Diving In Lebanon
Beirut Marina, 00000 Beirut, Lebanon
© Shutterstock/Diego Fiore
Explore Beirut
Diving in Beirut presents a unique experience, where the rich history of the city merges with the vibrant ecosystem of the Mediterranean Sea. The city, renowned for its lively culture and scenic vistas, reveals an underwater world brimming with surprises. The waters of Beirut are filled with diverse marine life, including species like tuna, stingrays, groupers, and occasionally sand and gray sharks, especially during the prime diving months of July and August. With visibility reaching up to 35 meters/115 feet, these clear waters offer an ideal setting for observing such fascinating creatures.
Equally captivating is Beirut's underwater landscape. Divers can explore numerous shipwrecks, which stand as a testament to the region's storied maritime history. These wrecks, along with underwater sculptures, caves, and swim-throughs, create an intriguing environment for technical diving, a favored activity in this part of the Mediterranean. The warm waters, consistently welcoming throughout the year, make Beirut a preferred destination for divers in search of both adventure and tranquility. Whether diving from the shore or by boat, the experience is enhanced by the city’s vibrant backdrop and the Mediterranean's enchanting depths.
Dive Centers
Top Beirut Dive Sites
Raouche Rock – Pigeons' Rock
Located near Beirut's coastline, Raouche Rock is famous for its towering rock formations and vibrant marine life. Divers often encounter schools of fish, octopuses, and colorful corals. The site is ideal for both scuba and freediving, offering an easy adventure with stunning views of Beirut's skyline.
Tyre Marine Reserve
South of Beirut, Tyre Marine Reserve boasts rich biodiversity with seagrass beds, turtles, and groupers. This protected area offers an easy to intermediate level scuba diving experience. It's a haven for marine enthusiasts seeking to explore Lebanon's efforts in preserving marine habitats.
Shark Point
Despite its name, Shark Point is known for encounters with rays, eels, and diverse fish species. The site demands an advanced level of diving due to strong currents, suitable for experienced scuba divers. Its rocky landscapes offer breathtaking underwater vistas.
Ramkine Island
North of Beirut, Ramkine Island features underwater caves and tunnels, making it a thrilling dive for advanced divers. Scuba enthusiasts can explore vibrant marine life, including barracudas and colorful reef fish. The island's geological formations are a highlight, offering unique dive adventures.
Batroun Wreck
For technical divers, Batroun Wreck is a must-visit. Located north of Beirut, this site offers deep wreck diving experiences with views of sunken ships teeming with life, like groupers and lionfish. The site's depth and complexity require advanced skills, making it ideal for tech divers.
The best Months to Dive in Beirut
Beirut boasts a unique diving experience available throughout the year, with water temperatures ranging from 17°C–27°C/63°F–81°F. While the winter months bring cooler waters, the summer season offers warmer conditions that are more favorable for many divers. Visibility in these waters typically spans from 10 to 30 meters/33 to 98 feet, although it can decrease due to seasonal winds and occasional storms.
Diving is possible year-round despite these variations. However, the cooler temperatures and potential for stronger currents during winter might make it less appealing for some. Generally, the best conditions are found in the summer and autumn, with calmer seas and clearer visibility, providing an ideal setting for both novice and experienced divers.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Beirut
Beirut's coastal waters provide a fascinating glimpse into a vibrant underwater ecosystem, attracting divers with its diverse marine life. Among the most common reef fish are the ornate wrasse and the Mediterranean parrotfish, often seen darting through the rocky reefs. These colorful fish are a staple of the local marine environment and can be observed year-round.
Seasonal visitors such as loggerhead turtles are occasionally spotted, especially during the warmer months. Divers may also encounter small groups of eagle rays gliding gracefully through the water in spring and early summer. While shark sightings are rare near Beirut, the occasional appearance of smaller species like the smoothhound shark can occur, particularly in deeper waters. Overall, Beirut provides a captivating dive experience with a rich variety of marine life.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
217 Sightings
J
3
F
3
M
3
A
7
M
15
J
32
J
44
A
52
S
26
O
15
N
15
D
2
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
46 Sightings
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0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
5
J
26
J
15
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
9 Sightings
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0
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0
M
1
A
0
M
2
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0
J
2
A
2
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0
O
0
N
0
D
2
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 12
iStock/cinoby
Lionfish
198 Sightings
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0
F
1
M
3
A
1
M
10
J
31
J
46
A
42
S
31
O
17
N
7
D
9
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 80
iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays
99 Sightings
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0
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0
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1
A
0
M
20
J
46
J
29
A
1
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1
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0
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0
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1
AdobeStock-_italo
Moon Jellyfish
17 Sightings
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0
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0
M
5
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
12
A
0
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0
O
0
N
0
D
0
iStock-June Jacobsen
Whitetip Reef Shark
10 Sightings
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0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
3
J
1
J
1
A
1
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
2
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
6 Sightings
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0
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0
M
2
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0
M
1
J
1
J
0
A
0
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0
O
0
N
0
D
2
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 130
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
6 Sightings
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0
F
0
M
2
A
0
M
1
J
1
J
0
A
0
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0
O
0
N
0
D
2
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 28
Udo Kefrig
Clownfish
6 Sightings
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0
F
0
M
2
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
3
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 85
iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish
6 Sightings
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0
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0
M
3
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
1
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 130
AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish
6 Sightings
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0
F
0
M
2
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 8
Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish
6 Sightings
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0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
1
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0
O
0
N
0
D
3