TRAVEL
New Year, New Dive Destination: Jordan’s Red Sea – by Tara Artner, Aqaba, Jordan
Tara is an instructor and underwater photographer for over 20 years, traveling the world planning and leading private dive expeditions, capturing the ocean’s wonders for documentaries, while still diving on her days off. “It’s Unique and Unforgettable!”
This wonderful goal aims to enhance Aqaba’s diving tourism, provide a unique historical attraction, and promote marine–life growth by creating new habitats for coral and fish. The wrecks were arranged in a combat formation, en- suring a safe and engaging experience for divers while pre- serving the natural marine environment. Swimming among the vehicles, there is an undeniable sense of beauty and serenity. Fish flitted in and out of the open hatches, moray eels peeked out of the cracks of the rusting tanks, while soft coral and sponges gave a pop of color on the metal structures, reminding us of the resilience
If you are looking for a dive desti- nation for the new year, Jordan should be at the top of your list. Aqaba is a tiny gem in the Red Sea, with its compact 17 miles of coast- line offering crystal-clear waters, vi-
brant coral reefs, and incredible wreck dives. It boasts year-round warm temperatures, sunshine, and minimal crowds.
Despite the limited coastline, there is fantastic diving, including the famous Cedar Pride Wreck, inten- tionally sunk in 1985, the Japanese Garden, a shallow, energetic, and colorful reef; The Tank, at just 6M, perfect for beginners; and, of course, the one-of-a-kind Military Museum Underwater Park. Jordan’s dive sites cater to all levels.
of nature and the creative ways hu- manity can repurpose its past. At the deepest section of the dive, 28M, a breathtaking sight awaited us: two fully intact helicopters rest- ing proudly on the seabed. The Military Museum is truly a one-of- a-kind dive site, perfect for those seeking something out of the or-
Jordan’s Famed Underwater Military Museum
dinary. Its depth makes it ideal for divers with advanced cer- tifications, and it’s a fantastic addition to a longer dive trip in Aqaba. Booking a Group Dive Trip to Jordan. Visa and En- trance: Most visitors arrive through Queen Alia International
Beyond diving, Jordan offers rich history and adventure for everyone – explore the ancient city of Petra, hike on some of the 650 km of the Jordan Trail, experience the sur- real landscapes and incredible stars in Wadi Rum, or relax in the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea. With an easy access
Airport in Amman. Many nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival in Jordan for about 40 JOD (~$56 USD), valid for 30 days. If your group is flying into Amman and head- ing directly to Aqaba, consider getting a Jor- dan Pass, starting at 70 JOD (~$100 USD), which waives the visa fee if you stay at least 3 nights and includes entry to Petra and other attractions. Transportation to Aqaba. Flying: The fastest option is to fly into Aqaba’s Airport (AQJ), which has connections from Amman, Dubai, and Istanbul.
visa on arrival, top-tier dive resorts, warm hospitality, and delicious food, Jordan is the perfect destination to kick off a new year of diving in style. A diving highlight in Aqaba is the Military Museum wrecks, which were deliberately sunk with great care in July 2019 by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) to create an underwater museum and artificial reef. The project involved sub- merging several decommissioned military ve- hicles, including tanks, armored personnel carriers, an anti-aircraft gun, and two helicop-
Topside Adventures in Jordan, The Author & her Mother
ters, at depths ranging from 15 to 28 meters. To ensure pre- cise placement, cranes and barges were used to transport and lower the vehicles into the sea, while some were carefully positioned on the seabed with the help of divers.
Jordan is a perfect blend of adventure, culture and relaxation. It’s not your normal dive desti- nation, and will leave you with incredible mem- ories. “It’s Unique and Unforgettable!”
email Tara
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