Level: Free shore access This spot have a free shore access: you can go snorkeling there freely and without having to book a tour or pay an entrance fee.
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Last updated on November 10, 2023
Dekel Beach, located halfway between the city center and the port of Eilat, is one of the busiest beaches on the Israeli Red Sea. Unlike the southern beaches, such as Coral Beach or Migdalor Beach, this area does not have a coral reef. Snorkeling in Dekel Beach is limited to the small coral patches scattered on a sandy slope which, even so, features surprisingly rich viewing opportunities.
Dekel Beach, or HaDekel Beach, is a beach on Israel’s Red Sea coast. It is one of the only beaches located north of the port of Eilat, and closest to the city. It is bordered by two beach restaurants, Dekel Beach and Mosh Beach.
To reach the beach, head south towards the Egyptian border. The beach, well indicated, is located about 875 yards after the Aria hotel (formerly the Méridien). There are parking spaces nearby. Access to the beach is free.
It is recommended to enter the water next to Dekel Beach restaurant, in front of the coral patches that can be seen from the beach through the surface.
Dekel Beach features extensive sandy beds, scattered with small coral patches. The seabed is less spectacular than on the reefs facing the southern beaches, such as Coral Beach, Migdalor Beach, or Princess Beach, but there’s still plenty to see around the corals.
In the shallows next to the beach, take a look at the rubble areas, which are visited by yellowtail surgeonfish, seabream and mullets (↕2ft).
From there, swim to the coral patches. Although they are quite small, they attract lots of sea life. You’ll see hard and soft corals, sea anemones, and many fish. Common sightings here are the Red Sea clownfish, sea goldies, and several species of surgeonfish, triggerfish and parrotfish.
Dekel Beach is also a good place to spot lionfish, either hiding under coral outcrops or swimming in the open water.
About 50 yards from the beach, the sandy slope descends to the depths. It features larger coral areas, but the depth is too great to enjoy them from the surface.
Dekel Beach and Mosh Beach bars/restaurants are located on the beach
These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
