Page 60 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

228 6 MORE DIVING SPOTS TO RIVAL THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES Tufi, Papua Gulf of Aqaba, Lighthouse

Reef, Belize
Jordan
New Guinea
NEED TO KNOW
NEED TO KNOW
NEED TO KNOW
LOCATION Tufi is
LOCATION The Gulf of
LOCATION Lighthouse Reef
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Aqaba borders Jordan, Egypt,
is 50 miles (80 km) southeast of
on Papua New Guinea’s
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the capital, Belize City
Israel, and Saudi Arabia
southeastern coastline
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SCUBA DIVING Tufi has
SCUBA DIVING
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incredible offshore reefs and
The shallows boast patches of
Gently shelving lagoons are
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reef while the deeper waters
divided from the ocean here
superlative “muck diving”
3&&'
by small, raised reefs
have coral-coated slopes
1"16" /&8 (6*/&"
DAYTIME
+03%"/ SCUBA DIVING #FMNPQBO -*()5)064&
TEMPERATURES 1PSU 56'* DAYTIME 4"6%* DAYTIME $BSJCCFBO
Jan: 80°F (27°C); Apr: 88°F .PSFTCZ TEMPERATURES 1FUSB "3"#*" TEMPERATURES Jan: 81°F 4F B
(31°C); Jul: 82°F (28°C); $PSBM 4FB Jan: 55°F (12°C); Apr: 91°F (32°C); (27°C); Apr: 85°F (30°C); Jul: 86°F 4BO "OUPOJP
Oct: 84°F (29°C) "6453"-*" Jul: 98°F (36°C); Oct: 78°F (26°C) "2"#" (30°C); Oct: 84°F (29°C)
(6"5&."-"
Papua New Guinea is one of tourism’s last frontiers. The city of Aqaba sits at the top of Jordan’s small Lighthouse Reef’s famous Blue Hole, explored
Many areas of the country, it is said, have never share of the Red Sea coast, but drive a short way by Frenchman Jacques Cousteau on his Calypso
been visited by Westerners. The village of Tufi sits toward the Saudi border and you’ll find pretty expedition of 1972, is the jewel in Belize’s diving
on a rugged, fjord-like coastline, its dive center and uncrowded coral reefs that run right up to crown. This barren circular tunnel, which drops to
nestled in the crook of an inlet that was used for the shore. “Bommies” (coral outcrops) decorate a depth of 1,475 ft (450 m), has stalactites hanging
decades as a rubbish dump. It doesn’t sound the sand here like flowerbeds. Anthias, damselfish, from a shelf at 130 ft (40 m), indicating that it was
alluring, but this mucky environment attracts and lionfish are common sights, while prehistoric once dry land. The only fish you’ll see are reef
unusual creatures that use the discarded objects slipper lobsters are more unusual. The wreck of the sharks and groupers, but venture into other areas
as camouflage. Blennies retreat inside old cola cargo vessel Cedar Pride, which sank in 1982, adds and you’ll find livelier spots, where bottom-feeding
bottles, harlequin shrimps hide beneath rusting a fascinating dimension to diving in the area. And rays dwell in sandy lagoons, pastel-toned sea
40-gallon drums, and hairy robust ghost pipefish for those who like a dash of ancient history to plumes cover the raised barrier reef, and pelagic
mimic red algae as it grows on ageing driftwood. balance their days at sea, no place is quite like species, including turtles, patrol the steep walls.
At a depth of 148 ft (45 m) you’ll also see an intact Jordan. Emerge from the reefs at the top of the Gulf
torpedo and a shell gun – reminders that this was of Aqaba and head inland to the rose-red city of
Practical Information
an American forces station during World War II. Petra – the perfect foil for the underwater realm.
Getting There and Around Flights to Belize City are available from most major
American cities. On arrival, your dive operator will arrange transportation
to the sites, but Lighthouse Reef is best seen from a liveaboard boat.
Practical Information Practical Information
Getting There Fly to Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, and Getting There and Around Flights land at Aqaba airport but few are When to Go This is an all-year destination, but from August to October
then hop on a small aircraft for the 40-minute transfer to Tufi. You’ll land direct – most go via the capital city, Amman. Aqaba is small enough there is more rain and a higher chance of hurricanes.
on the village football field. The resort is a short walk from here. to explore on foot. Dive centers provide transportation to the sites. Website www.belizetourism.org
When to Go Visit at any time – the weather is great all year round. When to Go Diving is available all year round, but July and August can be
Website www.papuanewguineatourism.com unbearably hot, with temperatures reaching up to 122°F (50°C) at times. Aerial view of the awe-inspiring Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef
Website www.aqaba.jo
A harlequin shrimp in the bay at Tufi
Orange lyretail anthias swimming on the reef, Gulf of Aqaba

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