Dive Site: Jackfish Alley

About Jackfish Alley

Jackfish Alley is a prominent dive site located in Ras Mohammed National Park, at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. This site is celebrated for its unique topography, featuring a channel that runs parallel to Shark Reef, funnelling tidal flow and attracting a high volume of pelagic species. Its protected status within one of Egypt's marine reserves ensures a pristine environment and thriving marine life. The dive site encompasses three distinct sections: an initial wall with porous rock and penetrable caves, a sandy plateau, and a vibrant coral garden. Depths typically range from 5 to 40 meters, with the channel walls supporting healthy stony corals and gorgonian fans. The outer edge of the drop-off experiences stronger currents, which are key to attracting larger marine life. Marine life sightings are particularly impressive during flood tides, when schooling giant trevally, bigeye trevally, and barracuda congregate. Moray eels, lionfish, and groupers are common inhabitants of the reef crevices, and grey reef sharks are frequently observed patrolling the channel. The exceptional visibility, often exceeding 25 meters, enhances the experience, allowing divers to fully appreciate the rich biodiversity. Access to Jackfish Alley is exclusively by boat, typically as part of a liveaboard itinerary or day trip from Sharm el-Sheikh. The dive is current-dependent, with the best experiences timed to a flooding tide to maximize pelagic encounters. Divers should be comfortable with moderate to strong currents to fully explore this dynamic site.

Dive site facts: Jackfish Alley

Depth

5–40 m+

Typical dive

12–25 m, 50–60 min

Current

Moderate–Strong, current-dependent

Visibility

25–35 m

Water temperature

22–28 °C

Entry

Boat / negative entry

Level

Advanced, current experience required

Dive type

Reef, drift, pelagic encounters, caves

Night dive

Not specified

Region / port

Ras Mohamed National Park, Sinai

Coordinates

27.7417, 34.2583

Conditions & Currents

Jackfish Alley is a current-dependent dive site, as the channel accelerates regional currents. During a flooding tide, the current can range from moderate to strong, concentrating pelagic activity and providing exciting drift diving opportunities. Divers must be comfortable being neutrally buoyant in currents of 1 to 1.5 knots. If the tide is running strongly against the planned dive, it is advisable to wait for slack tide or explore the more sheltered reef faces, as fighting strong currents at depth can rapidly deplete air supply. Visibility generally remains excellent, around 25-30 meters, as the currents help maintain water clarity, but surface traffic in Ras Mohammed National Park necessitates careful ascent procedures.

Marine life & sighting chances

Giant Trevally

October–May (flood tide) · common

Bigeye Trevally

October–May (flood tide) · common

Great Barracuda

common

Grey Reef Shark

occasional

Giant Moray Eel

common

Common Lionfish

common

Pufferfish

common

Moorish Idol

common

Grouper

common

Napoleon Wrasse

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

A typical dive at Jackfish Alley begins with an entry into the current-fed channel. Divers often kick through the initial cave sections, which are porous and feature multiple entrances and exits, exploring the small pinnacles covered in soft corals. The route then opens into a sandy plateau before transitioning into a vibrant coral garden. Depths typically progress from the shallower parts of the wall (around 10-12m) down to 25-30m at the base. The dive generally heads towards Shark Observatory. Turn-around points are often dictated by air consumption and current conditions, particularly when venturing to the outer drop-off where stronger currents attract larger pelagics. Safety stops should always be conducted on the reef, and a DSMB is mandatory for all ascents due to potential surface currents and boat traffic.

Underwater photography

Jackfish Alley offers diverse photographic opportunities, from wide-angle shots of schooling pelagics in the channel to macro subjects found within the reef crevices. Wide-angle lenses are ideal for capturing the dense columns of trevally and barracuda, especially during a flood tide, and for showcasing the extensive coral gardens and wall formations. For the smaller inhabitants like moray eels, lionfish, and reef fish, a macro lens will be more suitable. Given the often strong currents, excellent buoyancy control is crucial to maintain position and avoid damaging the fragile corals. Natural light is abundant due to the excellent visibility, but strobes are recommended to bring out the vibrant colors of the corals and fish, especially in deeper sections or within the caves. Be prepared for dynamic light conditions, particularly when the sun filters through the caves.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Ras Mohammed

  Often combined into a circuit with Jackfish Alley.

• Shark Reef

  Adjacent to Jackfish Alley, sharing the same water and currents.

• Abu Nuhas

  Famous for its collection of accessible wrecks, often part of northern Red Sea liveaboard itineraries.

• Tiran Island

  Known for its four major reefs and potential hammerhead sightings.

• SS Thistlegorm

  A renowned WWII wreck, frequently included in Red Sea liveaboard routes.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Jackfish Alley is primarily via day boats or liveaboards departing from Sharm el-Sheikh, which is well-served by international flights. Hurghada, on the mainland, also serves as a departure point for liveaboards exploring the northern Red Sea. The transit time from Sharm el-Sheikh by boat is approximately 45-60 minutes. Many Red Sea liveaboard itineraries, particularly those focusing on Ras Mohammed National Park, will include Jackfish Alley. A Ras Mohammed National Park entry fee applies, and this is typically covered as part of your dive trip package. Trip lengths for liveaboards usually range from 6 to 8 nights. It is often combined with other sites within the Ras Mohammed circuit, such as Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef.

Safety & environment

Diving at Jackfish Alley requires careful attention to current conditions; divers should be comfortable operating in moderate to strong currents. A DSMB is mandatory for every ascent due to potential surface currents that can quickly carry divers away from the boat. Always ascend on the reef and avoid surfacing in the open channel. Ras Mohammed is a busy dive area, so surface traffic awareness is important. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Sharm el-Sheikh. Comprehensive dive insurance, including coverage for evacuation and hyperbaric treatment, is highly recommended for all divers visiting the Red Sea. Always follow your dive guide's instructions and maintain excellent buoyancy control to avoid damaging the delicate coral formations.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Jackfish Alley FAQ

Liveaboards diving Jackfish Alley

These liveaboards may visit Jackfish Alley on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

DUNE Longara

Egypt

30 guests

$150/day

JP Marine

Egypt

28 guests

$109/day

Snefro Pearl

Egypt

12 guests

$150/day

Snefro Love

Egypt

20 guests

$154/day

Sindalahs

Egypt

26 guests38 m

$155/day

Hammerhead II

Egypt

20 guests

$173/day

Blue Liveaboard

Egypt

24 guests43 m

$173/day

Odyssey

Egypt

26 guests40 m

$185/day

Discovery I

Egypt

20 guests

$104/day

Star Jet

Egypt

28 guests35 m

$145/day

SS Serena Dreams

Egypt

18 guests33 m

$159/day

Amelie

Egypt

12 guests23 m

$115/day