Cedar Pride Wreck

One of the best dive sites in Jordan is the Cedar Pride wreck in Aqaba. The ship, a former Lebanese cargo, was severely damaged in a fire in 1982. The ill-fated yacht was deliberately buried roughly 200 meters offshore as an artificial reef for divers after King Abdullah requested it. The debris, which lies on its port side across two reefs at a maximum depth of 27 meters, has been colonized by several hard and soft corals.

The Cedar Pride is marked by a surface buoy and can be reached by boat or beach. The topmost starboard side is 10 meters deep, making it an excellent dive spot for both novice and expert divers. The wreck is mostly intact and measures roughly 80 meters in length, with the best diving on the seaward side. The deck and superstructure are also visible from this vantage point.

The crow's nest is the most notable feature. The multicolored soft corals cover the nest, which shines out against the pure blue water. As you get closer to the hull, you'll come across mushroom ventilation shafts and the main mast. Soft corals are more dispersed in deeper water, but hard corals and schools of fish have taken their place. They include the occasional barracuda. There are plenty of hard reefs and small creatures along the uppermost starboard side as you swim back.

Anemones, table corals, pipefish, and clusters of acropora have made their homes on the hull. This is a fantastic night dive location. Urchins, shrimp, Spanish Dancers, and soft coral crabs were among the animals that swarmed the deck. There are opportunities for experienced wreck divers and photographers. Within the light zone, there are numerous penetration chances.

Location: Aqaba, Jordan

Depth: 26 meters/ 90 feet

Visibility: 10-30 meters

Snorkeling: available