EL IMAM MALEK - Eilat

El Imam Malek is a site we’ve always enjoyed, especially when the other Eilat wrecks are bustling. It’s a 72-meter motor vessel, laid up hard aground at Ras El Abadian – a proper wreck, not some purpose-sunk artificial reef. You’re not going deep here, a maximum of 10 meters, so it’s perfect for longer dives, really taking your time. We love exploring the bow, which points out to sea. The structure itself, a little broken up, lets light filter through in dramatic shafts, especially in the late morning. This wreck has become a home, no question. Schools of juvenile barracuda often hang around the midsection, shimmering in the sun. Look closely into the darker corners and you’ll often spot lionfish, their fins fanned out, almost posing. Our favourite spot is the stern, where the prop shaft housing is now encrusted with delicate soft corals. It’s a quieter dive, generally, so the resident parrotfish and angelfish are often a little less skittish. We’d suggest going in the earlier afternoon – the sun angle then really makes the interior spaces glow. It’s a fantastic dive for photographers and anyone who just wants a peaceful wreck experience without the usual crowds.

Location

Eilat, Israel, Red Sea & Middle East

Coordinates

29.862375, 32.516310

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

1m