IL
Eilat
Red Sea Diving and Desert Coast
Red Sea Diving and Desert Coast
The Coral Beach Nature Reserve (5km south of central Eilat; Bus 15; ₪35 entry; snorkel gear rental ₪30/h; 8:30am–5pm) is the finest shore snorkelling site in Israel — a protected reef starting at 1 metre depth with 1,200 species of fish (lionfish, parrotfish, Napoleon wrasse, occasional reef sharks), 250 coral species, and visibility of 20–30 metres. The reserve protects the most intact reef section on the Israeli Red Sea coast.
💡 Enter from the southern access pontoon for the gradual depth entry (1m increasing to 5m over the reef). Visit in the morning (8:30–11am) before afternoon northerly winds generate surface chop. Bring your own mask and fins if possible; rental gear is available but basic.
The Underwater Observatory Marine Park (8km south; ₪129/adult; 8:30am–4pm; Bus 15 from central Eilat) has a 100-metre walkway to an underwater glass-enclosed room 6 metres below the Red Sea surface, showing live coral and fish at eye level without any diving or swimming. The adjacent shark tank, turtle pool, and Oceanarium (30-min immersive Red Sea film) are included. The park is the most practical way to see Red Sea marine life without any water entry.
💡 Visit at 9am for the best underwater light through the glass panels. The turtle feeding (included; daily at 11am) and the shark tank (Caribbean reef sharks; 3–4 resident) are the two standout experiences for non-divers.
Eilat’s 25+ dive centres offer PADI courses, guided dives, and Discover Scuba experiences (₪200–250; 2 dives; no prior experience required; full equipment included; English-speaking instructors) for beginners. The notable sites beyond the Coral Beach reserve include: the Japanese Garden (the finest shallow reef; 12m), the Canyon (dramatic wall dive; 30m), and the Cedar Pride (a Jordanian naval ship deliberately sunk as an artificial reef in 1985; 28m; the most visited wreck dive in the Gulf of Aqaba).
💡 Book diving through Camel Dive Centre (consistently rated the best in Eilat) or the Coral Beach reserve dive shop. The Discover Scuba experience introduces beginners to the Red Sea over 2 dives in 3 hours and is well-suited to first-time divers. PADI Open Water certification (3–4 days; ₪1,200–1,500) is also available.
Timna Valley Park (30km north; taxi ₪80–100 return; ₪55 entry; 8am–4pm) is a Negev Desert landscape of red sandstone formations, copper mines dating to 1400 BCE, and the oldest known copper smelting site in the world. Solomon’s Pillars (12-metre rock columns of red sandstone, naturally formed; free to approach; the finest natural formation in the park), the Mushroom Rock, and the replica Tabernacle (the portable temple of the Israelites) are the main sites.
💡 Visit Timna in the morning (8am opening; 2h before midday heat; the red sandstone in morning light is extraordinary). The 4km circular trail connecting Solomon’s Pillars, the Mushroom Rock, and the ancient copper workings is entirely flat and well-signed. Bring 2 litres of water per person; the Negev desert dehydrates rapidly.
Eilat eating is dominated by resort hotel buffets and tourist-area restaurants. The most reliable independent options: Eddie’s Hideaway (Almogim Street; fresh Red Sea fish; ₪80–130/person; book ahead; the finest non-hotel dinner in Eilat for decades), the New Tourist Centre (Yotam Boulevard; the outdoor restaurant cluster on the waterfront; seafood from ₪60–90 for a whole fresh fish), and the North Beach hotel beachfront bars (open to non-residents for drinks; sunset cocktails from ₪40). Fresh-caught Red Sea fish (snapper, parrotfish, sea bass; grilled whole with tahini and salad) is the Eilat speciality at any waterfront restaurant.
8:30am: Bus 15 to Coral Beach Nature Reserve (₪35 + ₪30 gear; 2h snorkelling). Walk south to Underwater Observatory (₪129; 45 mins; shark tank + glass room). Return to North Beach. Afternoon: Discover Scuba at any North Beach dive centre (book day before; ₪200–250; 2 dives; 3h). Evening: Eddie’s Hideaway dinner (book ahead; fresh Red Sea fish; ₪80–130).
8am: taxi to Timna Valley Park (₪80 return; 30 mins; Solomon’s Pillars + copper mines; 2h; ₪55 entry). Return to Eilat by noon. North Beach afternoon (parasailing from ₪100; kayaking; Red Sea sunset). Evening bus or flight home. Day 3 option: Petra, Jordan (organised day tour from ₪600; or independent border crossing ₪100 + taxi to Petra).
Enter at 8:30am (opening) for the calmest water and best light. The afternoon northerly wind creates surface chop that significantly reduces the snorkelling experience.
Arkia and Israir operate domestic flights from Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion) to Eilat Ramon Airport (35km north of the city; shuttle bus ₪25; from ₪100 one-way; book in advance).
Eilat’s winter (November–March; 20–25°C; sea temperature 22–23°C) is the finest season for visitors from Europe: the sea is swimmable, the beaches uncrowded (Israeli school holidays are in July–August and over Jewish holidays), and hotel prices are significantly lower.
Petra (the Nabataean rock-cut capital in Jordan; 120km from Eilat; organised day tours from ₪600 per person including transport, Jordanian border fees, and Petra entry; or cross independently through the Yitzhak Rabin border crossing for ₪100 in fees, then taxi to Petra).
An Israeli entry stamp in your passport can complicate entry to some Arab countries.
Eilat is entirely flat.
From Tel Aviv’s beaches to Jerusalem’s sacred sites and Eilat’s Red Sea reefs.