Hawksbill Turtle
Destination note
Reported locally as a spring possibility around reef and seagrass dives; sightings are not guaranteed.
Jordan
Diving in Aqaba
23 sites40 species21–28 °C15–40 m vis
Photo: Francesco Ungaro / Pexels
Aqaba is Jordan's only Red Sea port city, offering over 30 named dive sites along a compact coastline. From shallow coral pinnacles and easy shore entries to a remarkable collection of purpose-sunk wrecks — including a freighter, aircraft, military vehicles and a submerged military museum — Aqaba compresses an entire Red Sea diving world into one accessible destination.
Aqaba is Jordan's only Red Sea coastline and compresses the country's entire dive offering into one destination along roughly 25 km of coast.Cedar Pride is a 1,161-ton Lebanese freighter purpose-sunk in 1985 and now heavily colonized by soft coral, making it one of the oldest artificial reefs in the Red Sea.Aqaba's artificial-reef collection includes an M42 Duster anti-aircraft vehicle, a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, an L-1011 Tristar wide-body jet, and an arranged Underwater Military Museum.Kiwi Reef combines seagrass beds and coral heads, making it a macro-photography counterpoint to Aqaba's famous wide-angle wrecks, with seahorses, nudibranchs and ghost pipefish.Rainbow Reef is a popular night dive where Spanish dancers, lobsters, moray eels and feather stars emerge after dark.ASEZA's Aqaba Marine Reserve rules prohibit removing organisms, shells, coral, rocks or sediment, and fishing is banned within the reserve boundaries.Aqaba's shore diving gives beginner divers access to wrecks and coral gardens that in most Red Sea destinations would require a boat trip.
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Places on this map (22)
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Conditions
21–28 °C
15–40 m
3–40 m
Mild
March–May and October–November
| Month | Summary |
|---|---|
| Jan | January brings the coolest water at 22°C and moderate visibility of 15–25 m. Quieter reefs reward macro enthusiasts, and 5–7 mm exposure protection is recommended. Wind closures can occasionally disrupt boat schedules. |
| Feb | February is the coolest month at 21°C water temperature with 15–25 m visibility. Torpedo rays and macro subjects are seasonal highlights. Shore diving remains reliable when winds allow. |
| Mar | March sees spring activity begin as water warms to 21–22°C with 15–25 m visibility. Turtles, nudibranchs and eagle rays appear more frequently. Conditions remain mild and dependable. |
| Apr | April is a strong shoulder-season month with water at 22–23°C and improving visibility of 20–30 m. Nesting and mating activity increases among reef fish. Calm conditions prevail. |
| May | May offers warm water of 23–25°C with 20–30 m visibility. Spring species activity continues with excellent diving conditions. This is a popular month for visiting wrecks and reefs. |
| Jun | June water reaches 24–26°C with visibility improving to 20–35 m. Schooling fish and cuttlefish are common sights. Occasional jellyfish blooms may occur. Mild conditions and long daylight hours. |
| Jul | July is warm at 26–27°C with 20–35 m visibility. Long shallow dives are comfortable. Occasional jellyfish may be present. Busy beaches and popular boat schedules. |
| Aug | August reaches peak water temperature of 27–28°C with 20–35 m visibility. Warmest month for comfortable extended dives. Busy tourist season with active boat schedules. |
| Sep | September maintains 27°C water with 20–35 m visibility. Stable warm sea conditions with marine biodiversity building into autumn. An excellent month for photography and reef exploration. |
| Oct | October offers prime diving with water at 25–27°C and 20–35 m visibility. Comfortable conditions, abundant marine life including rays and morays. One of the best months of the year for diving Aqaba. |
| Nov | November is prime season with water at 24–25°C and 20–35 m visibility. Warm enough for long dives with fewer crowds. Excellent conditions for both reef and wreck diving. |
| Dec | December water cools to 22–23°C with visibility of 15–30 m. Clear winter windows offer excellent macro opportunities. Wind interruptions possible but shore diving remains accessible. |
Dive Sites (23)
Al Shorouk Wreck
35–60m · Expert
Wreck · Artificial reef · Deep dive
Ashraf's Grotto
5–40m · Advanced
Coral reef
grotto · overhang
Black Rock
0–45m · Intermediate
Coral reef · Shore dive · Snorkeling
C-130 Hercules
12–17m · Beginner
Wreck · Artificial reef
aircraft wreck
Cedar Pride
9–27m · Intermediate
Wreck · Artificial reef · Shore dive
Eel Garden
15–27m · Intermediate
Coral reef · Shore dive · Garden eels
First Bay North
6–30m · Beginner
Shore dive · Coral reef · Training site
First Bay South
6–30m · Beginner
Shore dive · Coral reef
coral slope
Regional species catalogue (40)
Species recorded in this destination's wider regional catalogue. A species being listed here does not mean it is seen at this destination — check the note on each card.
Diagonal Butterflyfish
Destination note
A characteristic Red Sea butterflyfish for Aqaba's shallow coral gardens and slopes.
Devil Scorpionfish
Destination note
Three Jordan GBIF records support a rare cryptic fish encounter; never touch, as scorpionfish have venomous spines.
Black-tailed Butterflyfish
Destination note
Commonly associated with healthy coral cover on Aqaba's northern Red Sea reefs.
Moon Wrasse
Destination note
An active daytime wrasse around the reef and wreck edges of Aqaba.
Marbled Spinefoot
Destination note
Common in shallow reef and seagrass-associated habitat around Aqaba.
Spanish Dancer
Destination note
A night-dive macro subject reported at Aqaba's Rainbow Reef; observe without touching.
Peacock Grouper
Destination note
An occasional grouper for Aqaba reef slopes and ledges; look near structural cover rather than in open water.
sea goldie
Destination note
Local dive-site notes call out lyretail fish on Aqaba reefs; they are most visible in groups above coral heads.
humphead wrasse
Destination note
A rare, memorable encounter on deeper or less disturbed reef; its Jordan occurrence record supports inclusion but not a promised sighting.
emperor angelfish
Destination note
Jordan records support an occasional encounter around Aqaba's coral-rich slopes and artificial structures.
Pharaoh Cuttlefish
Destination note
Three Jordan GBIF records and local summer cuttlefish notes support an occasional warm-season encounter.
+28more species in the app
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Guides
Aqaba's Best Dive Sites: Reefs and Wrecks
Compare Aqaba's best reefs, walls, wrecks, and shore dives by depth, access, experience level, marine life, and photography style.
Diving Aqaba: Jordan's Red Sea Guide
Plan a dive trip to Aqaba with clear advice on reefs, wrecks, seasons, shore access, skill levels, marine life, and local logistics.
Aqaba Diving Conditions: Month-by-Month Guide
Use this month-by-month Aqaba guide to compare 21–28°C water, 15–40 m visibility, currents, exposure protection, and seasonal marine life.
Safety
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