8 Best Things To Do In Eilat: Red Sea Fun, Desert Views & More [2026 Updated]

8 Best Things to Do in Eilat: Red Sea Fun, Desert Views & More [2026 Updated]

Alissa Walker

Travel writing based on first-hand experience

April 13, 2026

Explore the best things to do in Eilat—from snorkeling coral reefs and hiking red canyons to dolphin encounters, desert parks, and seaside sunsets.

Loved Eilat? Keep exploring Israel:

Visiting Eilat: Travel Tips We Wish Someone Told Us Earlier

We roll into Eilat like it’s the end of the map (because it kind of is): desert behind us, the Red Sea doing that unreal turquoise thing in front, and a sun that behaves like it’s paid per hour. It’s a resort town, yes — but it’s also a surprisingly easy base for beaches, snorkeling, and quick desert adventures… as long as you don’t show up unprepared and melt into a decorative souvenir.

Pick your season

Eilat is sunny almost year-round, but “sunny” here has levels.

Best time to visit: March–May and October–November (warm sea, manageable heat, fewer crowds).
Summer (June–September): Expect intense heat. Think “walking from shade to shade like a lizard with purpose.”
Winter (December–February): Still pleasant during the day, cooler evenings. Sea can be chilly depending on your tolerance.

Pro tip: If you’re coming in summer, plan sightseeing early morning or after sunset. Midday is for pool, naps, or pretending you’re “working.”

Where to stay: choose your Eilat personality

Eilat’s accommodation vibe ranges from big resort energy to quiet apartment life.

Hotel Zone / North Shore: Best if you want walkable beaches, pools, breakfast buffets, and zero thinking.
City center: More local feel, easier for shops, casual food, and buses, often better value.
Coral Beach area: Quieter, better for snorkeling/diving access and a calmer vibe (but you’ll rely more on taxis/buses).

Pro tip: If you’re planning lots of snorkeling, staying closer to Coral Beach saves time (and your patience).

Getting around: it’s easy, but plan the heat

Eilat is compact-ish, but distances feel longer when the pavement is trying to toast you.

Walking: Fine in the evenings; brutal at midday.
Buses: Useful for getting to Coral Beach and some attractions.
Taxis: Common, especially when you’re sandy, tired, or traveling with a kid.
Car rental: Helpful if you want day trips into the desert (Timna Park, border-area viewpoints), but not essential for a basic beach trip.

Pro tip: Download an offline map before you arrive. Phone signal and battery drain in the heat are a combo that loves chaos.

Beach + snorkeling: the Red Sea is the main event

If you do one thing in Eilat, it’s this: get into the water.

Coral Beach Nature Reserve: Clear water, coral, fish, bring your snorkel mask.
Dolphin Reef area: Popular for families and chill beach days (book ahead for special activities).

What to pack:

Snorkel mask (or rent)
Water shoes (some areas are rocky)
Reef-safe sunscreen if possible
Dry bag for your phone and snacks

Pro tip: Go snorkeling early. Less wind, fewer people, clearer water — and you’ll feel smug by 10am.

Money-saving hacks (because Eilat can get pricey)

Eilat is a resort town, and it knows it.

Stock up at supermarkets for snacks, water, and breakfast basics.
Apartments can save you a fortune if you’re staying more than 2–3 nights.
Eat where locals eat: Look for casual grill spots and simple hummus/shalom-style places away from the promenade.

Pro tip: Always carry water. Always. Eilat is not the place to “just pop out for a minute.”

Day trips worth it: desert drama in easy mode

Eilat isn’t only beaches — the surrounding landscapes are seriously cinematic.

Timna Park: Desert cliffs, rock formations, ancient copper mines, and that “we’re on Mars” feeling.
Red Canyon (near Eilat): Short hikes with big payoff (check conditions and go early).
Sunset viewpoints: The desert sunsets here are unfairly beautiful.

Pro tip: Bring closed shoes for desert trips. Flip-flops in sand are fine; flip-flops on rock trails are a comedy sketch.

Border + ID checks: don’t wing it

Eilat sits near borders, and travel rules can change. If you’re crossing to Jordan (Aqaba) or Egypt (Taba/Sinai), verify:

visa requirements
border opening hours
documents needed
current safety advisories

Pro tip: Take screenshots of your passport/booking confirmations and keep them offline. Phones die. Paper doesn’t.

Eilat packing list (minimalist but not naïve)

Sun hat + sunglasses
Light long-sleeve layer (for sun protection)
Swimsuit x2 (because one is always wet)
Water shoes + snorkel mask (if you have one)
Small first-aid basics (blister plasters, especially)
A light jacket for winter evenings or strong AC indoors

Pro tip: The sun here is deceptively strong even when it “doesn’t feel hot.” If you’re pale or easily burned, you’ll want shade breaks like they’re scheduled meetings.

Best Things to do in Eilat:

The Dolphin Reef

Tucked behind Eilat’s port, the Dolphin Reef is a dream for animal lovers and nature enthusiasts. Here, you can watch dolphins up close to the pier or take the experience further by swimming and diving alongside them.

This special nature reserve is the only one of its kind in Israel and worldwide, home to various dolphin species living in their natural environment.

In this expansive 10,000-square-meter deep-sea area, the dolphins roam freely, hunting, playing, and courting.

The Dolphin Reef offers a magical experience for visitors while ensuring the dolphins’ freedom remains intact.

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Israel National Trail – Shvil Israel

Israel is renowned for its extensive hiking trails that span the country from north to south.

These paths are perfect for soaking in the breathtaking landscapes.

Together, they form the Israel National Trail, or Shvil Israel, which stretches from the Lebanese border near Dan all the way down to Eilat at the southern tip.

The trail, marked by white, blue, and orange stripes, has been recognized as one of the best hikes in the world by National Geographic.

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Underwater Observatory – Coral Beach

At the Coral Beach Underwater Observatory Marine Park, you’ll find an amazing underwater world waiting to be explored.

From observatories to a nature museum, 40 aquariums, a pool filled with turtles and stingrays, and even a shark pool, it’s an adventurer’s dream.

There’s a dark room where you can spot fish with luminous bacteria under their eyelids, allowing them to light up and turn off.

The underwater observatory is 100 meters off the coast, with two viewing points: one above the sea and one beneath.

Climb a few steps to the Peace Terrace for a panoramic view of Israel, Jordan, and Egypt.

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Ice Park & Mall Eilat

The Ice Park & Mall is a colossal structure under a glass dome that combines a shopping mall with a theme park.

You’ll find local and international designer brands here, as well as a craft market featuring handmade jewelry—all tax-free.

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Snorkel in the Red Sea

Eilat’s southern tip is home to a unique coral reef, nestled within a nature reserve that stretches over 2 kilometers along the Gulf of Eilat.

Dive or snorkel through vibrant coral gardens teeming with life. You’ll see various colorful fish, including parrotfish and butterflyfish, alongside giant shells, mollusks, and other nocturnal species.

Located just a 10-minute walk from the Egyptian border, the area’s southernmost diving club welcomes beginners and seasoned divers for serene underwater adventures.

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Isrotel Yam Suf Hotel and Diving Center

Located just 20 meters from the Red Sea, the Isrotel Yam Suf Hotel is ideal for diving enthusiasts and those looking to relax.

The hotel boasts three pools, free parking, and free Wi-Fi throughout. Guests can enjoy cozy rooms, some with balconies that offer views of the private beach and pools.

The on-site restaurant serves buffet-style meals, and a fitness center is free to use.

For an extra fee, you can indulge in spa treatments.

The nearby Coral Beach Nature Reserve is just a short walk away, and the Manta Diving Centre, next to the hotel, offers diving equipment rentals and courses.

Book Hotel here

Hike in the Eilat Mountains

If you’re up for an adventure, the rocky and narrow paths of the Eilat Mountains are waiting for you. Whether you’re a hiker, cyclist, beginner, or thrill-seeker, these mountains have something for everyone.

At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and even Saudi Arabia. It’s the ultimate Middle Eastern experience.

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Eilat Bazaar

The Eilat Bazaar is a colorful mix of eclectic stalls offering all kinds of treasures: hand-sewn clothes, jewelry, quirky trinkets, henna tattoos, hair braiding, and printed t-shirts.

The stalls are perfect for an evening stroll, and you’ll find plenty of food and drink options to keep you going until the next day!

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