Aqaba is Jordan’s coastal city and shares the Red Sea with Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Aqaba is home to approximately 500 species of corals, 1200 species of fish and 1000 types of mollusks and crustaceans. Diving here is mostly shore based and Aqaba offers fringe reefs which commence at the shore line.
The water is usually calm with water temperatures varying between 19 C in winter months to 26 C in summer.
Aqaba Dive Sites
There are 20 dive sites along Aqaba’s South Beach, each varying in shape and inhabitants, from slopes to drop-offs, canyons or flat bottoms, veiled completely with flourishing coral.
Here are some of the dive sites:
Power Station
This is the one site that requires a boat as there is no beach access. The site starts with a slope (to about 12m) then drops vertically to about 200m with a sheer wall. Swimming along the edge of the wall offers spectacular views of both coral and fish. This dive requires good buoyancy control and offers some spectacular outcrops with huge numbers of fish.
(Picture of wall)
First Bay (North & South)
This site is great for all diving levels. You can have a leisurely dive and expect to see some cabbage coral, cornet fish, parrot fish, black coral and lots of other colorful fish. More advance and technical divers can are sure to enjoy it here too as the depth can reach 80m plus.
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King Abdullah Reef
Named after his majesty King Abdullah II, this is a fantastic spot sheltered from the wind. What used to be a beautiful fan coral is now covered in sponges of all colors of the rainbow. It is almost guaranteed that you will see large shoals of pennant fish and a possibility of seeing torpedo fish and blue spotted rays. And keep your eyes open, you might just see a turtle!
(Picture)
Black Rock
This site provides very easy access and is ideal for snorkelers and anyone new to the area. The coral garden starts just below the surface and extends outwards for approximately 30m then drops steeply. This reef is prolific with a wide range of fish and is regularly visited by turtles.
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Rainbow Reef
A beautiful site which was given its name for the abundance of rainbow fish here. This site is located between Black Rock and the Cedar Price wreck and is ideal for drift dives.
(Picture)
Cedar Pride Wreck
The Cedar Pride (80m in length and 20m wide)is a Lebanese freighter which was sunk in 1986. She was sunk at the wishes of his majesty King Abdullah II while he was still a prince in order to create a new artificial reef to attract more divers.
She lies 150m from the shore line on her port side across two reefs with a depth range of 9 to 24m. Divers can swim around, inside or under the wreck and will enjoy seeing soft corals, large sea bass, grouper and barracuda.
(Picture)
Japanese Garden
The entry point to this site is the same as Cedar Pride but you head towards the south. The main reef starts at 5m and followed down, you will see shoals of orange basselets and sergeant majors. At 23m there is a large gorgonian fan coral – a must see for divers. Also, keep an eye out for the resident turtles, yellow mouth morays and cornet fish.
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Gorgone One
This is a relatively shallow site and is named after a large gorgonian fan coral which lies at 26m. This site has ideal examples of massive coral formations including a cabbage coral the size of small house. There are large rock pinnacles covered with both soft and hard corals and thrive with a large variety of fish. This area is very popular for lion fish who gather to hunt. This site is great for second dives and is a photographer’s paradise.
(Picture)
Seven Sisters & Gorgone Two
This site was given its name in tribute to the 7 small reefs that are in close proximity to each other. Approximately 30 m from the beach, the reefs start at 2 – 3m depth. You can often see scorpion fish, stone fish and crocodile fish at the base of the reef. You will also see broccoli coral, rose coral, lion fish and eels.
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New Canyon Tank
The tank wreck is an Russian M40 anti-aircraft vehicle which was previously owned by the Jordanian Army. It was scuttled as an artificial reef in September 1999 and has since accumulated a variety of marine life. This is a popular site for snorkelers and try dives as it lies between 4 – 6m depth.
(Picture)
Eel Canyon
This eel garden is cradled between two reefs and has an easy entry point. The reefs here are abundant with lion fish, fire coral, morays and goatfish. At the top of the canyon, you can see black coral, table coral fusiliers, Jacks and tuna. You may also be lucky enough to see eagle rays and stingrays.
(Picture)
Shorouk Wreck
This wreck is for the more experienced divers and lies deep off the Eel Canyon, between 38 – 62m depth. She lies on her starboard side across two reefs. She was scuttled in 2008 and ended up drifting further than she was meant to. This however has created an exciting site for technical divers.
(Picture)