Meet the site
The Jibbon reef complex is a cluster of deep reefs discovered by McFadyen and the St George Scuba Club from the 2000s onward, named in a running joke after fast-food outlets – because such outlets are always found near one another. Pizza Reef, named because it is round, came first; KFC, Maccas, Hungry Jacks, Red Rooster and Oporto followed as the club found neighbouring reefs, often by accident when wind pushed the boat off the intended mark. Oporto, discovered in 2008, is on the northern edge of the reef system that extends from Jibbon Bombora. The sand off the edge is about 25–26 m and the reef about 22 m. At the usual anchorage the reef has a large, low overhang on the south side of a section of reef that loops back from the north-east to the west, and between the overhang and a large, low rock is a small tunnel. West of the anchor the reef runs for a considerable distance, forming a kind of reef island joined to the main formation by only a thin edge. The fish life is abundant – McFadyen's group recorded seapike, silver sweep, trevally, one-spot pullers and a few very large yellowtail kingfish – and the reef carries the sponges, sea squirts and gorgonians typical of the complex. A good route heads west along the northern edge to the end of the reef, south to the main reef and then south-west towards Red Rooster, before returning east. Oporto fills out the fast-food menu and is useful when the other reefs have been dived, or as a combined dive with Red Rooster. There is no charter; it is a private-boat or St George Scuba Club dive, and its depth makes nitrox worthwhile. It suits experienced Advanced divers.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Oporto Reef (Jibbon) is recorded as Reef in Sydney South & Botany Bay. The listed access is boat. Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
- Overhead environments
- Ask whether the plan stays entirely in open water. A wreck or cave listing is not permission or training to enter.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Oporto Reef (Jibbon) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Deep/Advanced + experience. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Oporto Reef (Jibbon) through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Seapike, silver sweep, trevally, one-spot puller, yellowtail kingfish (large), sponges, sea squirts, gorgonians
Location
Northern edge of the reef system extending from Jibbon Bombora outside Port Hacking, with a large low overhang and a small tunnel; reef 22 m, sand 25–26 m.
Facilities nearby
Departure only: Port Hacking ramps – Tonkin Park/Gunnamatta Bay (Cronulla), Lilli Pilli, Bundeena – with parking and toilets; air/nitrox at Pro Dive Cronulla and Abyss (Ramsgate).
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
michaelmcfadyenscuba.infomichaelmcfadyenscuba.infoRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
