Scuba Dive, Snorkel or Cruise the Red Sea

Explore Aqaba's Underwater World

Aqaba's Coral Paradise

Welcome to your "Scuba Dive, Snorkel, or Cruise" Adventure in Aqaba, Jordan! Get ready to

discover the mesmerizing world beneath the waves and learn about the remarkable corals and marine life

These resilient corals offer hope through artificial evolution techniques, potentially increasing the overall resilience of coral reefs globally.

that call this region home. Here's what makes Aqaba so unique.

Aqaba's Coral Superheroes: Combating Climate Change

Did you know?

Aqaba's Remarkable Corals:

• Aqaba is home to some of the world's most resilient corals, standing out as a

hotspot of diversity.

• These corals have adapted to extreme conditions, with the ability to withstand higher temperatures

than most other corals.

The Ice Age Connection:

• The theory is, during the last Ice Age, as the West froze and the Middle East heated up, the

connection between the Arabian Sea and Aqaba's gulf, which was a high inlet connecting the 2

continents (Africa and Asia) created a barrier when water levels drop below it, separating the gulf

from the Arabian sea.

• The gulf essentially became a large, isolated lake, as most of the oceans water was stuck in the

west, as well as raising humidity in the Middle East, has left only the corals that could endure the

intense heat to survive.

Why Aqaba's Corals Are Unique Today:

• When the ice melted, water levels rose and flooded back into the gulf, flushing many of Aqaba's corals north.

• Today, in under a decade we lost 14% of the world's corals because of climate change.

• Corals are responsible for around 50% of the world's oxygen production, making them vital for life on

Earth.

• Aqaba's corals, which endured the heat, retained their genetics from the dawn of the Ice Age. Today,

they are exceptionally heat-resistant, capable of withstanding temperature increases of up to 7

degrees Celsius, being one of the very few group of corals from around the world that are resisting

climate change and surviving.

Why this matters

• Around the world, corals are struggling to survive from as little as a 2-degree Celsius increase in

water temperature, just like a human body going into a fever, highlighting the urgency of protecting

resilient coral ecosystems like Aqaba’s.

• Scientists worldwide study Aqaba's corals to understand how they can benefit other corals

threatened by climate change.

• These resilient corals offer hope through artificial evolution techniques, potentially increasing the

overall resilience of coral reefs globally.

Other Marine Life of Aqaba

•Sea Turtles: Aqaba's waters are home to magnificent sea turtles, turtles that are commonly spotted are

Hawksbill turtles. Their presence is a testament to the health of these waters.

•Lion fish: Lion fish add a touch of exotic beauty. Lionfish are invasive in many seas and oceans around

the world, seeing them in their natural, original ecosystem adds an element of beauty to our colourful reef.

•Whale Sharks: Aqaba annually welcomes these gentle giants in the summer months. Their presence

signifies the health of the ecosystem and offers a thrilling experience for divers.

•Flying Fish: While cruising Aqaba, be sure to scout out the waters surface to view some of Aqaba’s

most famous residence, the flying fish. These fish are capable of jumping out of the water for a solid 200

meters per jump, appearing to “fly” on the water’s surface, earning their name.

Why These Species Matter:

• Sea turtles: These reptiles play a vital role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems by

controlling sponge, jellyfish and coral populations.

• Lion fish: These fish are essential to control high breeding fish species.

• Whale sharks: As apex predators, they indicate the overall health of Aqaba's marine environment by

preying on small fish as well as their eggs to keep the population under control.

• Flying Fish: Flying fish influence predator-prey dynamics, regulating the populations of their

predators. This in turn, helps maintain a balance within the ecosystem.

Conservation Efforts:

Combating Pollution

The Challenge:

• Pollution, including plastic waste and runoff, threatens Aqaba's marine ecosystem. Corals that have

survived millions of years and still evolving to survive today's planet, are now threatened by waste

pollution.

• Efforts are underway to reduce pollution and educate the community on sustainable practices.

We're excited to have you join us on this extraordinary journey! Together, we'll explore the wonders of this

unique coral paradise, appreciate its remarkable inhabitants, and actively contribute to its conservation.

For booking and more information, visit www.seamonkeynetwork.com

Stay connected with us on social media:

• Instagram: @seamonkey.network

@seamonkey.official

Thank you for choosing us to guide you on this incredible journey of underwater exploration and

conservation!