The Underwater Military Museum in Aqaba Bay
Established in 2019 within the Red Sea’s Aqaba Bay, this underwater military museum offers an extraordinary experience for visitors while doubling as an artificial reef. Situated approximately 24 meters below the surface, the site houses 21 submerged military vehicles and equipment, intentionally sunk to alleviate pressure on natural coral reefs and enhance the local marine ecosystem.
Aqaba Bay shares borders with Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, making this underwater attraction easily accessible to tourists from multiple countries. The museum project was initiated by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, representing the port city of Aqaba in Jordan. Impressively, the first 19 pieces of military hardware were arranged in a combat formation within just seven working days. Among the sunken relics are:
- Anti-aircraft guns
- Helicopters
- Armored vehicles
- Jeeps
- Tanks
- An ambulance
These submerged military units form an artificial reef that supports marine biodiversity by providing habitats for a variety of sea life, including butterflyfish, parrotfish, squirrelfish, moray eels, and nudibranch mollusks. Visitors can explore the museum through diving, snorkeling, or glass-bottom boat tours. Notably, two jeeps resting at depths between 5 and 7 meters are visible even from the water’s surface.
Additional Noteworthy Attractions
Beyond the underwater museum, Aqaba is also home to a sunken M42 Duster anti-aircraft vehicle, deliberately submerged in 1999. Over two decades later, it has become a thriving habitat for diverse marine organisms. As highlighted by Discover Wildlife, "Machines once built for combat now foster ocean life."
Elsewhere, travelers might be intrigued by France’s highest-altitude hotel, Hôtellerie des Laquets, located at 2,620 meters in the Pyrenees. Featuring 16 rooms, a restaurant, bar, and a planned spa, the hotel reopened after over 30 years following extensive renovations. Access is only possible via cable car over the Pic du Midi summit, with a nearby observatory and dark sky reserve enhancing its appeal.
For those seeking less-explored Mediterranean destinations, six islands stand out: Gozo, Samos, Vis, Menorca, Sant'Antioco, and Ithaca. These serene locations offer picturesque settings ideal for travelers wanting fresh and peaceful experiences.
The underwater museum in Aqaba exemplifies how innovative approaches can balance ecological preservation with tourism development. By repurposing military vehicles as artificial reefs, this project not only generates a striking new attraction but also contributes to the restoration of marine environments. In an era marked by climate change and dwindling natural resources, such initiatives offer valuable models for sustainable tourism worldwide.