Why Honeymoon in Aqaba
It completes the classic Jordan route. Petra, Wadi Rum and Aqaba are all in the south. Aqaba is barely an hour from Wadi Rum. Ending at the beach gives you a few days to rest before the long flight home.
The snorkeling is excellent. Reefs such as the Japanese Garden near the South Beach area have colorful hard and soft corals, reef fish and the odd turtle, all close to shore. The gulf has no tides and very little current, which makes it friendly for beginners.
The winter climate is a bonus. From November to March, when Amman can be cold and rainy, Aqaba is usually warm enough for the beach.
Resorts offer pools, spas and private beaches with good service at fair prices.
When to Go
October through April is the best season. Days are warm and sunny, often in the 70s °F in winter. The sea stays comfortable for snorkeling year-round.
March, April, October and November are ideal for combining Aqaba with Petra and Wadi Rum, when temperatures across the south are pleasant.
June to September is extremely hot, often over 100°F. The sea is warm but the heat is intense. Outdoor sightseeing at Petra and Wadi Rum becomes hard work.
During Ramadan, which moves each year, restaurants outside hotels may close during daylight hours and eating in public is discouraged. Hotels continue to serve guests. Check the dates when you plan.
Where to Stay
In the city, beachfront hotels line the northern shore near the center. Kempinski Hotel Aqaba and InterContinental Aqaba are well-established options with pools and private beaches.
South of town, Tala Bay is a self-contained resort area with hotels around a lagoon and marina, close to the best reefs.
The Ayla development, north of the city, has newer hotels, a marina, a golf course and restaurants. Al Manara, a Luxury Collection hotel in the city, is one of the more upscale choices.
For snorkeling and diving, stay south near the reefs. For walking to restaurants and souks, stay in the center. Resorts handle most of what couples need.
Romantic Things to Do
Snorkel the reefs along the south coast. The Japanese Garden and other sites in the Aqaba Marine Park are easy to reach from shore or by short boat ride.
Divers can explore the Cedar Pride, a cargo ship sunk deliberately as an artificial reef. Nearby lies an underwater collection of military vehicles and an aircraft placed to create new reef habitat.
Take a glass-bottom boat or sunset cruise on the gulf, watching the mountains of Sinai turn pink.
Book a couples spa treatment at your resort after the hiking at Petra.
Wander the old souk and the small Aqaba Fort, then eat fresh fish in town.
Take a day trip to Wadi Rum for a jeep tour and sunset if you are not staying there overnight.
Getting There and Around
King Hussein International Airport (AQJ) is just north of the city. Royal Jordanian flies between Amman and Aqaba in about an hour. Some European carriers fly in seasonally.
Most couples drive or take a transfer from Amman. The Desert Highway takes about four hours, while the scenic King's Highway is slower. Buses with established companies such as JETT connect Amman and Aqaba.
Wadi Rum is about an hour away and Petra about two hours, which makes Aqaba the natural end point of a southern loop.
In town, taxis are cheap and easy. Agree on the fare or insist on the meter. Resorts in Tala Bay and Ayla run shuttles to their beaches and to the center.
Food and Drink
Aqaba is known for seafood. Try sayadieh, a dish of spiced fish over rice with caramelized onions, at local restaurants in the center.
Jordanian staples are everywhere: mansaf, the national dish of lamb cooked in fermented yogurt sauce; falafel; hummus; and fresh flatbread.
Resorts have international restaurants, beach bars and buffets.
Alcohol is served at hotels and some restaurants. Aqaba's status as a special economic zone keeps prices lower than elsewhere in Jordan. Few local restaurants outside the resorts serve it, though. Jordanian wine, from vineyards in the north, is worth trying.
Mint tea and strong Arabic coffee with cardamom are part of every meal.
Honeymoon Tips
Dress modestly in town. Both of you should cover shoulders and knees when walking through the center or souks. Swimwear is fine at resorts and private beaches.
Public beaches in town are used mostly by local families. Couples often feel more comfortable at hotel beaches or beach clubs.
Use reef-safe sunscreen and never stand on coral.
Check the current US State Department advisory for Jordan before you book.
End your trip here. After Petra and Wadi Rum, two or three beach days make the whole journey feel balanced.
