Cedar Pride

Jordan’s most iconic dive — a deliberately scuttled Lebanese freighter lying intact on her port side in Aqaba’s crystalline waters, encrusted in soft corals after four decades on the seabed.

Overview

The Cedar Pride was a Lebanese general cargo vessel built in 1964 in Gijón, Spain, measuring approximately 70–80 metres in length (sources vary; most cite approximately 74 metres) and approximately 1,161 GRT. The vessel was Lebanese-flagged at the time of the incident. She was previously known as “San Bruno” or “Saint Bruno” (cited by multiple sources as a former name). In 1982, a fire broke out while the vessel was anchored in Aqaba port, killing two crew members; sources disagree on the exact month (July per some sources, August 2, 1982 per others — the exact month is disputed between sources). For three years the burned-out hulk sat at anchor. In 1985, then-Crown Prince Abdullah of Jordan (later King Abdullah II, an avid diver) requested the vessel be scuttled as an artificial reef, making it one of the earliest intentional wreck placement projects in the Middle East. On 16 November 1985, the Cedar Pride was scuttled, landing on her port side with the bow at approximately 10 metres and the stern at 26–27 metres. Today she is one of Aqaba’s most accessible and celebrated wreck dives, with four decades of colonisation having transformed the hull into a thriving artificial reef.

Site Information

• Location: Aqaba, Jordan, northern Red Sea (Gulf of Aqaba)
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Wreck dive
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 27 meters
• Typical Visibility: 15–30 meters
• Current: Generally mild
• Best Time: Year-round; October to May optimal

Entry and Exit

Shore access via a swim from the beach, or by boat with a permanent mooring buoy attached near the stern. Boat access is recommended for most divers. Night dives at the Cedar Pride are excellent and regularly offered.

Tips and Recommendations

• Start at the stern and work forward to the bow — this covers the full depth range progressively
• The main mast is the highlight; spend maximum time there before moving deeper
• A torch is essential for the cargo hold interiors
• Do not attempt penetration without appropriate Wreck Specialty certification
• The wreck is also effective as a night dive, with lobsters, crabs, and hunting eels emerging

Safety Considerations

The Cedar Pride is an accessible recreational wreck with manageable depth and generally mild current. Wreck penetration should only be attempted by divers with appropriate wreck training. Sharp metal edges throughout — do not reach blindly into dark sections. Buoyancy discipline is critical inside the holds to avoid silt disturbance.

Sources: Sea Wonders Diving Center, Sinai Divers, Jordan Travel, Arab Divers, PADI, Tribloo. Last updated 2026-06-27.