The Aqaba Underwater Military Museum is a deliberate sinking of military hardware to create a new dive site and artificial reef off the city's south coast. Jordan's tourism board describes it as the world's first underwater military museum, with 19 vehicles and weapons including tanks, an ambulance, a troop carrier, anti-aircraft guns and a combat helicopter. For divers it is a playground: you can swim around turrets and cabs, look inside hulls and watch fish move into what used to be machines of war. For everyone else it is a good example of how Aqaba has built a diving economy around its warm, clear water, joining the Cedar Pride wreck and the Japanese Garden reef as a must-know name. The tourism board notes that visitors book through a licensed dive centre, so there is no ticket office, and operators decide the exact schedule and conditions of each outing.
Why it exists
A site like this gives divers something new to explore besides natural coral, and it turns old equipment into habitat. Over time, the metal surfaces attract soft corals, sponges and fish, so the site changes every year. The museum sits in relatively shallow water compared with deep wrecks, which makes it more accessible to certified divers of different experience levels, but depths, currents and visibility vary, so follow your guide's briefing.
Other dive sites nearby include the Cedar Pride, a ship sunk in 1985 that lies on its side across two reefs, and the C-130 aircraft site, so a multi-day diving trip can include several memorable wrecks.
How to visit
You will normally arrange a boat dive through a dive centre, which provides the boat, tanks and a guide. Certified divers should bring their certification card and logbook, and anyone who dives needs to be honest about medical conditions. If you are not certified, ask whether a guided introduction can include a visit to a shallow area, or consider an introductory dive in a separate reef session first.
Snorkellers should ask whether the site is suitable from the surface, since depths and visibility change. The dive centres also teach courses, which is helpful if you want to learn and then see the museum later in your stay.
What to wear and bring
A thin wetsuit in the cooler months, a rash vest in summer, reef-safe sun protection, a hat and plenty of water. Bring a dry bag, a towel and cash for tips. Avoid touching the vehicles or the surrounding reef, and do not take anything from the site. Good buoyancy matters because the structures can be delicate and fins can stir up silt, so mention your experience level when you book. Weather and sea conditions can change a plan, so keep a spare day if the dive matters to you.
Fitting it in
A typical diving day involves a morning boat trip with two dives and a lunch break, returning in the early afternoon. That leaves time for a swim at South Beach or a walk along the waterfront in the evening. Divers who also plan a balloon flight or other high-altitude activity should follow their training agency's guidance on waiting after diving. Check the tourism board's Aqaba page and ask your dive centre for current details.
What to expect
The experience
A boat dive arranged through a licensed dive centre to explore sunken military vehicles that now act as an artificial reef.
Best time
Morning departures usually have calmer water; spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons.
How long
Plan on a half day for a two-dive outing including transfers and a break.
Tips
Bring your certification card and logbook, tell the centre about any medical conditions and never touch the structures or reef.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Certified divers who want something different from a coral wall.
- Families
- Diving has minimum ages and medical requirements, so ask the dive centre; snorkelling and boat trips suit most families better.
- Couples
- A memorable shared dive for certified pairs, followed by a relaxed afternoon.
- Pair with
- The Cedar Pride wreck dive, South Beach and Marine Park, or a snorkelling trip.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
What is on the seabed?+
The tourism board describes 19 vehicles and weapons, including tanks, an ambulance, a troop carrier, anti-aircraft guns and a combat helicopter.
How do I visit?+
Through a licensed dive centre, which arranges the boat, equipment and guide. There is no ticket office.
Do I need to be certified?+
Generally yes for a boat dive. Ask the centre whether a guided introductory dive or a course can be arranged first.
Can I snorkel there?+
It depends on depth and visibility on the day, so ask the operator before you go.
Is it the only wreck site in Aqaba?+
No. The Cedar Pride and a sunk aircraft site are nearby, and the Japanese Garden reef is popular for snorkelling.
