Clandestine Immigration and Naval Museum
About This Museum
You'd never guess that one of Israel's most compelling maritime museums is hidden at the foot of a cliff, accessible only by descending the 'Dakar Stairs'. This isn't a grand, imposing structure but a place that feels earned upon arrival. Inside, the narrative is raw and powerful, tracing the desperate, ingenious journeys of clandestine immigrants who shaped the nation's early history. The story then expands into the formidable evolution of the naval force built to protect its shores.
Collection Highlights
The collection's centerpiece is the INS Gal, an authentic missile boat you can actually board and explore from deck to cramped crew quarters. Alongside it, poignant exhibits feature everything from rickety fishing boats used in daring Aliyah Bet operations to more modern naval artillery and decommissioned submarines.
Visitor Information
Finding it is part of the adventure—look for the stairway descent on Derech Allenby 204. Wear comfortable shoes for the steps and be prepared for a unique, slightly off-the-beaten-path museum experience that’s well worth the climb back up.
Architecture & Building
The building itself is unpretentious and functional, hugging the Haifa coastline more like a strategic naval outpost than a traditional museum. Its location right on the water, with ships docked outside, blurs the line between exhibition space and active port.
Contact & Location
Address: מוזיאון ההעפלה וחיל הים, ההגנה, קריית אליעזר, רובע מערב חיפה, חיפה, נפת חיפה, מחוז חיפה, 3501321, ישראל
Phone: +972 73-353-2288
Website: Visit Website
