By Ashwini Kolar
● 15 Jan 21
Beaches
Middle East
Weekend Getaways
We are truly blessed to have been living on such a beautiful planet! The mountains, plains, trees, landscapes are breathtaking but what lies below the water is another world altogether; as one has rightly said – the sea is full of stars!
If you agree with this statement, then snorkeling and scuba diving have to be on your bucket list. And when it comes to these activities, Aqaba in Jordan is one that you should never miss.
For a really long time, the Red Sea has been famous for diving amidst the experts, all thanks to the wonderful diversity that it offers. From vast schools of fish to popular second world war wrecks, from technicolor soft corals to deep unexplored caves, you will find it all here!
Aqaba is the only coastal city in Jordan and lies on the edge of the Red Sea. It is easily accessible by road and boasts many comfortable hotels and resorts. The weather is usually mild in Aqaba, so you can plan any time of the year, and of course, it holds all kinds of treasure that the Red Sea is famous for!
When is the best time to dive in Aqaba?
Though the climate is pretty mild over the entire year so one can plan anytime, but the best times to visit are during the winters. Mid-January to mid-May is something one should target for pleasant temperatures of the water and the surroundings. Even the autumn season is popular amongst divers i.e., October-November.
You should ideally avoid the months of June to September if you are not a fan of higher temperatures. December usually gets extremely cold and has a risk of thunderstorms so it would be wise to avoid that too!
There are three main diving locations in Aqaba, namely, North Bay, Visitor’s Bay and South Bay. At these three locations also the sites available are:
With so many different dive locations, one may just end up being confused. Don’t worry we will make it a tad bit easier to choose the dive sites. Here are 7 best dive sites to choose from:
Level: Novice
Just south of another famous dive site, Cedar Pride Wreck, Japanese Garden has large coral heads including black corals. You will also spot lionfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, and huge schools of snapper.
Level: Intermediate
It is an artificial reef that came into existence when a Lebanese freighter, Cedar Pride, sank in the Red Sea. Now, the shipwreck, the soft corals as well as fish schools coming in to catch sunlight have made this spot ideal for divers.
Level: Novice
Suitable for beginners, this site is actually a reef plateau with sandy channels and rich fire coral. Towards the southern side of the site, you can check our Cazar Reef, which is known for black coral trees.
Level: Intermediate
Home to breathtaking fringing reefs and a giant wall of fire corals, the Aquarium is a must-visit. Located adjacent to the Aquarium towards the south is the famous Coral Gardens where you can spot a variety of sea creatures like reef fish, sea horses, and moray eels.
Level: Novice
Another perfect site to explore a wreck, this time it is an American army tank lying at the seabed which definitely catches every divers curiosity. The coral formations and the marine life that the wreck has attracted also adds to the delight.
Level: Novice
If you love diving for marine life, then this is the spot for you. You will see wide coral growth as well as sea creatures like stingrays, octopuses, turtles, and nudibranchs amongst many other fishes. You can indulge in some underwater photography here as well and preserve the memories for eternity.
Level: Intermediate
Also known as Ashraf’s Grotto, this site hosts multicolor corals, and a wide variety of fishes, making it ideal for underwater photography. If you continue diving deeper, you will find a cave that will reveal several rare marine life species.
Now, that you know everything about diving in Aqaba, don’t wait anymore. Plan your travel now and experience marine life like never before.
Ashwini Kolar
An effervescent and talkative soul, Ashwini dreams about visiting every nook and corner of the world. When she is not writing, she is all things food and is busy either hunting for a restaurant or a recipe to cook!
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