The top 17 dive and snorkel sites in Aqaba Governorate, ranked by diver reviews, with maps and photos. Read the Aqaba Governorate guide
First time I went to this place, I missed the reef and found the Cedar Pride wreck ! The reef starts from the poop of the wreck and goes 100m south. It goes easyly down to 35m. Seen species: Great corals, sea grass spots, but no sea horses ! Locals says there are some there... The site is just south from the Cedar Pride wreck.
This is a very good dive site, with less divers than the other dive sites of the area (like the Cedar Pride Wreck). If you can, ask to dive here! Just north to the Tourist Camp (also called Government Campsite), south from the Club Murjean.
The wreck of the Cedar Pride was scuttled for divers on November 16th 1985. She lies on her port side with the bow to the North. The marine life is good and photo possibilities endless. Best area is the main mast at about 12m. The bottom of the stern is at 16m and the bow at 21m. There is a swim though under the wreck at 26m. Penetration is possible with the correct procedures. Cedar Pride is the only Jordan wreck. The vessel is bouyed 150m from shore off King Abullah Beach. There is a permanent mooring on her stern for boat diving. She can also be dived from the shore 130m away, there is now a buoyed channel for divers. There is a car park at the site a, shaded kitting up area for divers, bathrooms and a snack bar. There is a 50m walk to the sea, care must be taken entering and exiting by shore to avoid injury to divers and corals.
Drive north after the Royal Diving Club, Eel Canyon is just after the next fence. Eel Canyon is also known as Canyon.
Just north from the Electrical cables to Egypt, ner the next fence.
The canyon is like a large valley, running to 30 m deep by steep-walled. In 6 meters, ner the coast, there is a 'tank' wreck, sunk in 1999 by King Abdullah. This is a Anti-aircraft tracked vehicle shell... Between the parking (Gorgon II & III) and Eel Canyon Oliver's Canyon is also known as New Canyon.
This is an excellent site for diving and snorkeling. Corals are not as nice as some other sites (japaneese garden, kiwi reef, etc.) but some interesting species can be found (saw a hudge spanish dancer)... At the moment and fior the forseeable future it is no longer allowed to dive at the Saudi Border for security reasons by shore or by boat. This is the latest dive site of Aqaba, near the Saudi border. It is just in the middle of the small bay, after the oil and salt terminals. This dive site is now out of bounds for all Dive Centres in Aqaba for security reasons. At a recent meeting of dive centres the local authority agreed to reassess the situation with the Navy, Army and Intelligence departments.
The northern reef of the Royal Diving Club.
After the Aquarium, the dive site is a 700m reef long, before the Club Murjean.
M42 Duster Anti-Aircraft Vehicle Between Seven Sisters and Oliver's Canyon Easy dive more or less for snorkeling great pictures. Swim 30 meters from the beach and you can not miss it. Tank is also known as New canyon, M42.
The Taiyong C486B was bought by the port authorities here in 1974 for offloading ships in Aqaba. She is a towed barge with a large crane at her stern above a wheelhouse, also massive winches at the bow and a large hold. She lies on her starboard side facing the shore East. the top edge is 35m to 40m and the bottom edge 50m to 55m with a max depth of 57m at the tip of the crane. The crane has prooved a fantastic frame for soft coral growth also large sponges are found here that are nowhere else in the area. The barge was scuttled in 1999 after the jib was dropped through the bottom of the hold, this was repaired temporarily with a concrete plug but it kept leaking. So it was deemed uneconomical to repair and was scuttled just before the millenium. Boat Only. This wreck lies deep outside of the Japanese Gardens. Only one dive center in Aqaba can offer dives safely with the proper equipment to dive this wreck they also offer technical dive training. Taiyong is also known as Barge Wreck.
Probably the best dive I've had in Jordan. Ground floor contains grassy sand flats with rocky coral heads spread throughout. You can find every species of the red Sea, going from a pinacle to another. Each pinacle contains different sepecies. It's a must for photographers... Species: Stingrays, moray eels, trigger fish... all reef fishes. You will also find a large concentration of lionfish, out of the piacles during the night. If you are lucky, you will also meet some seahorses. Kiwi reef is loacted in the soutmost part of Aqaba dive sites, just before the industrial zone.
One of the best coral dive... but my preference goes to Gorgone I. Just in front of the parking, near the jetty. Gorgone II & III is also known as Gorgonian 2 & 3.
This is a classic dive. Most of night dive are made in this place, cos it is just located in front of the Seastar Watersports. This dive site is just located in front of Club Murjan. Goes to the beach and starts 10m north from the jetty. There is a small pool in the coral to go into the water. Cazar reef is also known as Aquarium.
A common but very nice dive site. Saw a lot of different species. Great for Macro photography! This is the next dive site after Japaneese garden, quite a bit difficult to explain as there is only desert around it... Apprimately, go to the south after the Cedar Pride, turn to the next parking, the dive site is just north to this parking. Gorgone One is also known as Gorgonian I, Gorgone I.
Based on Zentacle reviews, the top-rated sites in Aqaba Governorate are Japaneese garden (5.0 from 1 review), Abdallah Reef (4.0 from 1 review) and Cedar Pride (4.0 from 1 review).
The top-rated beginner sites are Japaneese garden (5.0 from 1 review) and Abdallah Reef (4.0 from 1 review).
Japaneese garden, Abdallah Reef and Cedar Pride are the top-rated sites you can enter from shore.
Zentacle lists 11 dive shops in Aqaba Governorate. The top-rated are Coral Garden Diving Center (5.0 from 681 reviews) and Waves Diving Center (4.9 from 52 reviews).
