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. Red Rooster Reef lies east of Jibbon Bombora and shares the complex's excellent fixed life. It is defined by a very prominent wall with small boulders on the sand at its base. Running in from the east, the bottom rises from 27 m to 22 m where boats anchor, beside a small inlet in the reef, and the average dive depth is about 25 m, giving 26–29 minutes on air. North of the inlet, about 3 m off the wall, lies an old Admiralty-pattern anchor – a relic of a sailing ship that anchored or lost gear off Port Hacking. About 25 m south along the wall is a very small cave and a few more isolated rocks, and a resident seal has been known to use this area, so keep an eye out. The wall is well decorated with sponges, sea squirts, gorgonians and giant jelly ascidians, and the overhangs hold typical Jibbon reef fish – one-spot pullers, silver sweep, leatherjackets, seapike and yellowtail. The neighbouring Oporto site links to Red Rooster along the reef edge, and the two are often explored together. With no charter operating from Port Hacking, the reef is dived by private boats and the St George Scuba Club. It suits experienced Advanced divers, preferably on nitrox, who like a wall dive with a bit of maritime history and the chance of a seal encounter.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Red Rooster Reef (Jibbon) is recorded as Wall 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 Red Rooster 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 Red Rooster 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
Sponges, sea squirts, gorgonians, giant jelly ascidians, Australian fur seal (resident), one-spot puller, silver sweep, leatherjackets, seapike, yellowtail
Location
Prominent wall east of Jibbon Bombora outside Port Hacking with an Admiralty anchor 3 m off the wall and a small cave; sand at 27 m, anchor at 22 m, average depth 25 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.
