Israeli divers are fortunate to be able to enjoy two very distinct marine environments – the Mediterranean and the Red Sea – each of which is fascinating and magical in its own way. In many ways, these two underwater worlds are complete opposites: one is quiet and calm, its clear water revealing a vibrant world full of life; the other is unstable and turbulent at times, with opaque water which conceals its riches. Those who scuba dive here know that despite the differences, these environments have at least one thing in common: both are teeming with life in a complex, beautiful, wild underwater world that can only be experienced by those who dare to dive beneath the surface.
Canyon, Achziv
The Canyon in Achziv is probably the most impressive Mediterranean reef in the region. This fissure on the ocean floor is a number of kilometers in length, stretching from Achziv to Rosh Hanikra, one kilometer off the shore. The canyon is only accessible by boats from one of the diving centers in the northern Israel. Divers swim along the dramatic wall created in a section of the reef. The many caves and fissures in the wall are home to large groupers, impressive stingrays, schools of red soldier fish, Mediterranean parrotfish and more.
Marine Archeology, Caesarea
Fascinating archeological treasures including anchors, ancient jugs and marble columns are scattered along a large rocky area on the ocean floor whose caves and arches form interesting topography. Scuba diving in the ancient port of Caesarea combines all of these with a typical rocky Mediterranean reef. Divers enter from the diving center in the Caesarea National Park, descend the stairs across from the breakwater and simply sink to the bottom of the sea.
Moses Rock Reef, Eilat
Moses Rock Reef, located off Almog Beach, has the largest fish population of all the reefs in Eilat. It is surrounded by coral from a depth of nine meters almost to the surface, with a wealth of vibrant reef creatures and large schools of colorful fish. The deepest part of Almog Beach is also home to dense coral and diving from that deep area to the shallower waters around Moses Rock Reef is one of the most beautiful diving experiences in this region. Like most of the sites in Eilat, this one is easily accessible directly from the shore – straight out from the southern pier on Almog Beach.
Missile Boat, Eilat
The INS Sufa missile boat, which was smuggled into Israel in a daring operation, is the most popular wreck dive site in Israel. In 1994, the Israeli Diving Federation scuttled it to serve as a diving site. Since then the boat has evolved into a spectacular artificial reef that attracts vibrant coral, elegant sponges, huge moray eels and other fascinating creatures. The boat’s flying bridge area, where the soft coral are extremely vivid, is especially impressive. Its permanent population of lionfish pouncing on prey within a cloud of glass fish is a remarkable sight. It is very easy to get to the site – divers enter the water at the Village Beach and simply dive directly eastward, above the clear slope, until they can see the sunken wreck in the depths.
Amir Gur, Diving Instructor and Marine Biologist Author of the book “Underwater – 44 Diving Sites in Israel”
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The Israeli Diving Federation is a non-profit organization founded in 1966 by Israeli Navy veterans and members of the Underwater Exploration Society of Israel. The Federation has thousands of member divers and works to further the sport of scuba diving in Israel.
The Federation operates in many diverse areas – developing teaching protocols at all levels, accrediting divers and diving instructors, hosting diving conferences, workshops, events and competitions; as well as working to clean and preserve the marine environment, community service, making scuba diving available to all parts of society, creating and maintaining diving sites and more.
To date, the Federation has scuttled 10 boats along the Israel coast, to serve as diving sites in both the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. The Federation has also contributed to the establishment of other sites, such as underwater archeological parks, scientific projects and memorial sites.
Liron Tirosh
CEO, Israeli Diving Federation
