The Best Places to Dive in the Middle East

Aqaba is the gateway to some of the best scuba diving in the Red Sea, with nearly two dozen sites located in the Aqaba Marine Reserve, which sits between the port city and Jordan’s border with Saudi Arabia. The Aqaba Marine Reserve, which is part of the larger Marine Peace Park of the Red Sea, is a UNESCO site and home to 157 species of reef-building corals, 120 species of soft corals and over 500 species of fish, plus Hawksbill turtles and nudibranchs. The wreck of the Cedar Pride is another iconic spot, as it has been taken over by hard and soft corals since it sunk in 1985. Nearly all dive sites are shallow at the shore, and range from a depth of 1 to 60 meters, making them perfect for divers of all levels. Visibility ranges from 15 to 30 meters, with the average water temperature around 75 degrees Fahrenheit.   

Windstar offers a number of cruises that begin in Aqaba, including Arabian Nights & Egyptian Days, Star Collector: Comprehensive Middle East and Star Collector: Glory of the Red & Arabian Seas, making it possible for guests to spend several days exploring the region before embarking on their cruise.