Eilat: Israel's Red Sea coast
Israel's only opening to the Red Sea, Eilat offers well-preserved coral reefs and a dry desert climate year-round, just steps from the borders with Egypt and Jordan.
The centre is explored on foot; the coral reef requires a boat excursion.
The Coral Reef Nature Reserve, among the world's most northern coral ecosystems, can be observed through snorkeling or diving just a few meters from the shore.
A short walk away, the Underwater Observatory Marine Park allows observation of tropical fish and sharks through underwater windows without the need to dive.
Taking the cable car up reaches Mount Shlomo, with views that simultaneously span Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
In the evening, Eilat's waterfront, with its hotels and restaurants, closes the day facing the gulf shared by four different countries.
From Mount Shlomo one can glimpse in a single glance the territories of four different nations bordering the same gulf, a geographic configuration that is rare anywhere in the world.
The coral reef of Eilat, despite being at an unusual latitude for this type of ecosystem, survives thanks to currents and temperatures that replicate conditions typical of more tropical seas.
Guided tours and experiences in Eilat
You might also like...
Aqaba: the seaside gateway to Petra
Sharm el-Sheikh: coral reefs of the Sinai
Savonlinna Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended hotels
Israir: Israel's Second Airline Between Leased Aircraft and New Intercontinental Routes
Flying with Tropic Air: What the Hop in a Cessna Caravan to the Belize Islands Is Really Like
