Scuba Diving in Aqaba, Jordan
Jordan is listed on Lonely Planet’s ”Best Travel Destinations For 2023”
The Red Sea is at the top of many divers’ bucket lists, me included. There is no doubt why, flourishing reefs, phenomenal wrecks, caves, walls, drop-offs, everything a diving enthusiast might desire.
With it’s wide array of things to see and ease of access, from someone who’s never dived before to the more experienced, it has something for everyone. The diving in Aqaba is a true paradise. High Season here is March until June & Low Season is September until November.
Jordan has only one coastal city, Aqaba, which established it’s first dive centres back in the 60s. It lies on the northern tip of the Red Sea and hosts a plethora of dive sites along its 27km coastline. Scuba diving in Aqaba is arguably one of the best things to do in the city,
It is an ideal location for all year diving. In Aqaba the water temperatures are between 20°C in the Winter (Dec-Feb) and 28°C in Summer (July-Sept). A low inflow of freshwater, means a low influx of nutrients and a low production of plankton. Great news for divers, as it plays home to clear water, the visibility here often surpasses 30m.
March 2023
All Photos & Videos Provided Are Taken By Myself
Page Content - Quick Access
The Dive Sites
Photo Captured Feb 2023
Boat Diving In Aqaba: All dive sites here have a designated mooring site. You descend straight down onto the dive site of your choice.
My personal recommendation would be Aqaba Sharks Bay Divers. They have the biggest and nicest boats in Aqaba, with excellent amenities; including toilets, showers (towels are even provided) and a self service area with drinks. On top of this you get fruits and also a buffet lunch.
There are over 30 main diving sites in Aqaba, 19 of which are located inside the Aqaba Marine Park. The Aqaba Marine Park is 7km in length with fully equipped facilities. The adjacent beach (south beach) is easily accessible, free of charge and an ideal spot for camping.
Shore entry in the Aqaba Marine Park: Your transport can take you right up to the edge of the beach, making a short walk to the water. In very shallow water you will descend, immediately being able to see corals, the reef starts immediately at the waters edge.
Combining Dive Sites
The close proximity and sheer quantity of dive sites in Aqaba allows you to get creative with what you would like to see and do. Allowing you to design a dive plan that will take you on a journey through several dive sites at once. Below are just two examples of the endless possibilities available to you.
Can’t decide between the picturesque wrecks and wonderful corals on offer? Do Both! Seven Sisters and The Tank are adjacent, with The Tank sitting at the perfect depth for your safety stop.
In love with corals? Take a drift dive! Start at one of the most requested dive sites here with Japanese Garden and travel south to Gorgone One
Being/becoming a tec diver in Aqaba extends this range even further, with access to 2 deeper wrecks and an increased amount of time under the water. Let me help inspire you with everything you need to know about Tec Diving In Aqaba, Jordan.
Wrecks Of Aqaba
Photo Captured Feb 2023
More details to come as I continue to explore the area. Eager to get to the wrecks I haven’t seen yet.
I have no doubt you will thoroughly enjoy the wreck diving here in Aqaba, with a total of 28 vehicles in the water, there is something for everyone. Check out my guide ”The 8 Best Wreck Dives In Aqaba” for a detailed description, or click the links below if you know the wreck you would like to dive!
- Cedar Pride
- Tarmac Five
- M42 Duster ”The Tank”
- C-130 Hercules
- Al Shorouk
- Taiyong
- L-1011 Tristar
- Underwater Military Museum
Others Dives
- Aquarium
- Ashrafs Grotto – Paradise
- Power Station
- First Bay
- Cazar Reef
- Eel Garden
- King Abdullah Reef
- Black Rock
- Cable Reef ”Cable Canyon”
- Rainbow Reef
- Kleta’s Wall
- Japanese Gardens
- Gorgone One
- Gorgone Two
- Seven Sisters
- Ras Al Yamanya
- Yellowstone Reef
- Kiwi Reef
- Blue Coral
- Moon Valley
- Coral Garden
- Saudi Arabia Border
Photo Captured Feb 2023
Photo Captured Feb 2023
Photo Captured Feb 2023
Aquatic Life
Jordanian’s gentle water currents and temperature climate provides an excellent environment for a huge marine biodiversity. It plays host to more than 450 species of fish (which is considered a rich habitat), 100 of which are not found outside the Red Sea.
Photo Captured Feb 2023
Photo Captured Feb 2023
You have the opportunity to see Dolphins (May-Sept), Whalesharks (June-Oct), Mantas (I’ve heard from a reliable source that one is living at the Power Station dive site), Turtles, Stingrays, Eagle Rays, Stonefish, Lionfish, Moray Eels, Puffer Fish, Barracuda…the list goes on.
Coral Life
Aqaba has the most northernmost coral reef in the world and over 50% of the Gulf’s shoreline is covered in coral. It’s relatively high salinity levels, provide an excellent environment for the growth of the corals. It has had over 151 hard coral and 120 soft coral species recorded (the red and black corals are globally endangered).
Photo Captured Feb 2023
Conservation Efforts
The importance of diving in Aqaba has been recognised by several organisations. The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) in partnership with The Royal Marine Conservation Society Of Jordan (JREDS) is actively promoting the industry through The Aqaba Tourism Authority. ASEZA established The Aqaba Marine Park (AMB) in 2004, joining several other nature reserves in Jordan, it is the only marine reserve in Jordan. The Gulf Of Aqaba is a semi-closed environment, making it more vulnerable to pollution. The importance of preservation here is even more crucial.
To help sustain and improve the diving in Aqaba, ASEZA conducts research on the physical, biological and chemical properties of the Gulf. JEDS is an NGO that conducts clean up programs (both underwater and on the beach). It also supports other environmental campaigns (including turtle surveys and coral reef monitoring). Both the Hawksbill Turtle and the Green Turtle are globally endangered sea turtles found here in Aqaba. If you are diving in Aqaba and would like to show your support, they encourage you take a picture/video and send it to them.
Photo Captured Feb 2023
Benefits Of An Artificial Reef
Since 1985, with the support of Aqaba’s private sector, scuttling of military vehicles has assisted the natural reefs of Aqaba. It has also created new artificial reefs. Not only does this provide new habitats for the marine life but it also helps protect natural reefs. It does this by providing new dives sites, more options for visitors to explore, reducing the amount of people currently frequenting the natural reefs.
Local Diving Regulations
There are a some regulations in place that are special to the diving in Aqaba. Some of these regulations are in place because of the close proximity to neighboring countries. The coastline is divided into four countries: Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and Egypt.
Solo diving and Independent Divers: Under no circumstances are you able to dive alone. Solo divers (even if self-reliant certified) are not allowed to go out unaccompanied without a certified diving professional. The same rule applies for Independent Divers.
Closed Circuit Rebreathers (CCR) : At the time of writing (Feb 2023), CCRs are strictly prohibited. Discussions are underway with the Navy to support this evolution in diving, but until they have the necessary equipment in place to track underwater divers, it will not change.
Fishing: All forms of fishing, including spearfishing and spearguns is not allowed.
Dive Professionals: Scuba diving in Aqaba is only allowed through dive centres and agencies registered through the Aqaba Marine Park (you can’t freelance without the support of a dive centre). You need to have 3rd party insurance and a full diving medical.
Environment: You are not permitted to take any shellfish or corals. Diving boats must use purpose built mooring buoys, you cannot anchor the boat.
Medical: If you need a ”fit for diving” medical, this has to be done by a doctor specialising in hyperbaric medicine.
Minimum Age: The minimum age is stipulated by the training agency. Under 18s need written consent from a parent/guardian.
Photos (Non Diving Specific): If you are departing from the Ayla Marina, you will pass the Royal Palace. You are not allowed to take pictures from the entrance of the harbour until you pass a military boat stationed a distance out.
Safety Concerns
One worrying thing that I’ve come to learn after spending so much time in Aqaba, I needed to share. You might imagine scuba diving to be a relaxing, peaceful activity…when done correctly it can be, but it does have it’s inherent dangers.
I’ve been told stories, that I’m sure aren’t unique to Aqaba, of divers that do not have a professional certification, taking people out into the water. The competition here is fierce, if the offer sounds too good to be true, it often is. It costs more to employ a professional. That being said, make sure you check out the credentials of the person your diving with, it is not impolite to ask, at the end of the day it is your life on the line. Be safe!
To help put your mind at ease, if you are unfortunate to ever need it, there is a Hyperbaric Chamber located at the Princess Haya Hospital in Aqaba. It is 30mins by car from the furthest dive site and has a capacity of 6 people.
How To Check A Divers Legit
It couldn’t be easier, now that everything has moved online. All you need to do is enter there details (if your a professional this can be a number) on the relevant organisations database, which provides you with their qualifications and their professional status (active/unactive). I would always recommend searching, they may present you with a card, but this will not tell you if there are still in active status and legally allowed to take you out.
Who Can Take You On Your First Dive?
If you have never dived before, it can be impossible to know if things are being done correctly. A Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) course is your introduction into the world of scuba diving. I’ll go over the 2 biggest organisations your likely to encounter, and the only 2 available here in Aqaba.
PADI – Divemaster (DSD Leader) Or Above
SSI – Assistant Instructor Or Above
A common misconception is that a divemaster is above an instructor, it is actually the opposite, it is your first professional qualification level, this is a pre-requisite for an instructor. One more thing to point out, a divemaster that has certified as a DSD Leader, has a maximum depth of 6 metres and is only allowed in swimming pool like conditions (clear and calm water). If possible I would always recommend doing this course with an instructor (you can also go deeper with an instructor, 12 metres).
FAQs
Is Aqaba good for diving?
Aqaba is a paradise for divers. It has something for everyone, from beginners to the more experienced.
How much does it cost to dive in Aqaba?
Shore dives can cost around 45 JOD per dive, discounted price for 2.
Boats dives, normally a minimum of 2 dives, around 110 JOD.
First time divers (Discover Scuba Diver Course) is around 45 JOD per dive.
How deep is Aqaba Tank wreck?
The Tank wreck is the shallowest wreck in Aqaba, at around 6m, it is often combined with it’s adjacent dive sites (C-130 Airplane Wreck or The Seven Sisters) as a beautiful way to spend your safety stop.
Is Aqaba Worth Visiting?
On top of diving, Aqaba has a wide array of things to do. Check out how else you can spend your time here with the Best Things To Do In Aqaba Jordan
Is Aqaba Good For Tec Diving?
Yes, Aqaba has 2 wrecks down at depths that are perfect for the tec divers out there.
About Author
Matt @m9j2s youtube.com/@thebritishbusiness
Originally from England, United Kingdom. Previously having worked in the operating theatres of a hospital back home, now turned Scuba Diving Instructor. Helping educate the world about the wonders the ocean has to offer.
8 Comments