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First Bay North is the second starting point of diving on the south coast of Aqaba and the first dive site located within the Marine Park. It is famous for fantastic coral reef that is spread across the gentle slope of the coastal zone at a depth of 12- 30 meters below surface. There is a pinnacle at 15 meters which is a long narrow pinnacle sticking up from the reef at a slight angle. This can be a navigation aid if you are approaching the site from the shore. Also you will find it due west of the gap in the fringing reef.
The site starts with a fringing reef between 2 – 5 m depth and has a wide sandy plain at 9 m depth with intermittent coral clusters. There is a pinnacle with a banana shape to the west of the mooring at 15m. This is a good reference point if diving deeper on this site as it is opposite the shore entrance through the fringing reef.
Features of note are fantastic coral pinnacles covered in red soft corals at the north end of the site. To find it, look for the big table coral and head north past the old sponge-covered fish cage. Keep on a straight line and you can not miss it.
Pointing for the narrow channel that wanders through the reef, you can follow it out and head to the left when we hit blue water because the reef is a little denser on this side. As you descend over the reef schooling reef fish and fire corals give way to a small coral garden at 8m. At 15m the bottom slopes steeply away – you’ll see the best and most diverse corals in the 15m range, along with octopi, squid, lionfish, and grouper.
This reef, part of the same structure that forms First Bay South and is over 700m long, is highly varied in composition. What’s your fancy?
You’ll find it here – it’s easy to get so fascinated by a particular section of reef that you get distracted or slightly disoriented here, but don’t worry –a maintaining a general sense of direction is easy: simply follow the reef up to safety-stop depth, and you’re headed for shore (which is never far away).
From try dives to technical diving – this site provides for all. Diving south from the mooring you find a cabbage coral at 18 meters on the corner of the reef follow the wall back to the north and follow the contour of the reef. The dive continues to the North where you will pass over a wide expanse of coral with black coral trees. After you come to a sandy gulley, follow this back up to 12 meters and work your way back across the reefs to the mooring.
This spot is really one of the most beautiful for diving and snorkeling in Aqaba.
We did the one-day Petra tour with from our Cruise Ship (Aqaba) with Wonders Tourism. This was a small bus (16 people) tour with lunch included. This was a fantastic... read more
Rbben
PETRA - A Day to Remenber - I looked at many tours for Petra arriving in Jordan on a cruise ship & after reading many excellent reviews from Wonders Travel & Tourism, booked with them.... read more
Wayne N
What a treat our tour to Petra was. Great guide and driver.
Very professional and knowledgeable. Very happy with the overall process and tour.
The meal was delicious too.... read more
SirlesT
