EILAT A resort town and bustling port, combining sea and desert, Eilat lies at Israel’s southernmost tip. Sixty minutes by plane from Tel Aviv, Eilat is situated amongst the wondrous scenery of the deep azure Red Sea and the multihued Edom Mountains. Eilat is a paradise for sea-sports fans who enjoy diving, water skiing, swimming and boating. It also has all the amenities of a modern resort - luxury hotels, fine restaurants, bars, pubs, nightclubs, an international airport -plus VAT-free shopping (the city is a free trade zone). With its unlimited supply of sunshine, Eilat has a perfect climate. It almost never rains here- a mere half dozen days a year. Average daytime temperatures rarely dip below 21 C (70F), even in winter. The Red Sea beckons with irresistible appeal. The clear blue water is enticingly warm - even in mid-winter the average daytime water temperature stays above 20°C (68F). The calm surface of the sea is also ideal for boating activities: pedaloes, rowboats, kayaks and self-drive motor boats. You can take a one-hour or full-day cruise aboard one of the yachts that depart regularly from the Eilat Marina. Few sights can compare with the reefs seen through a snorkeling mask or from a glass-bottomed boat. Eilat is famous as a superb diving location. The magic of the coral world can also be enjoyed by total novices, with expert instruction available in snorkeling and scuba diving. Action fun is not restricted to water sports. There is tennis, squash, volleyball, racquet ball and bicycling. Many hotels have well-equipped gyms. For the more adventurous, there is rappelling on the craggy cliffs of the desert mountains, or mountain biking. Eilat forms part of the Eilat District - a region generously endowed by nature: mountains and plains in vivid colors, canyons of breathtaking beauty and wild landscapes. PLACES OF INTEREST YELLOW SUBMARINE A one-hour guided tour takes you to the depths of
30 - 60 meters on an unforgettable underwater tour of the Coral Nature
Reserve. Operates daily except Sundays from the Underwater Observatory. It is
advisable to make reservations in advance Sailing 10 am - 3.30 pm. CORAL WORLD UNDERWATER
OBSERVATORY Eilat’s major tourist attraction is the Coral World
Underwater Observatory and Aquarium, a living museum 20 feet under the sea.
There are special pools where you can watch sharks, giant turtles and
stingrays. In winter open Sun. - Thurs. & Sat. 8.30 am - 4.30 pm, in
summer open Sun. - Thurs. & Sat. 8.30 am – 5 pm. On Fri. & holiday
eves 8.30 am - 3 pm. Coral Beach, 5 km. from the town center. Bus 15 Tel.
07-6364200 CORAL BEACH RESERVE Coral deposits and multicolored fish in an
underwater nature reserve. Skin diving equipment for hire. Open in winter 9
am – 5 pm, Fri. 9 am - 4 pm, in summer 9 am – 6 pm, Fri. 9 am - 5 pm. Buses
15, 16. Tel. 07-6376829, THE DOLPHIN REEF At the Dolphin Reef you can watch dolphins and sea
lions being trained, see the rare fish of the coral reef go snorkeling with
the dolphins and enjoy the private bathing beach. South Beach. Open daily 9
am – 5 pm. Buses 15, 16. Tel. 07-6371846 TIMNA NATIONAL PARK This park contains rare rock formations, the
flawlessly preserved 6,000-year-old copper mines, and the famous Solomon‘s
Pillars, natural sandstone formations in glowing pink shades. Nearby, a rock
carving portrays Pharaoh Ramses III offering a sacrifice to the Egyptian
goddess Hathor. Underneath it stands an Egyptian temple which was used by
miners at the site thousands of years ago. At the entrance to the park, there
is an audiovisual show. Open 7 days a week 7.30 am until nightfall. 30 km
north of Eilat on the west side of the Arava Road. Tel. 07-6356215, 6316756. HAI-BAR BIBLICAL WILDLIFE RESERVE This wildlife park is home to animals indigenous to
the region in Biblical times, many of which are now rare. Open Sun. - Thurs.
8.30 am – 5 pm, Fri. & Sat. 8.30 am - 3 .30 pm. Tours of the reserve
Sun., Tues., Thurs & Sat. every’ hour 10 am . 3 pm, Mon., Wed., Fri 10
am, 12 pm. North of Eilat by Kibbutz Samar. Tel. 07-6376018, 6373057 INTERNATIONAL BIRD WATCHING PARK Eilat's location at the meeting point of Africa and
Asia has made this the busiest migratory route in the world. The birdwatching
park and sanctuary just northeast of the city is the perfect place to catch a
glimpse of hundreds of different species. Office. Hatmarim Blvd. City Center
Office Hours Sun. - Thurs. 9 am - 1 pm, 5 pm – 7 pm, Fri. 9 am – 1 pm. Tel.
07-6374276 FESTIVALS IN EILAT · Music at the Red Sea –
International Classical Music Festival, Jan. 22 - 25. · Jazz at the Red Sea, International Jazz Festival,
end of August For further information - Art Center Tel. 07-6370044, 6370045 INFORMATION · Tourist Center. 07-6372111 · Eilat Airport: 07-6363838 · Ovda Airport: 07-6375880 · Marina (North Beach):
07-6376761 · Police. 07-6362444 · Transportation: Getting
around in Eilat is easy. There are cabs, buses and rental cars, Mopeds and
motorcycles, and there is even a sightseeing train. A great way to see the
desert is on a jeep safari. Special all-terrain vehicles with experienced
driver/guides will take you on a discovery trip for several hours or several
days. Camel caravan tours are another way of learning the secrets of the
desert Bedouin-style. |