Degania Dam Area - Israel Diving

Site Overview

Degania Dam Area is a unique freshwater dive site in the Sea of Galilee offering dam structure and outflow area creating current-swept habitat with catfish, barbel, and diverse freshwater communities. Located in the historic Kinneret lake, the site provides a remarkable contrast to Israel's Mediterranean and Red Sea diving with its freshwater environment and biblical-era archaeological context. The Sea of Galilee sits at approximately two hundred metres below sea level and is surrounded by hills of deep religious and historical significance. Freshwater diving here combines exploration of natural lake features with submerged archaeological structures dating back thousands of years. The lake supports diverse freshwater fish communities including the famous St. Peter's fish that has sustained local fishing communities for millennia. Degania Dam Area is located near the southern outlet of the Sea of Galilee where the dam structure creates unique current conditions that attract diverse freshwater species. European catfish and barbel are drawn to the current-swept areas where food is concentrated by the water flow. The dam infrastructure creates artificial structure on the lake floor providing habitat diversity. The site offers insight into modern water management of this historically significant lake while providing interesting diving conditions with mild current that is unusual for freshwater lake environments. Diving in the Sea of Galilee offers a completely different experience from coastal Israeli diving with its freshwater ecology, archaeological heritage, and spiritual significance. The lake conditions vary seasonally with spring and autumn providing the clearest water while summer brings warmer temperatures and potential algal blooms. Local dive operators provide specialised freshwater equipment and experienced guides familiar with the unique conditions. The surrounding area offers profound historical and religious tourism opportunities making diving here part of a broader cultural experience. Water temperatures range from sixteen degrees in winter to thirty degrees in summer providing comfortable diving conditions for most of the year. The shallow average depth of the lake makes it accessible to divers of all certification levels.