Eilat (Israel) and Aqaba (Jordan) sit on the same 10-kilometre stretch of the northern Red Sea — you can see one city from the other across the gulf. The water, the corals and the fish are largely the same. So where should you dive? As a dive centre based in Eilat, here’s our honest take.
The diving itself
Both destinations offer warm water year-round, easy shore entries and healthy fringing reefs. Aqaba is famous for its artificial wreck park — the Cedar Pride cargo ship, a Hercules C-130 and a tank. Eilat answers with the Satil missile-boat wreck, the Caves, the Underwater Restaurant and a compact chain of sites along Coral Beach — see the best dive sites in Eilat. At most Eilat sites you park, gear up and walk in — distances are tiny.
Logistics and safety
If you’re already in Israel, Eilat is straightforward: no border crossing, no visa procedures, no carrying gear through customs. Crossing to Aqaba is possible but takes time both ways and complicates insurance and emergency logistics. Eilat has a hyperbaric chamber and Israeli emergency services minutes from every dive site.
Price
Diving in Aqaba is generally cheaper per dive — Jordan’s costs are lower. In Eilat, guided dives run 200–350₪ and courses are priced transparently. What you get for the difference: small groups, strict Israeli safety standards, and in our case personal teaching by a PADI Course Director.
Our verdict
For a dedicated multi-day wreck trip, Aqaba is worth it. For learning to dive, family diving, spontaneous “let’s dive tomorrow” plans, or combining diving with an Israeli holiday — Eilat wins on convenience and safety. Many of our guests do both: dive Eilat during their stay, and cross to Aqaba for a day once they’re certified. Start with a guided dive or a course on our side of the gulf.
