Aqaba has been an open secret in Jordan for years, but is only now getting the international recognition it deserves. The relaxed, welcoming beach town basks in year-round warmth, and is the perfect gateway to both the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea and the dramatic dunes and titanic sandstone cliffs of neighboring Wadi Rum.
1. TREK BENEATH THE RED SEA
Since no river opens into it, the Red Sea is renowned for its unrivalled visibility and world class diving. No PADI? No problem. Sea Trek is Aqaba’s quirky solution – an ethereal excursion along the seabed wearing astronaut-style helmets. Fresh air is pumped in from the surface; all you have to do is breathe deep, channel your inner Jacques Cousteau and enjoy the vibrant coral forests and marine life all around you.
Book it yourself: royaldivingclub.com
2. GET YOUR BOND ON IN A GYROCOPTER
If you’re a James Bon fan, you’ll know exactly what a gyrocopter is: a pocket-sized aircraft with self-propelled rotors, which can fly lower and slower than regular helicopters. This makes them perfect for sightseeing – particularly over the ridiculously clear waters of the Red Sea. Jordan’s Royal Aero Sports Club recently started tourist flights over Aqaba in these “motorbikes of the sky” – sadly minus the hidden missiles and gadgetry of 007’s ‘Little Nelly’.
Book it yourself: rascj.com/gyrocopters
3. ENJOY A HOLLYWOOD QUAD BIKE TOUR OF WADI RUM
Wadi Rum – an incredible sandscape of rolling dunes, oases and weathered escarpments – has become Hollywood’s go-to destination for filming other worlds. An easy 45-minute drive from downtown Aqaba, you can hire quad bikes and a guide from Atlantis Rum Camp, before heading out into this stellar desert wilderness to visit key sites from blockbusters including The Martian, Dune, Red Planet, Star Wars and Lawrence of Arabia.
Book it yourself: atlantisrumcamp.com
4. DESERT CAMP WITH THE BEDOUIN
For centuries, Wadi Rum has been the home of the Bedouin – a welcoming nomadic people who now run comfortable camps out in the protected desert wilderness. One of the best is Sun City with its luxurious, Martian-style domes – and more traditional goat-hair tents available deeper in the dunes, for those who want the fully authentic experience.
Either way, don’t miss dinner in the main camp, where “zarb” is the undisputed highlight: Bedouin BBQ slow-roasted in underground pits; followed by fireside dancing.
Book it yourself: suncitycamp.com
I hope you enjoyed this photo blog. I have many more adventures to read about. Subscribe here to get them all in your inbox each month. Please look up Adventure Cities which is broadcast on the Discovery Channel and Bally Sports.
If you liked this article, check out my friend Eric's article on his last trip to Australia: Australia’s Grampian Mountains and the Great Ocean Walk.
