Explore Johor

Johor is a state in the south of Malaysia and the capital city Johor Bahru is the gateway to some of the best diving in Malaysia. On the coast of Johor is the small beach town of Mersing which is the departure point to the numerous islands which lie off the coast here. These islands are all the definition of tropical paradise islands and luckily the underwater scenery is just as majestic. Clear, warm waters which harbour flourishing reefs and a high concentration of different marine species to be enjoyed on every dive here. The weather conditions are pleasant throughout the year here, water temperature range between 27°C and 32°C, and the visibility ranges between 15°C and 25°C. These pleasant conditions result in relaxing, but stunning, dives and makes it an ideal location for diving courses. There are opportunities for shore dives as well as boat dives, there are shallow reefs, rock formations, caverns and even a few wrecks scattered around. The marine life here varies from pinnacles completely covered in Nudibranchs to a high number of Sea Turtles to the chance of spotting a Manta Ray glide by.

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    Diving in Johor

    Johor offers a captivating blend of dive sites, each with unique experiences for divers. The Aur Island is a highlight, known for its vibrant coral gardens and the wreck of the Aur, which attracts marine life enthusiasts. Divers often spot barracudas and reef sharks here, making it a must-visit for those seeking thrill and natural beauty.

    For shore dives, the waters around Rawa Island offer splendid visibility, with diverse marine life easily accessible from the beach. Night dives are popular, revealing the nocturnal behaviors of creatures like cuttlefish and octopuses. Johor provides a balanced mix of shore and liveaboard diving options, catering to both novice and seasoned divers. Liveaboard trips facilitate exploration of the more remote sites, ensuring a comprehensive diving adventure in the region.

    Top Wildlife Sightings in Johor

    Located in Malaysia, Johor offers a diverse array of marine life that attracts divers worldwide. The region is renowned for its vibrant coral reefs, home to a myriad of common reef fish such as the butterflyfish, angelfish, and parrotfish. These species are ubiquitous throughout the year, providing a colorful backdrop for underwater adventures. Seasonal highlights in Johor's waters include the chance to encounter green turtles and hawksbill turtles, particularly during their nesting season from March to October. Additionally, divers may spot blacktip reef sharks and eagle rays, predominantly during the warmer months when these creatures are more active. The likelihood of encountering these species increases at well-known dive sites such as Pulau Aur and Pulau Dayang, known for their rich marine biodiversity.

    Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 600

    Wrasse

    Wrasse

    2.2k Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    62
    M
    156
    A
    236
    M
    267
    J
    271
    J
    402
    A
    439
    S
    268
    O
    125
    N
    5
    D
    1
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle

    2k Sightings
    J
    10
    F
    13
    M
    212
    A
    240
    M
    288
    J
    267
    J
    278
    A
    251
    S
    160
    O
    208
    N
    26
    D
    2
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle

    1.9k Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    39
    M
    195
    A
    280
    M
    294
    J
    166
    J
    276
    A
    245
    S
    159
    O
    202
    N
    22
    D
    7

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 200

    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel

    1.7k Sightings
    J
    14
    F
    22
    M
    145
    A
    205
    M
    199
    J
    198
    J
    268
    A
    321
    S
    193
    O
    118
    N
    16
    D
    12

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 27

    Barracuda

    Barracuda

    1.2k Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    29
    M
    140
    A
    133
    M
    122
    J
    109
    J
    207
    A
    241
    S
    121
    O
    114
    N
    26
    D
    4

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 28

    Clownfish

    Clownfish

    7k Sightings
    J
    17
    F
    92
    M
    631
    A
    821
    M
    902
    J
    889
    J
    1.2k
    A
    1.1k
    S
    814
    O
    582
    N
    48
    D
    13

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 100

    Parrotfish

    Parrotfish

    6.2k Sightings
    J
    11
    F
    78
    M
    537
    A
    719
    M
    810
    J
    767
    J
    1k
    A
    1k
    S
    675
    O
    499
    N
    43
    D
    11

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Angelfish

    Angelfish

    5.2k Sightings
    J
    12
    F
    48
    M
    457
    A
    648
    M
    670
    J
    586
    J
    822
    A
    813
    S
    625
    O
    426
    N
    53
    D
    17

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Butterfly Fish

    Butterfly Fish

    4.8k Sightings
    J
    10
    F
    71
    M
    424
    A
    595
    M
    617
    J
    562
    J
    776
    A
    775
    S
    545
    O
    357
    N
    38
    D
    13

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish

    4.2k Sightings
    J
    14
    F
    60
    M
    398
    A
    503
    M
    566
    J
    493
    J
    624
    A
    672
    S
    439
    O
    384
    N
    49
    D
    10

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Grouper/Basslets

    Grouper/Basslets

    3.9k Sightings
    J
    9
    F
    40
    M
    326
    A
    461
    M
    521
    J
    516
    J
    636
    A
    640
    S
    405
    O
    291
    N
    23
    D
    7

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    Stingrays

    Stingrays

    3.4k Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    49
    M
    253
    A
    470
    M
    484
    J
    392
    J
    514
    A
    498
    S
    394
    O
    262
    N
    37
    D
    4

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3000

    Nudibranch

    Nudibranch

    3.1k Sightings
    J
    8
    F
    22
    M
    240
    A
    471
    M
    400
    J
    332
    J
    513
    A
    501
    S
    383
    O
    223
    N
    23
    D
    4

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 350

    Damselfish

    Damselfish

    3k Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    58
    M
    214
    A
    339
    M
    348
    J
    340
    J
    564
    A
    559
    S
    349
    O
    174
    N
    4
    D
    3

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Goatfish

    Goatfish

    2.5k Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    43
    M
    212
    A
    266
    M
    291
    J
    248
    J
    469
    A
    484
    S
    303
    O
    166
    N
    19
    D
    4

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 110

    Snapper

    Snapper

    2.1k Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    42
    M
    147
    A
    229
    M
    265
    J
    262
    J
    380
    A
    416
    S
    255
    O
    124
    N
    10
    D
    3

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Soldierfish

    Soldierfish

    1.9k Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    35
    M
    97
    A
    191
    M
    199
    J
    241
    J
    388
    A
    458
    S
    217
    O
    101
    N
    3
    D
    3

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 85

    Surgeonfish

    Surgeonfish

    1.8k Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    25
    M
    119
    A
    212
    M
    178
    J
    224
    J
    361
    A
    406
    S
    176
    O
    105
    N
    10
    D
    3

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    Triggerfish

    Triggerfish

    1.6k Sightings
    J
    4
    F
    21
    M
    155
    A
    269
    M
    198
    J
    138
    J
    219
    A
    279
    S
    162
    O
    118
    N
    5
    D
    5

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Squirrelfish

    Squirrelfish

    1.6k Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    26
    M
    86
    A
    163
    M
    151
    J
    170
    J
    333
    A
    350
    S
    198
    O
    81
    N
    4
    D
    3

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 150

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    1.5k Sightings
    J
    4
    F
    25
    M
    88
    A
    173
    M
    170
    J
    200
    J
    261
    A
    306
    S
    166
    O
    114
    N
    4
    D
    3
    Blacktip Reef Shark

    Blacktip Reef Shark

    1.4k Sightings
    J
    4
    F
    20
    M
    203
    A
    221
    M
    150
    J
    174
    J
    236
    A
    245
    S
    113
    O
    72
    N
    0
    D
    5

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 120

    Cuttlefish

    Cuttlefish

    1k Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    41
    M
    117
    A
    117
    M
    78
    J
    75
    J
    129
    A
    151
    S
    115
    O
    179
    N
    30
    D
    4

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 8

    Bannerfish

    Bannerfish

    838 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    13
    M
    34
    A
    98
    M
    101
    J
    108
    J
    124
    A
    194
    S
    87
    O
    56
    N
    9
    D
    7

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 12

    Lionfish

    Lionfish

    825 Sightings
    J
    4
    F
    18
    M
    68
    A
    66
    M
    87
    J
    90
    J
    131
    A
    169
    S
    102
    O
    64
    N
    15
    D
    11

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    Boxfish

    Boxfish

    743 Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    12
    M
    68
    A
    83
    M
    91
    J
    81
    J
    118
    A
    147
    S
    63
    O
    67
    N
    8
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    Jackfish

    Jackfish

    572 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    24
    M
    89
    A
    30
    M
    102
    J
    48
    J
    171
    A
    50
    S
    36
    O
    12
    N
    4
    D
    4

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 20

    Porcupinefish

    Porcupinefish

    487 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    13
    M
    53
    A
    33
    M
    99
    J
    69
    J
    72
    A
    66
    S
    52
    O
    21
    N
    6
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3400

    Shrimp

    Shrimp

    484 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    1
    M
    29
    A
    56
    M
    92
    J
    73
    J
    89
    A
    83
    S
    42
    O
    14
    N
    2
    D
    2

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 7000

    Crab

    Crab

    449 Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    0
    M
    15
    A
    72
    M
    90
    J
    79
    J
    61
    A
    51
    S
    36
    O
    36
    N
    2
    D
    1

    The best Months to Dive in Johor

    Diving in Johor is possible year-round, with some variations in conditions. The best months for diving are from April to September when the northeast monsoon retreats, providing calmer seas and clearer skies. During this period, water temperatures range from 27°C to 30°C, creating ideal conditions for divers. Visibility typically ranges from 10 to 20 meters, offering a good view of the underwater landscape.

    From October to March, the southwest monsoon brings stronger winds and choppier waters, potentially reducing visibility and increasing surface currents. Water temperatures during these months remain warm, usually between 26°C and 29°C, but the weather conditions can be less favorable for diving. While diving is still feasible during the monsoon season, divers should be prepared for less predictable conditions and plan their trips accordingly.

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