The Mameluk Fort, one of the main historical landmarks of Aqaba, was originally a Crusader Castle. It was rebuilt by the Mameluks in the sixteenth century. Square in shape and flanked by semicircular towers, the fort is marked with various inscriptions marking the latter period of the Islamic dynasty.
Aqaba's reef is alive with untold variety in its coral and fish. Common species are branch coral, fungia and montipora, and the rare archelia, a black, tree-like specimen found at great depths and first discovered by King Hussein himself.
Unusual vertical currents called 'Upwellings' combined with sea breezes make diving cool and pleasant, even in the heat of the summer when water temperatures can reach up to 28 degrees Celsius.
