Moon Valley

Moon Valley, also known as Ras Al Yamanya, is a shore-accessible coral reef dive site located offshore in Aqaba, Jordan. The reef runs from the shallows down to a maximum of 50 metres, with the shallowest point at around 6–10 metres. The terrain is a gently sloping fringing reef cut by a sandy channel, featuring dense soft coral growth — particularly impressive between 15 and 25 metres — that begins close inshore and continues down a contour that gradually walls away to open blue at depth. Visibility regularly exceeds 20 metres, and the site is swept by a mild, nutrient-rich current. A cave exists at depth but must not be entered under any circumstances; the site's smooth slope also makes it very easy to descend beyond a planned depth without noticing, so careful attention to the depth gauge is essential throughout the dive.

Marine life on the reef is varied and dense. Shoals of fusiliers and sardines fill the water column, while unicornfish, octopus, humphead wrasse and hawksbill turtles are regularly encountered along the slope. Eagle rays cruise past in the open blue, and barracuda appear more frequently here than at other Aqaba sites. Red soft corals are a defining feature of the mid-depth zone, and a busy mix of reef fish and their predators is present throughout. Snorkelling is possible in the shallow section.

Entry is from shore, with navigation simply following the reef contour left or right depending on conditions on the day; the return to exit point follows the same contour when air is running low. The site suits all levels from beginner to technical, though the depth potential and the gently deceptive slope mean good buoyancy control is important for deeper excursions.