Aqaba Governorate, southern Jordan · Jordan
Jordan's only seaport and its only beach resort, with a Red Sea reef a few metres from the shore and desert mountains behind.
Photo: Gerda Arendt · CC BY-SA 4.0
Aqaba sits at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba, a narrow arm of the Red Sea, at the meeting point of Jordan, Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. There has been a port here for thousands of years, and the city is Jordan's only outlet to the sea. Its ancient predecessor Ayla was one of the earliest Islamic towns, and in 1917 Lawrence and the Arab forces captured Aqaba from the Ottomans in a famous overland assault.
Today it is a small, relaxed and rapidly changing city. It has a special economic zone with hotels, marinas and a waterfront development, and the old town has a lively market and a Mamluk-period fort. The sea is the main attraction: the Gulf of Aqaba has some of the northernmost coral reefs in the world, and they are in surprisingly good health.
Aqaba is also a very practical base. It is an hour from Wadi Rum, two from Petra, and it has an airport with low-cost connections. For many visitors it is the last stop on the trip: a chance to swim, snorkel and rest after the desert and the walking.
Why visit
Aqaba is where the Jordan trip turns into a beach holiday, if you want it to.
Coral gardens, sea turtles and reef fish can be reached from the shore or by a short boat ride, and diving is excellent and inexpensive.
While the rest of the country is cold, Aqaba is often 20–25°C in January, which makes it a good winter beach destination.
The Cedar Pride, a cargo ship deliberately sunk in 1985 as an artificial reef, is one of the best-known wreck dives in the Red Sea.
Aqaba has none of Amman's bustle. It has a promenade, a market and a fort, and it is easy to walk.
Wadi Rum and Petra are both within two hours, and there are ferry and land connections to Egypt and Israel.
Main attractions
Most of what Aqaba offers is on or under the water, with a few land sights to fill a rest day.
The reef along the southern coast has walls, coral gardens and a huge variety of fish, with excellent visibility. Sites such as the Japanese Garden and the Seven Sisters are popular with divers.
Tip Sea temperatures are comfortable all year, from about 21°C in winter to 28°C in summer.
A 74 m cargo ship sunk deliberately in 1985 after a fire, lying on its side in about 25 m of water. Now covered in coral, it is one of the best-known dives in the region.
Tip Suitable for certified divers, and usually done as part of a two-dive trip.
A small fort of Mamluk origin, later rebuilt by the Ottomans, with an inscription above the gate. It stands on the waterfront and contains a small museum.
Tip It is close to the market, so combine the two.
One of the tallest free-standing flagpoles in the world, at about 130 m, flying the flag of the Arab Revolt. It is a dramatic landmark visible from across the Gulf.
Tip It is best seen at dusk, when it is lit up.
The excavated remains of one of the first Islamic settlements, a walled town from the 7th century AD, with streets, a mosque and houses. It is close to the Ayla marina.
Tip Visit in the late afternoon, and combine it with the Aqaba Archaeological Museum.
The public and private beaches along the southern coast, with the marine park reserve and the best snorkelling. A number of resorts run beaches for day guests.
Tip Public beaches can be conservative, so check dress codes, and bring water shoes.
A lively market in the old centre, with spices, coffee, sweets and everyday goods. It is a good place for a walk in the evening.
Tip Try the roasted nuts and fresh juice.
Things to do
Aqaba is best for activities on the water, and the rest of your time can be spent relaxing.
Dive centres offer courses, boat dives and shore dives at prices that are among the lowest in the Red Sea. Snorkelling from the shore or a boat is also excellent.
Tip Book through a PADI or SSI centre with good reviews and check that the equipment is in good condition.
Short boat trips run along the coast and out to the reef, with time to swim and snorkel.
Tip Go in the morning, when the sea is calmer.
Several resorts have private beaches open to day visitors, with sunbeds, showers and restaurants.
Tip Check the fee and what is included.
The seafront promenade is a good place to see the sun set behind the mountains of Sinai.
Tip The view across the gulf includes the lights of Eilat, Taba and Saudi Arabia.
Wadi Rum is about an hour away, and many visitors combine it with a night at Aqaba. Half-day and day trips are easy to book.
Tip A night in the desert is better than a day trip.
Boat trips run to nearby reefs and islands, some with snorkelling and lunch on board.
Tip Check what is included, and take sun protection.
Local food
Aqaba is a seafood town, and it is one of the few places in Jordan where fish is a staple. The rest of the menu is the standard Jordanian mix.
A dish of fish cooked with rice, onions and spices, a regional speciality of the Levantine coast and popular in Aqaba.
Where to try it Seafood restaurants along the corniche and in the old town.
Whole fish, such as sea bream or red snapper, grilled and served with lemon, salad and bread. You often choose the fish yourself.
Where to try it Fish restaurants on the seafront and in the old town.
Prawns, calamari and mixed seafood platters, spiced in a Jordanian way, are common at restaurants along the coast.
Where to try it Waterfront restaurants.
Cheap and good, as everywhere in Jordan.
Where to try it Stalls and cafés in the town centre.
Pomegranate, orange and lemon-mint juices are very good in the heat.
Where to try it Juice bars in the souk and along the promenade.
Hot cheese pastry and other sweets are sold in shops in the centre.
Where to try it Sweet shops around the souk.
Accommodation
Choose between the resorts along the beach, the town centre and the new marina development. All are close to each other.
Transport
Aqaba has its own airport and is connected by road to Amman, Petra and Wadi Rum.
Aqaba is small enough for taxis and short walks.
When to go
Aqaba is hot for much of the year. It is at its best from October to April, when the days are warm and the sea is comfortable, and summer is extremely hot but good for diving.
Warm days of 25–33°C, warm sea and clear water. An excellent time for diving and beach days.
Very hot, often over 40°C, and humid. The sea is warm and diving is fine, but the land is punishing.
Hot in September and pleasant from October. The sea is at its warmest.
Mild and sunny, with days of about 20–24°C. Sea temperatures are cooler, so a wetsuit is useful, and it is a good escape from cold weather elsewhere.
Worth planning around: Midday in summer. Many visitors avoid July and August altogether.
Itinerary
A dive or snorkel on the first day, the fort and old town in the evening, and a trip to Wadi Rum or a beach day on the second.
Diving, snorkelling and a seafood dinner.
A slower day.
Travel tips
Aqaba is easy, and a few tips make the water better.
FAQ
Yes, for diving, snorkelling and a rest at the end of a trip. It is a small, relaxed city with a good reef and warm winter weather. It is not a major sightseeing destination on its own.
Two days is enough for a dive, the old town and a rest. Add one more if you want to visit Wadi Rum or take a diving course.
Very good. The reef is in good condition, visibility is excellent, and prices are lower than in many Red Sea resorts. The Cedar Pride wreck is a highlight.
Yes, by land to Eilat or by ferry to Nuweiba. Crossings change with conditions and may close, so check opening hours, visa rules and government advice before you go.
October to April for comfortable weather, and March to May and October for the best balance of warmth and comfort. Summer is very hot.
Yes. The sea is about 21–23°C, cool but swimmable, and a wetsuit is useful for diving. Air temperatures are pleasant.
Keep exploring
Places that pair well with Aqaba, whether you have a few spare days or are building a longer route.
Aqaba Governorate, southern Jordan, Jordan
A protected desert of sandstone and granite that looks like another planet, explored by jeep, camel or on foot, and slept in under the stars.
Don't miss A night in a Bedouin camp, with a zarb dinner from the sand oven and a sky with almost no light pollution.
Explore Destination — Wadi RumMa'an Governorate, southern Jordan, Jordan
The Nabataean capital that the desert hid from the West for centuries, with tombs, temples, a theatre and a colonnaded street cut from the sandstone of a hidden valley.
Don't miss The Monastery — an 800-step climb to a rock-cut facade almost as large as the Treasury, with a fraction of the crowd.
Explore Destination — PetraTafilah Governorate, southern Jordan, Jordan
A protected reserve of mountains, canyons and desert with an Ottoman-era village, a range of wildlife and Jordan's best walking.
Don't miss The Dana–Feynan trail, a one-way descent of about 16 km through changing landscapes to an eco-lodge lit only by candles and solar power.
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