Aqaba general background
by Kuznetsov_Sergey
Aqaba is a coastal town in the far south of Jordan. Aqaba is strategically important to Jordan as it is the country's only seaport. The city borders Eilat, Israel, and there is a border post where it is possible to cross between the two countries. Both Aqaba and Eilat are at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba.
You can watch my 7 min 03 sec HD Video Jordan Road along Aqaba 2 out of my Youtube channel.
You can watch my high resolution photo of Petra on the Google Earth according to the following coordinates 29° 31' 36.04" N 35° 0' 5.85" E or on my Google Earth Panoramio Aqaba Promenade.
Diving sites : a map of the reefs
by TheWanderingCamel
There are over thirty main diving sites in Aqaba, most of them suitable for all levels of competence.. The reefs stretch for a distance of over 25kms or right down to the Saudi border. Aqaba is all fringing reef, there are no off-shore reefs. The reef starts literally at the water's edge and extends like the fingers of your hands into canyons leading to pinnacles and drop offs
The beaches are all easily accessible and the transport used can drive right up to the edge of the water - a big advantage. There is no problem for getting into your gear on the beach, and no clambering over rocks. Boats are not much used since by water it takes too long to reach the more distant ones. By road, the furthest reef (the "Saudi Border" reef) is about 25 minutes from the town of Aqaba.
Here is a map of the main reefs in Aqaba
Diving : the Black Rock
by TheWanderingCamel
The northern side of Wreck Bay, adjacent to the former Tourist Camp. Entry at a gravel and shingle point, swim out and pick up the reef on the right and swim down to the planned depth, usually around 25m. Heading north there are immense coral slopes and valleys with large black coral "bushes". This are is frequented by Hawksbill turtles. Ascend slowly to 10m and swim south again back to the entry point. Shoaling Fusiliers, cruising Parrot fish are common, as well electric Torpedo Rays. At safety stop watch out for Moses Sole and flounders in the sand and gravel as well as grey morays.
Pharaoh's Island
by TheWanderingCamel
Several places organise excursions by boat to Pharaoh's Island, a noted snorkelling site, just off the Egyptian coast south of Taba. This is a tiny islet, originally fortified by Saladin, and still holding the castle, which has been much restored. There are always a great many small boats around it, I am told that diving there is not so easy to do and quite frankly not up to much, "as overuse from trips out of Eilat has somewhat trashed the reefs there" but that it is OK for snorkelling. These trips have to be booked a couple of days in advance and your passport handed to the organisers to arrange a visa with the Egyptian Consulate. The price of a trip with Seastar is 28JD/person, which includes a barbecue lunch and the visa. (But even with the visa you are not allowed to land on the Egyptian mainland here).
Posted by Lulu
Aqaba, snorkeling
by chrisvandenbroucke
Underwater in The Red Sea
(Well, I heard Aqaba and The Red Sea would be one of the best places to snorkel or dive but the time we were, was low season and there were not many opportunities to go snorkeling. Some agencies asked 10-15 JD per hour at a minimum of 3 hr. At last, we found a group of Italians and chartered a boat 4.5 JD per person for the whole afternoon)
Sign in with Facebook
Welcome in Jordan
Aqaba Flagpole
Cars waiting to board the Nuweiba ferry
Me Relaxing
