With its balmy winter climate and idyllic setting, Aqaba is Jordan’s year-round aquatic playground. In winter, while Amman shivers around 5 °C (41 °F), the temperature hovers steadily at about 25 °C (77 °F) in Aqaba. The thriving underwater marine life and the crystal clear waters of the Gulf of Aqaba make diving conditions there among the acknowledged best in the world. Snorkeling, water skiing, windsurfing, fishing, and other water sports are also popular.

For the history enthusiast, Aqaba contains sites reflecting human habitation back to 4000 BCE, resulting from the city’s strategic location at the junction of trading routes between Asia, Africa, and Europe. According to the Bible, “King Solomon also built ships in Ezion-Geber, which is near Elath in Edom, on the shores of the Red Sea”. This verse from the Old Testament (1 Kings 9: 26) probably refers to an Iron Age port city on the same ground as modern Aqaba. The name Elath refers to the Israeli town of Eilat. The Queen of Sheba (ancient Yemen) traveled from Jerusalem to the port city of Ezion Geber to visit the splendorous court of King Solomon in the tenth century BCE (1 Kings 10: 1-13).

Marine Life and Coral Reefs
In one of the most exciting discoveries in recent times, archeologists working in Aqaba have unearthed what they believe to be the world’s oldest church. Dating from the late third century CE, the 26 x 16 meters structure is thought to be the oldest building built specifically as a church. It is slightly older than the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, both of which date from the fourth century. The church is found on a plot of land east of Istiqlal Street, near the parking lot of the JETT bus station.

Trading routes developed connecting Aqaba with southern Arabia and Yemen, and the town grew into a thriving city. The Nabateans populated the region extensively, drawn by the strategic trading location of Aqaba. In Roman times, the great Via Nova Triana came down from Damascus through Amman to Aqaba, where it connected with a west road leading to Palestine and Egypt. 

The early days of the Islamic era saw the construction of the city of Ayla, which was described by the geographer Shams Eddin Muqaddasi as situated next to the true settlement, which was lying in ruins closeby. The ruins of Ayla, unearthed in the mid-1980s by an American-Jordanian archeological team, are a few minutes walk north along the main waterfront road. 

The Crusaders occupied the area in the 12th century and built their fortress of Helium, which remains relatively well-preserved today. The Aqaba fort was rebuilt in the 14th century under one of the last Mamluk sultans, Qansah al-Ghouri, and has been substantially altered several times since then. The Hashemite Coat of Arms was placed above the main doorway during the Great Arab Revolt of World War I, after the Turks were driven out of the city. The fort is open daily and entrance is free. 

In addition to building a stronghold within Aqaba, the Crusaders fortified the small island of Ile de Graye, now known as Pharoah’s Island, about seven kilometers offshore. The island, which is now in Egyptian territorial waters, can be reached via tour excursions which leave from the Aquamarina Hotel. 

By 1170, both Aqaba and the island had been conquered by Salah Eddin. The Mamluks took over in 1250, but by the beginning of the sixth century, they had been overtaken by the Ottoman Empire. The city then declined in status, and for 400 years or so it remained a simple fishing village of little significance. During World War I, however, Ottoman forces were forced to withdraw from the town after a raid by Lawrence of Arabia and the Arab forces of Sharif Hussein. The capture of Aqaba helped open supply lines from Egypt up to Arab and British forces afield further north in Transjordan and Palestine. 

In 1965, King Hussein traded 6000 square kilometers of the Jordanian desert to Saudi Arabia for another 12 kilometers of prime coastline to the south of Aqaba. This gave Jordan’s only port room to expand and added the magnificent Yamanieh coral reef to the Kingdom’s list of treasures.

The Gulf of Aqaba is renowned worldwide as a tourist’s paradise overflowing with wildlife and adventure. It hosts about 110 species of soft corals, 120 species of hard corals and over 1000 species of fish. Sting and manta rays, clown, angel, butterfly and lionfish, and occasionally turtles, eels, sea cows, and dolphins are spotted amid the resort’s exquisite coral reefs. The absence of stormy weather, along with the mild water currents contribute to clear waters, one of Aqaba’s exceptional environmental conditions. Warm, clear waters provide a hospitable environment for the growth of corals, and favorable salinity levels provide an environment for myriad varieties of marine-life forms.

Contrary to what many people think, corals are not plants but very delicate animals. Due to their slow rate of growth (about 1 cm/year), the corals that are seen today in the Gulf are centuries old. Besides being the main tourist attraction, the coral reef plays an important role in supporting the survival of various life forms. Thousands of marine creatures coexist in a complex ecosystem ranging from almost invisible species to huge fish and mammals.

The warm waters of Aqaba provide a perfect habitat for an array of unique and dazzlingly colored fish. Due to Aqaba’s transparent waters, this rainbow of colors can be experienced without even having to enter the water! The shores of the Gulf are also frequented with friendly sea turtles that spend their time swimming amongst the swirling schools of fish.

Corals, coral fish, reptiles and mammals are only a few to be named of the countless marine creatures living in the waters of Aqaba. Nocturnal animals such as the crab, shrimp, and lobster come alive in search of food in the dark hours of the night. 

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
The Gulf of Aqaba is a world-known diving area and a natural haven for scuba diving, snorkeling, and scientific exploration. It offers eager divers a great chance to experience virgin coral reefs, rare marine life forms, and encounters with friendly sea animals like turtles and dolphins. The Gulf’s average water temperature of 23 degrees Celsius allows water-activity oriented tourists to enjoy the sea year-round.

The Red Sea’s unique marine ecosystem includes about 110 species of soft corals, 120 species of hard corals and countless varieties of brightly colored fish and other invertebrates, some of which are unique to the region, creating a colorful kaleidoscope. This, combined with the Gulf’s depth and its isolation of sea currents, which minimize turbulence and improve visibility, make it one of the most rewarding scuba diving and snorkeling spots in the world.

Aqaba’s climate makes it a refreshing location for year-round diving. The water temperature averages 22.5°C (72.5°F) in winter and 26°C (78.8°F) in summer. The prevailing northern winds from Wadi Araba keep the water surface shimmering clean, and the flows within the gulf ensure transparent waters.

Aqaba’s Royal Diving Center and several other qualified dive operate offer complete diving services including PADI and BSAC courses, equipment rental and fully supervised dives. For those who prefer to see marine life at arm’s length, glass-bottomed boats can be easily rented.