MARIA (POSSIBLY) - Eilat
The Maria, or what we believe is the Maria, is one of Eilat’s truly unique shallow dives. She’s a big wreck, well over 100 meters, though most of her lies below recreational limits. What we get to explore, and what we love about her, is the very top of her superstructure, sitting at a comfortable five meters. It's a fantastic spot for a long, relaxed dive, especially if you’re into the historical context of a wreck. You’ll spend your time investigating the twisted metal, the ghostly remains of what was once a large cargo ship. Schools of yellowfin goatfish often drift over the decking, and if you look closely, you can spot cleaner shrimp darting into anemones that have taken root on the rusting hull. We often find lionfish tucked into the crevices, their venomous fins fanned out. Because it's so shallow, the light here is often incredible, really bringing out the subtle blues and greens of the algae and corals. It's a proper wreck dive without the depth, perfect for extending bottom time or for divers getting comfortable with overhead environments. Our pick for an afternoon dive, particularly when the sun is lower in the sky and casts long shadows across the deck.
- Location
- Eilat, Israel, Red Sea & Middle East
- Coordinates
- 29.893612, 32.557777
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 5m
Nearby Dive Sites in Eilat
- Abū Daraj Reef (reef)
- Al Qaţafah (reef)
- AL TAIF - 16m (wreck)
- AMERICANA - 16m (wreck)
- An Numūsīyah (reef)
- ASAKURA MARU NO 12 - 15m (wreck)
- As Sab‘ Ḩaţābāt (reef)
- Ataqa Reef (reef)
- Caves (cave)
- Ceasaria Maritima Old City
- Coral Beach Nature Reserve - 3-20m (reef)
- Dolphin Reef (reef)
- EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN - 3m (wreck)
- EL HADEY - 15m (wreck)
- EL IMAM MALEK - 1m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to MARIA (POSSIBLY)
- AVIDAG
- Divers & Co - ["PADI"]
Marine Life in Eilat
Home to 147 recorded species including 100 reef fish, 16 hard corals, 8 sea snails & nudibranchs, 5 whales & dolphins, 4 clams & mussels, 3 seagrass & algae.
Notable Species
- Marbled Spinefoot (Siganus rivulatus) - Reef Fish
- Lesser valley coral (Platygyra lamellina) - Hard Corals
- Fluorescence grass coral (Galaxea fascicularis) - Hard Corals
- Red lionfish (Pterois miles) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora eurystoma) - Hard Corals
- Grey Dolphin (Grampus griseus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Rock Cod (Epinephelus fasciatus) - Reef Fish
- Small giant clam (Tridacna maxima) - Clams & Mussels
- Snakefish (Trachinocephalus myops) - Reef Fish
- Starflower coral (Astreopora myriophthalma) - Hard Corals
- Red Squirrelfish (Sargocentron diadema) - Reef Fish
- Blacktail Butterflyfish (Chaetodon austriacus) - Reef Fish
- Klunzinger's wrasse (Thalassoma rueppellii) - Reef Fish
- Arabian Pinfish (Diplodus noct) - Reef Fish
- Rainbowfish (Stethojulis albovittata) - Reef Fish
- Banded Blue Sprat (Spratelloides gracilis) - Reef Fish
- Starry cup coral (Acanthastrea echinata) - Hard Corals
- Long-spined sea urchin (Diadema setosum) - Sea Urchins
- Cauliflower coral (Pocillopora verrucosa) - Hard Corals
- Yellow scroll coral (Turbinaria reniformis) - Hard Corals