit Reis.
Preis 4.500 + 500 Leihausrüstung fair für 3 geführte TGs inkl. Transfer und Essen. Wer zertifiziert ist und nur einen Tauchtag hat: genau dieser!
Sara Lindqvist, Sweden – OWD, 25 dives – January 2026 –
First wreck dive, felt totally safe
I was nervous about 30m at King Cruiser, but my guide stayed right next to me the whole dive, 45 mins, lots of fish, amazing.
Shark Point: purple and yellow soft corals like a garden, no leopard for our group but the other group saw one. Koh Dok Mai easy wall, octopus and turtle!
Crew helped carry gear, rental BCD fit well. Lunch veggie for me, no problem. Long day 7:30am to 6pm, tired but so happy. Good English, safety first.
Alex Turner, UK – AOWD, 80 dives – February 2026 –
Best diving day from Phuket, period
Three totally different dives. King Cruiser wreck at 28m: huge schools of snappers, barracudas circling, viz 15m. No penetration but swimming along the 75m wreck is impressive.
Shark Point was the winner – 2m leopard shark sleeping under a rock plus a seahorse our guide spotted. Koh Dok Mai wall: frogfish, nudis, morays in the cracks.
Groups max 4, briefing thorough, guides check air often. Lunch massaman chicken + rice. Long ride out (2h), a bit choppy, take pills. Rental full set 500 baht in good condition. Worth every baht.
Liam Murphy, Ireland – AOWD – February 2026 –
Perfect, wife snorkelled while I dived
My wife doesn’t dive, joined as snorkeler for 2,900. Worked perfectly – she snorkelled the shallows at Shark Point and Koh Dok Mai while we dived below, crew looked after her.
For me: wreck full of life, zebra shark 2.5m at Shark Point (!), wall dive with overhangs at Dok Mai. Three dives 45-50 mins each. Lunch plenty, fruit between dives. Pickup 7:30 Patong, back 6pm. Great compromise for mixed couples.
Jens Petersen aus Kiel – AOWD, 120 Tauchgänge – März 2026 –
Wrack, Hai, Makro – alles an einem Tag
King Cruiser mit leichter Strömung, riesige Schnapper-Schwärme, Barrakudas. 28m, 45 Minuten, top. Shark Point dann 2 Leopardenhaie + Seepferdchen, Guide hat Adleraugen. Dok Mai Steilwand mit Höhlen, Muränen, Nacktschnecken.
Gruppen max. 4 Taucher, Briefing auf Englisch klar und ausführlich. Mittagessen Thai, Obst zwischendurch. Boot groß, Toiletten okay. Eigene Ausrüstung dabei, 12l Alu-Flaschen. 18-24h No-Fly beachten! Jederzeit wieder.
Mark Stevenson, Florida, USA – Rescue, 200+ dives – April 2026 –
Solid op, conditions were tough that day
Good operation, 4 stars because of conditions, not crew. King Cruiser had strong current and viz maybe 10m, we stayed at 22m, short dive. Shark Point no leopards, just a bamboo shark, corals still nice. Koh Dok Mai saved the day – caves, swim-throughs, great macro.
Guides made the right safety calls, lunch decent, boat a bit crowded with ~30 divers. I’d go again in Jan-Feb for better viz. April can be hit or miss. Still recommended, just manage expectations late season.