Aqaba, Jordan's only seaport, lies on the Gulf of Aqaba, a branch of the Red Sea shared with Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Aqaba has historic significance during the Arab Revolt when T.E. Lawrence crossed the desert with Arab forces to capture Aqaba Castle from the Ottoman Turks in 1917. Like the surrounding areas, the clear water and colorful reefs of the Red Sea near Aqaba provides excellent diving.