About Jacks
The dive site named Jacks is unique for its primary highlight: massive aggregations of big eye trevally that form spectacular 'tornados' in the water. While depths can vary, the focus is often on the incredible schooling behavior that occurs anywhere from 10 to 30 meters. This phenomenon is a testament to the success of conservation efforts in the park, providing a breathtaking experience for divers and photographers alike. The 'tornados' of thousands upon thousands of big eye trevally are often spotted as a dark patch on the surface by experienced captains. Divers can descend directly into these swirling masses of fish, immersing themselves in an unforgettable natural spectacle. If lucky, these schools might be observed above one of the park's reefs, offering a combined experience of pelagic action and reef exploration. Beyond the jacks, divers might also encounter dolphins, which sometimes follow these large schools in search of a meal. Giant diamond rays can occasionally be seen lurking on the sandy seafloor. This site is primarily a pelagic encounter dive, offering a thrilling experience for those who appreciate large schools of fish and the broader marine ecosystem.
Highlights
Massive 'tornados' of big eye trevallyImmersive schooling experiencePotential dolphin sightingsGiant diamond raysConservation success story
Dive site facts: Jacks
- Depth
- 10–30 m
- Current
- Moderate
- Entry
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Level
- Intermediate
- Dive type
- Reef, Drift
- Region / port
- Mexico
- Coordinates
- 23.4340° N, 109.4092° W
Conditions & Currents
Moderate currents can run here, so plan drift entries and stay close to the group. Dive profiles here run between roughly 10 and 30 metres, so plan your gas and no-decompression limits around the deeper part of the site. It is usually briefed as a dive for intermediate divers. It can be dived from a liveaboard or a day boat, depending on where you start the trip. Tide, wind and season all shift the picture from day to day, so the crew's briefing on the boat always overrides any general description.
Why dive Jacks from a liveaboard?
Jacks is one of Mexico's signature dive sites. A liveaboard sleeps you on the water and puts you in the water for three to four guided dives per day, including dawn and night dives that day-boat operators rarely offer. You skip the daily commute back to port and reach quieter, less-crowded sites in the same region on a single trip.
Below are the liveaboards that include Jacks on their Mexico itineraries.
Liveaboards diving Jacks
These liveaboards may visit Jacks on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.
Nautilus Explorer
Mexico
25 guests44.8 m
$230/day
Valentina
Mexico
20 guests38.1 m
$430/day
Rocio del Mar
Mexico
20 guests33.5 m
$392/day
Nautilus Under Sea
Mexico
19 guests32 m
$261/day
Nautilus Belle Amie
Mexico
32 guests44.8 m
$249/day
Quino del Mar
Mexico
20 guests36 m
$392/day
Nautilus Gallant Lady
Mexico
12 guests35.36 m
$332/day
Dive sites similar to Jacks
Same character, same waters — six more sites divers love for the exact same reasons.Compare seasons, access and liveaboard routes — then pick the site that fits your trip best.
The C-58 Wreck, also known as the USS Harlequin or ARM DM-20, is a prominent artificial reef located off the coast of Cancún and Isla Mujeres.
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Moc-Che Shallow is a vibrant reef dive situated directly off Playa del Carmen in Mexico, forming part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
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- Access
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Palo Blanco
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- Current
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C-58 Wreck
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The C-58 Wreck is a prominent artificial reef located in Bahía de Mujeres, the channel between Isla Mujeres and the Cancún coast.
- Suitable for
- Advanced
- Current
- Strong
- Access
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- Theme
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The Abyss
Mexico
The Abyss is a renowned deep wall dive site located off Isla del Carmen in Loreto, known for its dramatic underwater topography.
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- Advanced
- Current
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- Depth
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