There are 20 dive sites along Aqaba South beach, each site varies in shape and inhabitants from slopes to drop-off , canyons , flat bottom veiled completely with flourishing corals Here are some of the most popular ones:
Site:
First Bay
Description:
An about 700m long reef situated just south of the Marine Science Institute.
The site descends in the middle rapidly to a depth of more than
30m, creating two outward shallow sites, named First
Bay North and First Bay South. The fringing reef with Fire
coral , Acropora of various species houses, among other,
angel fish, butterfly fish, lyretail grouper, big broom tail wrasse and
blue surgeon fish.
The site is perfect for snorkeling at the right side area .
Site:
Eel Garden
Description:
With an easy shore
access, the Eel Garden offers a number of surprises. As well
as the obligatory garden eels, this site is home to an
assortment of other interesting critters. Crossing the sand
and heading left from the shore, there are several coral
heads hosting yellow-mouthed morays and anemones. A sea
grass bed offers a hiding place for many young fish and
eels, but keep an eye open for the numerous scorpion fish
and lion-fish that can be found here.
However, the most outstanding feature is the pinnacle at
just 7m. This is truly a photographer's paradise. Surrounded
by Anthias(Gold fish) and black corals, the pinnacle is a
busy cleaning station managed by a giant moray and manned by
his team of banded boxer shrimp. Look carefully, because a
galaxy of creatures can be seen here including frog fish
If you dive this site at night, you are likely to see
resident toad fish and the red swimming crabs that hide
within the pinnacle's recesses during the day.
Site:
Shipwreck "Cedar Pride"
Depth:
Minimum Depth 10m (from Starboard site) Maximum Depth: 28m (from port site)
Description:
The Cedar Pride wreck is one of Jordan's
most popular and celebrated dives. A former Lebanese
freighter, the ship sustained extensive damage during a fire
in 1982. Following a request from King Abdullah, the
ill-fated vessel was deliberately sunk approximately 50m
offshore as an artificial reef for divers. Lying on its port
side at a maximum depth of 28m across two reefs, the
wreckage has been colonized by numerous hard and soft
corals. Marked by a surface buoy, the Cedar Pride can be
dived from boat or shore. The uppermost starboard side is at
10m, and so provides a great site for both novice and
experienced divers alike. The wreck is largely intact and
around 80m in length with the most interesting diving on the
seaward side, where you can see the deck and superstructure.
The outstanding feature is the crow's nest, which is covered
with a profusion of colorful soft corals and stands out
against the clear blue water. As you continue further
towards the hull, you pass mushroom ventilation shafts and
the main mast. Here in the deeper water, the soft corals are
more dispersed but are replaced by hard corals and schools
of fish, including the odd barracuda. As you swim back along
the uppermost starboard side, you can find plenty of hard
corals and small animals that have made their home on the
hull, including anemones, table corals and clusters of
acropora. This makes for an excellent night dive. The deck
is smothered with lots of critters, including urchins,
shrimps, Spanish dancers and soft coral crabs
Site:
Rainbow reef
Description:
Rainbow reef is a great shore dive ranging from 6 to 18m. A deeper gulley runs down the north side of the reef
forming a nice wall along the side of the reef. There is a telecommunications cable that runs over to Egypt.
It is the home to a great deal of lion fish and large sea urchins.
Site:
Japanese Garden
Description:
Located just to the south of the Shipwreck.
One of the best dive sites in the world wide. Very good
conditions for diving and snorkeling as well. The reef begins
in shallow water and then gently sloping to the magnificent
colorful reef , very large schools of Anthias (Gold fish)
displaying with the golden sun beams above an ideal view above
while getting their snack of plankton, Lyre tail groupers,
Royal angel fish, Moray eels, big Clam shells are very common.
Site:
Gorgone I and II
Description:
The reason to be given this
name was because it has 2 large Gorgon corals . Max
depth of the site is 12m as to be excellent
for newly certified divers. It has an entry access
from shore of 3m wide and 4m deep, after crossing
the wonderful passage (various of uncommon shy
inhabitants hiding in caves all along the passage,
soon after getting out of passage the diver will
be excited having the feeling of landing from sky to
be face to face with a huge pool-like covered by
fascinating marine life . The site has 2 pinnacles
extending from sea surface to the bottom inhabited
by unique soft and hard corals dangling all
around forming a safe and wealthy home for many
kinds of beautiful invertebrates and fish.
Site:
New Canyon (The Tank)
Description:
This dive site has a tank wreck at just 6m of depth. It is perfect for snorklers as for divers to explore.
It is surrounded by a labyrinth of corrals. The attentive diver might find some nudibranchs as well.
Excellent for diving and snorkeling
Site:
Blue Coral
Description:
Blue coral is a wonderful site with lots of life. You can make shallow dives as the reef starts in front of the beach,
but it continues down to 50m. Keep your eyes open for grey moray eels.