The Cedar Pride is the most famous dive in Aqaba and a genuine Red Sea legend. This 80-metre Lebanese freighter caught fire in 1982 and was later deliberately sunk in 1985, under the patronage of the late King Hussein, to create an artificial reef just off the South Beach. Four decades on, it has become a living monument carpeted in soft corals.
The story of Cedar Pride Shipwreck
Originally launched in 1964, the freighter was damaged beyond repair and donated for an ambitious project: turning a derelict ship into a thriving habitat. She was towed to a sandy plateau and scuttled so that she came to rest on her port side, her twin masts crossing dramatically over the seabed. Because the sinking was planned, the wreck is intact, stable and unusually safe to explore — one reason it appears on so many lists of the best wreck dives in the world.
Marine life & what you'll see
Every surface of the Cedar Pride is now upholstered in pink and orange soft corals, sponges and hydroids. Clouds of glassfish shimmer inside the holds, while lionfish hover under the railings and groupers patrol the shadows. Look closely at the masts and you will find nudibranchs, crocodilefish camouflaged on the deck, and the occasional turtle gliding past. At dusk the wreck transforms as the soft corals open to feed.
Diving Cedar Pride Shipwreck
The wreck sits between roughly 10 and 26 metres, so it suits a wide range of certified divers. The shallow deck and bridge are perfect for Open Water divers and make a relaxed, photogenic first wreck, while the deeper hull and the swim-throughs reward Advanced and wreck-trained divers who want to drop a little deeper. Visibility is typically excellent, and because the site is reached by a short boat ride it is usually calm and current-free.
Highlights
- Aqaba's signature wreck — intact and safe, lying on its port side
- Soft-coral gardens, glassfish, lionfish and resident groupers
- Shallow deck for beginners, deeper hull for advanced divers
- Superb for wide-angle and wreck photography
Diving conditions & best time
Aqaba offers some of the calmest, most accessible diving in the Red Sea, and Cedar Pride Shipwreck is no exception. Water temperatures stay comfortable year-round, from about 21°C in winter to 27°C in summer, and visibility commonly runs 15–40 metres. Cedar Pride Shipwreck is a boat dive, so it can be enjoyed across most of the year; the calm gulf rarely sees big swell, and we dive it in small guided groups with all equipment available.
Who can dive Cedar Pride Shipwreck?
Cedar Pride Shipwreck suits certified divers from Open Water level upwards. Its shallower sections are fine for newer divers, while the deeper parts are best once you hold an Advanced certification.
Diving Cedar Pride Shipwreck with Aqaba Dive Academy
When you dive Cedar Pride Shipwreck with Aqaba Dive Academy you join a small, guided group led by PADI- and CMAS-certified instructors who know the site intimately. All scuba equipment can be included, and we can combine Cedar Pride Shipwreck with other nearby Aqaba dive sites on the same trip. New to diving, or ready to go deeper? Ask us about the right course — from beginner Open Water to Advanced and beyond.
Plan your trip to Aqaba
Cedar Pride Shipwreck lies just minutes from Aqaba's South Beach, on Jordan's Red Sea coast. Aqaba has its own international airport (King Hussein International) and is an easy drive from Amman, Petra and Wadi Rum, so a dive here fits neatly into a wider Jordan itinerary. Diving runs year-round — bring sun protection, your certification card and logbook, and we will take care of the rest.
Frequently asked questions
Cedar Pride Shipwreck reaches 10–26 m, and is always dived within the limits of your certification with a guide.
Cedar Pride Shipwreck suits certified divers from Open Water level upwards. Its shallower sections are fine for newer divers, while the deeper parts are best once you hold an Advanced certification.
Cedar Pride Shipwreck is accessed boat with Aqaba Dive Academy.
Divers should hold a suitable certification before diving Cedar Pride Shipwreck; contact us to assess your level.
Highlights include: Aqaba's signature wreck — intact and safe, lying on its port side; Soft-coral gardens, glassfish, lionfish and resident groupers; Shallow deck for beginners, deeper hull for advanced divers.
Diving in Aqaba is possible year-round thanks to its mild climate and relatively warm water; Cedar Pride Shipwreck is comfortable in every season, and our team is happy to arrange the best time for your visit.
You can book online through our booking page or contact Aqaba Dive Academy directly; we will match the dive to your certification and arrange equipment and guiding.
