Byblos

Byblos is an intermediate dive site off the coast of the ancient Phoenician city of the same name, on Lebanon's central Mediterranean coast. Diving here carries a profound sense of history, as the waters off Byblos have witnessed maritime activity for over 7,000 years, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited ports in the world. The underwater landscape off Byblos features a rocky seabed of limestone formations interspersed with sandy patches, sloping gradually from the shallows near the ancient harbour to deeper water offshore. The rocky substrate creates a terrain of ledges, small walls, and boulder fields that provide diverse habitats for Mediterranean marine life. The intermediate rating reflects the site's moderate depth and the potential for current along this section of the Lebanese coast. Surface conditions can be challenging during winter storms, but the calmer months from May to October offer reliable diving with visibility reaching 15 to 20 metres on good days. Marine life at Byblos includes the characteristic species of the eastern Mediterranean. Groupers of various species are the site's most prominent fish, with dusky groupers occupying the larger crevices and smaller goldblotch groupers darting between rock formations. Moray eels extend from rocky dens, while colourful wrasses and damselfish animate the water column above the reef. The archaeological dimension adds unique interest to diving at Byblos. While significant artifacts have been recovered over the years, the seabed near this ancient port still holds fragments of pottery, anchors, and structural remains that speak to the area's extraordinary maritime heritage. Divers should observe but never disturb or remove any objects encountered on the seabed. Water temperatures at Byblos range from 17 degrees in winter to 28 degrees at the peak of summer. The site is accessible from several dive centres operating along the central Lebanese coast. Byblos offers a uniquely enriching dive experience where natural beauty meets ancient human history.