Gulf of Aqaba

Featured Lists

Gulf of Aqaba Unmissables

The Gulf of Aqaba serves as a strategic maritime corridor shared by Jordan, Egypt, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. This region features a high concentration of historical sites, including the Mamluk-era Aqaba Castle and the early Islamic ruins of Ayla. Its waters host diverse marine ecosystems protected within the Coral Beach Nature Reserve and showcased at the Eilat Underwater Observatory. Divers frequent world-renowned sites like the Blue Hole and Japanese Gardens, while coastal hubs like Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab provide access to the Sinai Peninsula’s southern tip.

15 places

Top Diving and Snorkeling Spots

The Gulf of Aqaba features a diverse range of underwater environments, from the vertical walls and deep canyons of Dahab to the expansive coral plateaus of the Straits of Tiran. This region is home to historical shipwrecks like the Kormoran and Louilla, as well as unique geological formations such as the Blue Hole and Thomas Canyon. Divers can observe black corals at the Japanese Gardens and seasonal hammerhead sharks near the northern reefs.

19 places

Viewpoints and Peaks

This collection highlights the dramatic topography surrounding the Gulf of Aqaba, spanning the Eilat Mountains and the Sinai Peninsula. It features accessible observation points like the Underwater Observatory and Flamingo Lookout alongside rugged peaks such as Jabal Buwarah and Jabal Qunay. These sites offer vantage points over the Red Sea, the Arava Valley, and the intersection of Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, featuring unique geological formations like the Gishron Cliffs and ancient desert passes.

19 places

Historical Sites & Ruins

This collection spans centuries of history around the Gulf of Aqaba, featuring the 16th-century Aqaba Castle and the early Islamic ruins of Ayla. The list includes the 12th-century Citadel of Salah Al-Din on Pharaoh's Island and the ancient Nabataean port in Dahab. Modern history is represented by the King Tut Museum's archaeological replicas and the wreckage of a 1930s Catalina flying boat on the Saudi Arabian coast.

6 places

Gulf of Aqaba — Map

Climate & when to visit

Best time to visit: January, February, March, April, November, December

Practical information

Tours & Activities