Aqaba · With kids

The University of Jordan's aquarium on the south coast, showing the Gulf of Aqaba's own reef species. Open Sunday to Thursday 08:00–15:30 and Friday and Saturday 08:30–16:30; entry is 7 JD for foreign visitors, 1 JD for Jordanian residents and 0.5 JD for children aged 6–12. Small, cool and quick — an hour at most.

A waterpark in town with more than 25 slides and attractions. Adult day passes (12 and over) are 20 JD online or 21 JD at the gate; children aged 3–12 are 15 JD and under-3s are free, with premium passes adding a meal and a towel. It runs on a season, so check that booking is open before planning a day around it.

The stretch of protected coast south of town has several public beach entrances where the reef starts a few metres out and the water stays shallow for a long way — the practical option for children who can snorkel but are not diving. There are no lifeguards and little shade, so bring both hats and something to sit under.

The seafront plaza by the castle, with one of the tallest free-standing flagpoles anywhere and open ground to run around on. It is free, it fills with local families at sunset, and it is the easiest place to fill the hour between the beach and dinner.

June to August regularly runs 38–42 degrees by day, and even in spring the afternoons are strong. Families here go to the water early, disappear indoors from about noon to four, and come back out to the corniche until late — children are out at 10pm and nobody thinks it odd.