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Jordan Tourism Guide |
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Natural Sites |
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 Red
Sea |
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The coastal city of Aqaba communicates to the
visitor both striking beauty and grace. Touching
the Red Sea are a series of peaceful mountains
and a riveting desert reflecting onto the clear
blue waters. Stretching along the northern right
part of the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aqaba measures
a length of 180 KM and expands to a width of 25
KM with 27 KM of the shoreline belonging to
Jordan. The rest of the shoreline is shared with
Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. A boat ride to
the centre of the Gulf provides a visitor with
an outstanding view of all four shoreline
countries.
The Gulf of Aqaba is renowned worldwide as a
tourist's paradise overflowing with wildlife and
adventure. It hosts about 110 species of soft
corals, 120 species of hard corals and over 1000
species of fish. The city of Aqaba itself is a
natural haven for scuba diving, snorkelling or
scientific exploration, and is bound to keep any
visitor busy. Aqaba's average water temperature
of 23 degrees Celsius allows the water-activity
oriented tourist to enjoy the sea year round.
Marine Life
The absence of stormy weather, along with the
mild water currents contribute to clear waters,
one of Aqaba's exceptional environmental
conditions. Warm, clear waters provide a
hospitable environment for the growth of corals,
and favourable salinity levels provide an
environment for myriad varieties of marine-life
forms.
Spectacular Coral Reefs
Contrary to what many people think, corals are
not plants but very delicate animals. Due to
their slow rate of growth (About 1 cm/year), the
corals that are seen today in the Gulf are
centuries old.
Besides being a main tourist attraction, the
coral reef plays an important role in supporting
the survival of various life forms. Thousands of
marine creatures coexist in a complex ecosystem
ranging form almost invisible species to huge
fish and mammals.
The warm waters of Aqaba provide a perfect
habitat for an array of unique and dazzlingly
coloured fish. Due to Aqaba's clear waters, this
rainbow of colours can be experienced without
even having to enter the water.
The shores of the Gulf are also frequented with
friendly sea turtles that spend their time
swimming amongst the swirling schools of fish.
Whales, dolphins, and sea cows are also often
spotted visiting the gulf.
Corals, coral fish, reptiles and mammals are
only a few to be named of the countless marine
creatures living in the waters of Aqaba.
Nocturnal animals such as the crab, shrimp and
lobster come alive in search of food in the dark
hours of the night.
Preserve Aqaba
Although the Gulf of Aqaba provides the perfect
habitat for more than a thousand species, the
existing marine ecosystems are fragile and in
danger.
Over fishing, industrial activities, improper
diving attitudes like stepping on coral and
feeding fish, and careless anchoring create a
sustainability of the reef's ecosystem.
Concerned divers, tourists and even the everyday
beach goer can chip in and do their bit in
protecting this natural treasure created of
centuries. By simply abiding to general common
sense rules, they and you can help preserve the
marine life of Aqaba for generations to come.
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