Kapal Polis Marin KM Tuba (PX13) - Koh Lanta & Phi Phi

The Kapal Polis Marin KM Tuba (PX13) wreck sits upright at 20 metres, a deliberately sunk police patrol boat now acting as an artificial reef. We love a wreck with a story, and this one, scuttled in 2012, has quickly transformed from steel hull to bustling habitat. You can fin right over the bow, past the wheelhouse, and peek into the open cargo hold. It’s not a huge wreck, but the penetration opportunities are satisfying for those with the right training, offering glimpses into what was once a working vessel. Giant moray eels often call the deeper sections home, their heads poking out from crevices. Schools of snapper and fusiliers swirl around the superstructure, so thick at times they dim the ambient light. Keep an eye out for robust ghost pipefish camouflaged against the encrusting corals that are starting to coat the deck rails. We find it’s best dived mid-morning after the initial rush, when the sun is higher, filtering through the water and illuminating the wreck’s details. A steady current can sometimes make for a drift, so keep an eye on your dive guide. It’s a rewarding dive for advanced open water divers looking for a bit of exploration and plenty of fish life.

Location

Koh Lanta & Phi Phi, Thailand, Southeast Asia

Coordinates

6.069606, 100.054960

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

20m

Marine Protected Area: Thale Ban