Jawfish Lair

Jawfish Lair is a hard-coral garden dive site at Lankayan Island, off Sabah's west coast, where the reef slopes from shallow coral down to a sandy bottom reaching 28 metres. The upper reef begins at around 10 metres, giving the site a flexible depth range that allows mixed-experience groups to spread across the profile, with beginners comfortably staying shallower while more experienced divers explore the deeper sand flats.

The site is named for the yellow jawfish that excavate burrows in the sand at depth. Patient, precise divers may catch a male mouth-brooding a clutch of eggs — any sudden movement or contact with the substrate sends the fish straight underground, so careful buoyancy control is essential. Mimic octopus, mantis shrimp, and resting leopard sharks are additional possibilities on the deeper sand flats, making the site a strong draw for macro photographers.

Current at Jawfish Lair is mild, and the beginner skill rating reflects both that and the accessible depth range. Water temperature sits between 26 and 30 °C, and the site is diveable from March through December. Visibility and exact entry arrangements depend on conditions confirmed on the day; boat access is typical for Lankayan sites, with mooring lines used where available.