This reserve is home to a diverse coral reef system known for its high-latitude reef formations, which include two key morphological reef units: the coral reef flat and the outer reef slope. The n property incorporates shallow fringing reefs, reef flats, fore-reef slopes and deeper reef-associated benthic habitats. In addition to corals, over 500 species of fish, including 88 species endemic to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, along with 1,000 species of molluscs, have been recorded in the Aqaba Marine Reserve. Other habitats beyond coral reefs include seagrass beds and intertidal areas. The site’s exceptional resilience of its coral reefs to climate change and warmer temperatures also contributes to its significance and uniqueness.