The Satil is one of Eilat’s most iconic dives — a former Israeli Navy missile boat, deliberately sunk on the Red Sea floor to become an artificial reef. Decades later her hull is wrapped in coral and alive with fish, and diving her is one of the most memorable things you can do underwater in Eilat. Here’s exactly what the dive is like, who it’s for, and what it costs.
The wreck, and why it’s special
Most dive sites are natural reefs. The Satil is something different: a real warship, resting on the seabed just off the Eilat shore, slowly reclaimed by the sea. Swimming along her deck and superstructure, you get the rare mix that only a wreck gives — the scale and shape of a man-made vessel, softened by years of coral growth and swirling schools of fish. It’s history and marine life in the same frame.
The story behind the wreck
The Satil isn’t just any wreck — she’s a piece of Israeli naval history. “Satil” is simply the Hebrew word for a missile boat, and this one is AHI Sufa — AHI is the Israeli Navy’s ship prefix (like HMS or USS), and Sufa means “Storm” in Hebrew. Originally French-built, she was tied to the famous 1969 “Boats of Cherbourg” episode, when Israeli crews slipped French-built warships out of Cherbourg harbour past an arms embargo. After years of service with the Israeli Navy, she was retired and, in 1994, deliberately sunk off the Eilat coast to begin a second life as an artificial reef. At around 58 metres long, she sits upright close to shore and still shows off her past: divers can pick out the bridge, the engine room and the missile-launching area, and an Israeli flag flies from the bow.
What you’ll see down there
The wreck sits at around 24–26 metres, and today it’s a thriving reef in its own right. Expect groupers hanging in the shadows, lionfish drifting over the rails, dense clouds of glassfish, and colourful soft corals covering the deck and superstructure. A personal guide leads you along the wreck the whole way, at a safe, comfortable pace, so you can take it all in rather than worrying about navigation.
Is it a hard dive? Who can do it
The Satil is a guided dive for certified divers. Because the wreck goes down to around 24–26 metres, Advanced Open Water is recommended if you want to explore the full wreck at depth. That said, Open Water divers are welcome too — you’ll dive along the shallower deck within your certification limits, still right there on the wreck. Not sure your level is enough? Just ask us before you book and we’ll match the dive to your experience.
If you’re not certified yet, this is a great reason to get there: the Open Water course opens most of Eilat’s reefs, and Advanced Open Water unlocks the deeper wreck dives like the Satil. (See what a course costs in our guide to Open Water prices in Eilat.)
How much does it cost
A guided Satil wreck dive is:
- ₪200 — with your own gear.
- ₪300 — with a full set of diving equipment included.
One guided dive, a personal guide throughout, on one of the most famous sites on the whole coast.
Why dive the Satil with us
At Trubarev Dive Co. you dive with a PADI instructor with 20 years of experience and over 3,000 certifications issued — someone who knows the Satil site inside out and dives it in small, personal groups. That local knowledge is what turns a deep wreck into a relaxed, confident dive.
Where the Satil fits on the coast
The Satil is one of the highlights, but Eilat’s coast is full of them. If you’re planning your dives, our guide to the best dive sites in Eilat walks through the whole shoreline, from gentle beginner reefs to deep wrecks like this one.
Ready to dive the Satil?
A guided Satil wreck dive in Eilat starts from ₪200 (₪300 with full equipment), led personally by an instructor with 20 years of experience. Message us on WhatsApp at +972 53-431-3418 or visit trubarev.com to check dates and book your wreck dive.
