Israel’s southernmost city, Eliat is a busy port and a popular place for relaxation, with splendid resorts, wonderful dining, and a pleasant climate year round. Divers from around the world come here to venture to various Red Sea dive sites, many of which are only a short boat ride away. With so many wonderful dive sites to choose from, it is hard to pick favorites; here are just seven of the most popular dive sites.
Neptune’s Tables
A fantastic site for all divers, which is easily accessed from shore as well as by boat, Neptune’s Tables features magnificent coral formations, between which beds of garden eels live in smooth, sandy stretches. Located near the Princess Hotel off South Beach, the site is well marked with buoys. Pay close attention to your position while diving; there are red and white markers that denote the boat free zone, which must not be crossed, and the site is located near the Egyptian border, which must not be crossed.
Depths here vary, with maximum depth at 25 meters, and various coral formations being located at depths between 12 and 15 meters, and again between 20 and 25 meters. At five meters, a lush coral garden awaits. All along the site, you can find manta rays and stingrays, plenty of colorful fish, and lots of nudibranchs and other creatures, all of which are happy to pose for photos. Suitable for intermediate divers and up, the site is usually calm and can be enjoyed any time of day.
Japanese Gardens
Accessible only by boat and featuring maximum depth at 30 meters, Japanese Gardens is a beautiful site which is also frequented by glass bottomed boats and other watercraft; divers must remain at depths below five meters unless instructed otherwise. As the site name suggests, the corals here are spectacular, with hard and soft corals adding color and motion to the wall itself, which is spectacular. You’ll find giant clams and moray eels here, along with pelagic fish and lots of reef species. Watch for manta rays and the occasional turtle.
Lighthouse Caves
Sometimes simply referred to as “The Caves”, the Lighthouse Caves dive site features a group of caves, plus several magnificent coral formations in just 4-6 meters of water. Suitable for all divers, the site is easy to find, and easily accessed from shore. It is located just opposite the Snuba Club parking lot, and is marked by a green Nature Reserve Authority sign. Be sure to enter the water at the designated entry point only, to avoid damaging the coral. Once beneath the surface, you’ll be greeted by yellowmouth moray eels and cleaner shrimp, orange anthias and green chromis, plus crocodile fish and swaths of bronze sweepers. In the shallows, anemones filled with clownfish beckon, and the occasional octopus can be spotted peering out from the shelter of a massive lettuce coral. Look for box trunkfish, sergeant majors, and many other colorful fish as you explore this fantastic site. Be sure to stay inside the red and white safety marker buoy line to avoid accidents.
Satil Wreck
Suitable for intermediate divers and above, the Satil Wreck sits beneath 24 meters of water and can be accessed from shore, via an entry ramp which is followed by a drop to a depth of 7 meters. While newer divers can explore the coral formations which can be found in the shallows here, those with more experience will be directed to follow the slope, which is covered in a bed of lush sea grass, toward the wreck itself, which is covered in sponge and coral growth. With the bow accessible at 18 meters and the stern at 21 meters, the ship can be penetrated at some points, and is home to large emperor fish and Arabian angelfish, which are endemic to the Red Sea. Besides these creatures, you are likely to encounter many other colorful species in and around the wreck. Watch for everything from pipefish to barracuda, and keep an eye out for octopus!
Statue Garden
An exceptional site that features a group of four huge metal statues created by artist Dan Rapaport in order to encourage reef formation, the Statue Garden is located at a depth of 24 meters. Access is via boat only; the site is located near the Manta Dive Club. While storms have knocked three of the statues over, one remains standing, and nearby, a group of sunken Amphibian Vehicles can be explored on the same dive or after a surface interval. Coral growth is taking hold here, attracting a wide array of reef fish and other creatures, including rays and plenty of crustaceans. Use caution as you explore; the site is heavily trafficked and it is important to follow your dive master’s instructions to the letter.
Yatush Wreck
Suitable for experienced divers only, the Yatush Wreck rests beneath 33 meters of water, with the uppermost portion of the wreck being accessible at a depth of about 27 meters. Accessible from shore, the ship is home to anthias and Lionfish, plus there are garden eels along the slope that leads to the wreck, and it is not uncommon to encounter moray eels and groupers as you explore. While certified wreck divers can penetrate the wreck, which is sometimes referred to as the Mosquito, there is plenty to see outside. As you make your way back to shore, you’ll find two massive coral heads which are worthy of exploration, one at a depth of 18 meters, and the other at 12 meters. Watch for parrotfish and lots of cleaner wrasse, and be very careful; the wreck is located inside a windsurfing zone, and entry and exit must be made at designated roped areas only.
Moses Rock & Nature Reserve
Also known as the Coral Beach Nature Reserve, this site is perfect for all divers, as there is lots to see in shallow water, plus some features in deeper water, where you can find some larger marine life. Easily accessed from shore, and located between the Ambassador Hotel and the Underwater Observatory, the site offers beach facilities, which are maintained with the modest user fees which are collected from each diver. There are a pair of jetties inside the reserve itself which can be used for entry and exit, and entry from the beach is also allowed.
Beginning with a shallow reef that starts in just 2-3 meters of water, and featuring a clean, sandy bottom that extends away to 30 meters, the entire site is punctuated with huge coral formations that act like small planets where colorful marine life can be seen in an endless, swirling array. Thanks to a gentle current, visibility here tends to be exceptional, which creates perfect conditions for photography. Two of the largest formations, Joshua Rock and Moses Rock, are found in just 8 meters of water, and everywhere you look, you’ll find everything from needlefish and lionfish hunting minnows, to colorful humphead wrasse and big sergeant majors. Cleaning stations run by black and blue cleaner wrasse are frequented by big barracudas, huge groupers, moray eels, and bright yellow goatfish, and it’s easy to find plenty of other creatures, including octopus, lemon gobies, and crabs as you explore. Prevent accidents by remaining inside the buoy line at all times.
As much of the diving here is shore diving, and as there are many fantastic resorts to choose from, it is possible to enjoy a relaxed pace and dive when and where you want to with relative ease. Be sure to follow local laws and safety regulations, and you’ll be certain to enjoy a memorable holiday.