Tristar - Aqaba

The Tristar wreck is a bit different, and that’s why we like it. It's a cargo plane, a Lockheed Tristar, deliberately sunk in 1999 to create an artificial reef. Dropping down, you immediately notice the sheer scale of it, the wings stretching out, the intact fuselage. There's a real sense of history here, even though it's relatively new. Inside, the light filters through the windows, illuminating the passenger cabin, which is surprisingly open and easy to navigate. We’ve spotted lionfish lurking in the overhead compartments and schools of glassfish shimmering where the seats used to be. It's an intermediate dive, straightforward, and a great one for wreck penetration if you’re comfortable with overhead environments. The cargo hold is another highlight, often home to a large moray eel. We always suggest trying to hit this one early in the morning; the soft light through the cockpit windows is magic, and you avoid any crowds from the shore entries. It’s a solid wreck dive without being overly challenging, perfect for getting a feel for the unique character of Aqaba's wrecks.

Location
Aqaba, Jordan, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
29.500700, 34.988400
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
23m
Difficulty
Intermediate

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

Nearest Dive Centres to Tristar

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

Recommended Packing List for Tristar

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