Dive Sites in Eilat

The Coral Reef

Eilat is a popular diving destination located on the shores of the Red Sea, known for its rich marine biodiversity and stunning coral reefs. The Coral Reef dive site is one of the most famous and accessible spots for divers of all levels, making it an ideal location for both beginners and experienced divers.

Coral Gardens: As the name suggests, the site is characterized by beautiful and diverse coral gardens, teeming with vibrant and colorful corals of various species. The healthy coral formations attract a plethora of marine life, creating an underwater paradise.
Marine Life: The Coral Reef is home to a wide variety of marine species, including tropical fish, sea turtles, moray eels, stingrays, and even dolphins on occasion. It offers a unique opportunity for divers to observe and interact with an array of fascinating sea creatures.
Shallow Depths: One of the advantages of this dive site is that a large portion of it is at relatively shallow depths, ranging from 5 to 15 meters (16 to 49 feet). This makes it an excellent spot for beginners and snorkelers to enjoy the underwater beauty without requiring advanced diving skills.
Crystal Clear Waters: The Red Sea is known for its exceptionally clear waters, providing excellent visibility for divers. This clarity enhances the overall diving experience, as it allows you to fully appreciate the vivid colors of the coral formations and marine life.
Accessibility: The Coral Reef dive site is conveniently located close to the shore, making it easily accessible. Many dive centers in Eilat organize trips to this site, and you can typically reach it by a short boat ride or even enter directly from the beach.

The Satil Wreck

The Satil Wreck is one of the most popular and iconic dive sites in Eilat, Israel. It is an artificial reef created intentionally to enhance the diving experience and provide a fascinating site for divers to explore.

The Shipwreck: The Satil was a former Israeli Navy missile boat. It was intentionally sunk off the coast of Eilat in 1994 to create an artificial reef and diving attraction. The ship lies at a depth of around 24 meters (approximately 79 feet) and is now covered in colorful corals and surrounded by various marine life.
Diving Experience: The Satil Wreck is an excellent dive site for divers with some experience, as the depth and currents can be challenging for beginners. However, even intermediate divers can enjoy exploring this unique wreck. The ship's superstructure and open spaces are accessible to divers, allowing them to swim through and explore its interior.
Marine Life: Over the years, the wreck has become a haven for marine life, attracting a diverse array of fish species, including butterflyfish, angelfish, groupers, and more. You might also encounter moray eels, octopuses, and other intriguing creatures that have made the wreck their home.
Visibility: Like many other dive sites in Eilat, the Satil Wreck offers excellent visibility, which can often exceed 30 meters (98 feet). This clear water enhances the overall diving experience and allows divers to fully appreciate the beauty of the wreck and its surrounding marine life.
Night Diving: The Satil Wreck is also a popular spot for night diving. When the sun sets, the wreck takes on a whole new character, with different nocturnal marine species coming out to play. Night diving around the wreck offers a unique and captivating experience for adventurous divers.

The Coral Beach Nature Reserve

The Coral Beach Nature Reserve is one of the most popular and well-known dive sites in Eilat, Israel. It is a protected marine area located just south of the city and offers a stunning underwater world for snorkelers and divers alike.

Rich Coral Reefs: As the name suggests, the main highlight of this dive site is the beautiful and diverse coral reefs that thrive here. The Coral Beach Nature Reserve is home to a variety of hard and soft corals, creating an underwater paradise of colors and shapes.
Marine Biodiversity: The coral reefs attract a wide range of marine species, making this area rich in biodiversity. Divers can expect to encounter a colorful array of tropical fish, including butterflyfish, angelfish, parrotfish, and wrasses, among others. The reserve is also a habitat for moray eels, octopuses, and various invertebrates.
Accessibility: One of the great things about the Coral Beach Nature Reserve is its accessibility. You can access the reserve directly from the beach, making it ideal for both divers and snorkelers. The shallow waters near the shore are perfect for beginners, while more experienced divers can explore deeper areas further out.
Snorkeling Opportunities: For those who prefer snorkeling or are not certified divers, the shallow waters of the Coral Beach Nature Reserve are a fantastic option. Snorkelers can still experience the beauty of the coral reefs and observe a wide variety of marine life in their natural habitat.
Conservation Efforts: The Coral Beach Nature Reserve is part of the Red Sea Marine Peace Park, which is jointly managed by Israel and Jordan. As a protected area, conservation efforts are in place to preserve the delicate ecosystem and promote sustainable diving practices.
Underwater Nature Trail: The reserve also features an underwater nature trail marked by buoys, which allows visitors to follow a designated path and learn about the marine life and coral formations through informative signs.

The Japanese Gardens

The Japanese Gardens is one of the most renowned and picturesque dive sites in Eilat, Israel. It is located within the Coral Beach Nature Reserve and offers divers a captivating underwater experience surrounded by a beautiful and diverse array of coral formations.

Coral Formations: The Japanese Gardens is named after the stunning coral formations that resemble a traditional Japanese garden. The coral growth in this area is exceptionally vibrant and colorful, creating a mesmerizing underwater landscape that attracts divers from all over the world.
Marine Life: Like many other dive sites in Eilat, The Japanese Gardens are teeming with marine life. Divers can expect to encounter a wide variety of tropical fish species, including butterflyfish, angelfish, clownfish, and many more. Additionally, you may come across moray eels, octopuses, and other fascinating sea creatures that inhabit the coral reefs.
Suitable for All Levels: The Japanese Gardens is well-suited for divers of all levels, from beginners to more experienced divers. The site's accessibility from the shore and relatively shallow depths make it an excellent option for those who are new to diving or want a more relaxed dive experience.
Snorkeling Opportunities: The clear and shallow waters of The Japanese Gardens also make it a popular spot for snorkelers. Snorkelers can explore the surface of the water and enjoy observing the marine life and coral formations from above.
Conservation Efforts: The Japanese Gardens, being part of the Coral Beach Nature Reserve, falls under the protection of the Red Sea Marine Peace Park. As such, it is important to adhere to sustainable diving and snorkeling practices to preserve the delicate ecosystem and maintain the beauty of the dive site.
Underwater Photography: The picturesque coral formations and abundance of marine life make The Japanese Gardens a favorite spot for underwater photographers. The clear waters and vibrant colors create an ideal setting for capturing stunning images of the underwater world.