Where?
Jordan has a toe in the water of the Red Sea at Aqaba. Its total coastline is only about 27 kilometres long and seven kilometres have been designated a Marine Park.
Dive sites
There are 21 designated dive sites with specific entry points from the beach or mooring points for dive boats, although they may not all always be accessible. The majority of sites are close in, on the fringing coral reef that shelves quite steeply down to at least 50 meters deep, sometimes only 60 meters from shore.
On the reef
There is a wide variety of soft and hard coral and a good selection of reef fish species. Occasionally, green turtles put in an appearance to feed on the sea grass.
Reef health
The coral reefs throughout the world are suffering damage from human impact and climate change. However, the reefs south of Aqaba seem to be faring comparatively well.
There are still very impressive coral gardens with little evidence of damage. This may be because until recently, tourism here was less developed than at other sites in the Red Sea.
Threats
There is no denying that litter is a problem. Given the pressures on such a tiny coastline of rapidly growing numbers of local tourists using the beaches, an expanding town and a strong wind that occasional blows down from the surrounding mountains, it is inevitable that there will be litter in the sea.
Helping hand
The Marine Park has litter collectors and the dive centres carry out regular clean-up dives, yet you might see plastic bags, plastic bottles or other refuse during your dive. If you do see it, either retrieve it yourself if it is safe to do so, or point it out to your dive guide so they can collect it.
Read more about activities in Jordan and the Red Sea at Aqaba Marine Park
Jordan has a toe in the water of the Red Sea at Aqaba. Its total coastline is only about 27 kilometres long and seven kilometres have been designated a Marine Park.
Dive sites
There are 21 designated dive sites with specific entry points from the beach or mooring points for dive boats, although they may not all always be accessible. The majority of sites are close in, on the fringing coral reef that shelves quite steeply down to at least 50 meters deep, sometimes only 60 meters from shore.
On the reef
There is a wide variety of soft and hard coral and a good selection of reef fish species. Occasionally, green turtles put in an appearance to feed on the sea grass.
Reef health
The coral reefs throughout the world are suffering damage from human impact and climate change. However, the reefs south of Aqaba seem to be faring comparatively well.
There are still very impressive coral gardens with little evidence of damage. This may be because until recently, tourism here was less developed than at other sites in the Red Sea.
Threats
There is no denying that litter is a problem. Given the pressures on such a tiny coastline of rapidly growing numbers of local tourists using the beaches, an expanding town and a strong wind that occasional blows down from the surrounding mountains, it is inevitable that there will be litter in the sea.
Helping hand
The Marine Park has litter collectors and the dive centres carry out regular clean-up dives, yet you might see plastic bags, plastic bottles or other refuse during your dive. If you do see it, either retrieve it yourself if it is safe to do so, or point it out to your dive guide so they can collect it.
Read more about activities in Jordan and the Red Sea at Aqaba Marine Park
