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Jordan Tourism Guide |
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Aqaba |
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Greatly prized as
Jordan's window to the sea, Aqaba brings a
refreshing release from the rose-coloured desert
to the north. Its sandy beaches and coral reefs
are the most pristine on the Red
Sea, and Jordanians hope to preserve them
through careful planning. With several
first-rate hotels, restaurants and shops, Aqaba
caters to a tourist crowd that is tranquil and
relaxed, seeking its pleasures more by day than
by night.
Indigo-coloured deep water lies just off shore
in Aqaba, bringing kaleidoscopic marine life
within easy reach. Exploring means a leisurely
drive to a private spot and a short swim out to
the reef. Unusual vertical currents and sea
breezes make diving cool and pleasant, even in
the heat of the summer.
Aqaba's reef is healthy and thriving, adorned
with untold variety in its coral and fish.
Common species are branch coral, fungia and
montipora, and the rare archelia, a black,
tree-like specimen found at great depths and
first discovered by King Hussein himself.
Darting through the reef are clownfish, Picasso
triggerfish, goby, sea anemone, parrotfish,
pipefish and countless others. Two of the most
intriguing are the harmless, plankton-eating
whale shark, the largest fish in the world, and
the willowy garden eel, almost invisible in the
sea grass.
Aqaba boasts some of the world's best scuba
diving by day or night, and a Royal Diving Club.
Many other places will organise water sports for
you. There is snorkelling, fishing and sailing
to pass the time, or glass-bottomed boats for
those who prefer their marine life at arm's
length.
There is a Mamluk Fort at the end of the
corniche and, on an island in the middle of the
Gulf, the castle of Saladin, foe of Richard the
Lion Heart and Reynald de Chatillon. In this
century, Arab forces with T. E. Lawrence wrested
the port from the Ottomans in one of the most
dramatic victories of the Arab Revolt.
Aqaba basks in balmy weather nine months of the
year, in winter, spring and fall. Summer is hot,
but you can pace your activities and adapt to
the climate, slowing down in midday, and
reviving in the cool of the evening.
WHAT TO SEE
Information on Aqaba and its attractions is
available from the Visitors' Centre near the
Mamluk Fort, tel. (03) 2013363. Opening hours
08:00-14:00 in winter, 08:00-17:00 in summer.
Aqaba Marine Science Station. Aquarium
showcasing the marine life of the Gulf of Aqaba.
Hours 08:00-16:45 daily, tel. (03) 2015144.
Admission ½ JD.
Museum of Aqaba Antiquities. Near the Mamluk
Fort, tel. (03) 2019063. Displays from
excavations in Aqaba and Wadi Rum. Hours
07:00-19:00, closed Fri. and Sat. Admission 1
JD.
Mamluk Fort, ticket for the Museum of Aqaba
includes admission to the Fort.
WATER SPORTS
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Aqaba boasts
some of the world's best scuba diving by day
or night. Many hotels organise fishing,
sailing and other water sports, as well as
trips in glass-bottomed boats.
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Aquamarina
Diving Centre (Aquamarina I Hotel), tel.
(03) 2016250 fax (03) 2033292. Snorkelling,
diving, equipment hire, windsurfing,
fishing, boat and marine camera hire and
boat trips.
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Movenpick Water
Sports, tel. (03) 2034020 ext. 1153 fax (03)
2034040. Water sports and yacht trips.
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Red Sea Dive
Centre near Aqaba Gulf Hotel, tel. (03)
2022323 fax (03) 2018969.
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Royal Diving
Club just outside Aqaba, tel. (03) 2017035
fax (03) 2017097. Snorkelling, diving,
marine photography, equipment hire and
instruction.
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Sea Star Water
Sport (Al-Cazar Hotel), tel. (03) 2014131
fax (03) 2014133. Diving, instruction and
equipment hire.
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