
Situated only a few nautical miles From Cape Pakarang , the Boonsung Wreck is a perfect choice for a half a day trip or as an alternative to the sloping reefs and submerged pinnacles of the Similan islands.
This old tin dredger sank around 20 years ago and is now a well established nursery for a huge variety of marine life.
During the Tsunami, the dredger was split into three parts. This enlarged the dive site, making it easy to spend multiple dives slowly exploring its many nooks and crannies.
The wreck lies at an average depth of between 18-20 meters, with the top of the wreck extending to around 15 meters.
Tiny lion fish, white eyed morays, zebra morays, juvenile trigger fish and angel fish take shelter under the tin debris. Even the surface of the dredger itself appears to be alive, as it is covered in scorpion fish from the miniscule to the massive, as well as the most beautiful and rare nudibranches. Shrimps, gobies and octopus also appear around every corner. There is an abundance of ghost pipe fish which hover next to soft corals sprouting out of the wreck as well as along the sand floor. More elusive marine life, including stone fish, frog fish and sand dragonet fish can also be found. Look around the outside of the wreck for larger life, including leopard sharks, cuttlefish, sting rays, mantis shrimp and camouflaged flounders. Porcupine fish, trevallies as well as large schools of batfish, fusiliers and chevron barracuda often circle around and within the wreck.
If you are lucky, you may even find a whale shark, which are attracted to the divesite’s nutrient rich waters.
Diving Depth runs 12-18 meters (25-65 feet). Visibility tends to be murky as it in an area lacking in reefs. Expect 6-8 meters (15-25 feet). Currents can be present but are usually minimal. Experience level runs from beginner to the most jaded divers in the world.
With some serious jagged pieces sticking out at odd angles and some pretty painful stinging beasties afoot, we recommend both caution and good buoyancy when doing this site.
It will be VERY worth it!
While our Similan Liveaboard is a great way to visit the Similan Islands - don't overlook the local Khao Lak diving day trips or the Similan Day trips to many great dive sites.