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. Pizza Reef, also listed by McFadyen as Fish Reef, is the original site and, in his view, one of the best reef dives in Sydney. It sits just south-east of Jibbon Bombora and is shaped like a figure 8, about 70 m long north–south and perhaps 30 m wide, rising from sand at 27 m to a top of about 22–23 m. Small overhangs run virtually all the way around, with some bigger ones, and a larger cave sits on the north-western corner. A large gully cuts north–south across the middle, dividing the reef into two halves, and a smaller reef about 50 by 30 m lies 10 m to the east. The fixed life is outstanding: gorgonians of many colours in the gaps between rocks, sponges and purple ascidians, on which donut nembrotha nudibranchs – once rare here – now appear regularly. Fish include bastard trumpeter, mosaic leatherjackets, bream, seapike, trevally and yellowtail, and cuttlefish, moray and serpent eels, numbrays and eastern blue devilfish live under the overhangs. Weedy sea dragons were once common but became scarce after 2018 (one was seen in May 2025). Seals visit occasionally, and humpback whale bones lie on the southern and western sides. The reef's pristine condition owes much to Royal National Park, which keeps runoff low and visibility good. Average depth over 25 m gives about 22 minutes on air. It suits experienced Advanced divers on nitrox.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Pizza 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.
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 Pizza 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 Pizza 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
Gorgonians (many colours), sponges, purple ascidians, donut nembrotha nudibranch, bastard trumpeter, mosaic leatherjacket, bream, seapike, trevally, yellowtail, cuttlefish, moray eel, serpent eel, numbray, eastern blue devilfish, weedy sea dragon (now scarce), Australian fur seal, humpback whale bones
Location
Round, figure-8 shaped reef about 70 × 30 m just south-east of Jibbon Bombora outside Port Hacking; sand at 27 m, reef top 22–23 m, central north–south gully and a cave on the north-west corner.
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.
