Aqaba & Red Sea Coast

Jordan's only seaport, with South Coast coral reefs, shipwrecks and an underwater military museum for snorkeling and diving, plus the Mamluk Fort and ancient Ayla in town.

Aqaba sits at the southern tip of Jordan, at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea. It is Jordan's only seaport, facing Eilat in Israel, Taba in Egypt and Saudi Arabia across the water. The city is a special economic zone with duty-free shopping, and prices are slightly lower than in Amman. The climate is tropical desert: October to April is the best time to visit, with winter daytime temperatures of around 20–25°C, making it Jordan's only warm winter beach destination. From June to September daytime highs often exceed 40°C, but the sea is warm and visibility is good, so divers come all year round. There are two main areas to explore. The first is the city center, where the Mamluk Fort, the Archaeological Museum, Flagpole Square, the ruins of ancient Ayla and an early church are all within walking distance of the waterfront; in the evening you can watch the sunset from the seaside promenade and wander the old market. The second is the South Coast, about 10–15 km south of town, home to the Marine Park (Japanese Garden reef), the Cedar Pride wreck, the Underwater Military Museum and the beach clubs. This is the prime area for snorkeling and diving, and the Tala Bay resort area lies at its southern end. North of town you will find the Ayla Oasis, the Saraya Aqaba water park and a bird-watching station. Getting there: the JETT bus from Amman takes about 4–5 hours, and there are also domestic flights; King Hussein International Airport has direct flights from low-cost European carriers and charters. Wadi Rum is about 1 hour away by car and Petra about 2 hours, and a land border crossing to the south leads to Eilat in Israel. Taxis in town require negotiating the fare, or you can use a ride-hailing app. We suggest staying 2–3 days: one day for the city's historic sites and sunset, and one or two days for snorkeling and diving on the South Coast. On public beaches, women should dress modestly; wear swimsuits only at hotels or beach clubs. Touching coral is prohibited in protected areas.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries