Updated January 2021
Visiting the town of Eilat
We spent two days in Eilat, Israel, the southern most tip of the country. A beach town with plenty of high-rise hotels, restaurants and tax-free shopping. The beach is rocky, the sand hot, water a perfect blue and the water temperature just right. When facing the ocean if you look to right, you can see the town of Aqaba in neighboring country of Jordan. Look a bit further out across the strait, to your left, and youāll see the, the mountains of Saudi Arabia. On your right are the town of Taba and the the mountains of Egypt.
Best Place to Snorkel
Due to the topography of the Red Sea, most snorkeling, and for that matter, scuba-diving is done right off shore. This makes it convenient for an easy drive; you wonāt need to rent out a boat tour company for a day and sail out to a reef.
Coral Beach Nature Reserve- located Ā½ mile from the border of Egypt is coral reef reserve where visitors can snorkel right off the beach. There is a small fee of 35 NIS per adult (about $10 USD) and 21NIS per child to enter the park.
The Nature reserve is great place for families. The park is set up with a shop renting out gear as well as offering some beach supplies for sale and small sundries for sale. Upon exiting the shop visitors will find shaded area with picnic tables where you can stop to get everything prepared for your snorkel adventure. There are also clean restrooms with showers for public use.
All along the beach are shaded stands and chairs where visitors can leave their bags or sit for a while for a snack and drink. Leaving your shoes/flipflops on as the sand can and will result in potentially burning your feet, the sand is hot. I recommend you wear your shoes all the way out to the piers provided as a launching point for snorkeling.
Piers will bring you right to snorkel area. You can wear your shoes to the very end and leave them in a designated shoe area. The bridges have stairs straight into the water, which is great for younger, less experienced kids. It makes it easier to ease your way into the water and get used to the temperature, although not cold.
The Israeli government has roped off the actual reef system for protection and regeneration of the reefs. In the past, the reefs have been severely damaged, but now are making a comeback. Thus, you cannot swim right through the reefs, but can swim around the outermost edges and there are some outcroppings of reefs that you can swim around.
Throughout the snorkeling area, you can hold on to buoys that you can hold onto if you need a break or want to spend more time looking at a particular piece of color or fish. Mind the rope demarcating the preserved reef. If you do swim under it, the guards on the beach will quickly call you out over a loudspeaker.
The entire reef system is over one kilometer, which is quite a bit of swimming for younger snorkelers. We found it was not crowded at all when we went. You share the reserve with scuba divers as well.
You will see a wonderful array of beautiful fish and coral. The water is perfectly clear. There is colorful coral and some damaged. We spotted a giant clam, surgeonfish, sergeant fish, parrotfish, butterflyfish, cornetfish, clownfish, and many species of wrasse.
What to bring
When planning your day to the Coral Beach Nature Reserve, there are many things to take into consideration. For one,Ā it’s a nature reserve. you will not find food stands, restaurants, public restrooms or shops dotting the beachfront. Make sure you pack a bag filled with essential items for your visit. There is a visitor center that does have some essential items, but you will be paying a larger price here if you need to buy some things like sunscreen, towels, food and/or beverages.
Your essential items should include towels, bottles of drinkable water, change of clothes so you are dry for the ride back to your hotel or home, and snacks. After all snorkeling does make you a bit hungry. You will also need plenty of sunscreen. The sun is hot, you are in the desert and you will and can get sunburnt rather easily.Ā We prefer to bring our own snorkel gear. If you don’t have your own, don’t worry, there is rental gear at the visitor center. If you have an underwater camera, GoPro, or the waterproof bags for phones. Make sure you bring this along. The fish are coral are beautiful and you will want pictures to bring home with you.
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A stroll around the world
I have snorkeled in the Red Sea and would love to go back with my kids. Is it good to know that there are family-friendly places in Egypt for these kinds of activities.
Five Family Adventurers
I hope. We were in Israel. Not sure about Egypt, hoping itās the same
Rein
I love the clear blue water!^^ I never went snorkeling before but really want to after reading this post.
Every time I want to get in the water to snorkel I notice the huge crowds it attracts and just back off. It seems almost impossible to take a good underwater picture without having tons of people swimming in front of your camera. Was it like that too there? š
Five Family Adventurers
Not the case here. I here you though. This was spread out enough not to have those issues
Campbell Kerr
This sounds so amazing! We are absolute water babies and love snorkelling. So glad to hear that the government are taking measures to protect and grow the coral systems. So many countries neglect this and pay the price down the line!
Five Family Adventurers
So true. Iāll take snorkeling on the edges knowing that the reef is being protected. Still plenty of wildlife to see š
Nafisa Habib
Good to know about Eilat in Israel. The underwater beauty is terrific. Seems like a great spot for many water sports. I enjoy underwater adventure as well. It was fun to try snorkeling in the Maldives. Informative tips!
Five Family Adventurers
I really want to hit the Maldives for snorkeling, actually for everything there.
Pujarini Mitra
This is a great guide to snorkel in Eilat and it looks like a fun family thing to do. Thanks for sharing the complete trip details. The marine life in there looks beautiful.
Claire
I have always wanted to do snorkeling but do not have the courage to do so…
Your photos of the underwater world are gorgeous!!
Thanks for sharing! š
Five Family Adventurers
Baby steps, trying doing it off the shore first. It’s so fun, but it can be scary when the water is deep.
Kavita Favelle
Eilat looks like a great place to visit to enjoy the coastal vibe and also to snorkel. Great to see the underwater seascape and wildlife.
Sarah
Eilat looks lovely. Israel has never really been on my bucket list but after reading this, I would love to visit. I’m always looking for more places to snorkel š
Five Family Adventurers
There is so much to do in Israel for such a small country. Helps that the food is AWESOME.
Sandy N Vyjay
Eilat looks like a gorgeous place. A fresh and lesser-known facet of Israel. Normally one identifies Israel with Jerusalem, but this is definitely something different. The Coral Beach Nature Reserve looks like a paradise for snorkelling and getting a peep into the fascinating underwater world.
Missy
We love to snorkel and dive. This looks like a great place for us to dive at because you mentioned scuba-diving is done right off shore. That is my favorite type of diving. Thank you for mentioning that there are fish and coral. Snorkeling is awesome when we get to see fish and coral and not just fish.
Five Family Adventurers
Yes, there were a lot of fish.
Tonya Denmark
I don’t know much about Israel, but love anything to do with water. Great article!
Pam
Beautiful! We don’t have any beach/ocean vacations planned for the near future, but this post is making me want to get one on the books!
Jenni
Such a cool adventure! Fantastic tips as well!
Jodie
Wow, so beautiful! Love the blue water – itās gorgeous. Israel is definitely a place Iād love to visit. Looks like you had an amazing time!
Cat Guillermo
Great tips and beautiful photos! I love that something is being done to protect the reefs there.
Marya
I love the water… Crystal clear that takes snorkeling into the next level, I mean seeing the sea life has never been that great if that’s not for the clear water. I’ve snorkeled in some places in Indonesia, but never got a chance to see one with the water this clear. Thanks for sharing! š
Kristi @ Way Beyond The Norm
I love coral reefs! I’ve only ever been to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia but had the best time snorkeling there. This looks like it’d be another great place to do some snorkeling.
Rachel Finney
I love snorkeling! This looks like a great destination. I’ll add it to my bucket list!
Janine
That looks beautiful. Israel is on my list of places to go to one day but I never thought about trying to snorkel there. Thanks for the suggestion!
Jen Coleman
What a great experience! And the water looks absolutely stunning. My little ones haven’t started snorkeling yet, but it’s getting about time. You’ve inspired me!
Marilyn
What an amazing place to go snorkeling! WOW! I never really thought about snorkeling in Israel, but now I fully intend on doing so whenever I make it there! Glad you all had fun! š
Pari
That coral reef looks so amazing and the other activities are a great for a family getaway. Don’t know if I will ever get a chance to go to Israel though. Atleast I can see pictures here š
Tony G
A short, but informative post. It’s been a while since my last snorkel! I think that I could pass through Israel in the near future, so it could be worth a go!
Kylee
Oh man this makes me want to jump in the water! We haven’t been diving or snorkling for 5 years! Thank you for sharing your awesome pics and story!
Backpacking Series
Israel and snorkeling, both are new for us and your post definitely nudges to experience both. Great tips, especially the last one – “If you have your own snorkel gear. Bring it. This will cut down on costs of renting.” After all, who would not want to bring down the costs!
gonca
Israel attracts me a lot, but it didn’t with its snorkeling sites. Now, after reading your review I really wanna go there asap
Shaily
Wow! What a lovely experience exploring the underwater world! Iāve never done snorkelling but I can imagine how wonderful this activity must be. Marine life always fascinates me ā a mysterious world calls for exploration. Your pictures are very beautiful. Glad to know the government is taking initiatives to protect corals – a much needed step.
Sarah
Sounds like a really exciting trip! I love snorkeling and scuba diving and had heard this was a good place to do it. I enjoyed learning more!
Stephanie | Adventures in Aussieland
Wow! The water looks so beautiful! It looks like quite the experience. I haven’t been able to visit Israel just yet but I’m always keen on a place with good snorkelling/scuba diving. It’s fantastic to hear that the government is trying to protect the reef. I wish the same could be said for the Great Barrier Reef.
evelyn hernandez
WOW, this looks like an amazing trip, the sea looks magical.
Tif
Wow this loooks like a wonderful place to vacation! I have never heard of it! Can you scuba?
Five Family Adventurers
Yes, there is scuba diving as well.
Alexander Popkov
Looks like it is good for some fun on the water. I just bought a special bag for my camera to photograph underwater.
Five Family Adventurers
I use those phone bags. They work great, but for smart phones, I find you cannot use your touch screen underwater.
Hello Yeshi
Your pictures of Eilat has so much natural beauty! I have never been snorkeling before but it looks like so much fun – the marine life is stunning!
Jessica
Wow I never would have thought you could snorkel here. Yet another reason to explore Israel with the kids!
Shivani Sharma
I haven’t tried snorkelling yet, I know my bad, and I know I should. Your post have finally inspired me to learn swimming! The marine life looks gorgeous here!
Five Family Adventurers
YES! Go for it!!
Alex Trembath
Looks like a great place to explore the ocean. My wife and I learnt to scuba-dive in south-east Asia earlier this year and are now looking into places closer to Europe we can go. I didn’t know about the options in Israel. Thank you for sharing.
Anjali W
Snorkeling is one of the top activities I would love to do next! Thanks for the very helpful tips and recommendations.
Cat Uy
love the water, it is so clear and we really want to do snorkeling. i will take note of this.
Erin
What an adventure! This looks so amazing!
Lisa @ https://meandmymomfriends.com
Great tips! I have always wanted to try snorkling
Amy Winters
Thanks for pointing out that snorkeling at a coral reef will help you connect with nature and understand its importance. Lately I’ve wanted to spend more time outdoors and become more in-tune with the natural world. I hadn’t considered that snorkeling might be a good way to do that, so I’m glad you shared that idea!
Five Family Adventurers
It is an awesome way to connect. We tend to think of hiking as the best, but oceans can be just as great for connecting with nature. It appears that Bay Side Adventures offers amazing snorkeling in Hawaii. Am headed to Hawaii soon, so I’ll give it a try.