A Brief Guide to the Popular dive sites of seastar watersports

The sea is almost invariably calm with temperatures varying between 19/20 C in winter months to 26 C in summer. All diving is shore based as Aqaba offers fringing reef, which commences at the shoreline. There are no offshore reefs to warrant boat diving. The soft and hard coral formations are spectacular and there are man species unique to this area.  

EEL CANYON – A spectacular canyon dropping between 2 reefs with an eel garden at the bottom. Large table corals lead back up to shallower reef where time can be spent observing he magnificent variety of life to be found in this region. Large clams are numerous here.

PUFFER ROCK – starting at 12m the reef drops to 25m. Huge clouds of banner fish cavort around divers and many varieties of morays. In the shallows one frequently finds baby Puffer fish, hence the name.

SHIPS PLACE – A gully extends from 5 m to unfathomable depths. Upwelling of cooler water results in many large pelagic fish being seen here. There is a resident family of large Napoleon fish. A good deeper dive for more experienced divers.

SAUDI BORDER DROP –OFF- A few hundred meters from the Saudi Arabian border with Jordan, this dive site offers something for all levels of experience. Lots of shadow reef near to the shore, with a wall string at 12m and dropping off to 40m plus where there is a resident turtle and Napoleon fish, cabbage corals and much more . On the shadow coral outcroppings, many Arabian Angels are found.  

SHOTGUN REEF – This is the furthest south we can go hence the name! Good Underwater navigation is a must here. Lots of Parrotfish in 9 -10 m and a shallow wall dropping to 20m hiding numerous large eels. A site that is still being explored and opened up.

POWER STATION – A gentle slope of solid corals to 15m where there is the start of a magnificent wall dropping to the deep. With good buoyancy control, swimming along the edge is a rewarding experience where large soft coral fans and large pelagic fish abound  

FIRSTBAY - Next to the Marine Reserve . A coral garden of pinnacles and tables with a wide variety of fish. A fascinating dive with lots to see at less than 18m.

OSAMA’S REEF – Normally done as a drift dive thru’ and over many fascinating gullies, revealing different habitats and a wide variety of soft coral life, exiting 1 km south. Max depth 15m.

THE WRECK OF THE CEDAR PRIDE - A Lebanese freighter scuttled in 1983 which now hosts a wide variety of hard and soft corals. She is intact and lies across two reefs on her port side. Divers can swim under her at 27m. she can take several dives to fully appreciate and is an excellent night dive. It is also the site for beautiful sea horses.

GORGONE ONE – Named after the huge Gorgonia fan coral at 16m. After a zigzag entrance thru’ fringing reef you are confront with a huge Cabbage coral, the size of a house. There are 3 pinnacles each supporintg a huge variety of life, including a Arabian Angel and Yellow Mouth Moray.  Max depth 17m, a good easy, shallow dive.

7 SISTERS – Here 7 pinnacles of coral vie for your attention over a solid coral reef. Luckily the depth is only 8-9m so you can enjoy the wonders each has to offer.

OLIVERS’S CANYON – Home of Frog fish, Crocodile fish and giant Scorpion fishes. The reef start at 12m and drops to 30m plus large squid are founding feeding in shoals around the shallow corals and octopus abound of the fringing reef. Young turtles are often seen finding their ground around the reef.     

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