Lighthouses of Jordan

Jordan is located in the Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia and east of Israel and Palestine. Formerly part of the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire, the territory of Jordan fell under a British mandate after World War I. Jordan's independence was recognized in 1946.

The country has only a very short coastline, about 30 km (19 mi) long, in the southwestern corner of the country. The coastline is on the head of the Gulf of Aqaba, the narrow northeastern branch of the Red Sea. Making the most of scarcity, Jordan has developed this coast with a major port, Aqaba, and a series of beachfront resorts.

Aids to navigation in Jordan are maintained by the Aqaba Ports Corporation. The Arabic word for a lighthouse is mnarh or manara (منارة). Ra's is a cape, jaza'ir or jazirat is an island, and shi'b is a reef.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from volume E of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 112.

General Sources
Online List of Lights - Jordan
Photos by Douglas Cameron posted by Alex Trabas.

Aqaba Light
Aqaba Harbor Control Tower, Aqaba, January 2007
Flickr photo copyright Ahmad Shahin; used by permission

Lighthouses
Aqaba Harbor Control
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 72 m (236 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. Approx. 68 m (223 ft) hourglass-shaped concrete and steel tower topped by a round control room and rising from a multistory harbor control building. Ahmad Shahin's photo appears above, Trabas has Cameron's photo, a 2009 photo and a distant view from the city are available, and Google has a good satellite view. This powerful light has a range of about 32 km (20 mi). Located at the base of the main commericial quay of Aqaba harbor. Site status unknown. ARLHS JOR-001; Admiralty E6044; NGA 30452.
[Aqaba Flagstaff]
Date unknown. Active; focal plane about 43 m (141 ft); flashing red light. 41 m (135 ft) giant flagstaff. A photo is available, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. The flag flown from the staff is not the Jordanian national flag; it is the Pan-Arab or Arab Revolt flag orginally used by Arab forces fighting against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Located on the Aqaba waterfront, north of the Harbor Control tower and near the Aqaba Museum. Site open. Admiralty M6044.2.
Royal Yacht Club South Jetty
Date unknown. Active; focal plane about 7 m (23 ft); quick-flashing green light. 4.5 m (15 ft) round concrete tower with gallery, painted white with a green horizontal band at the top. Tariq Abuzaid has a closeup photo, Trabas has Cameron's photo, a 2009 photo and another good photo are available, and Google has a satellite view. The Royal Yacht Club is at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba off King Hussein Boulevard. Site status unknown. Site manager: Royal Yacht Club of Jordan. ARLHS JOR-002; Admiralty E6044.35; NGA 30455.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: South: Western Saudi Arabia | West: Israel

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Posted January 21, 2008. Checked and revised April 20, 2013. Lighthouses: 2. Site copyright 2013 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.