Aqaba · Jordan · Gulf of Aqaba / Red Sea

Aqaba

Aqaba sits on Jordan’s Red Sea coast, on the Gulf of Aqaba, under the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA). The free public beaches of the Aqaba Marine Reserve lie to the south (Coral, Yamaninya, Blue and Palm), and Berenice Beach Club sits farther along South Beach Road.

Aqaba Marine ReserveSouth Beach AqabaBerenice Beach Club

Choose your stretch

  • Aqaba Marine Reserve / South Beach Aqaba — Public beaches south of the city · Coral, Yamaninya, Blue and Palm · free entry · about 7 km from the Passenger Port to the Royal Diving Club
  • Berenice Beach Club — Sindbad operator · Visit Jordan 72 Hours snorkeling rec · South Beach Road club amenities · adjacent to AMR area
  • Tala Bay Beach Club — South Beach Road gated private-beach / day-pass products · Access contrast

Full stretch cards

Parking at a glance

Aqaba Marine Reserve (Coral / Yamaninya / Blue / Palm): entry to all the reserve’s beaches is free; facilities include parking, umbrellas, sanitary facilities, playgrounds, camping areas. Check the ASEZA signs or ask the lot attendant.

Berenice Beach Club: Sindbad operator at Al Yamaniyah / اليمانية; Visit Jordan 72 Hours snorkeling rec. BBQ package from JOD28 is dining. Confirm reception / day-pass prices. Operator “direct access to Aqaba marine Reserve area” — club amenities are not the free Coral/Blue/Palm gate.

Tala Bay Beach Club (orientation / Access contrast): Operator: South Beach Road, Tala Bay, Aqaba; gated community; private beach / 3 pools; homepage advertises Day Pass – Marina Plaza Hotel and Beach Club Membership. Confirm reception / day-pass prices.

Arriving from Amman: JETT intercity buses run between Amman and the Aqaba city terminal, and the beaches to the south are a separate ride. Check the posted fares on jett.com.jo before you travel.

ASEZA — Aqaba Marine Reserve · Berenice Beach Club · Tala Bay · JETT · Visit Jordan 72 Hours

Best stretches and who they’re for

South Beach Aqaba / Aqaba Marine Reserve

ASEZA first marine reserve in Jordan; southern coastline ~7 km (Passenger Port to Royal Diving Club). Official public beaches for orientation: Coral (diving/snorkeling), Yamaninya (Military Diving Museum / underwater museum), The Blue Beach (Blue Flag 2026 fourth consecutive — PETRA 15 Jul 2026), Palm (family / camping). Entry free of charge. AMR Regulation 61/2022: no dogs; no fishing; no coral/shell collection; no fires; camping only designated and permit. Check parking on the ASEZA signs when you arrive.

Berenice Beach Club

Sindbad Group operator; Visit Jordan 72 Hours names Berenice Beach as the snorkeling rec. Operator: direct access to AMR area — club amenities are not the free Coral/Blue/Palm gate. BBQ package from JOD28 is dining. Ask at reception for parking and day-pass prices.

Tala Bay and the South Beach Road clubs

Operator Tala Bay: South Beach Road, Tala Bay, Aqaba; self-sufficient gated community; Beach Club 3 pools · private beach; homepage Day Pass / membership products. Unlike the free public beaches of the Aqaba Marine Reserve, entry here is by day pass or membership. Confirm day-pass prices at reception.

ASEZA Marine Reserve rules

Beaches remain state-owned through ASEZA (AMR Management Plan 2022–2026); hotels/developments may hold management contracts — official record beside operator private-beach products. Blue Flag is an annual FEE / JREDS eco-label (Blue Beach 2026; Ayla Marina / B12 / Mama Gaia 2026–2027); same-day bathing conditions come from on-site ASEZA staff and signs. JETT buses from Amman stop at the city terminal, and the clubs to the south are a separate ride.

Notes before you pack

  • Flags / lifeguards: Follow on-site ASEZA Aqaba Marine Reserve staff and signs. Blue Beach Blue Flag 2026 (fourth consecutive, PETRA 15 Jul 2026) is an annual FEE/JREDS eco-label; same-day bathing conditions come from on-site ASEZA staff and signs. ASEZA switchboard 0096232091000 cited on AMR page — follow on-site reserve staff / Civil Defense.
  • Dogs: Inside Aqaba Marine Reserve — Regulation No. 61 of 2022 Art. 9(h) prohibits introducing domesticated animals such as dogs, horses, and livestock in the protected area (Coral / Yamaninya / Blue / Palm). Outside the reserve (Berenice / Tala Bay / northern hotel beaches), follow on-site dogs signs.
  • The Aqaba Marine Reserve beaches are free and public. Berenice Beach Club and Tala Bay set their own entry rules.
  • Coral, Yamaninya, Blue, and Palm are the official ASEZA beach names under South Beach Aqaba.
  • JETT intercity buses run between Amman and the Aqaba city terminal. Check the posted fares on jett.com.jo before you travel. The beaches to the south are a separate ride.
  • Check parking and day-pass prices on the ASEZA signs or at club reception.
  • Tide: use IOC SSC-aqab / local AMR Research guidance when you need heights.

FAQ

What is there to do near Aqaba?

Near Aqaba: snorkeling, sunset sails and cruises, and diving. See Off the sand for tours and tickets.

Beach safety — who to trust