Jackson Reef - Dive site - Egypt

A guide to scuba diving at Jackson Reef

Dive site: Jackson Reef

Location: Egypt, South Sinai

Dive type: Boat dive, reef dive, wall dive, wreck dive

Skill level: Beginner

Visibility: Average visibility at Jackson Reef is 20m / 65ft

Depth: The average depth at the Jackson Reef is 20 m / 65 ft, while the maximum depth exceeds 40 m / 130 ft.

Water temperature: Water temperatures around Jackson Reef varies from around 20° C (68°F) to around 27° C (81° F), depending on time of year. February is the coldest month for scuba diving and September is the warmest.

Dive site information: Jackson Reef is the northernmost reef in the Strait of Tiran. Dives usually starts at the south end of the reef and proceeds to the north. At the northern end of the reef you will find the wreck of a stuck freighter. There is quite strong currents present and divers risk being swept away from the reef if they round the point on the east side of the Jackson Reef. Jackson Reef has very nice and steep walls, and the current makes the area rich in hard and soft corals. There is a plateau located at 9 to 18 m / 30 to 60 feet, before the drop of resumes down to 69 m / 225 ft. There is also a sandy bay at the Jackson Reef, with a shallow north side.

Marine life: This current swept reef is filled with hard and soft corals, very densely grown. Gorgonian fans, black corals and sea whips are common. There is a good variety of reef fish as well as open ocean fish. Barracuda and jack is widespread. The current provides the Jackson Reef with plenty of nutrients, enough for large groups of schooling fish.