| Jackson Reef
- Superb wall diving around its entire perimeter. The locally named ''Aquarium'' is
Tiran's most popular. 'Jackson Drift' is Sharm's' fastest and most exhilarating drift dive
past a stunning wall bursting with prolific coral growth. In August, September and early
October, divers dive off the back of Jackson hoping to glimpse the school of scalloped
hammerheads which are often sighted there.
Jackson Reef is the most northerly reef in Tiran
and is known for the wreck, partially demolished in 1996, of the Cypriot merchant ship
Lara (a cargo boat of 4,752 tonnes), which sank here in December 1981. Diving here
usually begins on the southern side, which is sheltered from the waves and wind and
where there are some fixed moorings not far from the reef. The reef on the southern
side in the shallows is cut with sandy splits, then descends steeply to the sandy seabed
at
a depth of 45 meters where we can admire some shy Garden eels (Gorgasia sillneri).
Going westwards (dive A), you will see some gorgonians and a splendid red anemone
at a depth of 28 meters. This is followed by a plateau that connects to Woodhouse Reef
by a saddle. The southwest corner of Jackson Reef, where numerous fire corals
(Millepora dichotoma) can be seen, is subject to currents which can be extremely
violent. If conditions are right (especially
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