Aqaba: 2 Guided Dives Boat Trip with Gear and Buffet Lunch

Aqaba rewards those who look below the surface. This five-hour boat trip takes you from Aqaba Sharks Bay Divers to the Red Sea for two guided scuba sessions among coral gardens, clownfish, angelfish, wrecks, and excellent visibility. I like the way the price includes equipment, food, drinks, and the boat ride, so you are not left adding up costly extras at the marina.

I also like the relaxed rhythm: one underwater session in the morning, a break with snacks and drinks, then a second session before lunch and the ride home. The main consideration is timing. You spend roughly an hour on the boat before the first session and another hour between underwater stops, so this suits you if you enjoy a full half-day on the water, not if you want a quick dip and return.

The operators, Aqaba Sharks Bay Divers, use a boat with toilets, showers, indoor seating, outdoor areas, and shaded spots. English is the tour language. Sofiane and Farid receive especially warm praise from a couple who completed their PADI Level 1 certification with them, while Dirk specifically appreciated the friendly staff and the guide leading his first underwater session.

Key points before you book

• Two one-hour guided scuba sessions give you a proper look at Aqaba’s reefs rather than a brief swim.
• Aqaba’s 28 wrecks add an unusual historical and visual angle to the Red Sea outing.
• Equipment, buffet lunch, snacks, and drinks are included in the $161 price.
• Turtles are seen year-round, while dolphins and whale sharks may appear in summer.
• The boat has toilets, showers, indoor seating, outdoor areas, and shade, useful on a five-hour trip.
• A 10 JD transfer is available on request, arranged through WhatsApp.

Leaving Sharks Bay Divers for Ayla Marina

Your day begins at Aqaba Sharks Bay Divers. A van transfer of about 15 minutes takes you to Ayla Marina, where you board one of the company’s boats.

The short ride matters because it keeps the morning simple. You do not need to organize a separate taxi to the marina if you arrange the optional transfer. The extra cost is 10 JD, and the request is handled through WhatsApp. If you are meeting at the dive centre yourself, the stated meeting point is Aqaba Sharks Bay Divers.

Once aboard, you receive a safety briefing during the first 30 minutes of the boat cruise. That is useful time, not filler. You can get familiar with the boat, listen to the instructions, and prepare for the first underwater session without rushing from the van straight into the sea.

The boat has a self-service area with coffee, tea, soft drinks, and water. It also has indoor and outdoor spaces, so you can choose sun or shade. Toilets and showers are practical touches, especially since you will spend about five hours moving between the marina and the two underwater sites.

First underwater session among Aqaba’s coral gardens

The first session lasts about an hour. The area is known for coral gardens, clownfish, angelfish, and colorful coral formations called bommies. The supplied description also highlights strong visibility, which is one of the biggest reasons to choose this trip instead of treating Aqaba as only a beach stop.

I like the structure here. You get a full guided session rather than being left to find your way around the reef. That is particularly helpful if you are newly certified or still building confidence. Dirk’s experience points to the value of the first guide, whom he described as excellent and friendly.

The exact reef or wreck used on the day is not specified, so you should not expect a guaranteed named site. Marine conditions, logistics, and the guide’s judgment can affect the choice. The reward is variety: Aqaba offers coral gardens alongside an impressive collection of wrecks, with eight wreck locations and 28 wrecks in total in the Gulf of Aqaba.

The marine life can also change with the season. Turtles are present throughout the year according to the operator, while dolphins and whale sharks are possible during summer. These are possibilities, not promises, so book for the coral and guided sessions first. Treat larger animals as a fortunate extra.

The one-hour pause between sessions

After the first underwater session, you have about an hour for coffee, tea, local snacks, and another boat cruise. A second safety briefing is included before the next session.

This pause gives you time to rest rather than forcing two back-to-back hours in the water. You can sit outside, move into the shade, use the onboard facilities, and have something small to eat. If you are new to scuba, that breathing space can make the second session more enjoyable.

The break is also the least structured part of the day. Some people will appreciate the calm, while others may find an hour between sessions long. I would bring a relaxed attitude and make use of the boat rather than expecting a packed sightseeing schedule.

Because drinks and snacks are supplied, you do not need to depend on the marina for refreshments. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, and water are provided, and fruit and other local snacks are served onboard. The setup is self-service, which gives you freedom but also means you should look after your own timing and belongings.

The second one-hour session and Aqaba’s wrecks

The second scuba session lasts another hour. This is where the wreck theme becomes especially appealing. Aqaba is home to 28 wrecks across eight different wreck sites, giving the coast a strong underwater attraction beyond reef fish and coral.

The trip does not promise a particular wreck, so keep your expectations sensible. You may visit one of the area’s wreck sites, but the specific location is not stated. If wrecks are your main reason for booking, ask the operator what site is planned when you arrange the trip.

For me, the combination is the real strength: the first session may focus on coral and fish, while the second may bring a different setting, possibly involving a wreck. You get two chances to see underwater scenery, and each hour is long enough to feel like a proper session rather than a quick introductory outing.

Sofiane and Farid are named by a couple who completed their PADI Level 1 certification with them and described the sites as unforgettable. That detail makes this experience sound suitable for people at the beginning of their scuba journey, though the supplied information does not state a separate certification course is included in this particular booking.

Jordanian food served on the boat

After the second session, the boat serves a buffet meal with regional Jordanian food. The schedule allows about an hour for lunch, coffee, tea, and free time before the final cruise.

This is a practical part of the value. A five-hour sea outing can feel tiring if food is not included, and here you receive a proper buffet rather than only a packaged snack. The meal also gives the trip a local touch. You are not simply eating generic food at a marina café; you are served Jordanian dishes onboard.

The precise menu is not provided, so I would not plan around a particular dish or assume that every dietary need is covered. If you have restrictions, contact the provider before booking. The available information confirms regional food, snacks, fruit, drinks, and a buffet lunch, but not vegetarian, vegan, halal, allergy, or special-diet arrangements.

After lunch, you have time to relax on the boat. You can use the indoor or outdoor areas, find a place in the shade, or enjoy the final cruise back toward Ayla Marina.

The return ride and five-hour pace

The return boat cruise takes about 30 minutes, followed by the 15-minute van ride back to Aqaba Sharks Bay Divers. The full outing lasts about five hours, though the exact starting time depends on availability.

That length is a good fit if you want an organized morning or midday on the Red Sea. It includes roughly:

• 15 minutes by van to the marina
• 30 minutes for the boat cruise and first safety briefing
• One hour for the first scuba session
• One hour for the break and second briefing
• One hour for the second scuba session
• One hour for lunch and free time
• 30 minutes back to the marina
• 15 minutes by van to the dive centre

The timing adds up to more than five hours if every listed segment is counted separately, so treat the schedule as an approximate outline rather than a strict clock. The advertised duration is five hours, and boat conditions or marina operations may affect the exact pace.

The return transfer to the dive centre is included in the planned flow. You finish where you started, which is convenient if you have left belongings or arranged onward plans from the centre.

What the $161 price includes

At $161 per person, this is not Aqaba’s cheapest way to see the sea. It is also more than a simple shore swim. The value comes from bundling several costs into one price.

Your fee includes the scuba equipment, two guided one-hour sessions, the boat trip, buffet lunch, snacks, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and water. The vessel also supplies toilets, showers, indoor areas, outdoor spaces, and shade. That package reduces the number of small expenses that can catch you by surprise during a full day on the water.

The price makes the most sense if you plan to use the full offering. If you only want to float near shore, you are paying for equipment, guides, a boat, two sessions, food, and several hours of onboard time you may not need. If you want two substantial guided sessions and a meal included, the calculation looks much better.

The optional marina transfer costs an additional 10 JD. Since it is not included in the stated price, budget for it if you need door-to-door help from the dive centre arrangement. The transfer is organized through WhatsApp.

Who will enjoy this Aqaba outing?

I would recommend this trip to a certified scuba participant who wants reef life, good visibility, and the possibility of wreck scenery in one organized outing. It also looks appealing for newer participants who value a guide and a slower pace between sessions.

The warm feedback about Sofiane, Farid, and the first-session guide is important here. Friendly instruction can make a major difference when you are still getting comfortable underwater. The information does not state the required certification level for this exact outing, so confirm eligibility with Aqaba Sharks Bay Divers before paying.

This trip suits you if you like:

• Coral gardens and reef fish
• Wreck sites as part of your sea experience
• A full boat outing rather than a short shore activity
• Lunch and drinks included
• English-language guidance
• Time to relax between sessions

It may not suit you if you dislike long boat periods, want a guaranteed named wreck, or prefer a very small and private outing. Group size is not provided, so you should ask about it if that affects your decision.

Booking details worth checking first

English is the listed tour language, and a live guide accompanies the experience. You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Jordan schedule is still changing.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. Check the available start times before booking, since the five-hour duration does not identify one fixed departure.

I would also contact the operator in advance about three points: the expected wreck or reef site, the certification requirement, and any food restrictions. Those questions are more useful than simply asking if the trip is fun. The answer can tell you if the day matches your skills, interests, and meal needs.

Should you book the two-session boat trip?

Book it if you want a well-padded Aqaba sea day with two guided one-hour sessions, wreck possibilities, coral gardens, and a buffet lunch already covered. The inclusion of equipment and drinks makes the $161 cost easier to justify, especially if you would otherwise rent gear and pay separately for a boat and meal.

I would skip it if your main goal is a guaranteed specific wreck, a private boat, or the shortest possible water activity. The schedule includes significant cruising and rest time, and the exact underwater sites are not guaranteed.

For the right person, this is a comfortable way to see Aqaba below the surface without piecing together equipment, transport, food, and guides yourself. Sofiane and Farid’s friendly instruction is another reason newer scuba participants may feel at ease, but confirm the certification rules and planned sites before you commit.

FAQ

How long does the Aqaba boat trip last?

The advertised duration is five hours. The schedule includes transport to the marina, boat cruises, two one-hour scuba sessions, a break, and a buffet meal.

How many scuba sessions are included?

Two guided scuba sessions are included, and each is scheduled for about one hour.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. Equipment is included in the per-person price.

Is lunch provided on the boat?

Yes. A buffet lunch with regional Jordanian food is served onboard. Snacks and fruit are also provided.

What drinks are available?

Coffee, tea, soft drinks, and water are provided. The boat has a self-service area for drinks.

Can I see wrecks during the trip?

Aqaba has eight wreck sites and 28 wrecks in total in the Gulf of Aqaba. The experience includes the opportunity to visit wrecks, but a specific wreck site is not guaranteed in the supplied information.

What marine life might I see?

The area is known for coral gardens, clownfish, angelfish, and coral bommies. Turtles are seen year-round, while dolphins and whale sharks may appear during summer.

Is transport from the dive centre to the marina included?

The planned itinerary includes a van ride of about 15 minutes to the marina and 15 minutes back to Aqaba Sharks Bay Divers. An optional transfer can be requested for an extra 10 JD through WhatsApp.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide and activity language are English.