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Location: Aqaba Gulf, border between Japanese Garden and Rainbow Reef
Tel. +962 7 9580 1100
The Cedar Pride, a Lebanese freighter deliberately scuttled in 1985, is one of the most iconic dive sites and artificial reefs within the Aqaba Marine Reserve (AMR) in Aqaba, Jordan, located along the Gulf of Aqaba’s Red Sea coastline. Resting at depths of 7–28 meters approximately 130 meters offshore near South Beach, the wreck is celebrated for its accessibility, vibrant marine life, and historical significance as Jordan’s first major artificial reef, sunk at the request of King Abdullah II, then Prince Abdullah. Positioned near other dive sites like Tarmac Five and Seven Sisters, the Cedar Pride is a haven for divers and underwater photographers, hosting corals, lionfish, turtles, and occasional whale sharks. Managed by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), it plays a pivotal role in diverting diver pressure from natural reefs, supporting the AMR’s conservation and ecotourism goals.
The Cedar Pride was a 74-meter-long, 2,500-ton Lebanese cargo ship
built in 1964 in Gijón, Spain, originally named Star of Hope before
being renamed in 1978. Operated by a Lebanese company, it served
Mediterranean and Red Sea routes, carrying goods like cement and general
cargo. On August 1, 1982, a devastating fire broke out in the engine
room while the ship was docked in Aqaba’s port, killing two crew members
and rendering the vessel unsalvageable. Abandoned at the port, the ship
became a liability until 1985, when Prince Abdullah (now King Abdullah
II), a passionate diver, proposed scuttling it to create Jordan’s first
major artificial reef, per Dive Magazine and the Aqaba Diving
Association.
The scuttling, executed on November 16, 1985,
involved cleaning the ship of hazardous materials—fuels, oils, and
chemicals—to ensure environmental safety, a process overseen by the
Jordanian Royal Navy and port authorities, per Arab Divers. The Cedar
Pride was towed 130 meters offshore and sunk in 25–28 meters of water,
landing upright on two coral knolls, with its bow at 10 meters and stern
at 28 meters. This positioning, near South Beach within the AMR’s
7-kilometer protected coastline, was strategic to maximize accessibility
for divers while minimizing damage to natural reefs.
The
initiative predated the AMR’s formal establishment in 1997 but set a
precedent for artificial reefs like the M42 Duster (1999), C-130
Hercules (2017), and Tarmac Five (1996). The Cedar Pride’s success
inspired the 2019 Underwater Military Museum, adding 19 military
vehicles, per Wonders Travel. King Abdullah II’s vision, supported by
ASEZA’s management since 2001 under By-Law No. 22, has positioned the
wreck as a cornerstone of Aqaba’s dive tourism, with X posts from
2020–2025 highlighting its role in the AMR’s UNESCO World Heritage bid,
per UNESCO’s AMR profile.
The Cedar Pride, resting on a sandy seabed at 7–28 meters, has
transformed into a thriving artificial reef over 40 years, fostering
extensive coral growth and marine life colonization. Its location within
the AMR, part of the Red Sea’s WWF “Global 200 Eco-Region,” benefits
from warm waters (21–28°C), high visibility (20–30 meters), and minimal
currents, creating ideal conditions for an underwater ecosystem, per
Snorkeling-Report.
Key Ecological Features:
Coral Growth: The
wreck is heavily encrusted with hard corals (Acropora, Porites,
Montipora) and soft corals (Dendronephthya), covering the hull, deck,
and superstructure. Sponges, sea fans, and gorgonians add diversity,
with the crow’s nest and bridge particularly vibrant, per Dive Magazine.
The ship’s steel frame supports coral settlement, resembling a natural
reef, per Arab Divers.
Marine Life: The wreck hosts a rich array of
species, including:
Reef fish: Lionfish (Pterois volitans), moray
eels (Gymnothorax), scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), anthias (Pseudanthias
squamipinnis), damselfish (Pomacentridae), sergeant majors (Abudefduf
saxatilis), and napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), per Wonders
Travel.
Pelagics: Green turtles (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill turtles
(Eretmochelys imbricata), and occasional whale sharks (Rhincodon typus),
spotted in deeper waters, per Aqaba Diving Association.
Invertebrates: Nudibranchs, cleaner shrimp (Stenopus hispidus), sea
urchins, and octopuses (Octopus vulgaris), thriving in crevices and
holds, per Evendo.
Habitat Function: The wreck’s holds, bridge, and
deck provide shelter for juvenile fish and invertebrates, supporting the
AMR’s 512 fish species and 300 coral species, per UNESCO. Its role as a
nursery enhances reef health, per Snorkeling-Report.
Environmental
Conditions: The Gulf’s stable conditions—low tidal range (0.5–1 m), warm
temperatures, and clear waters—promote coral and fish populations. The
wreck’s sandy bottom placement avoids damaging natural reefs, though it
rests on two coral knolls, potentially causing minor initial impact, per
Arab Divers.
Nearby Ecosystem: Proximity to Tarmac Five (20 meters
away) and natural reefs like Rainbow Reef creates a biodiverse corridor,
with seagrass beds (Halophila stipulacea) nurturing juveniles, per
UNESCO.
The Cedar Pride’s ecological significance lies in diverting
diver pressure from natural reefs like Seven Sisters, reducing coral
damage, as emphasized by ASEZA’s Abdullah Abu-Awali. Its success as an
artificial reef has inspired global models, though pollution from
Aqaba’s port and coastal developments, noted in UNESCO’s AMR report,
threatens its ecosystem, with Tripadvisor reviews citing occasional
litter and fishing nets.
The Cedar Pride is a world-class dive site, accessible by boat or
shore, with depths of 7–28 meters suiting open-water and advanced
divers. Its upright position, intact structure, and vibrant marine life
make it ideal for exploration, wreck penetration, and photography, as
described by PADI and the Aqaba Diving Association.
Diving
Details:
Access:
Boat Dive: Most divers reach the wreck via dive
boats from centers like Aqaba International Dive Center (AIDC) or Deep
Blue Dive Center, mooring near the stern (130 m offshore). A buoy line
aids descent, per Arab Divers.
Shore Dive: Possible from South Beach,
requiring a 130-meter swim over seagrass and small corals. Fire corals
near shore demand caution, per Wonders Travel.
Dive Profile:
Depths: Bow at 7–10 meters (deck, crow’s nest), midship at 15–20 meters
(bridge, holds), stern at 25–28 meters (propeller, seabed).
Structure: The 74-meter ship is upright, leaning slightly to port, with
accessible areas including the deck, bridge, engine room, holds, and
crow’s nest. The hull’s coral growth and open holds allow safe
penetration for trained divers, per Dive Magazine.
Conditions: No
significant currents, 20–30-meter visibility, and 21–28°C water
temperatures ensure comfort, with 3–5mm wetsuits sufficient, per PADI.
Highlights:
Marine life: Lionfish and moray eels on the deck,
turtles near the bow, and napoleon wrasse around the holds. Rare whale
shark sightings add excitement, per Arab Divers.
Exploration: Swim
through the bridge and holds (wreck training required), explore the
coral-encrusted crow’s nest, and circle the propeller at 25 meters, per
Wonders Travel.
Photography: Wide-angle shots capture the ship’s
silhouette and fish schools, while macro lenses target nudibranchs and
shrimps, per Evendo.
Combined dives: Often paired with Tarmac Five
(20 m away, 10–27 m), using the Cedar Pride’s deck for safety stops,
extending bottom time, per Deep Blue Dive Center.
Special Dives:
Night Dives: Reveal bioluminescent plankton, octopuses, and Spanish
dancers, with the wreck’s silhouette creating a dramatic backdrop, per
AIDC.
Wreck Specialty: PADI Wreck Diver courses (~200 JOD) use the
Cedar Pride for training, teaching penetration and navigation, per PADI.
Duration: 45–60 minutes per dive; multi-dive days (4–6 hours) combine
with Tarmac Five, Seven Sisters, or C-130 Hercules.
Equipment and
Training: Dive centers provide gear (~30–50 JOD per dive) and PADI
courses (~100 JOD for Discover Scuba, ~300 JOD for Advanced Open Water).
Guided dives enforce no-touch policies, per Nemo Dive Center.
Snorkeling:
Limited appeal due to the 7–28-meter depth, though the
bow’s deck (7–10 m) is visible in clear conditions for experienced
snorkelers. First Bay or Seven Sisters are preferred, per
Snorkeling-Report.
Tripadvisor reviews praise the Cedar Pride as
“world-class” for its corals, fish, and penetration opportunities, but
some note overcrowding during peak seasons (summer), recommending early
morning dives (7:00–8:00 AM) for solitude, per Wonders Travel.
The Cedar Pride is a cornerstone of the AMR’s conservation and
cultural narrative, embodying Jordan’s innovative marine tourism
strategy:
Conservation Impact: As Jordan’s first major artificial
reef, the Cedar Pride diverts diver pressure from natural reefs,
protecting the AMR’s 1 square kilometer of corals (300 species), per
UNESCO. Its sandy bottom placement, despite minor knoll impact,
minimizes ecological disruption, per ASEZA.
Biodiversity Hub: The
wreck supports a subset of the AMR’s 512 fish species, nurturing
turtles, napoleon wrasse, and juveniles, enhancing reef health, per
Snorkeling-Report. Its coral growth is a model for artificial reefs
globally, per Dive Magazine.
Ecotourism Driver: The wreck attracts
global divers, boosting Aqaba’s economy, a duty-free zone with projects
like Ayla Oasis, per TIME’s 2023 “World’s Greatest Places” list. Its
accessibility and fame rival Egypt’s SS Thistlegorm, per PADI.
Royal
Legacy: Scuttled at King Abdullah II’s request, the Cedar Pride reflects
royal diving passion, inspiring wrecks like the C-130 Hercules, per X
posts from 2020–2025. Its role in the AMR’s UNESCO bid enhances its
global profile, per UNESCO.
Cultural Symbol: The wreck’s
transformation from a fire-damaged freighter to a marine haven ties to
Aqaba’s maritime history, from ancient Ayla to modern port expansion,
per Arab Divers.
Scientific Value: Coral and fish studies on the
Cedar Pride support the AMR’s goal to become a global marine research
hub, per 2021 X posts.
Educational Role: Dive centers like AIDC use
the wreck to teach conservation, though limited signage, per
Tripadvisor, hinders broader awareness.
The Cedar Pride’s
significance is tempered by challenges. Pollution from Aqaba’s port and
developments like Marsa Zayed, noted in UNESCO’s AMR report, threatens
its ecosystem. Fishing nets and litter, reported on Tripadvisor, reflect
enforcement gaps, with a 2023 unanswered complaint to AMR management
highlighting ASEZA’s oversight issues.
Location: Aqaba Marine Reserve, near South Beach, 6 miles south of
Aqaba city center (approx. 29.430867, 34.973733). The Cedar Pride is 130
meters offshore, 20 meters from Tarmac Five, near Rainbow Reef.
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) or regional hubs.
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. Follow King Hussein St., turn left onto Prince Mohammed
St., and park near South Beach.
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 (https://aseza.jo) or
Aqaba International Dive Center (https://aqabadivingcenter.com).
Admission and Costs:
Free beach access; diving (~30–50 JOD per dive,
including gear/guide), boat dives (~40–60 JOD).
Book via Nemo Dive
Center (https://nemodive.com), Deep Blue Dive Center
(https://deepbluedivecenter.com), 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).
Visit Duration: 45–60 minutes per dive;
multi-dive days (4–6 hours) combine with Tarmac Five or Seven Sisters.
Nearby Attractions: Tarmac Five, Seven Sisters, C-130 Hercules (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.
Accessibility Features: South Beach’s
sandy shore is accessible, but rocky entries challenge mobility-impaired
divers. Dive centers support disabled divers, per PADI standards.
Restrooms, shaded areas, and parking are available; bring water/snacks,
as vendors are sparse, per Snorkeling-Report.
Tips:
Book dives
in advance via https://aqabadivingcenter.com or
https://deepbluedivecenter.com to secure spots, especially in summer.
Use reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes, and rash guards to protect reefs
and skin.
Follow conservation rules (no touching corals/wreck),
enforced by guides.
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.