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.

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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.

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

3k Sightings
J
5
F
64
M
155
A
252
M
423
J
474
J
635
A
534
S
290
O
134
N
13
D
1
Green Turtle

Green Turtle

2.2k Sightings
J
8
F
41
M
195
A
294
M
395
J
266
J
355
A
295
S
162
O
206
N
21
D
8
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle

2.2k Sightings
J
12
F
14
M
212
A
245
M
379
J
345
J
339
A
280
S
161
O
214
N
25
D
2

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

2.2k Sightings
J
14
F
24
M
166
A
217
M
292
J
352
J
379
A
360
S
215
O
141
N
17
D
13

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

1.6k Sightings
J
5
F
32
M
150
A
154
M
177
J
176
J
268
A
284
S
154
O
128
N
31
D
5

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

8.9k Sightings
J
19
F
101
M
686
A
895
M
1.2k
J
1.4k
J
1.6k
A
1.3k
S
906
O
682
N
61
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

7.8k Sightings
J
11
F
85
M
558
A
784
M
1.1k
J
1.2k
J
1.5k
A
1.2k
S
731
O
568
N
59
D
13

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

6.5k Sightings
J
12
F
53
M
485
A
709
M
921
J
879
J
1.2k
A
981
S
699
O
492
N
67
D
18

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

6.1k Sightings
J
11
F
75
M
432
A
646
M
870
J
897
J
1.2k
A
932
S
587
O
428
N
50
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

5.4k Sightings
J
14
F
68
M
453
A
573
M
766
J
768
J
889
A
800
S
503
O
468
N
62
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

4.8k Sightings
J
11
F
42
M
340
A
499
M
732
J
810
J
918
A
734
S
409
O
301
N
32
D
6

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

4.1k Sightings
J
5
F
50
M
299
A
486
M
611
J
614
J
687
A
580
S
425
O
304
N
45
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

4k Sightings
J
6
F
64
M
221
A
375
M
532
J
621
J
890
A
694
S
376
O
195
N
17
D
3

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

3.9k Sightings
J
9
F
25
M
247
A
498
M
600
J
573
J
704
A
602
S
418
O
226
N
28
D
4

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

3.3k Sightings
J
2
F
45
M
212
A
301
M
447
J
434
J
741
A
592
S
342
O
181
N
29
D
3

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

2.8k Sightings
J
5
F
42
M
151
A
245
M
409
J
486
J
563
A
494
S
282
O
147
N
21
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

2.7k Sightings
J
2
F
35
M
98
A
212
M
314
J
431
J
643
A
572
S
236
O
116
N
12
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

2.5k Sightings
J
7
F
27
M
122
A
232
M
307
J
388
J
544
A
481
S
218
O
136
N
19
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

2.3k Sightings
J
2
F
21
M
160
A
285
M
364
J
340
J
413
A
359
S
190
O
132
N
11
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

2.2k Sightings
J
0
F
26
M
88
A
183
M
253
J
358
J
566
A
446
S
215
O
91
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.: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts

2.1k Sightings
J
4
F
27
M
89
A
194
M
270
J
337
J
416
A
387
S
187
O
143
N
13
D
2
Blacktip Reef Shark

Blacktip Reef Shark

1.7k Sightings
J
4
F
19
M
196
A
220
M
204
J
259
J
321
A
275
S
112
O
72
N
1
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

1.3k Sightings
J
6
F
44
M
130
A
135
M
121
J
120
J
197
A
182
S
133
O
197
N
38
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

1.2k Sightings
J
7
F
14
M
32
A
112
M
137
J
197
J
231
A
233
S
110
O
72
N
16
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

982 Sightings
J
5
F
19
M
74
A
60
M
114
J
138
J
178
A
183
S
123
O
63
N
14
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

962 Sightings
J
4
F
13
M
66
A
93
M
128
J
157
J
209
A
160
S
62
O
65
N
5
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

668 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
29
A
72
M
128
J
120
J
145
A
106
S
41
O
14
N
9
D
2

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

626 Sightings
J
4
F
25
M
90
A
27
M
100
J
52
J
188
A
71
S
35
O
24
N
7
D
3

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

613 Sightings
J
4
F
0
M
13
A
73
M
127
J
112
J
111
A
93
S
36
O
43
N
1
D
0

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

591 Sightings
J
3
F
13
M
52
A
33
M
125
J
95
J
97
A
80
S
52
O
31
N
10
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 2000

Gobies

Gobies

501 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
68
M
81
J
166
J
156
A
30
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 1500

Hard Corals

Hard Corals

484 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
36
M
56
J
211
J
165
A
16
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 3500

Soft Corals

Soft Corals

452 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
30
M
34
J
201
J
159
A
28
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 15

Spade Fish

Spade Fish

337 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
51
M
76
J
114
J
69
A
27
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 15

Garfish

Garfish

328 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
3
A
27
M
65
J
62
J
60
A
53
S
22
O
27
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.: 1700

Sea Cucumbers

Sea Cucumbers

315 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
20
M
55
J
93
J
124
A
23
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 400

Blennies

Blennies

307 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
48
M
36
J
85
J
113
A
25
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 3

Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish

295 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
25
A
15
M
36
J
70
J
68
A
54
S
15
O
10
N
0
D
1

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

Total number of species approx.: 250

Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish

241 Sightings
J
0
F
3
M
0
A
23
M
21
J
31
J
66
A
49
S
26
O
18
N
4
D
0

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