"Frais (10°C), tarifs bas, Wadi Rum glacial."
Expert on Aqaba · 1 contributions
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Mediterranean Desk — Mowando·Editor
Mediterranean Desk — Mowando·EditorThe best periods
The best time to visit Aqaba is March-May and September-November (diving all year). The most recommended months are Janvier, Février, Mars, Avril, Mai, Juin, Juillet, Août, Septembre, Octobre, Novembre, Décembre.
Mar, Avr, Mai
Printemps — saison idéale
- ✅Températures parfaites (22-30 °C air, 22-24 °C eau), idéales pour plonger sans combinaison épaisse
- ✅Visibilité sous-marine excellente (25-30 m), corail en pleine forme
- ✅Saison de migration des raies aigle et des requins-marteaux (rare mais possible)
- ❌Haute saison hôtelière (vacances de Pâques, ponts de mai) : prix élevés
- ❌Vents thermiques l'après-midi qui peuvent agiter la mer pour le snorkeling
Juin, Jui, Aoû
Été — chaud et lumineux
- ✅Mer Rouge à sa température maximale (27-28 °C), baignade et plongée sans combinaison
- ✅Visibilité sous-marine excellente (30 m+), conditions idéales pour la photographie sous-marine
- ✅Soirées chaudes idéales pour les terrasses du front de mer
- ❌Chaleur diurne extrême (38-44 °C), terre cuite hors de l'eau, climatisation indispensable
- ❌Vents khamsin parfois forts (juin-juillet) brouillant l'atmosphère
- ❌Plages publiques surchargées le week-end (touristes saoudiens et égyptiens)
Sep, Oct, Nov
Automne — la deuxième saison idéale
- ✅Températures redevenues douces (24-32 °C air, 25-28 °C eau), conditions parfaites pour la plongée
- ✅Visibilité sous-marine excellente, dernière saison chaude avant l'hiver
- ✅Combinaison idéale avec Wadi Rum (1h au nord) et Pétra (3h) dans le même circuit
- ❌Vents thermiques d'après-midi pouvant agiter la mer après 15h
- ❌Méduses possibles dans certaines criques en octobre (rares mais signalées)
Déc, Jan, Fév
Hiver — doux et calme
- ✅Climat exceptionnellement doux (15-22 °C air, 21-22 °C eau) — l'une des seules stations balnéaires accessibles d'Europe en hiver
- ✅Tarifs hôteliers très bas (40 % moins cher qu'en haute saison)
- ✅Plongée encore agréable avec combinaison 5 mm, visibilité bonne (20-25 m)
- ❌Eau à 21-22 °C : trop froid pour le snorkeling sans combinaison la plupart du temps
- ❌Quelques jours de pluie possibles (rares), vents froids du nord brouillant la mer
- ❌Soirées fraîches (10-15 °C) — prévoir une veste
Month-by-month climate
Temperatures, rainfall and sunshine in Aqaba across the 12 months.
| Jan | Fév | Mar | Avr | Mai | Juin | Jui | Aoû | Sep | Oct | Nov | Déc | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min | 11° | 12° | 14° | 19° | 22° | 25° | 28° | 28° | 26° | 22° | 18° | 14° |
| Max | 21° | 22° | 25° | 31° | 35° | 39° | 41° | 40° | 38° | 33° | 27° | 23° |
| Mer | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pluie | 6mm | 14mm | 13mm | 2mm | 2mm | 0mm | 0mm | 0mm | 0mm | 0mm | 2mm | 3mm |
| Soleil/j | 9.5h | 9.6h | 10.8h | 11.8h | 12.6h | 13h | 13.1h | 12.5h | 11.4h | 10.7h | 9.9h | 9.3h |
Tourist crowds
Monthly attendance levels (0 = empty, 100 = saturated).
Jan
40
Fév
45
Mar
75
Avr
85
Mai
75
Jui
45
Jui
40
Aoû
40
Sep
75
Oct
75
Nov
65
Déc
50
Frequently asked questions
How many nights should I spend in Aqaba?+
Two nights minimum are recommended to enjoy the sea reasonably and do a diving or snorkeling outing. Three nights allow you to include several major dive sites (Cedar Pride, King Abdullah Reef, Japanese Garden) and a full beach day. A single night is enough if you combine with Wadi Rum in the same circuit, just to taste the Red Sea before the return. The majority of travellers on a classic Jordanian circuit spend 1-2 nights in Aqaba.
What are the best wrecks to dive in Aqaba?+
Five major wrecks make Aqaba's reputation. (1) __Cedar Pride__: 80 m Lebanese cargo scuttled in 1985 at 7-25 m depth, accessible to Open Water divers, covered with soft corals and parrotfish. (2) __Tank Wreck__: American M42 Duster tank sunk in 1999 at 6-7 m, accessible by snorkeling. (3) __Cessna 152__: plane sunk in 2017 at 18 m, entire structure still visible. (4) __King Abdullah Reef__: military underwater museum opened in 2019, the most complete in the world, with a C-130 Hercules, an AH-1 Cobra helicopter, tanks and armoured vehicles at 28 m. (5) __Japanese Garden__: artificial reef with Japanese sculptures and exceptional corals.
How do I dive in Aqaba?+
Several PADI/SSI-certified dive centres are reliable and professional. __Aqaba Adventure Divers__, __Sea Star Watersports__, __Red Sea Diving Center__ and __Royal Diving Center__ are the safe bets. An exploration dive (equipment included, boat transport, guide) costs 35-50 JOD (€45-65), an introductory dive 45-60 JOD (€60-80), a full Open Water course 250-350 JOD (€320-450). All major sites are accessible in a few minutes by boat or sometimes directly from the beach. Book 1-2 days ahead in high season.
Is Aqaba as beautiful as Eilat (Israel) or Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt)?+
Differently. __Eilat__ (Israel) 10 km away as the crow flies is more touristic and urbanised, with a wide range of activities but less preserved reefs and more expensive. __Sharm el-Sheikh__ (Egypt) 200 km south-west offers spectacular reefs (Ras Mohammed, Strait of Tiran) but a massive beach resort with intense Russian and East European tourism. Aqaba is __calmer, more authentic__, with very well preserved reefs (marine park since 1997) and a more modest setting — ideal for travellers seeking authenticity and quality rather than mass tourism.
What to do in Aqaba besides diving?+
The non-diving offer is more limited but varied. The __Old Town__ can be visited on foot with the __Mamluk Castle__ (16th century, 3 JOD), the __Arab Revolt Fort__ (Aqaba Fort, where T.E. Lawrence took the town from the Ottomans in 1917), and the __Al-Naseem souks__. The __public beach__ and the __resort private beaches__ (Tala Bay, South Beach) for relaxation. The __glass-bottom boat tours__ (8-15 JOD per person, 1-2h) are a good alternative for non-divers. The __Aqaba Aquarium__ (5 JOD) showcases local biodiversity. The __fresh fish souk__ (next to the port) offers grilled fish at unbeatable prices.
How do I get to Aqaba?+
Several options. (1) __Domestic flight__ from Amman with Royal Jordanian (Queen Alia → King Hussein AQJ): 45-minute flight, €60-100 return depending on season, ideal to save time. (2) __JETT bus__ from Amman: 11 JOD (€14), 4-5h trip, daily departures. (3) __Rental car or private taxi__ from Amman: 4-5h by the Desert Highway (route 15) or 6-7h by the King's Highway (route 35, more beautiful). (4) __Classic combination__: 2 nights Petra → 1-2 nights Wadi Rum → 1-2 nights Aqaba → return to Amman by domestic flight. (5) From __Eilat (Israel)__: Yitzhak Rabin / Wadi Araba border crossing 10 km north of Aqaba, about 30-60 minutes of procedures.
Which hotel should I choose in Aqaba?+
Three main zones. The __north corniche__ (downtown) is urban and lively, but the beaches are less beautiful: __Aqaba Gulf Hotel__, __Cedar Hotel__ (budget-comfort, €50-100/night). The __south corniche__ (Tala Bay) is the resort zone with private beaches, quieter and better quality: __Mövenpick Tala Bay__, __Kempinski Aqaba__, __Hyatt Regency__, __InterContinental Aqaba__ (luxury, €150-350/night). __Saraya Aqaba__ and __Ayla Resort__ are the new high-end luxury projects. Book 2-3 months ahead in high season (March-May, September-November, school holidays).
Is Aqaba a viable winter destination?+
Yes, it is one of the __only warm winter beach resorts accessible from Europe__. In December-February, temperatures sit between 15-22 °C by day and 10-15 °C at night, with water at 21-22 °C — too cold for snorkeling without a wetsuit but ideal for diving in 5 mm. Hotels show 40% lower prices than in high season, attendance is low (except Christmas and New Year week), and the climate is very pleasant for European travellers escaping the cold. A relevant option for a long winter sunny weekend — much cheaper and more authentic than Dubai or the Emirates.
Our verdict
Aqaba is the indispensable beach stop of a complete Jordanian circuit. Not a spectacular destination in itself, it is mainly valued for its exceptional marine park and its legendary diving wrecks. Our advice: plan 2 nights minimum after Petra and Wadi Rum to have time to dive or snorkel at least once (the Cedar Pride and King Abdullah Reef are unmissable), choose your hotel on the south corniche (resort zone, quieter with direct access to private beaches: Mövenpick Tala Bay, Kempinski, Hyatt) rather than the more urban north corniche, and treat yourself to a beach day at Berenice Beach Club or Marina Plaza Tala Bay with pedalo, snorkel and lunch by the sea. For diving, several PADI/SSI-certified centres are reliable: Aqaba Adventure Divers, Sea Star Watersports, Red Sea Diving Center. And end your last evening with grilled fresh fish dinner in one of the many seafront tables.
