Diving the Cedar Pride: Jordan’s Most Famous Shipwreck
Experience the pride of Jordan's reefs. A complete guide to diving the Cedar Pride wreck in Aqaba, a former freighter now covered in vibrant soft corals.
Diving the Cedar Pride: Jordan’s Most Famous Shipwreck
If you ask a local diver in Jordan for their favorite site, 90% of them will give you the same answer: The Cedar Pride.
While Egypt's SS Thistlegorm is world-famous for its size and history, the Cedar Pride in Aqaba is beloved for its sheer beauty, vibrant coral life, and accessibility. It is often cited as one of the most photogenic wrecks in the entire world. Here is everything you need to know about diving this Jordanian icon.
The History: A Gift from a King
The Cedar Pride was a 74-meter long Lebanese freighter. In 1982, a fire severely damaged the ship while it was moored in Aqaba. Rather than scrapping it, King Abdullah II (the Prince at the time) ordered it to be cleaned and purposefully sunk for the benefit of the diving community.
In 1985, the ship was scuttled in the Aqaba Marine Park. It was placed perfectly on its side between two coral reefs, creating a bridge that allows divers to swim underneath the hull.
The Dive Profile
- Depth: The wreck lies on its port side. The shallowest part (the starboard rail) is at 7 meters, while the deepest part (the masts on the sandy bottom) is at 25 meters.
- Access: It is a very easy shore dive. You enter via a marked channel in the reef and swim about 150 meters to reach the ship.
- Visibility: Consistently excellent, often exceeding 30 meters, allowing you to see the entire massive silhouette of the ship as you approach.
What to See and Explore
1. The Soft Coral Masts
The two main masts and the crow's nest are now completely encrusted in vibrant red, purple, and orange soft corals that sway in the light currents. It is a stunning sight that attracts huge schools of glassfish.
2. The Swim-Throughs
For experienced divers, there are several easy swim-Throughs. The most famous is the 'bridge' area. Because the ship is propped up by two reefs, you can actually swim directly under the hull at about 20 meters, looking up at the massive rudder and propeller.
3. The Air Pocket
Inside one of the shallower cabins, there is a trapped air pocket (though you should never attempt to breathe this air, it creates a cool mirror-like effect on the ceiling).
4. Marine Life
The Cedar Pride has become a hub for biodiversity. You can find frogfish, pipefish, and nudibranchs on the hull, while massive Napoleon wrasse and sea turtles are frequently spotted patrolling the surrounding reef.
Photography Tips
The Cedar Pride is the ultimate wide-angle site.
- The 'Bridge' Shot: Get a photo from underneath the hull looking up towards the surface to capture the scale of the ship.
- The Masts: Use the vibrant soft corals on the masts to add color to your foreground while keeping the blue water in the background.
- Silhouette: On a sunny day, the shallow rail at 7 meters makes for a perfect silhouette shot against the sun.
Conclusion
The Cedar Pride represents the best of Jordan's underwater world: it is safe, beautiful, culturally significant, and thriving with life. Whether you are a newly certified Open Water diver or a seasoned wreck explorer, this ship will leave you in awe. No trip to Aqaba is complete without at least one dive on the Pride.