A Visit To Eilat

Discover Eilat like never before — from the desert drive & Ramon Crater views, to underwater adventures with dolphins, camel-rides, tasty local eats & relaxed family stays. Let this guide help you soak up sun, sea & stars in southern Israel.

Written by Zvika Gasner Koheleth 12-December-2024 (Originally 7-January-2020, Edited 24-March-20121) Photography by Angela Hechtfisch

How To Get To Eilat

Getting to Eilat is a real journey—it’s about a 5-hour drive from Tel Aviv. The desert landscapes along the way are stunning, though the ride can be long and challenging.

You’ve got 3 main driving routes:

Via Jerusalem & the Dead Sea (Road #1 + #90): A scenic drive past the northern Dead Sea and through the Jordan Valley (“Bikaa”).
Via Arad (Road #6 + #31 + #90): A faster toll-road option with wide desert views.
Via Be’er Sheva & Mitzpe Ramon (Road #6 + #40): The most breathtaking route—stop at the Mitzpe Ramon observatory for jaw-dropping views of the Ramon Crater before driving straight through it on your way to Eilat.

Each route offers unforgettable desert scenery: the Dead Sea, the Bikaa, or the incredible Ramon Crater.

If you prefer something quicker and easier, you can take a 25-minute domestic flight from Ben Gurion Airport to the new Ramon Airport, followed by a short 10-minute taxi ride into Eilat.

Once you arrive, welcome to Israel’s sun capital—Eilat boasts sunshine 355 days a year! While Europeans and Americans escape here in winter, Israelis usually head down from April to October. Unlike the Dead Sea, which is more about health and quiet relaxation, Eilat is all about family fun, beaches, and every water activity you can think of.

Eilat’s Underwater Observatory

Just 2.5 km from Eilat’s main hotel strip, the Underwater Observatory is one of the city’s must-see attractions. The highlight? The giant shark tank—where twice a day, at 11:00 and 15:00, you can watch divers feed these amazing creatures up close.

Another unmissable stop is the open-sea observatory, set 50 meters into the Red Sea and reaching 6 meters deep. Walking inside feels like stepping into another world, surrounded by colorful coral reefs and marine life.

Every hour, there’s something new to experience—feeding the giant sea turtles, discovering mysterious deep-sea fish, or even seeing pearls formed inside live shells.

Tickets are $25 for kids and $30 for adults. Opening hours: 09:00–16:00, seven days a week.

Eilat sea observatory a look at the shark tank

Eilat’s Camel Ranch

Just a kilometer from the Underwater Observatory, a short desert drive brings you to the Camel Ranch—a Bedouin-style ranch where you can (mostly, but not only!) ride camels into the desert. The first few minutes may feel a little awkward, but soon the rhythm grows on you, and the ride becomes surprisingly comfortable—especially with the wild desert scenery all around.

We joined the 2-hour program: a one-hour camel ride with a group of calm, gentle females, followed by classic Bedouin hospitality. Freshly brewed tea, fire-baked bread with cheese and vegetables, all inside a traditional tent—while the desert sky slowly filled with stars. A million stars plus one. The peace and beauty were unforgettable. Special thanks to our lovely guide, Eden, who made the experience even better.

The 2-hour program costs around $70 per person and starts at 16:00 (arrive 15 minutes early). There’s also a longer 4-hour program where you’ll actually learn how to control a camel!

Eilat’s Dolphins Reef

The morning after the Sylvester fireworks—lighting up both Eilat and neighboring Aqaba—was a true highlight: a short ride brought us to the famous Dolphin Reef. This private beach is home to five dolphins (four of them born here in the second generation) that swim in daily from the open sea to interact with visitors and grab an easy meal.

The reef offers two unforgettable programs: a 30-minute snorkeling session or a guided dive alongside these playful mammals. No license or advanced swimming skills needed—just suit up, get your snorkel or gear adjusted, listen to the instructions, and off you go! Diving is done in pairs with an instructor, while snorkeling is in small groups. Activities run from 9:00 to 16:00, with prices of $85 for snorkeling and $100 for diving.

If your focus is more on corals than dolphins, the nearby Coral Beach National Park (just 1 km away) is a must. It’s the only wild coral reef in Israel, thriving thanks to Eilat Bay’s steady year-round water temperature of 22–24°C. Snorkeling gear is available on site, and entry is only $10 per person. A guaranteed peaceful escape under the sea.

Feeding the dolphins at Eilat Dolphins reef

Eilat – Where to eat & stay

Eilat has always been about sun, sea, and relaxation. The city’s bay is perfect for swimming and tanning, and while summer temperatures can hit 45–50°C, the air is dry, so you won’t be dripping in sweat. Beyond the beach, you’ll find endless water sports, yacht cruises with glass floors for spotting fish, and plenty of great spots to eat and drink—like the Italian favorite Pastory on Tarshish Street or the lively Monkey’s Bar along the promenade.

For our stay, we chose the Club Hotel Eilat, an ideal pick for families. It offers a rich buffet, multiple pools, and water activities for all ages, day and night.

When your time in Eilat sadly comes to an end and you head back north (by car, not plane), make sure to stop at the Dead Sea—just 210 km away—for one last unforgettable experience before reaching Tel Aviv or the center.

Let’s work together

Wanna join our crazy team?

Discover Eilat like never before — from the desert drive & Ramon Crater views, to underwater adventures with dolphins, camel-rides, tasty local eats & relaxed family stays. Let this guide help you soak up sun, sea & stars in southern Israel.

How To Get To Eilat

Eilat’s Underwater Observatory

Eilat’s Camel Ranch

Eilat’s Dolphins Reef

Eilat – Where to eat & stay

Let’s work together

Wanna join our crazy team?

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A Visit To Eilat

Discover Eilat like never before — from the desert drive & Ramon Crater views, to underwater adventures with dolphins, camel-rides, tasty local eats & relaxed family stays. Let this guide help you soak up sun, sea & stars in southern Israel.

How To Get To Eilat

Eilat’s Underwater Observatory

Eilat’s Camel Ranch

Eilat’s Dolphins Reef

Eilat – Where to eat & stay