Diving in Jordan
Did you ever hear about diving in Jordan? Of Jordan's 17 miles of coast along the Red Sea, four miles are protected by Marine park. Here you will find more than 20 uncrowded dive sites with something interesting for all levels divers.
DIVING IN JORDAN. Quick facts
For divers, Jordan’s southernmost tip, where the Red Sea’s tropical waters bathe some of the most spectacular coral reefs in the world, has to be the main attraction. While the total coastline is only about 27 kilometres/17 miles long, there are plenty of dive sites to choose from, many of them located within Aqaba Marine Park. Here divers enjoy a wide variety of soft and hard coral and myriad reef fish. Also some of the best diving in the world. Most of the 20+ sites are accessible from the shore. Therefore those position in the south must now travel to by boat due to new hotel development.
With only 17 miles of coastline, the variety of dive sites available in Jordan will surprise many. Seven Sisters and the Tank is one of the more popular dives. Here divers can visit an American M42 tank, which was scuttled in 1999, next to a beautiful set of pinnacles. The dive starts at 20 feet (6 meters) and drops to 80 feet (24 meters). Furthermore, Japanese Gardens is a gorgeous reef dive that everyone can enjoy. The black coral has formed from 16 to 130 feet (5 to 40 meters) and now plays home to hawksbill turtles, eagle rays and a variety of reef fish. Finally, the wreck of Cedar Pride, a Lebanese cargo ship sunk in 1985. It gives divers the chance to interact with feather-tail stingrays and pygmy slug nudibranchs. The stunning ship, which lies from 30 to 85 feet (9 to 26 meters), offers fantastic swim-throughs and the chance to get up close and personal with history.
Whatever your reason for visiting Jordan is, diving in the Red Sea will be one of your favourite experiences.
WHEN TO GO
Jordan has hot, dry, long summers and short, cool winters. It enjoys a year-round diving season like other places on the Red Sea. However, it’s best to pack your 3mm wetsuit in the summer when water temperatures reach 82ºF (28ºC). Also, a 5mm wetsuit is necessary for other parts of the year. Water temperature varies from about 26° C/79° F in summer to 20° C/68° F during the winter. And visibility is frequently stunning, exceeding 30 metres/100 feet.
DIVING IN JORDAN. What to see
In the warm and clear waters of the Red Sea, pristine corals and interesting marine life abound. Because of the protected status of the Aqaba Marine Park and the upwelling of nutrients from the deeper sea below. Divers can enjoy a myriad of fish and the chance of spotting some larger pelagic species.
Feather tail stingrays, fluorescent nudibranchs, Napoleon wrasse, pygmy slug nudibranchs, frogfish, giant morays, elephant ear sponges, fire corals, stonefish, hawksbill turtles, eagle rays, seahorses, pipefish, shrimps and torpedo rays are commonly spotted. Even the occasional whale shark makes an appearance. With over 1000 species of fish and 100 that are not found outside of the Red Sea, your dive logs from Jordan are sure to be full and unique.
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