Israel and the Red Sea

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ChicagoDVR

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Location
Chicago
# of dives
25 - 49
I am going to Tel Aviv for work and was wondering if there is a good place to dive on the Red Sea that is in driving distance? Or maybe even the Mediterranean Sea? Any input would be great.
 
ChigacoDVR,

Honestly.....I'd suggest you rent a car, and drive down to Eilat. It will take up to 5 hours to get down there through the Negev desert (actually pretty enjoyable to drive through). The diving there is exponentially better than Tel Aviv, and you have already made the flight over. Might as well travel a bit more to get a better experience.

I used a shop down there called Diver's Village, on the West Side of town getting close to the Egyptian border. Excellent shore diving there with entrance right across the street from the shop.

Also there are boat dives that are based in Eilat, but I stuck with the shore diving.

I didn't dive in Tel Aviv, but asked the same question you did. Basic response I got back was that it is not great diving. Maybe someone who has actually dove in Tel Aviv will have a different opinion.

-bobby
 
There are some nice dives in the Mediterranean sea. For example WW-II Italian submarine (R.SMG "Scire" http://www.regiamarina.net/subs/submarines/scire/scire_us.htm), resting at ~30 meters. There are lots of various wrecks and places like the grottoes of "Rosh Ha Nikra" (http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Hanikra.html) that are suitable for sport divers.

However, the Med sea can be capricious and diving conditions may change daily. There just a few dive clubs who usually work during weekends most of the year.

Eilat is an all year round "swimming pool", and for most divers it offers more diving possibilities.

All dive clubs in Eilat are OK. If you don't mind, choose *any* dive club other than the "Diver's Village". Choose "Red Sea Sports Club", "Aqua Sport", "Marina Divers", "Meduza" etc. All are profesional.
 
ChicagoDVR:
I am going to Tel Aviv for work and was wondering if there is a good place to dive on the Red Sea that is in driving distance? Or maybe even the Mediterranean Sea? Any input would be great.


Someone mentioned that you drive... I would suggest that :) Take in everything along the way. 'tis a very special place to visit. I hope to return there one day soon.
 
Jai Bar:
All dive clubs in Eilat are OK. If you don't mind, choose *any* dive club other than the "Diver's Village". Choose "Red Sea Sports Club", "Aqua Sport", "Marina Divers", "Meduza" etc. All are profesional.


Jai Bar, why don't you like Diver's Villiage? I thought it was great. I'm sure most of the other dive operations around Eilat are good too....so no argument there.
 
Hi,
Some information about diving in Tel Aviv area, Yes there some site for shore dives and some for boat, even better to go up north Haifa bay is great dive includes the Italian Sub and some other - you can look at the link:
http://www.tek-dive.com/index.php?pagename=108&lg=idx&;
or simply log into the english tek forum for divers in Israel - see below....
Some mor info of north dives :http://www.putsker.co.il/location.html


Any question feel free to PM me at any time
 
If you are a technical diver, there's a good shop in ashdod (20 minutes from Tel Aviv), it's called DiveX.

If you plan to go to Eilat and don't have a partner, there are many israeli forums (look in tapuz.co.il) where you can find a partner (both for diving and for the ride to Eilat) - these forums are in hebrew.

If you plan to stay for long, some israeli shops (Yam Ba Teva, for example) organize liveboard trips to egypt and jordan (4-5 days) - this is really awsome !
 
Hi Eilat is neat but far from Tel Aviv as some people have mentioned. I suggest going North. Casaria is 45 minute from Tel Aviv and you get find on of the only underwater muesuems in the world. Located in the anceint port the dive club provides all you with all the equipment. Shallow water dive. Further North past Hiafa is Nahariya there's a dive club called "Putsker". They dive to a gratto, underwater canyon where you can meet up with huge sting rays. As well to many wreck sites in the area. One of them mention before is the Italian sub from WW2.club@putsker.co.il There's a lot to see in the Med but not every day has decent diving conditions. Enjoy Ravuen
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/teric/

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