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With a coastline of approximately 17 miles in length, Jordan is what could be described as a small but perfectly formed diving destination. All the diving action takes place in the south of the country in the Gulf of Aqaba, at the northern tip of the Red Sea. Here there is a wealth of dive centres and diving choices, from gentle reefs for beginners to deep technical dives for the experienced. 

The area is well known for several pristine wrecks which have been well colonised with soft corals and are particularly popular with photographers The creation of the five-mile long Aqaba Marine Park to the south of the city has also helped preserve the high aggregations of fish and strong coral growth. Aqaba is characterised by fringing reefs which have more than 120 species of hard corals and 160 species of fish, as well as seagrass beds that play host to all sorts of invertebrates.

While the area is not famous for large pelagic visitors, there is still a good chance you'll see species such as barracuda and jacks, and you may be one of the lucky ones who is in the water when a whale shark makes one of its infrequent stops. Hawksbill turtles are often seen munching on the beautiful soft corals which make Aqaba's reefs such a popular destination with divers.