Located at the northern tip of the Red Sea, Eilat is Israel’s southernmost city hugged by spectacular red mountains and transparent waters. Part of the Negev Desert, Eilat borders the Eqyptian city Taba and Jordanian city of Aqaba.
Credit: Israel Ministry of Tourism
Year-round hot temperatures make this busy port a popular beach resort with local and international tourists, and world class dive sites attract divers from around the world.
Credit: Israel Ministry of Tourism
Dive in the Red Sea
Situated in the Gulf of Aqaba, Eilat is a world-class dive destination. With the widest point measuring just 23.5km, the Gulf of Aqaba is a narrow body of water in the Red Sea. With a maximum depth of 1,829 meters, water temperatures in the Gulf hover steadily between 22º to 28º Celsius year-round. With more than 1,200 species of fish and more than 250 species of corals, divers from all over the world delve into the underwater playgrounds of Eilat where the nature reserve hosts a reef more than 1,200 meters long. Eilat caters to all levels of divers; there are courses for beginners and daily guided dives for certified divers. Experienced divers with qualifications can rent equipment and dive themselves.
Check out Eilat’s top five dive sites:
The Japanese gardens:Situated close to the marine observatory the Japanese gardens are two dive sites at the Coral Beach Nature Reserve with a beautiful drop off measuring more than 40 meters. The only access to the site is by boat allowing only a limited number of divers per day. A wreck lies at the deepest point of the drop off at about 50 meters.
SATIL Wreck:Satil wreck is an old missle ship from the Israeli navy that was sunk to create a new dive site with the approval from the Israeli dive unification, the nature reserve and all the diving clubs in Eilat. This grate wreck is more than 30 meters long, standing on its bottom in a depth of 24 meters at the bottom up and to 12 meters at its mast. Located in front of Marina Divers, ‘Satil’ is home to a variety of fish in crystal clear waters and is one of Eilat’s most popular dive sites.
The Caves:Situated about 500 meters north of the border with Egypt, this magnificent reef boasts a big arch full of Hatchet fish and is popular with night divers. Recommended for all divers, the Caves are found at a maximum depth of six meters.
The Dolphin reef:Divers here can mingle with the local pod of bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat. This popular dive site is suitable for all dive types as well as snorkelers; best to book in advance due to popularity.
Eel Garden:Worth the visit, Eel Garden is literally alive with hundreds of sand Eels poking their heads and bodies up from the sea bed. With a maximum depth of 14meters, this dive site is suitable for all dive abilities.
Credit: Israel Ministry of Tourism
Credit: Israel Ministry of Tourism
Further Information
Transport
Flights: Numerous airlines code share from Sydney to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion, Israel with stopovers along the way. Air China offers the most direct flights with stops in Beijing, but shop around for a good deal. From Ben Gurion there are domestic flights through to Eilat but the domestic terminal is about 15 minutes on the free shuttle so give yourself at least two hours or more in between transfers.
Drive: Alternatively, rent a car and enjoy the beautiful drive to Eilat if you arrive during the day. Click here for car rental companies.
Bus: There are busses to Eilat, Click here for service information.
Credit: Israel Ministry of Tourism
Accommodation
Eilat has a number of accommodation options with a list provided by the local tourism authority.
Money
There are ATMs throughout Eilat but it is advised to exchange or withdraw a small amount of shekels (local currency) before departing Ben Gurion airport.
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