Things to Do in Eilat: Sun, Sea and Desert Edge
Eilat catches you off guard. One moment you are driving through a vast and empty desert, and the next you round a corner and there is a bright resort city at the end of the country, pressed against the Red Sea with three other nations visible across the water. I flew down for warmth in winter and found a spot that pairs a genuinely lovely coastline with desert adventure close at hand. Here is how I spent my days, and what I would do again tomorrow.
Start Bright and Early at Coral Beach
The main reason anyone comes to Eilat is the Red Sea, and its coral reefs are the draw. I headed to the protected area at Coral Beach and rented a mask and snorkel before the day heated up. The water was astonishingly clear, and within minutes of paddling out I was drifting over brain corals and clouds of parrotfish. Because the reef shelf drops away quickly, I saw the best underwater sights close to the beach without a boat. In winter the water is bracing, so I grabbed a spring in the sun to warm up between snorkel sessions.
Take a Glass Bottom Boat Over the Reef
For a dry feet view under the surface, I joined a glass bottom tour that motored slowly along the reef’s edge. Looking down through the glass I got the full bird’s eye layout of the corals and their fishy population without ever getting wet. On the way back the boat passed close to the dolphins in the nearby marine park enclosure, which turned a simple boat ride into a proper family highlight. It is an easy, low effort way to see the sea, and it pairs well with a lazier afternoon.
Try a Proper Day Trip of Snorkelling and the Dolphin Reef
If you can swim with confidence, the Red Sea offers some of the easiest reef access in the world. I took a half day boat trip to a second reef site, where the guide pointed out sea turtles and a reef shark gliding past in the deeper blue. Back on the shore I also wandered the dolphin reef park one afternoon, watching the resident dolphins play from the wooden walkways without joining their enclosure. For me the combination of wild snorkelling and a protected close encounter gave a full picture of the sea life here.
Soak in the Salt of the Dead Sea Area
The resort strip beyond the proper waterline, on the way toward the border, has a set of lagoons with a striking salt lake that makes you float like wood. I found a spot where you can wade in slowly and simply bob on the surface without effort, which felt absurd and wonderful. Afterwards I covered myself in the mineral rich mud from the shore and let the whole thing dry before rinsing off, a classic ritual everyone here seems to do. It is a treat, and the water toys and inflatables nearby make it family friendly.
Ride a Camel or a Car Into the Desert
The desert is Eilat’s second act, and I made sure to see it. I joined a short guided four wheel drive trip into the surrounding hills, where the driver stopped at ridgelines over canyons and pointed out the borders of Egypt and Jordan sketched across the far views. I also took a gentle evening camel ride along a sandy stretch near the timna valley region, watching the sky turn pink over the rock. Book these in advance with a licensed operator, and go at sunset when the light turns everything gold.
Walk the Waterfront Promenade and Try the Food
The town itself is built for wandering. I strolled the long boardwalk along the northern beaches most evenings, past hotels, palm trees, and the marina packed with sailboats, while families played in the calm lagoon waters. For eating, the strip and the surrounding streets serve a real mix, fresh fish straight from the sea, Israeli classics like hummus and shakshuka, and plenty of frozen treats in the heat. I made a point of eating seafood dinner by the water at least twice. It was simple, fresh, and hard to beat.
Ride the Rope Tram Up the Mountain for the View
The single best view of Eilat comes from above, and the aerial cable car lifts you up the sheer face of the mountain that frames the town. At the top the panorama opens over the whole bay, the coral beaches below, and the desert and borders stretching away to the horizon. I went up in the late afternoon, watched the sun sink over the red mountains, and stayed for the city lights flickering on below the cable line. It is the perfect final image of Eilat, and the reason my photos got the most likes.
