MERCURY - Perhentian Islands

We have a soft spot for Mercury. It’s a proper wreck dive, not just a pile of debris, and we think it’s one of the most characterful sites around the Perhentians. At a shallow 8 metres, the whole thing feels accessible, but don't let the depth fool you into thinking it's simple. The carrier vessel went down back in '84, on its way from Songkhla to Singapore with a load of rubber. You can really get a sense of its history as you swim around the remains. What you'll experience here is a true colonisation. The deck plates are long gone in places, opening up views into the cargo holds. We’ve spent ages just watching the schools of yellowtail snapper swirl in and out of the darker spaces, looking like liquid gold. Look closely and you’ll spot crocodilefish camouflaged on the hull, and the occasional turtle napping on the deck. Our favourite time to dive Mercury is late morning, once any early boat traffic has cleared and the sun is high, throwing dappled light through the skeletal superstructure. It’s an easy dive, perfect for newer wreck enthusiasts, or just when you want a relaxed dive with a real sense of place.

Location
Perhentian Islands, Malaysia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
5.833334, 102.598335
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
8m

Marine Protected Area: Pulau Susu Dara Marine Park

Best Time to Dive in Perhentian Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Perhentian Islands occur in June, averaging 31.2°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 28.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.3°C
  • February: 28.4°C
  • March: 29.1°C
  • April: 30.6°C
  • May: 31.1°C
  • June: 31.2°C
  • July: 31.1°C
  • August: 30.9°C
  • September: 30.8°C
  • October: 30.4°C
  • November: 29.8°C
  • December: 28.7°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Perhentian Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to MERCURY

Marine Life in Perhentian Islands

Home to 169 recorded species including 105 reef fish, 39 hard corals, 11 sea cucumbers, 5 seagrass & algae, 3 sharks & rays, 2 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for MERCURY

Based on average water temperature of 30.0°C, currents 5 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 30°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