Kled Keaw Wreck Dive Site MapKLED KAEOW

Kled Kaeow aka The Phi Phi Wreck

  • Distance: 60 Km boat trip of approx. 180 minutes.
  • Depth: 16 – 28 meters

  • Experience: advaced

  • Reef type: Heavy Metal

  • Visibility: Variable 10 to 25 meters

  • Current: Variable, mild to strong

  • Corals: Not much coral growth
  • Fish: Lion Fish, moray eels, crabs and big shoals of snappers and barracudas
  • Highlights: Incredible amounts of marine life around the wreck. Easy and safe to explore – penetration possible with adequate diving licence

Kled Gaeow (Keaow) Wreck
Launched originally as the RNoMS Norfest (Norway) in 1948, this vessel was purchased and commissioned into the Royal Thai Navy in 1956 and renamed the RTN Kled Gaeow(Kaeow). The Kled Gaeow functioned as an auxiliary vessel, a transport support and stores ship, designation AKS 861.

  • Dimensions: 47.2m x 7.7m x 13m
  • Weight: 382 tonnes standard, or 450tonnes fully loaded

Decommissioned in 2014, the ship was purposely sunk via controlled explosions to create a new dive site on 19 March 2014. The 47 metre long wreck sits almost upright (20 degree list) facing north to south (bow-stern), 1 km to the east of Piley Bay (Ko Phi Phi Ley).
The top of the tower is around 14-16 meters deep (depending upon the tide), the main deck sits at 20 meters and the bottom is around 26 metres. Penetration is possible through a number of entries for divers. However it is advised that only divers with excellent buoyancy control should enter the wreck. Starting at the bow of the boat a raised deck is accessed via external stairs leading up from the main deck.
On the main deck next to the stairs are 2 doors into a large cooler room, or a further entrance into the compartment which used to house the anchor and chains. This compartment can alternatively be accessed through the roof hatch opening/porthole on the raised deck.
Across the Main Deck towards the central section lies the mast (13.5 metres long), which was snapped so as not to present an obstacle for any boats overhead. There is a large 3m long hatch on the deck where you can look down to the deck/hull below and penetrate here if wanted. Be aware that once you have entered this opening penetration towards to the central area is via a guide rope. There is little natural light and the visibility is poor.
Notes:

All scuba diving dive sites are visited at the discretion of the tour leader on the day. Dive sites are selected based on the weather conditions, currents, overall safety and suitability for the majority of divers on the boat. We cannot guarantee specific dive sites prior to the boat departing.

Kled Gaeow (Keaow) Wreck is often dived on a Phi Phi Overnight Trip, Island hopping and dive cruise or Green Season Liveaboard Trip.