Quick Answer: Eilat water sports are available all year thanks to warm water (19-27°C even in winter). Snorkeling at Coral Beach Nature Reserve — ₪40 entrance + ₪30-50 equipment rental. First dive lesson (Discover Scuba) — ₪250-450, one day, no prior certification needed. Parasailing — ₪125-180 for 15 minutes. Kayak/Paddleboard — ₪60-120/hour. Dolphin Reef — ₪74 entrance, ₪295 for snorkeling with dolphins. Peak season: April-November, water 22-27°C, visibility 20-40 meters. Best time of day: Morning before 11:00 (calm sea, less wind). Must-have: waterproof SPF 50+ sunscreen.
Why Eilat is a Must for Water Lovers
Eilat sits on the Red Sea — one of the top 10 reefs in the world for corals and biodiversity. The Red Sea is home to over 1,200 fish species and 250 coral species, some unique to the region. Above the reef: clear waters with 20-40 meters visibility (in the Israeli Mediterranean Sea — a good 5-10 meters).
This is why Eilat is the diving destination for Israelis. The problem: many tourists discover this late and only allocate half a day to the Red Sea. This guide is designed to help you plan a 2-3 day vacation around water activities and do it right.
Snorkeling — The First Activity Everyone Should Try
This is Eilat's most accessible, cheapest, and most impressive experience. Enter the Red Sea with a mask + fins, and everyone — from age 5 and up — sees colorful corals and fish within 30 seconds from the shore. A full guide comparing three locations — Snorkeling in Eilat.
Where: Coral Beach Nature Reserve in South Eilat, a 10-minute drive from the center. ₪40 adult, ₪25 child for entrance, open daily 9:00-17:00 (summer 9:00-18:00; Fridays and holiday eves one hour earlier).
What you'll see: Corals of all colors (brown, pink, blue, green), triggerfish, clownfish, lobsters, sea slugs, sometimes a sea turtle.
Tip for ages 5+: Take the kids in the morning before 10:00 — the sea is calm, less crowded on the reef, better visibility.
Full cost for a family of 4:
- Entrance: ₪40+40+25+25 = ₪130
- Rental of 4 snorkel sets: ₪120-200
- Total: ₪250-330 for an exciting afternoon
Diving — A Completely Different Kind of Experience
Snorkeling = floating above the reef. Diving = functional within it, descending 10-20 meters, seeing things you'd never see from above.
First Lesson: Discover Scuba (₪250-450)
Not a certification — one day, certified instructor, equipment included. One hour of instruction in shallow water, then an easy dive up to 6 meters. Minimum age: 10 for most centers, 8 for some.
Recommended dive centers in Eilat:
- Lucky Divers (Coral Beach) — popular, service in English and Hebrew
- Deep Siam (Coral Beach)
Full Open Water Diver Course (₪1,800-2,800)
3-4 days, ending with international PADI/SSI certification. Classroom exercises + 4 sea dives. At the end: certified to dive worldwide without restriction. Recommended if you plan to dive 3+ times a year.
One-Day Dive for Certified Divers
₪180-300 for a single dive with equipment + guide. Discounted vouchers for 2-6 dives are also available. Popular dive sites:
- Satil 4 (a boat from the middle of the western side) — dive with large fish, huge corals
- Dolphin Reef (Dolphin Beach) — if you're lucky, dolphins come for a visit
- Japanese Gardens — a rich reef south of the Coral Beach Nature Reserve
Parasailing — The Photogenic Experience
Not really "diving" — you're towed behind a boat on a parachute, reaching 40-80 meters above the Red Sea. You'll see from the Egyptian border to Jordan.
Cost: ₪125-180 per person for 15-20 actual minutes. Where: Departs from the Marina (Eilat Port) or Dolphin Beach. Safety: Very safe — double-strapped, life vest mandatory, no need to know how to swim (feet don't touch the water most of the time). Age: From 8+ with a parent, 14+ solo. Weather: Does not operate on windy days (above 20 km/h) or rough seas. Check in the morning.
Couples / Romantic: There's "parasailing for couples" — same setup, two parachutes side-by-side. ₪250-350 per couple. Sunset from the air = a year's profile picture.
Dolphin Reef — The Reasonable Option for Kids
What it is: A marine complex in South Eilat (Dolphin Beach) where a group of locally certified dolphins live. The dolphins are not confined at all — there are loose net barriers that allow them to go out to the open sea (most stay).
Options:
- Viewing from an observation bridge — ₪74 adult, ₪55 child. 30-60 minutes of observation. The cheapest option.
- Snorkel with dolphins — ₪295 adult, ₪265 child (ages 10-14). About 25 minutes in the water, usually encountering 2-4 dolphins.
- Dive with dolphins — up to ~₪385, including an introductory dive without a license. The instructor tries to bring you close to the dolphins safely.
Who it's for: Children 6-14 (their experience is the best), families who want a shared activity ("finally we did something together"). Less suitable for: Professional divers (unnatural dolphin behavior), romantic couples (family crowds).
Glass-Bottom Boat + Transparent Bottom Boat
What it is: Depart from the Marina on a boat with a glass bottom (or a large side window). See corals and fish without getting wet.
Cost: ₪90-150 per person for 45-90 minutes. Time at sea: 45 minutes to an hour, including ~30 minutes over the reef. Who it's for: Small children (from 3) who can't yet dive/snorkel, babies (in a stroller), grandparents who aren't keen on getting wet, and as a non-demanding afternoon family activity. Disadvantage: You see corals and fish from a distance (2-4 meters from the glass), not as naturally as snorkeling. Less impactful for children 8+.
Kayaks, Paddleboards, and Canoes
Locations: North Beach (most rentals), Coral Beach, Coral Beach Nature Reserve.
Costs:
- Double kayak: ₪80-120/hour
- Single kayak: ₪50-80/hour
- Paddleboard (SUP): ₪60-100/hour
- Canoe: ₪70-100/hour
Best time: In the morning (7:00-10:00) — the sea is calm, no wind. After 12:00, wind starts = waves = difficult to control.
Especially for SUP: Start on calm waters at Coral Beach. Stops to do a reef tour in the Red Sea — the picture of the year.
Professional Boating — Yacht, Catamaran, Jet Ski
Private Yacht: ₪2,000-6,000 for a full day (up to 12 people). Includes captain and basic food. Departs from the Marina. Catamaran: ₪2,500-4,000 for 4 hours. More stable, good for events. Jet skis: ₪250-400 for 30 minutes (including fuel). Requires a small license provided by the venue. Banana boat: ₪120-180 per person for 20 minutes. A family activity.
Where to book: Beach operators in most places, but for specific options (yacht) — booking.com or directly with Marina operators.
For a day all to yourselves on the water: Private Yacht in Eilat starting from ₪690 per hour (minimum two hours) or half a day from ₪2,490 — captain, refreshments, and a route of your choice.
Timing Throughout the Day — What's Recommended When
- 07:00-10:00: Snorkeling, kayaking, SUP (calm sea, less crowded)
- 10:00-12:00: Guided diving, first dive lessons
- 12:00-15:00: Dolphin Reef, Underwater Observatory, glass-bottom boat (hot, less demand from above)
- 15:00-17:00: Parasailing (after the heat, before sunset)
- 17:00-19:00: Sunset from the Marina, sunset kayaking, evening glass-bottom boat ride
Seasons — When is Best
- April-May + September-October: Perfect. Water 24-27°C, air 25-32°C, less crowded.
- June-August: Warm water (26-28°C), but very hot air (35-42°C). Extreme. Do everything in the morning or after 17:00.
- November-March: Water 20-24°C, pleasant air (18-25°C). Snorkeling is pleasant (even without a wetsuit during warm hours). Diving is recommended with a short 3mm wetsuit. Dolphin Reef is actually excellent in winter — less crowded, dolphins are closer.
Further Reading
FAQ
How much does a first dive lesson in Eilat cost?
"Discover Scuba Diving" — a one-day first dive lesson costs ₪250-450 per person, including equipment and a certified instructor. Eilat lessons usually take place at Coral Beach Nature Reserve or Coral Beach. No prior certification is required.
What is the best place to snorkel in Eilat?
Coral Beach Nature Reserve — ₪40 adult, ₪25 child for entrance. Snorkel equipment rental (mask + fins + snorkel): ₪30-50. The reef is active, colorful fish, centuries-old corals. Best in the morning (9:00-11:00) before the water gets cloudy.
What is "parasailing" in Eilat?
Parasailing — you are towed behind a boat on a parachute 40-80 meters above the sea. ₪125-180 per person for 15-20 minutes. Departs from the Marina. A safe experience — no need to know how to dive, you're simply strapped to the parachute.
When is the best time to dive in Eilat?
April-November. Water is 22-27°C, visibility 20-40 meters. In winter (December-March) water is 20-22°C — still pleasant in a short neoprene wetsuit, visibility 15-30 meters. Peak activity: September-October (warm water + less crowded).
Is Dolphin Reef in Eilat recommended?
Yes, but know what you're getting: it's an enclosed complex with a pod of locally certified dolphins, not a wild reef. They come to eat and approach guests. Entrance: ₪74 adult, ₪55 child; snorkel with dolphins: ₪295 adult, ₪265 child (ages 10-14). Most impressive for ages 6-14. For expert divers — it's better to look for wild dolphins at the far end of Dolphin Beach.
What about kayaks and paddleboards in Eilat?
Rental of a double kayak from the beach: ₪80-120 per hour. Paddleboard (SUP): ₪60-100 per hour. Many beaches (North Beach, Coral Beach) have rental operators. Best in the morning — the sea is calm. In the afternoon there's wind and waves.
Do you need a license to dive in Eilat?
For normal diving (over 12 meters) — yes, PADI Open Water or equivalent. For a first lesson (Discover Scuba) — no, the instructor is responsible. If you're considering a full Open Water course — ₪1,800-2,800 in Eilat, 3-4 days, internationally certified at the end.
Are there reefs in Israel outside of Eilat?
Not like in Eilat. The Coral Beach Nature Reserve is the only one in Israel with a significant living reef — the northern Israeli coast is sand/rock without corals. For reef diving in Israel, it's Eilat only. A close alternative: Sinai (Dahab, Nuweiba, Sharm) — 1-3 hours drive from the Taba border. Note: As of September 2026, the National Security Council defines Egypt, including Sinai, as travel warning level 4.
עודכן לאחרונה: October 1, 2026