Boonsung Wreck - Similan Islands

The Boonsung Wreck isn’t some grand shipwreck, more a pile of rubble from a tin dredger that sank back in the 80s. But don’t let that put you off; what it lacks in intact structure, it more than makes up for in sheer fish density. We love this site as a second dive, a shallow grand finale where the light penetrates right down to the twisted metal. Dropping down, you’ll immediately be engulfed by schools of fusiliers, so thick they often block out the sun for a few seconds. Look closer and you'll spot resident lionfish perched menacingly, along with robust schools of Indian scad swirling around the fragmented sections. It’s an easy dive, sitting in about 18 metres, making it perfect for newer wreck divers or photographers wanting time to compose shots. The wreck itself is pretty broken up, but that creates countless nooks and crannies for morays and pipefish to hide. We always recommend getting there early, before the crowds, to truly appreciate the scale of the fish biomass. It’s a site that proves even a broken wreck can be incredibly productive.

Location
Similan Islands, Thailand, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
8.770757, 98.186386
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Boonsung Wreck

Year Sunk
1984
Vessel Type
barge
Cause
unknown

The Boonsung Wreck is less a story of a single maritime incident and more a tale of transformation. Originally a tin dredger, the vessel sank in 1984 off the coast of Khao Lak. For years, it sat on the sandy bottom, slowly gathering marine life. Then, in 2004, the immense power of the Indian Ocean tsunami tore through the area, breaking the wreck into several distinct pieces and scattering them across the seabed.

This violent act of nature paradoxically improved the dive site, creating more nooks and crannies for marine life to inhabit. Today, the Boonsung is renowned among divers as a 'fish magnet' and one of the best wreck dives in Thailand. At a relatively shallow depth, it's an underwater metropolis teeming with life. Divers are guaranteed to see massive schools of snapper and fusiliers, well-camouflaged stonefish and scorpionfish, and countless moray eels peeking out from every hole. It's a perfect example of how a man-made structure can be reclaimed by the ocean to create a spectacular artificial reef.

Marine Protected Area: Khao Lak - Lam Ru

Best Time to Dive in Similan Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Similan Islands occur in May, averaging 30.8°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 28.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.6°C
  • February: 29.0°C
  • March: 29.6°C
  • April: 30.6°C
  • May: 30.8°C
  • June: 29.9°C
  • July: 29.6°C
  • August: 29.3°C
  • September: 29.0°C
  • October: 29.0°C
  • November: 29.2°C
  • December: 28.7°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Similan Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to Boonsung Wreck

Marine Life in Similan Islands

Home to 183 recorded species including 127 reef fish, 38 hard corals, 9 seagrass & algae, 4 sharks & rays, 2 other, 1 octopus & squid.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Boonsung Wreck

Based on average water temperature of 29.4°C, currents 7 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories