The Protected Area - השמורה - Aqaba
The Protected Area in Aqaba is a nice, easy entry for divers looking to get wet without much fuss. We've found it’s a solid spot for beginners or those wanting a relaxed dive after a long day of travel. At a maximum depth of 14 metres, you’ll spend your time exploring scattered coral patches and keeping an eye out for the usual Red Sea suspects like parrotfish munching on the reef or a lionfish cruising by. It’s a good place to refine buoyancy or just enjoy a gentle swim.
- Location
- Aqaba, Jordan, Red Sea & Middle East
- Coordinates
- 29.507800, 34.924300
- Type
- reef
- Maximum Depth
- 14m
- Difficulty
- Beginner
Marine Protected Area: محمية العقبة البحرية
Best Time to Dive in Aqaba
The warmest water temperatures in Aqaba occur in August, averaging 27.2°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 20.5°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 21.9°C
- February: 20.9°C
- March: 20.5°C
- April: 20.9°C
- May: 22.7°C
- June: 24.5°C
- July: 25.8°C
- August: 27.2°C
- September: 26.7°C
- October: 25.5°C
- November: 24.5°C
- December: 23.2°C
Nearby Dive Sites in Aqaba
- Canyon Dekel South - קניון חוף הדקל - 22m (cave)
- Cedar Pride (wreck)
- Katza Eilat קצאא אילת - 18m
- Marina Divers
- Migdalor Beach חוף המגדלור - 14m
- Mosh Beach, Eilat - החוף של מוש - 16m
- Neptune Table - שולחנות נפטון - 23m
- Power Station, Aqaba - 23m
- Pyramid - פרמידה - 23m (pinnacle)
- Sun boat and amphibian vehicles סנבואט והכלים האמפיביים - 17m (wreck)
- Tamar Eilat - שונית תמר - 11m (reef)
- The Border Line, Eilat - מעבר גבול - 15m
- Three Sisters - שלושת האחיות - 15m
- Tristar - 23m (wreck)
- Veronica - וורוניקה - 12m
Nearest Dive Centres to The Protected Area - השמורה
- AHLA - ["PADI"]
- Aqaba Leaders Dive Center
- Aquatic World - ["PADI"]
- Arab Divers - PADI
- AVIDAG
- DIVERS VILLAGE
Marine Life in Aqaba
Home to 70 recorded species including 40 reef fish, 15 hard corals, 4 whales & dolphins, 2 clams & mussels, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs, 1 crabs & lobsters.
Notable Species
- Marbled Spinefoot (Siganus rivulatus) - Reef Fish
- Lesser valley coral (Platygyra lamellina) - Hard Corals
- Fluorescence grass coral (Galaxea fascicularis) - Hard Corals
- Red lionfish (Pterois miles) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora eurystoma) - Hard Corals
- Small giant clam (Tridacna maxima) - Clams & Mussels
- Grey Dolphin (Grampus griseus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Rock Cod (Epinephelus fasciatus) - Reef Fish
- Snakefish (Trachinocephalus myops) - Reef Fish
- Starflower coral (Astreopora myriophthalma) - Hard Corals
- Klunzinger's wrasse (Thalassoma rueppellii) - Reef Fish
- Red Squirrelfish (Sargocentron diadema) - Reef Fish
- Spotted handfish (Brachionichthys hirsutus) - Reef Fish
- Banded Cleaner Shrimp (Stenopus hispidus) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Blacktail Butterflyfish (Chaetodon austriacus) - Reef Fish
- Diagonal Butterflyfish (Chaetodon fasciatus) - Reef Fish
- Humpbacked conch (Gibberulus gibberulus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- Yellowtail Surgeonfish (Zebrasoma xanthurum) - Reef Fish
- scad (Priacanthus hamrur) - Reef Fish
- Cauliflower coral (Pocillopora verrucosa) - Hard Corals
Recommended Packing List for The Protected Area - השמורה
Based on average water temperature of 23.7°C, currents 4 cm/s.
- Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 24°C water
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories