Cedar Pride Wreck

Aqaba · Aqaba Governorate · Jordan

The Cedar Pride is Jordan's most celebrated dive site and the centrepiece of Aqaba's thriving dive scene. This 75-metre freighter lies on her port side in the shallow waters of Aqaba's marine park, deliberately sunk in November 1985 to create an artificial reef -- and four decades of coral growth have transformed her into one of the most beautiful wrecks in the entire Red Sea region. The wreck rests with her starboard side uppermost at around 10 to 16 metres, sloping down to a sandy bottom at 26 to 27 metres where the port side meets the seabed. What makes the Cedar Pride exceptional among wreck dives is the extraordinary coral colonization. Every surface is draped in soft corals -- brilliant reds, pinks, purples, and oranges -- creating a living tapestry that rivals any coral reef. Sea fans extend from the railings, sponges encrust the superstructure, and the overall effect is of a wreck that has been completely absorbed into the marine ecosystem. The interior offers multiple penetration points for qualified divers. The engine room is the most popular, with well-preserved machinery visible through atmospheric shafts of light. The cargo holds and bridge area are also accessible, with each space hosting colonies of glassfish, lionfish, and scorpionfish. Nudibranchs of remarkable variety crawl along the hull, and pipefish hide among the coral growth. From the outside, the wreck attracts a constant parade of marine life. Schools of small barracuda circle the superstructure, groupers shelter beneath overhangs, and moray eels peer from holes in the hull. The sandy bottom around the wreck holds its own treasures, with garden eels, flatfish, and sea pens visible to observant divers. The Cedar Pride is accessible both from shore and by boat. The shore entry involves a 130-metre swim over sand, while boat operators can position directly above the wreck. The site is diveable year-round in Aqaba's generally calm conditions, with water temperatures ranging from 20 degrees in winter to 28 degrees in summer and visibility typically between 15 and 25 metres.