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:
About 700m long reef situated just south of the Marine Science .
The site descends in the middle rapidly to a depth of more than
30.m creating 2 outward shallow sites as named sometimes First
bay north and First bay south , Where fringing reef of the Fire
corals ,branching Acropora of various species , about 18 - 30.m
deep angel fish , lyre tail grouper , big broom tail wrasse ,
blue surgeon fish are very commons.
The site is perfect for snorkeling at the right side area .
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:
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:
Gorgonion I
Description:
The reason to be given this
name was because it has 2 large Gorgon corals . Max.
depth of the site is 12.m as to be excellent
for newly certified divers .It has an entry access
from shore of 3.m wide and 4.m 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:
Saudi Arabia Border
Description:
Near Saudi border there are 2 dive
sites separated by a deep canyon , the one on the right
side is one of the most popular dive sites. A drop off
reef with a very long wall extends to 850.m from
shore line point descending to approx. 45.m at the end.
Angel fish, octopus , hump head napoleon wrasses are
commons, huge size of cabbage corals (all sort of
species ) . When divers returning back to the shore at
the end of the dive meanwhile conducting safety stops
they enjoy the view of large soft corals , sea cucumbers
in shallow water at the top of the slope.
