The beaches of Aqaba are the only ones in Jordan, as the country’s coastline is only about 25 km long, around this city (we don’t count the bathing areas of the Dead Sea, which, due to their extreme salinity, have a spa character). Therefore, if you want to put a refreshing finishing touch to your tour of Jordan, it will be useful to know what beaches are available here. And it can be said that they are grouped into three different options: in the center, to the south and to the north, each with its own particularities.
City Center Beach: Al-Ghandour
Of all the beaches in Aqaba, Al-Ghandour is the one with a more public and popular character. It stretches right in the city center, between the Arab Revolt Square and the sports and regular ferry port. It is free and here you can see a typically local atmosphere all year round, since a favorite pastime of the city’s inhabitants is to walk under the palm trees, wet their feet on the shore and take a dip from time to time. On holidays, especially if they are religious celebrations that invite gathering, its sandy area is crowded with groups of Jordanians, with family or friends.
Southern Beaches: more Pristine and Quiet
To the south of the large cruise port, especially in the 15 km between the cargo port and the border with Saudi Arabia, there are several beaches with a more holiday-like and pristine character. They are known as the southern beach or beaches, and although some bathing areas are linked to hotel complexes in the area, they are also open to public bathing.
In fact, the main water sports companies are located here, with which it is possible to practice kite surfing, diving and snorkeling. The underwater fauna and the underwater military museum are some of the great attractions located under the waters. In addition, this entire coast is well connected to the city thanks to the S Beach highway, which runs parallel to the coast. Only the presence of some large ship on its way to port can slightly affect the idyllic coastal landscape that is contemplated here.
In the surroundings of these southern beaches there are also other tourist attractions mentioned in this blog, such as its Aquarium, one of the most visited spaces by families, where you can get to know the rich and varied fauna of the Red Sea, as well as other exotic species gathered here.
Northern Beaches: Private for Guests
On the other hand, in the small space that is located to the north of the city, between the marina and the border with Israel, there are small bathing areas, with magnificent sandy areas, sun lounger service and other amenities. But in these cases, these are private beaches, managed by the resorts that are located on its shores and that give them their name.
This is the case of Intercontinental Beach or Kempinski Beach. In addition, they have small docks or breakwaters that allow the mooring of small boats, thus facilitating private crossings through the surroundings. And as an ideal complement for families is the
In all these hotel-resorts there are also outdoor pools, which gives the customer the option to choose between one type of bath or another. The area of tourist apartments has also had a great development, with a private lagoon and docking docks, as well as direct access to the sea, so this area, known as Ayla, has become one of the trendy places for national and international tourists.
