Though Jordan's coastline is modest in length, it offers magnificent diving conditions. Between the coral reefs, impressive wrecks, and the remarkable world of underwater life, the waters of Jordan hold countless surprises for all divers, whether beginners or experienced. 

Where to dive? When? What will you see? Under what conditions? Discover our complete guide to diving in the Red Sea in Jordan.

Aqaba Marine Park, a diving destination to discover in Jordan

In Jordan, diving sites are located in the south of the country, near the city of Aqaba. It is Jordan's southernmost point, where the tropical waters of the Red Sea shelter coral reefs among the most spectacular in the world. 

The total coastline is just 27 km long but is bordered by a marine park hosting pristine corals and abundant marine life. In total, there are around twenty diving sites to explore around Aqaba.

Though the diving sites are less dramatic than those of its neighboring country, Egypt, they remain nonetheless impressive and, above all, have the advantage of being far less crowded. 

What to see while diving in Aqaba Marine Park?

Flora and Fauna

The waters of the Gulf of Aqaba are home to magnificent hard and soft corals. You can notably see rainbow-colored coral bommies, black corals, elephant ears, seagrass beds, anemones... The presence of wrecks, converted into artificial reefs, particularly allows corals to thrive. Despite climate change, the corals here are well-preserved and in good health. 

As for fauna, Aqaba Marine Park is home to numerous colorful fish. You can see, among others: 

• many groupers, 

• lionfish, 

• Napoleon wrasse, 

• parrotfish,

• toadfish,

• anthias,

• fusiliers, 

• jacks, 

• barracudas,

• sergeant majors 

• shrimp, 

• sea turtles, 

• moray eels, 

• garden eels,

• eagle rays and many more... 

Aqaba's diving sites are also a paradise for nudibranchs. Though there are fewer 'big' fish than in Egypt, it is not uncommon to encounter sharks as well as manta rays at certain sites.

Wrecks

Beyond the flora and fauna, Aqaba Marine Park is home to several wrecks, most of which are situated at shallow depths. Being easily accessible from shore, they do not require advanced diving skills to explore. 

Among the most beautiful wrecks to discover while diving in Aqaba, you can mention: 

• The Cedar Price wreck: This is a Spanish vessel considered one of the finest wrecks in the Red Sea and one of the most renowned in the world.

• The Taiyong wreck: a ship that served as a platform for unloading cargo.

• The Tank M42 Duster wreck: this former armored vehicle from the Jordanian military is easily accessible and can even be seen while snorkeling since it sits at only 6 m depth and 20 m from shore. 

• The Hercules C-130 aircraft wreck: this is the most recent wreck. It is an enormous fuselage with impressive dimensions: 30 meters long, 40 meters wingspan, and 12 meters tall! 

• The Al Shourouk wreck: this ship wreck is the deepest (between 38 and 60 m depth). It is therefore reserved for technical divers. 

What diving conditions should you expect in Aqaba?
Water Temperature

The average water temperature in Jordan hovers around 26°C in summer and 18°C in winter. For those who feel the cold, it is therefore better to go in summer, though it is always possible to dive in cool water with appropriate wetsuits.

Visibility

Visibility is good year-round, between 15 and 50 meters with an average visibility of 30 m. 

Currents

The waters of Jordan are very calm. Marine currents are virtually non-existent. That said, at depth, it is not impossible to encounter stronger currents.

Depth

Most of Aqaba's diving sites are situated between 0 to 40 meters for recreational divers. For technical divers, it is possible to descend to 150 m depth! The current depth record in technical diving is 167 m. 

Difficulty Level 

Jordan's diving sites have the advantage of being accessible to all diving levels: whether you are an experienced diver, a technical diver, or a beginner. 

Note that for beginner divers and discovery dives, many sites are accessible directly from shore and do not require heading out into open water by boat. 

What is the best time to dive in Aqaba?

It is possible to dive in Jordan year-round. That said, the best time to dive in Aqaba stretches from April to November with a preference for the months of September and October and the months of April and May. Indeed, during these times of year, marine diversity is more abundant, water temperature remains pleasant (around 24°C), and visibility is at its best.