Aqaba Other Notable Dive Sites

About Aqaba – Other Notable Sites

Aqaba's Other Notable Sites represent a curated collection of dive locations that complement the main North and South Coast zones with unique characteristics and specialised diving experiences. Gorgone One and Two are twin reef patches in the central Marine Park renowned for their giant gorgonian sea fans schools of snapper and moray eels providing excellent wide angle photography opportunities. The Tank is a historic small water tank artificial reef near the South Coast now often considered part of the museum area holding large groupers that have claimed the structure as their territory. Aquarium Reef is a shallow patch reef heavily used for training and night diving with dense anthias populations creating colourful ambient light compositions. Coral Garden South extends the shallow reef system with exceptional underwater photography opportunities in calm protected conditions. Yamanieh Reef is the southernmost reef in Jordanian waters near the Saudi border featuring pristine coral communities green turtles and occasional dugong sightings making it one of the most ecologically significant and least visited sites in the country. These sites collectively offer the experienced diver a broader perspective on Jordan's underwater diversity beyond the headline attractions.

Highlights

• ✓Gorgone I & II twin reef patches with giant gorgonian sea fans and schooling snapper
• ✓Yamanieh Reef – southernmost Jordanian reef near Saudi border with pristine coral and dugong sightings
• ✓Aquarium Reef shallow training site with dense anthias populations ideal for night diving
• ✓The Tank historic artificial reef with resident large groupers and marine colonisation
• ✓Coral Garden South extension offering calm protected photography diving
• ✓Combination diving opportunities mixing natural and artificial reef environments

Getting There

These sites are accessed by boat from Aqaba's South Beach dive centres or from Tala Bay marina. The central Marine Park sites (Gorgone I & II Aquarium Reef The Tank) are typically combined with South Coast dives on the same boat trip. Yamanieh Reef requires a longer boat journey south toward the Saudi border and is often offered as a dedicated trip by operators. Coral Garden South is accessible from shore near the Marine Science Station. King Hussein International Airport provides the main air gateway with connections throughout the region.