Location: Aqaba Gulf, 1 km South of the Marine Science Station
The King Abdullah Reef, located within the Aqaba Marine Reserve (AMR) along Jordan’s Gulf of Aqaba coastline in the Red Sea, is one of the most celebrated dive and snorkel sites among the AMR’s 19 designated locations. Named in honor of King Abdullah II, an avid diver and advocate for marine conservation, this fringing coral reef is renowned for its vibrant coral coverage, diverse marine life, and accessibility for divers and snorkelers of all levels. Situated approximately 1 kilometer from South Beach, about 6 miles south of Aqaba city center, the reef spans depths from 0 to over 40 meters, offering a sheltered environment with minimal currents and exceptional visibility (20–30 meters).
The King Abdullah Reef’s prominence as a dive site is intertwined
with the establishment of the Aqaba Marine Park in 1997, which was
reclassified as the Aqaba Marine Reserve in 2020 to enhance conservation
efforts. The AMR, managed by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority
(ASEZA) under By-Law No. 22 (2001), protects 7 kilometers of Jordan’s
27-kilometer Red Sea coastline, safeguarding its fringing reefs and
marine biodiversity from coastal development, tourism, and fishing
pressures. The reef’s naming honors King Abdullah II, whose passion for
diving has shaped Aqaba’s marine tourism, including the scuttling of
wrecks like the Cedar Pride (1985) and the creation of the Underwater
Military Museum (2019), per the Aqaba Diving Association and X posts
from 2020–2025.
While the exact timeline of the reef’s
designation is undocumented, its development as a dive site likely
coincided with the AMR’s formation, capitalizing on the Gulf’s
millennia-old coral ecosystems. The reef’s ecological health, noted for
its high coral density and resilience to climate change, reflects
Jordan’s conservation efforts, per UNESCO’s AMR profile. Community
initiatives, such as a 2025 cleanup campaign at the reef sponsored by
ASEZA’s Dr. Ayman Suleiman, underscore ongoing local commitment to its
preservation, as reported on X. The reef’s inclusion in the AMR’s UNESCO
World Heritage tentative nomination highlights its global significance,
per UNESCO.
King Abdullah Reef is a fringing coral reef, characteristic of
the Gulf of Aqaba’s narrow reef band (less than 300 meters wide)
along rocky shorelines. Its structure includes a reef flat (0–5
meters), a sloping edge (5–12 meters), and a drop-off descending to
over 40 meters, with a sandy bottom thinning out around 23–24
meters, per Coral Garden Diving Center and Wonders Travel. The
reef’s sheltered position minimizes currents, fostering dense coral
coverage and vibrant marine life, with visibility often exceeding 30
meters, per Dive.site.
Key Ecological Features:
Coral
Diversity: The reef hosts approximately 100–130 of the AMR’s 300
coral species, including hard corals (Acropora, Porites, Montipora),
soft corals (Dendronephthya), and gorgonian fan corals, per Arab
Divers. Notable features include a large pinnacle at 12 meters and a
circular reef with a central gorgonian fan at 24 meters, though some
sources note the fan coral’s death, now covered in colorful sponges,
per Dive Aqaba.web:1,9
Fish Species: Over 200 of the AMR’s 512
fish species inhabit the reef, including:
Pennant fish (Heniochus
intermedius), forming large shoals at 24 meters.
Fusiliers
(Caesionidae), abundant in shallows.
Parrotfish (Scaridae),
displaying territorial behaviors.
Lionfish (Pterois volitans),
sergeant majors (Abudefduf saxatilis), and anthias (Pseudanthias
squamipinnis), per Wonders Travel and PADI.
Marine Life: Common
sightings include hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata),
torpedo rays (Torpediniformes), blue-spotted stingrays (Neotrygon
kuhlii), and occasionally whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) or
trevallies (Caranx), per Sinai Divers and Aqaba Moon Divers.
Invertebrates like nudibranchs, coral shrimps, and crustaceans
thrive in crevices, especially during night dives when corals extend
feeding tentacles.
Environmental Conditions: The Gulf’s warm
waters (21–28°C), low tidal range (0.5–1 m), and minimal currents
create ideal conditions for coral growth, per UNESCO. Seagrass beds
(Halophila stipulacea, 35–55% coverage in 0–10 m) near the reef
nurture juvenile fish, per Snorkeling-Report.
Reef Structure:
Entry is through a maze of fringing reefs with fire corals,
descending to a 5-meter slope, a 12-meter pinnacle, and a 24-meter
circular reef, per Coral Garden Diving Center. Depths beyond 23
meters thin out, with a sandy bottom, per Aqaba Moon Divers.
The
reef’s high coral density and biodiversity, noted as “vibrant, rich,
and healthy” by Coral Garden Diving Center, make it a critical
habitat within the AMR’s 2.8-square-kilometer area, though shallow
areas face threats from pollution and tourism, per UNESCO.
King Abdullah Reef is a versatile dive and snorkel site,
accessible by boat or shore, with depths from 0–40 meters catering
to all skill levels. Its sheltered conditions, minimal currents, and
excellent visibility make it ideal for beginners, while deeper
sections attract advanced divers and photographers, per Wonders
Travel and Dive.site.
Snorkeling:
Access: From First Bay
Beach, north of South Beach, or South Beach itself, swim 50–100
meters to the reef flat (0–5 m). Boat tours from dive centers like
Nemo Dive Center facilitate access, per Snorkeling-Report.
Highlights: Snorkelers view soft corals, fire corals, and fish like
pennant fish, fusiliers, and parrotfish at 0–5 meters. The shallow
pinnacle at 5 meters offers vibrant displays, though fire corals
require caution, per Coral Garden Diving Center.
Equipment:
Masks, fins, and snorkels (~5–10 JOD) are rentable at dive centers,
with life vests for novices, per Arab Divers.
Duration: 1–2
hours, with beach breaks; combine with Seven Sisters for a half-day.
Scuba Diving:
Access: Shore entry from South Beach or First
Bay Beach, 1 km from dive centers, or boat dives via Aqaba
International Dive Center (AIDC) or Deep Blue Dive Center, mooring
outside the central reef to protect corals, per PADI. The south
slope is preferred for gentler descents.
Dive Profile:
Depths: 0–5 meters (reef flat), 5–12 meters (pinnacle), 12–24 meters
(circular reef, gorgonian fan), 24–40 meters (sandy bottom, advanced
divers), per Aqaba Adventure Divers.
Route: Start at the fringing
reef’s fire coral maze, descend to a 5-meter slope, explore a
12-meter pinnacle, cross a sandy gulley to a 24-meter circular reef
with pennant fish, and ascend circling parrotfish displays to 10
meters, per Wonders Travel.
Conditions: No currents, 20–30-meter
visibility, and 21–28°C water temperatures ensure comfort, with 3mm
wetsuits sufficient, per Dive Aqaba.
Highlights:
Marine
life: Turtles, torpedo rays, and stingrays at 12–24 meters; shoals
of pennant fish and fusiliers, per Aqaba Moon Divers.
Corals:
Gorgonian fans, sponges, and soft corals at 10–24 meters, ideal for
photography, per Coral Garden Diving Center.
Night dives:
Crustaceans, feeding corals, and bioluminescent plankton.
Duration: 45–60 minutes per dive; multi-dive days (4–6 hours)
combine with Tarmac Five or Cedar Pride, per Arab Divers.
Equipment and Training: Gear (~30–50 JOD per dive) and PADI courses
(~100 JOD for Discover Scuba, ~300 JOD for Advanced Open Water)
available, with guided dives enforcing no-touch policies, per AIDC.
Photography:
Macro lenses capture nudibranchs and shrimps;
wide-angle shots frame pennant fish shoals and gorgonian fans, per
Wonders Travel. The reef’s clarity and coral density yield
“magazine-quality shots,” per Arab Divers.
Tripadvisor and
Snorkeling-Report praise the reef’s “stunning” corals and fish, but
some divers note its distance from shore (several hundred meters),
recommending boat access for convenience, per PADI.
King Abdullah Reef is a vital component of the AMR’s ecological and
cultural landscape, reflecting Aqaba’s marine heritage and conservation
priorities:
Ecological Value: The reef’s 100–130 coral species
and 200+ fish species support the AMR’s biodiversity, nurturing juvenile
fish and endemics like the Indo-Pacific Humphead Wrasse, per UNESCO. Its
climate-resilient corals, evolved under thermal stress, are globally
unique, per UNESCO’s AMR profile.
Conservation Role: ASEZA’s zoning
bans fishing and anchors, protecting the reef, with cleanups like the
2025 King Abdullah Reef campaign reinforcing efforts, per X posts.
Artificial reefs like the Cedar Pride divert pressure, per ASEZA.
Ecotourism Appeal: The reef’s accessibility and vibrant ecosystem draw
divers, boosting Aqaba’s economy alongside Ayla Oasis, per TIME’s 2023
list. Its beginner-friendly conditions and photography potential rival
Egypt’s Red Sea, per Lonely Planet.
Royal Legacy: Named for King
Abdullah II, the reef symbolizes royal diving advocacy, with the king’s
cleanups and wreck scuttlings enhancing Aqaba’s dive profile, per Arab
Divers and X posts.
Cultural Context: Aqaba’s maritime history, from
ancient Ayla to modern ports, frames the reef’s significance, with
Bedouin communities near South Beach adding cultural depth, per Nawafir
Tours.
Scientific Potential: The reef’s coral resilience supports
research, aligning with the AMR’s goal to become a global marine hub,
per 2021 X posts.
Educational Impact: Dive centers educate on reef
preservation, though limited signage, per Snorkeling-Report, hinders
awareness.
The reef’s significance is challenged by pollution from
Aqaba’s port and developments like Marsa Zayed, per UNESCO, and fishing
violations, per Tripadvisor, reflecting enforcement gaps.
Location: Aqaba Marine Reserve, 1 km from South Beach, 6 miles south
of Aqaba city center (29.44052°N, 34.96940°E, per PADI). Access via
South Beach Highway, near dive centers.
Access:
By Air: King
Hussein International Airport (AQJ), 10 km from Aqaba, with taxis to
South Beach (~15–20 min, ~5–10 JOD). Flights from Amman (Royal
Jordanian, ~50 min).
By Road: From Amman, a 4–5-hour drive (330 km)
via the Desert Highway. JETT buses (~7 JOD) or taxis (~50–70 JOD) to
Aqaba; taxis to South Beach (~3–5 JOD) or local buses. Free parking at
South Beach, per Snorkeling-Report.
By Sea: Ferries from Taba/Sharm
El Sheikh (Egypt) to Aqaba port; taxis to South Beach (~10–15 min).
Opening Hours: South Beach is open daily, ~7:00 AM–6:00 PM; dive centers
extend hours for night dives. Confirm via ASEZA or AIDC.
Admission and Costs:
Free beach access; snorkeling (~10–20 JOD for
gear/guide), diving (~30–50 JOD per dive, gear/guide), boat dives
(~40–60 JOD).
Book via Coral Garden, Deep Blue Dive Center, or
Viator, per Tripadvisor.
Best Time to Visit: Spring (March–May) and
fall (September–November) for air temperatures of 20–30°C (68–86°F) and
water at 22–26°C (72–79°F). Summer (June–August) is hot (up to
50°C/122°F), but water is comfortable (26–28°C). Winter
(December–February) requires 5mm wetsuits (15–20°C/59–68°F air), per
Lonely Planet.
Visit Duration: 1–2 hours for snorkeling; 2–3 hours
for a dive (briefing, transport, dive). Multi-dive days (4–6 hours)
combine with Tarmac Five or Cedar Pride.
Nearby Attractions: Tarmac
Five, Cedar Pride, Seven Sisters (within AMR); Aqaba Fortress (10 km);
Sharif Hussein Bin Ali Mosque (10 km); Wadi Rum (60 km); Petra (125 km).
Bedouin Garden Village near South Beach offers dining/camping, per
Nawafir Tours.
Accessibility Features: South Beach’s sandy shore is
accessible, but rocky entries challenge mobility-impaired divers. Dive
centers support disabled divers, per PADI. Restrooms, shaded areas, and
parking are available; bring water/snacks, as vendors are sparse, per
Snorkeling-Report.
Tips:
Book dives/snorkeling via
https://aqabadivingcenter.com or https://dive-inaqaba.com to secure
spots.
Use reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes, and rash guards to
protect reefs and skin.
Boat access is preferred due to the reef’s
distance offshore, per PADI.
Early morning dives (7:00–8:00 AM) avoid
crowds, per Wonders Travel.
Negotiate taxi fares upfront; check for
Aqaba festivals via https://www.visitjordan.com.