January 2021 – Scuba Splash

Let's face it, Thailand has some spectacular diving. The reefs are vibrant and healthy, there is an abundant fish population and the water conditions are great for all skill levels including beginners. However, there is another aspect of Thailand diving that is thrilling and eye-catching. Yes, the shipwrecks. Thailand is home to over 16 shipwrecks that are open for scuba diving. The majority of these ships were intentionally sunk to create artificial reefs and dive locations. These wrecks range from being beginner-friendly all the way up to certified technical diver. Jumping right into the list, it's not in any specific order and the locations are all around Thailand itself. Vital diving information like water temperatures and visibility ranges can be found at the very end of the list. HTMS Kut Location: Pattaya Expect to See: Barracuda, grouper, jacks, snapper, rabbitfish, stingrays, scorpionfish, pufferfish, eel, crabs, shrimp, nudibranch, coral Skill Level: Advanced certified HTMS Kut was a WWII landing ship owned by the US and is 203 feet (62 m) long. The vessel's original name was USS LSM-333 and it transferred to the Thai Navy in October 1946. Kut was intentionally sunk on September 17, 2006, to mark the anniversary of the King of Thailand's 60th year on the throne. The ship sits upright on the ocean floor and starts at 39 feet (12 m) depth and goes down to 102 feet (31 m) depth. Holes have been cut in the sides of the ship to allow divers easy access to the interior. There are many rooms that are open to exploring on Kut. Some are larger than others and some go very deep into the body of the ship. Taking a tour is always the safest option because guides are highly skilled and familiar with the ship's layout. It's good to mention that there are still some hazards to be careful of if you choose to explore the interior of the ship. Some of the passageways are confusing and dark. There is silt inside the ship which can easily get kicked up and blackout all visibility. There are some doors that can be closed and unintentionally trap someone inside. As you might expect there is coral growing on the ship and several species of fish that live nearby. Grouper, yellow snapper, barracuda, eel, and crabs are always seen. You can definitely expect to see tons of fish darting around. Visibility ranges from 16-49 feet (5-15 m). The shipwreck is located 40 minutes from the shore of Pattaya. This site is located in the Gulf of Thailand the best months to go are from March through September. The monsoon season is from October through February. HTMS Khram Location: Koh Phai/ Pattaya Expect to See: Bamboo sharks, grouper, barracuda, jacks, turtles, rays, scorpionfish, batfish, sweetlips, nudibranchs, sea sponges, coral Skill Level: Advanced certified The HTMS Khram was a former Warship of the Thai Navy that had been decommissioned. The ship was intentionally sunk to celebrate the 50th birthday of Crown Prince Maha Vagiralongkorn on Janurary 30, 2003. The 184 foot (56 m) ship was sunk off the coast of Koh Phai and has since become an artificial reef filled with coral formations and abundant marine life. Khram starts at a depth of 49 feet (15 m) and goes down to 98 feet (30 m). There are holes cut into the ship to allow divers easy access for interior exploration. Some of the interior rooms are easy enough for beginners and others are great for advanced wreck divers. It's also a great location to practice wreck diving and navigation skills. Some of the interesting sites on the inside include instrument gauges, toilets, showers, lockers, kitchen, dinging area, and tables just to name a few. Hard and soft coral cover the ship with schools of fish darting in and around. There are even a few hawksbill turtles that have been known to cruise past divers. Scorpion fish are very well hidden and seem to be in more places than you might think. These fish are poisonous so be careful where you place your hands. Stingrays and blue spotted rays are commonly seen on the ocean floor surrounding the wreck. There are even 3-foot long bamboo sharks camouflaged around the site. Visibility ranges from 6-59 feet (2-15 m). Dives to visit the HTMS Khram can be arranged from Pattaya City. The best months to go are from March through September. The monsoon season is from October through February. HTMS Chang Location: Koh Chang/ Trat Expect to See: Barracuda, grouper, snapper, batfish, rabbitfish, squid, octopus, coral Skill Level: Beginner and up The HTMS Chang was a WWII US Navy landing ship built in 1944. It was originally named USS Lincoln County (LST-898). After fighting in WWII and the Korean War the ship was transferred to the Thai Navy in 1962 where it served until 2006. Chang was intentionally sunk on November 22, 2012, off the coast of Koh Chang near Trat. It is the longest sunken ship in all of Thailand at 328 feet (100 m). The crow's nest is at 10 feet (3 m), the deck starts at 75 feet (23 m) and the very bottom is at 105 feet (32 m) depth. All levels of divers can enjoy aspects of this wreck from beginner to wreck certified. It truly is a massive ship with 3 main decks and 7 sub-decks. There are several interior rooms to explore including the captain's room, engine room, cabins, briefing rooms, and hallways. The ship's cargo holds are very deep so be mindful of your depth and personal limits. There are many different species of fish that live on the wreck. Some species you can expect to see include yellowtail barracuda, rabbitfish, damsels, grouper, great barracuda, and schools of snapper. Whale sharks have also been known to pass by during migration. Visibility is 33-98 feet (10-30 m) and the waters are calm with almost no current. The boat ride to the dive site of HTMS Chang takes 1 hour from Trat. Since this site is located in the Gulf of Thailand the best months to go are from March through September. The monsoon season is from October through February. SS Petchaburi Bremen Location: Pattaya Expect to See: Barracuda, jacks, tusk fish, stonefish, angelfish, eel, rays, sea sponges, coral Skill Level: Intermediate The SS Petchaburi steamship is also commonly referred to as Kaeo Samui, first set sail in 1901. This 289 feet (88 m) long vessel is the oldest shipwreck in the area of Pattaya. December 27th, 1920 the ship ran into uncharted rocks in the Gulf of Siam while transporting 13,000 bags of rice. The ship sank but luckily everyone onboard survived. There is another story circulating that the ship sank due to a fire and explosion in the engine room. This story seems to have been created in an attempt to sensationalize what really happened. Original newspaper articles and interviews all claim that the ship hit rocks, took on water, and sank. The ship landed upright on the ocean floor but it is now separated into two parts. A small sandhill separates the bow from the stern with almost everything else still intact. It's situated between Koh Khram Yai and Sattahip and is 75-79 feet (23-24 m) below the surface. It is not safe to penetrate this ship since it is too old and in a very unstable condition. Black stingrays, eels, and barracuda are just some of the marine species that can be found at this site. The ship itself has some great hard and soft coral formations. Visibility ranges from 20-66 feet (6-20 m) depending on water conditions. The current at the dive site is very strong which means this site is not visited very often. Thai Naval vessels sometimes patrol the area and have been known to discourage diving the wreck. It is 100% possible to go as long as the conditions are in your favor. HTMS Mataphon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50eG0SJQCiQ Location: Koh Larn / Pattaya Expect to See: Grouper, barracuda, jacks, rays, batfish, sweetlips, turtles, crabs, shrimp, sea horses, coral Skill Level: Beginner HTMS Mataphon was a landing craft and is 118 feet (36 m) long. It was intentionally sunk on October 20, 2012, to create an artificial reef and dive site. The original name of the ship was LCT (6)-1260 and it served for the US Navy during WWII. The ship was later sold to the Thai Navy in 1948 where it remained in service for many years. The ship is located at a total depth of 75 feet (23 m) but open water certified divers can easily explore the upper sections. The upper portions of the ship begin at 49 feet (15 m). The top deck and engine room are open for internal exploration. Some points of interest for interior exploration include Asian and Western style toilets, the engine room, and boxed of ammunition. There is lots of life on and around the wreck including nudibranchs, coral, yellow sea horses, yellowtail snapper, and blue spot stingrays. The ship is coated in a thick layer of hard and soft coral. Visibility ranges from 16-66 feet (5-20 m) depending on water conditions and the currents are strong. The best months to go are from March through September. The monsoon season is from October through February. The site is located 45 minutes from Pattaya beach in the channel that separates Koh Krok and Koh Lan Islands. SS Suddhadib Location: Samae San Islands Expect to See: Barracuda, grouper, jacks, batfish, trevally, wrasse, tusk fish, parrotfish, scorpion fish, puffer fish, turtles, rays, crabs, coral, sea sponges Skill Level: Advanced certified The SS Suddhadib is also known as Hardeep was attacked by British bombers on June 1st, 1945 during WWII and sank. The steamship was formally used as a passenger and cargo ship before being commissioned to assist in running supplies between Thailand and Japan. The ship is was built in 1918 in Hong Kong and is 213 feet (65 m) long. located near off the coast of Samae San and only 656 feet (200 m) from the town of Koh Chuang. Hardeep lays 85-92 feet (26-28 m) deep and rests on the starboard side. Hardeep was sunk in 1945 during WWII though it is not exactly known how this happened. The most popular theory is that bombs were dropped on the ship which damaged the port side and cargo hold. There are two 1,000 pound (453 kg) unexploded bombs about 328-492 feet (100-150 m) from the wreck. This backs up the theory of the ship being sunk by bombs. You can go inside with the engine room and cargo hold being the most popular places to explore. Since the ship is deteriorating it's best to stick to these rooms for going inside. It's actually classified as one of the most dangerous shipwrecks to dive for this very reason. If you are the type of diver that loves macro life then you will really enjoy the treasure trove of colorful nudibranchs. Soft coral and sea sponges add some color to the ship. There are many different species of fish at Hardeep. The strong currents make it impossible to fish the waters so species are able to thrive and have longer lifespans. Barracuda, wrasse, tusk fish, angelfish, queenfish, and trevallies are just a few of the species you can expect to see. There is a very strong current on the way down but once at the ship it becomes a relaxing dive. The best months to visit are from November through March. The depth of the ship makes this site open to advanced certified divers. HTMS Prab https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOY07jROgr4 Location: Chumphon Expect to See: whale sharks, snapper, fusiliers, turtles, urchins, mollusks, coral Skill Level: Beginner The HTMS Prab was intentionally sunk on May 19, 2011, to create an artificial reef and dive site. The vessel was originally a Pacific Navy ship during WWII for the US. After the war Prat was gifted to the Thai Navy and used as a training vessel. Eventually the ship was decommissioned and donated to be used as an artificial reef. Average depths on the dive are from 59-72 feet (18-22 m) which makes it open to all levels of divers including beginners. There are tons of fish that cluster around the wreck with fusiliers and snapper being the most commonly seen. You'll also see a turtle or two gliding through the water. The ship itself is encrusted with coral and mollusks. Parts of the ship are open for interior exploration. Divers can go inside the upper decks and part of the hull. Other sections of the ship were permanently closed prior to the ship's sinking. The best time to dive this site is from March to August with water temperatures ranging from 82-86° F (28-30° C). Visibility ranges from 33-82 feet (10-25 m) depending on the month. T11 Coastal Patrol Ship https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxWYFMMStnk Location: Koh Chang/ Trat Expect to See: Bamboo and blacktip sharks, snapper, triggerfish, turtles, coral Skill Level: Beginner The T11 was used as a patrol gunship and first launched on September 14, 1964. The vessel was intentionally sunk on December 17, 2013, and lays at a depth of 52 feet (16 m). The ship is slightly tilted on the port side and measures 98 feet (30 m) long. Unfortunately, the T11 is not in one piece as it was damaged during a training exercise by the Thai Navy in September 2014. Divers should be mindful of possible metal and hazardous points due to the damage done to the ship. Divers usually visit this wreck and then move on to explore the nearby reefs (Secret reef or Blueberry Hill) to finish the trip. The depth of the ship along with the calm water conditions make this a great wreck for beginners. It's also commonly used for scuba diving navigation training. This dive site is located in the Gulf of Thailand so the best months to go are from March through September. MS King Cruiser Location: Phuket Expect to See: Bamboo and zebra sharks, barracuda, snapper, bigeye trevally, scorpionfish, lionfish, turtles, coral Skill Level: Intermediate The MS King Cruiser was an 279 foot (85 m) long passenger ferry that accidentally sunk. On May 4th, 1997 the ferry went off course and hit Anemone Reef near the Phi Phi Islands. The crash ripped open one of the ship's two hulls and it sank within 3 hours. At the time of the crash, there were a total of 561 passengers on board, and all of them were safely rescued by police and fisherman boats. There is no explanation as to why the ferry crashed. The captain was familiar with the route and the weather was good. Many people believe that the crash was intentional. The ship sits upright and starts at 52 feet (16 m) depth extending down to 108 feet (33 m). It has become a stunning artificial reef full of coral formations and various species of fish. Large schools of yellow snapper and bigeye trevally are always at the site. Occasionally you will see barracuda, turtles, zebra sharks, and bamboo sharks too. Soft coral formations are growing on the sides and top of the ship. The wreck used to be great for penetration diving however the ship has since begun to deteriorate. Some decks and ceilings have collapsed so be mindful of the state of the ship. There are still some areas that you can enter on the ship however there are sharp objects and it is a risk if you decide to enter. The stern is currently the safest place to enter the ship. There are some artifacts that remain inside the ship including seating, tables, car tires, and an engine trolley. Visibility ranges from 16-98 feet (5-30 m) depending on the conditions of the water. Since this site is located in the Andaman sea the best time to dive is from November through May. June through October is considered monsoon season. The ferry is east of Phuket or just 9 miles west of Phi Phi Don Island. The waters have a medium to strong current so it's best for intermediate divers. HTMS Sattakut Location: Koh Tao Expect to See: Whale and grey reef sharks, barracuda, grouper, snapper, trevally, fusilier, wrasse, rabbit fish, sweetlips, banner fish, eel, coral Skill Level: Beginner/ Intermediate The HTMS Sattakut was built in Portland Oregon in 1944 for the US Navy. It was originally named USS LCI (M-739) and used as an assualt ship during WWII. After the war, the ship was bought by the Royal Thai Navy in 1947 and used up until 2007. Sattakut is 157 feet (48 m) long and was intentionally sunk on June 18, 2011 off the coast of Koh Tao. Bad weather rolled in during the scheduled sinking which caused the ship to rest on one side instead of upright. Two months later in August 2011, the ship was slightly relocated and positioned in an upright manner by a salvage team. The Sattakut sits at a depth of 66-98 feet (20-30 m). The ship starts at 66 feet (20 m) so open water certified divers can explore the upper portions of the wreck. Certified divers are permitted to enter the wreck and explore the various rooms. There are plenty of holes in the ship to enter and exit as you wish. There is a 76mm/ 50 Mk 22 DP gun mounted to the bow and a 40mm/ 60 Bofors Mk III cannon on the stern of the ship. Giant grouper and snapper are seen in large schools as well as rabbit fish, yellowtail barracuda, fusilier, and the occasional grey reef shark. Whale sharks have been known to swim past the wreck while looking for plankton to feed on. The more you investigate the small holes and crevices of the ship the more life you will discover. Some of the macro life present are nudibranchs, anemone, flatworms, and ghost pipefish. Visibility is 33-82 feet (10-25 m) and there is a rather light current at the site but it can sometimes get strong. The wreck is located just 0.62 miles (1 km) from the coast of Koh Tao which is a quick boat ride. Since this site is located in the Gulf of Thailand the best months to go are from March through September. The monsoon season is from October through February. Basic Diving Info Water Temp: 80-86° F / 27-30° CAir Temp: 72-90° F / 22-32° CVisibility: 20-150 ft / 6-46 mBest Months: Year-roundAndaman Sea Monsoon:June-OctoberGulf of Thailand Monsoon: October-FebruaryAverage cost for 2 tank dive: $140Always tip boat crew on dive trips