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Ocean Calling

Ocean Atlas · Red Sea and Arabia

Red Sea and Arabia

Jordan

Red Sea coral reefs and wrecks at Aqaba, with turtles, rays and colourful reef fish.

Calm Gulf of Aqaba seen from the Jordanian shore at Aqaba
Aqaba, Gulf of Aqaba · Photo: zeynep elif ozdemir on Unsplash
Exploring

Ethics pass, open for travel. We found a way to visit this country that meets our animal-welfare standard. Checked by Ocean Calling on 30 Sep 2026. Sources: Aqaba Marine Reserve, IUCN Green List, 2024; Aqaba Marine Reserve eyes sustainable tourism after UNESCO inscription, Fana News, Jul 2026; Jordan travel advice, UK FCDO, updated 10 Sep 2026.

ScubaSnorkellingTurtlesDolphinsWrecks

Why Jordan

At Aqaba, Red Sea coral reefs and wrecks bring green and hawksbill turtles, rays, morays and colourful reef fish, and dolphins are occasionally seen offshore. Diving is possible all year, and April to May and September to November are best, with warm water and less heat. We are not offering trips there at this time. EU and US citizens may be advised against travelling there, so please check your own government's website.

Conservation-led. Ocean Calling guests never chase, touch or bait animals.

KazakhstanUzbekistanSudanChadRussiaFranceMaliNigerNigeriaBurkina FasoIsraelLebanonPalestineTunisiaAlgeriaJordanUnited Arab EmiratesQatarKuwaitIraqOmanIndiaPakistanAfghanistanTajikistanKyrgyzstanTurkmenistanIranSyriaArmeniaUkraineRomaniaBulgariaGreeceTurkeyAlbaniaCroatiaSpainChinaItalyAzerbaijanGeorgiaEritreaYemenSaudi ArabiaN. CyprusCyprusMoroccoEgyptLibyaEthiopiaBosnia and Herz.MacedoniaSerbiaMontenegroKosovoAqaba, Jordan

When to go

Year-round. Timing changes by place and by animal, so check each place below.

We have researched this place and keep learning about it. There is no trip here yet.

Our ethics check

Can we travel here ethically?

Ethics pass

Meets the Ocean Calling standard.

At Aqaba, the marine reserve is well managed: it is on the IUCN Green List, fishing is not allowed inside it, and taking coral or shells is against the rules. The reefs and wrecks can be enjoyed without feeding or touching anything. Ocean Calling dives and freedives in small groups, keeps off the coral, and gives turtles space.

Checked 30 Sep 2026. Places change, so we look again every year.

Sources for this check
Places we are exploring

Where in Jordan

Short notes from our research. Wildlife is never guaranteed.

Aqaba

Exploring

Red Sea coral reefs and wrecks, with turtles, rays and colourful reef fish.

🤿 In the water: Coral reefs and reef fish, Green and hawksbill turtles, Rays, Moray eels, Octopus and cuttlefish

⛵ From the boat or shore, never in the water: Dolphins offshore (occasional, from the boat)

When: Year-round. Diving is year-round. April-May and September-November are best, with warm water and less heat.

Animals

Animals recorded in Jordan

Tap an animal to learn how it lives, where it travels and how to meet it respectfully.

Green turtle resting on the reef, shell and head pattern in sharp detailGreen turtleChelonia mydasSeen in 103 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernHawksbill turtle swimming, pointed beak in profileHawksbill turtleEretmochelys imbricataSeen in 88 countries in the AtlasCritically EndangeredPod of bottlenose dolphins swimming over a Red Sea coral reefIndo-Pacific bottlenose dolphinTursiops aduncusSeen in 29 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedRed lionfish with spread fins over sand in Dauin, PhilippinesLionfish (red and common lionfish)Pterois volitans and Pterois milesSeen in 80 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernWell camouflaged scorpionfish on dark sand in Lembeh StraitScorpionfishScorpaenopsis speciesSeen in 22 countries in the AtlasVaries by speciesBlue whale blowing a tall spout off San DiegoBlue whaleBalaenoptera musculusSeen in 29 countries in the AtlasEndangeredTwo spinner dolphins swimming over sand in clear waterSpinner dolphinStenella longirostrisSeen in 66 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernWhite-eyed gull perched on a corrugated roof against a blue sky, with a dark hood and red billWhite-eyed gullIchthyaetus leucophthalmusSeen in 10 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernAdult brown booby standing on a rock with its bill open against blue sky, PrincipeBrown boobySula leucogasterSeen in 104 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernGreat cormorant perched on a branch, with white head plumes and a glossy blue-black backGreat cormorantPhalacrocorax carboSeen in 90 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernTwo pygmy cormorants perched on a bare branchPygmy cormorantMicrocarbo pygmaeusSeen in 26 countries in the AtlasLeast Concern
Dreaming of Jordan?

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There is no trip here yet. If enough people ask, it helps us decide where to go next.

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Also in Red Sea and Arabia
BahrainDjiboutiEgyptEritreaIranIraqIsraelKuwaitOmanPakistanQatarSaudi ArabiaSudanUnited Arab EmiratesYemen

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We are always happy to hear from exceptional local operators, accommodation, conservation organisations and destination experts in Jordan. If your work fits responsible, small-group ocean travel, we would love to learn more.

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