Sometimes diving in Eilat surprises even us, the veteran instructors. Today we made an unusual discovery — we found the barb of a giant stingray, right where we had met the animal itself about a month earlier.
It all started on a guided dive at the “Ha-Perach” (Flower) site in the Red Sea, at around 30 meters depth, next to the “Turkish boat.” There, on the sandy bottom, rested an impressive stingray with a body diameter of about 1.2 meters. An encounter like this reminds every diver just how rich and diverse Eilat’s underwater world is. About a week later, one of our guides filmed the same stingray — this time lifeless, part of its body already being eaten by reef fish. A reminder that even the largest sea creatures have their own life cycle.
Today, at exactly the same spot, I found its barb: about 20 cm long, serrated and very sharp. Stingrays don’t attack humans on their own, but their barb — a natural defense mechanism — can be very dangerous if you step on the animal or press it by accident. Many remember the famous case of an Australian man who died after being struck in the chest by a stingray’s barb.
Dive and freediving safety takeaway:
- Keep good buoyancy and don’t touch the bottom — stingrays love to bury themselves in the sand.
- Don’t touch marine life or try to “play” with it; keep your distance and observe with respect.
- When entering from the shore, wear reef shoes — that way you won’t step on a hidden stingray.
- Always dive with a guide or buddy and get to know the site in advance.
Encounters like this are exactly what make every dive in Eilat, in the Red Sea, unforgettable — when it’s done right and safely. Want to explore Eilat’s coral reefs, wrecks and unique creatures? We run PADI dive courses and guided dives, with 20+ years of experience and thousands of certifications.
Stay safe and dive well! 🌊
📱 WhatsApp: +972 53-431-3418 → https://wa.me/972534313418
🌐 https://trubarev.com
📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/dimon_dive
