Location: Aqaba
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Map of Aqaba Marine Park
The Aqaba Marine Reserve (AMR), formerly known as the Aqaba Marine Park, is a premier coastal and marine conservation area located along the southern shores of the Gulf of Aqaba in Jordan’s Aqaba Governorate. Established in 1997 and reclassified as a marine reserve in 2020, it spans approximately 2.8 square kilometers, encompassing 7 kilometers of Jordan’s 27-kilometer Red Sea coastline. Renowned for its vibrant coral reefs, exceptional biodiversity, and commitment to sustainable tourism, the AMR is a global ecotourism destination and a critical component of Jordan’s environmental conservation efforts. Managed by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), it balances ecological protection with recreational activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, and glass-bottom boat tours.
The Aqaba Marine Park was established in 1997 to protect the fragile
marine ecosystems of the Gulf of Aqaba, a semi-enclosed basin known for
its pristine waters and biodiversity. The Gulf, part of the Red Sea, is
Jordan’s only maritime outlet, making its 27-kilometer coastline
ecologically and economically vital. The park’s creation responded to
growing threats from coastal development, tourism, and fishing, aiming
to preserve coral reefs and marine life while promoting sustainable use.
In 2000, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) was declared, and ASEZA
assumed management authority, issuing By-Law No. 22 in 2001 to govern
the park’s operations.
In 2020, the park was reclassified as the
Aqaba Marine Reserve (AMR) and integrated into the Jordan National
Protected Areas (JNPA) network as its first marine site, reflecting a
shift toward stricter conservation. This decision, announced on December
8, 2020, was driven by the need to address climate change impacts,
land-based pollution, unsustainable fishing, and coastal infrastructure
pressures, despite the reefs’ resilience. King Abdullah II has
championed the AMR’s development, chairing the inaugural meeting of its
international advisory board in May 2021 to transform it into a global
center for marine biology research and ecotourism. Posts on X from 2020
and 2025 highlight royal support, including efforts to nominate the AMR
for UNESCO World Heritage status and establish a Global Ocean Support
Center in Aqaba.
The AMR’s evolution reflects Jordan’s commitment
to balancing economic growth in Aqaba—a duty-free, low-tax hub—with
environmental stewardship, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals
and global conservation frameworks like the WWF’s “Global 200
Eco-Region” designation for the Red Sea.
The AMR lies within Jordan’s Sudanian Penetration Zone, characterized
by warm winters (14–20°C), very hot summers (up to 50°C), low rainfall
(30–100 mm/year), and dry humidity (30–55%). The terrestrial area
features narrow beaches, rocky shorelines, and soils of alluvial,
saline, sandy, and granite composition. The marine environment, dropping
steeply to 900–1,800 meters depth, supports a thin band of coral reefs
(less than 300 meters wide) along rocky shores, with diverse habitats
including reef flats, reef faces, fore reefs, fossilized reefs, sandy
bottoms, and seagrass meadows.
Key Ecological Features:
Coral
Reefs: The AMR hosts approximately 1 square kilometer of reefs,
comprising 300 species of hard and soft corals (127–130 species per some
sources), representing a significant portion of the Red Sea’s 1,280
coral species. These reefs, dating back thousands of years, are vital
habitats and resilient to climate change, though threatened by pollution
and tourism.
Fish Diversity: Over 512 fish species inhabit the AMR’s
7-kilometer coastline, compared to 1,280 in the entire Red Sea. Common
species include clownfish, parrotfish, lionfish, surgeonfish, and
anthias, with rare sightings of sailfish, whale sharks, and short-fin
mako sharks. Migratory species appear in summer, enhancing biodiversity.
Seagrass Beds: Three seagrass species are recorded: Halophila stipulacea
(35–55% coverage in 0–10 m depths, 20–40% in 11–30 m), Halodule
uninervis, and Halophila ovalis (shallower waters near Tala Bay). These
beds nurture fish and stabilize sediments.
Marine Mammals and
Reptiles: Hawksbill sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins, and occasional
whale sharks inhabit the Gulf, though predatory shark populations (e.g.,
tiger, thresher, reef sharks) have declined due to overfishing and
pollution. Conservation efforts aim to protect these species.
Waterbirds: Over 390 bird species, including migratory gulls, terns,
skuas, flamingos, white pelicans, and pink-backed pelicans, frequent the
AMR, adding to its ecological richness.
Artificial Reefs: The AMR
features deliberate shipwrecks to enhance marine habitats:
Cedar
Pride (1985): A freighter sunk at 25 meters depth after a fire, now
covered in corals and home to vibrant fish. Divers can explore its
interior with wreck training.
C-130 Hercules (2017): A military
aircraft with a 40-meter wingspan, sunk near the Tank, accessible for
divers to swim through its stripped cabin and cockpit (featuring a
skeleton model).
The Tank (M42 Duster): A Jordanian Army
anti-aircraft vehicle sunk as an artificial reef, visible at shallow
depths near Seven Sisters.
Al Shorouk and Taiyong: Deeper shipwrecks
(30–60 meters) for technical divers, hosting starfish, crabs, and
shrimps.
The AMR’s biodiversity, concentrated in a compact
2.8-square-kilometer area, makes it a “hidden gem” for marine
exploration, though threats like fishing nets and pollution, as noted in
Tripadvisor reviews, require ongoing management.
Rainbow Reef
Japanese Garden
Seven Sisters
Aqaba International Dive Center
The AMR is equipped with modern facilities to support ecotourism and
conservation, managed by ASEZA across 19 dive sites along its
7-kilometer coastline. The reserve is divided into five zones to
minimize conflicts between activities like diving, fishing, and boating,
ensuring sustainable use.
Key Facilities:
Dive Centers: Over a
dozen professional centers (e.g., Nemo Dive Center, Aqaba Adventure
Divers, Sinai Divers) offer scuba diving, snorkeling, and training for
all levels, with equipment rentals and guided tours.
Public Beach:
Free beach access at South Beach, 6 miles south of Aqaba, with parking
near Bedouin Garden Village. Amenities include restrooms, shaded areas,
and camping facilities.
Glass-Bottom Boats: Operators like Coral
Vision Glass Boat provide tours for non-divers, offering views of reefs,
wrecks, and marine life through transparent hulls.
Submarine Tours:
Neptune Submarine Boat offers underwater excursions in a viewing cabin,
ideal for families or non-swimmers.
Visitor Center: Located near
South Beach, it provides information, conservation education, and tour
bookings, though specific details are scarce in sources.
Camping
Areas: Basic camping facilities allow overnight stays, enhancing the
park’s appeal for budget travelers.
Activities:
Scuba Diving:
19 dive sites, including Japanese Garden, Seven Sisters, and Shipwreck
Bay, cater to beginners and advanced divers. Highlights include the
Cedar Pride wreck, C-130 Hercules, and vibrant reefs with clownfish,
moray eels, and turtles. Visibility reaches 30 meters, with water
temperatures of 20–28°C year-round.
Snorkeling: South Beach, Japanese
Garden, and Seven Sisters are top spots, with shallow reefs (0.5–10 m)
hosting lionfish, sea goldies, and soft corals. The reef drop-off at
South Beach (20+ ft) is particularly spectacular.
Glass-Bottom Boat
Tours: Ideal for viewing wrecks like the C-130 or reefs without entering
the water, these tours last 1–2 hours.
Submarine Excursions: A
30–60-minute journey showcasing marine life, popular with families.
Beach Relaxation: The public beach offers sunbathing, swimming, and
picnicking, with a “beautiful atmosphere” per Tripadvisor reviews.
Conservation Education: Guided tours and visitor center exhibits educate
on reef preservation, though some visitors note limited signage.
The
AMR’s facilities are well-regarded, but Tripadvisor reviews criticize
inconsistent enforcement of conservation rules, such as fishing near
reefs, which undermines its ecological goals.
The Aqaba Marine Reserve is a cornerstone of Jordan’s environmental
and cultural landscape, with multifaceted significance:
Biodiversity Hotspot: As part of the Red Sea’s WWF “Global 200
Eco-Region,” the AMR’s 300 coral species and 512 fish species represent
a globally unique ecosystem. Its compact 7-kilometer coastline hosts
disproportionate biodiversity, making it a research and conservation
priority.
Conservation Leadership: The 2020 reclassification to a
marine reserve reflects Jordan’s proactive response to climate change
and tourism pressures. King Abdullah II’s vision, supported by an
international advisory board, aims to make the AMR a global model for
marine protection, as noted in ASEZA’s statements and X posts.
Ecotourism Hub: The AMR draws divers, snorkelers, and eco-tourists,
contributing to Aqaba’s economy, a duty-free zone with mega-projects
like Ayla Oasis and Saraya Aqaba. Its 19 dive sites and clear waters
(30-meter visibility) rival Egypt’s Red Sea, offering a less crowded
alternative.
Cultural Context: Aqaba’s history as a trading hub, from
ancient Elath to its modern role post-1965 coastline expansion, frames
the AMR’s significance. The reserve’s proximity to Wadi Rum and Petra
enhances Aqaba’s appeal as a cultural and natural destination, per
TIME’s 2023 “World’s Greatest Places” list.
Scientific Research: The
AMR’s coral resilience and biodiversity attract marine biologists, with
plans to establish a global marine research center, aligning with
Sustainable Development Goals.
Community Engagement: ASEZA’s zoning
and education efforts aim to involve locals in conservation, though
Tripadvisor critiques suggest enforcement gaps, such as ignored fishing
violations.
The AMR’s integration into Jordan’s tourism narrative,
alongside Petra and Wadi Rum, underscores its role in showcasing the
country’s natural heritage, but its conservation challenges highlight
tensions between economic growth and ecological protection.
Location: South Beach, Aqaba Governorate, Jordan, along 7 km of the
Gulf of Aqaba’s eastern shore (25°46’09’’N to 26°15’84’’N, 30°21’62’’E
to 30°37’92’’E). The terrestrial boundary is 50 meters east of the Mean
High-Water Mark, and the marine boundary is 350 meters west.
Access:
By Air: King Hussein International Airport (AQJ), 10 km from Aqaba,
serves regional flights (e.g., Amman, Istanbul). Taxis from the airport
to South Beach (~15–20 minutes, ~5–10 JOD) are common.
By Road: From
Amman, a 4–5-hour drive (330 km) via the Desert Highway or Dead Sea
Highway. Buses (JETT, ~7 JOD) and taxis (~50–70 JOD) connect Amman to
Aqaba. From Aqaba city center, South Beach is 6 miles south via the
Saudi border road; taxis (~3–5 JOD) or local buses are available.
By
Sea: Aqaba’s port offers ferries to Taba and Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt),
with taxis from the port to the AMR (~10–15 minutes).
Opening Hours:
The public beach and dive sites are accessible daily, typically 7:00
AM–6:00 PM, though dive centers may operate earlier/later. Confirm with
ASEZA or dive operators.
Admission: Free beach access; snorkeling and
diving require fees via dive centers (~10–30 JOD for snorkeling, ~30–100
JOD for diving, depending on equipment and guides). Glass-bottom boat
tours (~15–25 JOD) and submarine tours (~30–50 JOD) vary by operator.
Best Time to Visit: Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) for
mild air temperatures (20–30°C/68–86°F) and optimal diving conditions
(water 22–26°C/72–79°F). Summer (June–August) is hot (up to 50°C/122°F),
but water remains comfortable (26–28°C). Winter (December–February) is
cooler (15–20°C/59–68°F) but viable with 5mm wetsuits.
Visit
Duration: 2–4 hours for snorkeling or a single dive; 4–6 hours for
multiple dives or boat tours. A full day includes beach relaxation and
conservation exhibits.
Nearby Attractions: Aqaba Fortress (10 km),
Sharif Hussein Bin Ali Mosque (10 km), Saraya Aqaba Waterpark (12 km),
Wadi Rum (60 km), Petra (125 km). Combine with Aqaba city for markets
and dining.
Accessibility Features: The beach has basic access, but
rocky areas and dive sites are challenging for mobility-impaired
visitors. Dive centers offer assistance for divers with disabilities.
Restrooms and shaded areas are available, but bring water/snacks, as
vendors are limited.
Tips: Book dive/snorkel tours in advance via
operators like Nemo Dive Center. Wear reef-safe sunscreen, swimwear, and
water shoes. Respect conservation rules (no touching corals, no
littering). Negotiate taxi fares upfront. Check for festivals like the
Aqaba Summer Festival via
https://www.visitjordan.com.[](https://www.tourtravelworld.com/jordan/aqaba/aqaba-marine-park.htm)[](https://www.hiddenmediterranean.net/en/poi/aqaba-marine-reserve/)