The lapping ocean waves reveal little about what hides beneath its covers. As you take a deep breath and jump in, the loud sound of the motor’s whirr fades away to be replaced by the tranquil hush of the deep waters. This is Jackson Reef, the northernmost reef bed off the coast of Tiran Island. With depths of up to 30m that can be easily accessed and another 20m till the sandy floor, the Jackson Reef is one of the best wall diving spots. Drift diving is another popular sport as divers ride the sharp currents, buoying them past dense coral walls. It isn’t just the island’s base that has been overtaken by the coral. The sunken hull and flooded corridors of the ‘Lara’ is now a playground for lionfish and triggerfish that dart past the unsuspecting diver, with algae and anemone laying claim to the wreckage. All this is just 20 or so years since the vessel met its watery demise, its stern still exposed to the air as a white flag in defeat. Descending deeper into the reef, you might just spot the odd-toothed barracuda or the flattened snout of the scalloped hammerhead. The shallower coral gardens on the other hand, are occasioned by the gentler creatures of the deep, sea turtles grazing the patches as silvery tentacle gorgonian fans dance to the rhythm of the current. An orchestra of colors and action, the Jackson Reef is a must on any diver’s bucket-list.