How to Plan a Tec Dive Trip to Jordan: Key Wrecks and Sites

How to Plan a Tec Dive Trip to Jordan: Key Wrecks and Sites

Jordan’s Red Sea coastline is home to some of the best technical diving sites in the Middle East, offering a unique blend of deep wrecks, vibrant coral reefs, and clear waters. Whether you're a trimix diver, a wreck exploration enthusiast, or looking to hone your deep diving skills, Jordan’s dive sites offer something spectacular.

In this guide, we’ll cover how to plan a successful technical dive trip to Jordan, including the best wrecks, dive logistics, required certifications, and essential gear for a safe and unforgettable adventure.

Why Jordan is a Top Destination for Tec Divers

Though Jordan has only 26 km of coastline, its underwater treasures are unparalleled. The dive sites in the Gulf of Aqaba offer:

✔ Deep shipwrecks, including the famous Cedar Pride and the C-130 Hercules plane.
✔ Excellent visibility (20-30m) and warm waters (22-28°C year-round).
✔ Depths exceeding 50m, perfect for technical divers using trimix or CCR setups.
✔ Easy access from shore and well-equipped dive centers for rebreather divers.

Top Wreck and Deep Dive Sites in Jordan

1. Cedar Pride Wreck (30m-40m)

📍 Depth: 30m-40m | Dive Type: Wreck | Best For: Technical and deep divers

The Cedar Pride, a Lebanese freighter, was intentionally sunk in 1985 to create an artificial reef. Resting on two coral pinnacles, this site is one of Jordan’s most famous wrecks.

  • Why it’s great for tech divers: At 40m max depth, it allows for extended bottom time on nitrox or trimix.
  • Must-see features: The intact hull, swim-throughs, and marine life (lionfish, moray eels, and soft corals).

✅ Best Practice: Use a deco gas like EAN50 (Enriched Air Nitrox 50%) for a more efficient ascent.

2. C-130 Hercules Wreck (12m-30m)

📍 Depth: 12m-30m | Dive Type: Wreck | Best For: All Levels (Ideal for Tec Training)

This ex-Jordanian Air Force transport aircraft was sunk in 2017, making it one of the most unique plane wreck dives.

  • Why it’s great for tech divers: Offers penetration opportunities and sits at a deeper end of 30m, perfect for deco training.
  • Must-see features: Cockpit, fuselage, and cargo bay, now home to lionfish, groupers, and moray eels.

✅ Best Practice: If conducting deco training, plan for a simulated decompression dive using your Shearwater dive computer.

3. Taiyong Wreck (35m-60m)

📍 Depth: 35m-60m | Dive Type: Deep Wreck | Best For: Trimix and CCR Divers

The Taiyong, a deep-sea crane barge, is one of Jordan’s most advanced wreck dives. Resting between 35m and 60m, this site is ideal for trimix divers.

  • Why it’s great for tech divers: Deeper trimix-friendly depths require planned deco stops.
  • Must-see features: Crane machinery, hull structures, and incredible marine life.

✅ Best Practice: Plan gas switches to accelerated deco at 50% and 100% oxygen for optimal off-gassing.

4. The Power Station (50m+)

📍 Depth: 50m+ | Dive Type: Deep Reef Wall | Best For: Advanced Tec Divers

A dramatic reef wall that drops beyond 100m, making it a dream for deep divers. With black corals, barracudas, and eagle rays, this site offers a true technical diving challenge.

  • Why it’s great for tech divers: Perfect for CCR (closed-circuit rebreather) dives and deep trimix expeditions.
  • Must-see features: Vertical wall formations, rare deep-sea species, and untouched coral gardens.

✅ Best Practice: Plan bailout gas redundancy and carry a backup decompression plan.

Planning Your Tec Dive Trip to Jordan

1. Required Certifications & Experience

Jordan’s technical dive sites require appropriate certifications and experience levels:

✔ 40m+ Wrecks & Reefs: PADI Tec 50 / TDI Advanced Nitrox & Deco Procedures.
✔ Trimix Dives (50m+): PADI Tec Trimix / TDI Trimix Diver.
✔ CCR Expeditions: PADI Tec CCR 60 or TDI CCR Air Diluent Decompression Diver.

✅ Best Practice: Check with Jordanian dive centers to ensure you meet their dive permit requirements.

2. Essential Tec Diving Gear

For deep wreck and technical dives in Jordan, bring the right equipment setup:

✔ Twinset or Sidemount Configuration – Ideal for redundancy and gas management.
✔ Deco Bottles (EAN50 / O2) – To accelerate off-gassing during deco stops.
✔ Shearwater Dive Computer – For accurate gas switching and decompression tracking.
✔ DSMB & Reel – Essential for controlled ascents in deep-water sites.
✔ Backup Lights & Redundant Equipment – Especially for deep wreck penetrations.

✅ Best Practice: Rent any additional gear from a Jordanian technical dive center if needed.

3. Best Time to Dive in Jordan

Jordan’s Red Sea conditions are excellent year-round, but the best visibility and calm seas occur from April to November.

  • Summer (June-August): Warm water (~28°C), but high tourism season.
  • Winter (December-March): Cooler water (~22°C), ideal for drysuit diving.

✅ Best Practice: Book your dive trip in advance, as wreck dives and tec diving permits may require pre-arranged logistics.

Dive the Depths of Jordan with Extreme Water Sports

At Extreme Water Sports, we offer:

✅ Tec Diving Training (PADI & TDI) – Get certified for trimix, deco procedures, and CCR diving.
✅ Guided Deep Wreck & Trimix Expeditions – Explore Jordan’s top technical dive sites with expert instructors.
✅ Shearwater Dive Computer Training – Learn how to optimize your decompression stops and gas switches.

📅 Ready for an unforgettable technical dive trip to Jordan? Contact us today to plan your deep wreck and trimix expedition! 🤿🌊

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