Cedar Pride Shipwreck | Aqaba

Information

Landmark: Cedar Pride Shipwreck
City: Aqaba
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

Cedar Pride Shipwreck, Aqaba, Jordan, Asia

The Cedar Pride is a 1,161-ton Lebanese freighter shipwreck located within the Aqaba-marine-park_aqaba" class="underline">Aqaba Marine Park. It serves as Jordan's most prominent artificial reef and wreck diving site, positioned approximately 130 meters offshore.

Visual Characteristics

The 74-meter-long vessel lies intact on its port side, bridging two distinct coral reefs. The uppermost starboard side sits at a depth of 9 meters, while the keel rests on the sandy bottom at 27 meters. The structure is heavily encrusted with soft corals and large sea fans, particularly around the crow's nest and main mast. The hull remains stable, with open cargo holds and a largely intact superstructure including the bridge and lifeboats.

Location & Access Logistics

The wreck is situated off the South Beach Highway, approximately 12km south of Aqaba city center. It is marked by a permanent surface buoy and is accessible by both shore and boat. From the beach, divers must perform a 130-meter surface or underwater swim across a sandy bottom to reach the keel. Direct access is managed through the Aqaba Marine Park Visitor Centre; parking is available at the adjacent public lots along the coastal road.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The Cedar Pride was a Spanish-built cargo ship launched in 1964. Following a catastrophic engine room fire in 1982 that left the ship a total loss, it was scuttled on November 16, 1985, under a royal decree by King Abdullah II (then Prince). It was specifically prepared as an artificial reef by removing oil and hazardous materials to foster marine biodiversity in the Gulf of Aqaba.

Key Highlights & Activities

Snorkeling is possible over the shallowest parts of the hull at the starboard side. Scuba diving highlights include a "swim-through" at 26 meters where the hull spans the reef gap. Advanced divers can penetrate the engine room and interior cabins. Night diving is common here to observe octopuses, Spanish dancers, and moray eels.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The site is serviced by the Aqaba Marine Park Visitor Centre, which provides freshwater showers and restrooms. The area has strong 5G cellular coverage. While no food vendors are on the immediate beach, the South Beach tourist village located 500 meters away contains multiple dive centers, equipment rental shops, and cafes.

Best Time to Visit

The wreck is accessible year-round, but October to December offers the best combination of water clarity (up to 30 meters) and moderate air temperatures. For photography, the late morning provides the best vertical light to illuminate the hull. High tide is recommended for shore entries to ease the trek over the shallow reef flat.

Facts & Legends

The Cedar Pride is frequently cited as one of the most photogenic wrecks in the Red Sea due to its "bridge" position, which allows divers to swim entirely underneath the midsection of the ship. A local historical detail notes that the original name "San Bruno" can still be seen engraved on the bow beneath the current coral growth.