JORDAN: Gulf of Aquaba

The Gulf of Aquaba, together with the Gulf od Suez, represents the northernmost part of the Red Sea, and also he northernmost distributtion of reef coral. Accordingly, corals are sparse and in more or less isolated blocks on a sloping sandy bottom rather than the massive reefs found in the southern parts of the Red Sea, but with a rich and varied marine fauna with the exception of the larger fish species of the high seas.

The Northern Gulf touches upon four countries and three distinct sections accessible for underwater exploration:

and while due to the geographic proximity conditions are similar, there are some subtle differences due to location, exposure, land based pollution, and the level of protection.

Aqaba: a common view: Michelin spp.	Aqaba: Coral breakage close to the ferry jetty
Aqaba: and healthy corals	Aqaba: with high species diversity
Eilat: Joshuas' rock at the marine park	Eilat: small coral on sand, marine park
Taba: similar coral blocks on sandy bottom	Taba: the occasional bigger fish