Boat Cruise in Aqaba

Written By: Gail Clifford | Published By: Weekend Notes | October 13, 2022

https://www.weekendnotes.com/boat-cruise-in-aqaba-jordan/

Excellent Itinerary For a Relaxing Day

“From desert to sea! Today we depart for Aqaba, Jordan’s southernmost city located at the Red Sea, also known as a year-round resort with a shore lined with world-famous coral reefs and scuba diving grounds. (45-min drive)10:00 am Boat Cruise & Snorkeling (Optional: Scuba Diving)

We will meet our boat for a lunch cruise, and you’ll have the chance to relax on the sun deck, jump into the cool waters, swim, and snorkel, and enjoy a delicious lunch. If you want to go deeper and explore some of the dive sites, scuba diving is optional, however, you must show proof of your diving license. Great views of the corals and beautiful fish under this magical sea await!“- Visit Jordan

After a week in the desert, especially Bedouin experiences in the deep desert, it was nice to get out of the sand, and see palm trees along boulevards that lead to the clear blue green (a blend of medium turquoise and Capri Blue) water that is the Gulf of Aqaba.

Altering between 19 to 27 km (12 to 17 miles), this 177 km (110 miles) long gulf lays between hills that rise as steep as 600 metres (2,000 feet) and, I’m told by a local scuba diver, is more than 70 metres (2300 feet) deep.

Even more awe-inspiring? This body of water contains four borders. From Jordan, you can spy the stand of green where trees line the border to Israel. South of Israel, Egypt. And south of Jordan, when on a ship you’ll spot a large flag waving in the breeze. That marks the boundary with Saudi Arabia.

You can stand on the boat and see Africa!

Lunch in Asia, dinner in Africa, like Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) where you can lunch in Asia and have dinner in Europe.

This country, Jordan, has such a storied history and, even whilst here, it’s difficult to understand how things became the way they did. During your trip, you won’t hear much about Israel unless you ask. The land, I’m told, was essentially taken by the British when the allied forces conquered the Ottoman Empire in WWI (the Ottomans sided with Germany) and allowed the mass migration of more than 1 million Jews in what would become the initial stages of the formation of the state of Israel.

But you’re not here for a political discussion – let’s get you on (and in) the water!

Wait at the harbor for the arrival of the Barakah or hop aboard one of the Glass Bottom Boats that tour the waters.

The Barakah is a beauty. With two large ‘wet’ areas, both to the stern and above, and a ‘dry’ area in an enclosed living space with a bathroom between the two, it’s a comfortable ride for snorkelers, scuba divers, and leisure rider alike.

Captain Yazan Al-Sa Ad welcomes us aboard. He sorts the snorkelers from the scuba divers and confirms those diving have our PADI cards (having the electronic copy on your phone is sufficient). He invites you to place your dry articles in front and to find the place you’d like to sit before another group arrives, he can take about 20 people comfortably for a five-hour tour.

Heading south out of the harbor, spot a structure that looks like the Seattle Space Needle. It’s a lighthouse. Mohammad, our guide, tells us that there isn’t much shipping here anymore, at least compared to the past. They’ve moved most of the commerce south into the new harbor, leaving this “old harbor” for more recreation.

The Captain introduces Barbara, a German scuba diver who comes to Jordan regularly, so often that she’ll be our dive master today. Turns out, she’s a Munich anesthesiologist who has found a great work balance – work two jobs in Munich (both University and private practice), then take time off to recharge.

Barbara explains that King Abdullah II, the current King of Jordan, is a scuba diver, so that explains how the water is so clean from plastic and debris. She calls it the “Red Sea Kindergarten” as there is “no current, lots of fish, and so much salt in the water, you need extra weights.”

She’s right about the weight. Even with 8 kg, when she takes us into the water, I can’t descend. They’ll take great care of you, too, when you come, and bring you more weight so you can enjoy the dive.

There are about 20 dive sites in the 30 kilometers Between here and the border for Saudi Arabia, A combination of public and private. They think ship to dive, anticipating it would stop at 50 meters, but it went to 70 meters, so it’s a much more difficult wreck dive. They even sunk 2 planes in the area, But during a big storm, one broke into three places.