Aqaba's underwater world
The Red Sea at Aqaba has conditions that divers travel from across the world to experience: exceptional visibility (commonly 20–30 metres, occasionally more), warm water year-round (21–28°C depending on season), and coral reefs that begin just metres from the shore. The northern tip of the Red Sea concentrates an extraordinary diversity of marine life into a compact area.
Jordan's short coastline — just 27 km — is protected status, with much of the reef free from the damage that affects larger Red Sea destinations. The result is healthy coral, abundant reef fish, occasional turtles and dolphins, and a dive environment that improves year on year as conservation efforts take effect.
Top dive sites
The Cedar Pride is Jordan's most celebrated dive. A 75-metre Lebanese cargo ship deliberately sunk in 1985 as an artificial reef, it now lies on its side in 27 metres of water, covered in soft corals, lionfish and glassfish clouds. Night dives on the Cedar Pride are extraordinary.
The First Bay, immediately south of Aqaba's south beach, offers accessible, shallow reef diving for beginners and snorkelers. The Japanese Garden site has complex coral formations and a high fish count. The Moon Valley site features dramatic swim-throughs and overhangs. The Power Station site has a consistent current that brings pelagic species.
For snorkelers and non-divers
Much of Aqaba's reef is accessible without scuba equipment. The south beach area has a dedicated snorkeling zone with a rope boundary keeping motorised boats out. Entering directly from the shore, you are in living reef within 50 metres — parrotfish, angelfish, clownfish in their anemones, and moray eels are all common.
Glass-bottom boat tours depart from Aqaba's main marina and offer a 90-minute tour over the shallow reef — a good option for families with non-swimmers. Several operators also run semi-submarine experiences where passengers view the reef through windows from a submerged observation pod.
Diving practicalities
Aqaba has over a dozen PADI-certified dive centres offering everything from beginner Discovery Dives (no certification needed) to PADI Open Water and Advanced courses. Equipment rental is universal and generally in good condition. Guided dive trips depart twice daily.
The best diving months are April–June and September–November when visibility peaks and temperatures are comfortable. July and August are warm and perfectly diveable. December–February is cooler (21°C) but visibility is often at its best. Al Maqsad partners with reputable dive centres and can include diving in your Jordan itinerary.
