Although Jordan's total coastline is only 27 kilometres long, seven kilometres have been given over to a Marine Park. Within this short stretch there are 21 dive sites and five beaches.
Reefs
Coral reefs dominate the Park, usually with a sandy lagoon between the reef and the shore, while the reef tends to shelve steeply to seaward. These coral reefs are some of the most northerly in the world. Over 120 species of hard coral have been identified and more than 161 species of fish.
Healthy?
The reef has suffered damage from human activity, yet it seems to be in better condition than several of the other sites in the Red Sea. There is also an ongoing project to develop artificial reefs.
Zoning
In order to manage the different demands and pressures on this small park, activities are zoned. Different areas have been designated specifically for leisure boats and glass-bottomed boats, others for sandy beaches used for swimming. There are also designated dive sites and research areas where access is prohibited to anyone but park staff.
Pressures
Such a short coastline means it is under considerable pressure. It is the only access Jordanians have to the sea for shipping, fishing and leisure. Local tourism in particular has grown rapidly in the last few years. This has led to some litter problems, although a concerted education programme, beach cleaning teams and organised dive clean-ups have been put in place to try to keep it under control.
The Marine Park Science Station has specialists in various disciplines of marine biology and ecology that carry out ongoing research.
Visitor Centre
The Marine Park also has a visitor's centre with a restaurant and clear, informative exhibitions on the local ecology and a well laid out museum of sea-shells from all over the world.
Read more about national parks and scuba diving in Jordan
ReefsCoral reefs dominate the Park, usually with a sandy lagoon between the reef and the shore, while the reef tends to shelve steeply to seaward. These coral reefs are some of the most northerly in the world. Over 120 species of hard coral have been identified and more than 161 species of fish.
Healthy?
The reef has suffered damage from human activity, yet it seems to be in better condition than several of the other sites in the Red Sea. There is also an ongoing project to develop artificial reefs.
Zoning
In order to manage the different demands and pressures on this small park, activities are zoned. Different areas have been designated specifically for leisure boats and glass-bottomed boats, others for sandy beaches used for swimming. There are also designated dive sites and research areas where access is prohibited to anyone but park staff.
Pressures
Such a short coastline means it is under considerable pressure. It is the only access Jordanians have to the sea for shipping, fishing and leisure. Local tourism in particular has grown rapidly in the last few years. This has led to some litter problems, although a concerted education programme, beach cleaning teams and organised dive clean-ups have been put in place to try to keep it under control.
The Marine Park Science Station has specialists in various disciplines of marine biology and ecology that carry out ongoing research.
Visitor Centre
The Marine Park also has a visitor's centre with a restaurant and clear, informative exhibitions on the local ecology and a well laid out museum of sea-shells from all over the world.
Read more about national parks and scuba diving in Jordan
