Visiting Jordan offers many possibilities both for the diver and non-diver. The Jordanian resort of Aqaba is one of the more unspoiled areas and is an excellent base to dive the Northern part of the Red Sea. Jordan offers great visibility at 10-40 meters and year round diving with balmy temperatures in winter and a hot dry climate in summer. Most of the time a wetsuit is adequate to dive in Aqaba and there are a number of diving centers who can assist with tuition and guided dives for those that are interested. Aqaba has a mixture of reef and wreck diving, offering amazing diving opportunities for divers of all levels. Dive sites are marked with buoys and many are accessed by boat, however, a few can be entered via the shoreline. Let’s take a closer look!
Wreck Diving Along The Aqaba Coast
There are a number of wrecks off the Aqaba coast that make excellent dive trips. One of the sites that defines Jordanian diving and is often seen in travel guides and magazines is the famous Tank Dive, an anti aircraft M40 that was scuttled in 1999 to encourage the development of an artificial reef which continues to develop colonies of vibrant hard and soft corals that reef fish love exploring.
The Cedar Pride was originally a Lebanese Cargo Ship that was deliberately sunk in 1986 to create an artificial reef after obtaining permission from King Hussein. The ship had caught fire and was left to rot in Aqaba harbour but now lies offshore and is a beautiful dive as the reef develops around her.
Another fabulous wreck off Aqaba is the Taiyong which was found in 2004 after being scuttled in 1999 when a crane accident left her beyond repair. The Taiyong lies in her final resting place near the Japanese Gardens at approximately 50 meters; she is home to a wealth of soft coals and shoals of fusiliers.
The Al Shorouk is a superb technical dive off the Jordanian Coast; she was scuttled in 2008 for diving purposes and lies between 30-58 meters. Divers have the ability to swim under the structure due her position offering more advanced divers opportunities for deep diving and nitrox diving; but since she spans across two reefs, she can be explored at various depths. A dive at Al Shorouk is often combined with a dive at the nearby Tank Wreck or Eel Garden.
The Aqaba Blue Hole
Just off the Power Station in Aqaba and at approximately 40 meters is the Aqaba’s famous Blue Hole. Divers make their way through the arch and follow along the reef to large pinnacles and steep drop offs. With a wealth of reef fish, vibrant corals, and a variety of marine creatures, this site remains one of the best dives in Aqaba. Don’t forget to bring your camera, the underwater subjects are more than happy to pose for photos!
Technical Diving In Jordan
Jordan offers excellent reef diving for all divers but most reef dives in the area will appeal to technical divers due to the depth and complexity of the terrain. The Yellowstone Reef is one such site where vibrantly colored sea fans and gorgonians can be found along the way to a cluster of large pinnacles at approximately 50 meters that form several archways which beg to be photographed.
Once accessed from shore but can now only be reached by boat, Blue Coral is named after the bright blue acropora corals that are found here. There is so much to see here such as crocodile fish, frogfish, lionfish, moray eels, and turtles. Nudibranchs in all shapes and sizes add color to the site and huge shoals of blue fusiliers can be seen making their way about.
Named after Kirk Green who founded the site in 1988, Kirk’s Forest is a deep dive found near Eel Gardens which has a proliferation of black coral trees, a small unidentified wreck, and several intriguing coral encrusted canyons at deeper depths; Trimix is recommended here.
Moon Valley is a great dive at 10-25 meters where large pelagics are often sighted, keep an eye out for the occasional shark too. Named after a valley in Wadi Rum, large shoals of fusiliers and sardines can be found in the main valley while Napoleon wrasses, unicorn fish, and other reef dwellers explore the soft corals found on the outer edges.
Death Valley is known for its strong currents which have caused trouble for many recreational divers, so extreme caution is advised here as valley depths can reach beyond 100 meters and when combined with the currents can turn out to be a lethal combination. Those divers that choose to explore Death Valley will be rewarded with beautiful fan corals, giant whip corals and gorgeous gorgonians.
Jordan For Non-Divers
Jordan is one of those places steeped in history where even divers should take a break and spend some time exploring the wonderful country topside. Visiting the ancient Nabatean City of Petra is a must for any visitor to Jordan and is an excellent way to spend time appreciating the history in the area; a full day is needed to be able to fully appreciate this amazing site. Another place to visit is Wadi Rum in the Jordanian desert where Lawrence of Arabia once walked. Even Aqaba itself, unlike other Red Sea holiday destinations is one where there was an ancient port and lots of history around the city. For those who wish to relax, a float in the Dead Sea or a mud bath will be hard to beat. Jordan has a lot to offer all visitors and there has never been a better time to visit.