Eilat packs an astonishing amount of diving into a small stretch of coastline. Every site here is a shore dive — no long boat rides — with warm water and visibility of 10–20 metres in the Gulf year-round. From the northernmost coral reef on the planet to deep wrecks and the chance of a whale shark, here are the sites we dive week in, week out, and who each one is best for.
The Underwater Restaurant — our signature dive
If we send you to one site, it’s this one. The reef around the Underwater Restaurant is the richest macro playground in Eilat: frogfish tucked into the coral, lionfish, crocodilefish lying camouflaged on the bottom, octopus, spotted stingrays and moray eels are all regulars here. It’s a photographer’s dream and a favourite of ours for good reason. Book a guided dive at the Underwater Restaurant.
Katza — dolphins and the best soft corals in Eilat
Katza is special twice over. It holds the finest soft coral in Eilat — walls of colour swaying in the gentle current — and it’s the site where divers most often encounter dolphins. There’s no guarantee with wild animals, but no other site in town gives you a better chance.
Coral Beach Nature Reserve — the northernmost coral reef on Earth
The Coral Beach reserve protects the world’s northernmost shallow coral reef, and it’s home to two of Eilat’s most famous dive sites: Moses Rock and Jesus Rock. The shallow reef is calm, colourful and perfect for beginners.
The reserve also has a deep section that starts around 6 metres and descends to 30–35 metres — an Advanced-only dive teeming with life. Here you’ll find parrotfish, broomtail wrasse, lizardfish, moray eels, octopus and clownfish, along with two triggerfish worth knowing: the striking Eilat Picasso triggerfish, and the redtooth triggerfish — which from late July to early September becomes fiercely protective of its nest and may charge in numbers at divers who stray too close. Watching that behaviour from a respectful distance, with a guide who knows the season, is one of Eilat’s most memorable moments.
The University — coral as far as you can see
The University is one of the prettiest sites on the coast: there isn’t a patch of bottom that isn’t carpeted in coral, in gorgeous greens, turquoise and yellow. It’s also the site where Eilat’s rare visitor — the whale shark — has most often been spotted when it drifts into the Gulf. A stunning, easy dive with the outside chance of the encounter of a lifetime.
The Caves
Along the coast, the Caves offer overhangs, crevices and short swim-throughs carved into the reef. Beams of light cut through the openings and glassfish gather in the shadows — a bit of adventure for certified divers without ever leaving the shore.
The Turkish Boat — meet the resident turtle
At the Turkish Boat there’s a good chance of a close encounter with a sea turtle that calls the area home. Add the surrounding reef life and it’s one of the most rewarding easy dives on the coast.
The Princess — the garden of eels
The Princess is known for its vast garden of eels swaying above the sand, and for a heavy concentration of fish down at depth. Table corals and sponges cover the reef, and a resident school of bannerfish completes the scene — a rich, atmospheric dive.
Sun Boat — the wreck with the most fish in the Gulf
The Sun Boat is a shipwreck with arguably the highest fish concentration anywhere in the Gulf of Eilat — the hull swarms with frogfish and lionfish. One thing to plan for: the site sits about 350 metres offshore, and you swim that distance on the surface to reach it, so come with a reasonable level of fitness.
Going deeper: Satil, Pyramid & Yatush (Mosquito)
The deeper end of Eilat rewards experience. These sites sit around 30 metres, so they call for a certification that allows dives to that depth — an Advanced Open Water card:
- The Satil — a decommissioned Israeli Navy missile boat, deliberately sunk as an artificial reef. Its coral-draped structure and schooling fish make it Eilat’s most iconic wreck.
- The Pyramid — a striking reef structure rising from the sand, a magnet for marine life.
- Yatush / “Mosquito” — a deeper reef dive for building depth experience with a guide.
Dive it after dark
Whatever the site, a night dive transforms it. After dark the reef comes alive with different creatures — and there’s nothing like watching a lionfish hunt in the beam of your torch.
Which site is right for you?
- Never dived before? Start on the calm shallow reef of Coral Beach on a Discover Scuba dive or your Open Water course.
- Newly certified (to 18 m)? The Underwater Restaurant, Katza, the University, the Caves and the Turkish Boat are perfect for building comfort and buoyancy — and they hold the best marine life.
- Advanced diver (to 30 m)? The deep Coral Beach section, the Satil wreck, Pyramid, Yatush and the Princess are where Eilat gets truly memorable.
Every dive here is guided by an instructor who knows these sites intimately — so you get the safest entries, the best conditions and the creatures you actually came to see.
Guided dives start from ₪200, a Discover Scuba experience from ₪450, and the full Open Water course from ₪1,800.
Ready to explore? Message us on WhatsApp at +972 53-431-3418 or visit trubarev.com to plan your dives in Eilat.
