Dolphin Reef Eilat

LoginSave

This privately run beach is famous for its abundant shade trees, free-range peacocks and resident pod of semi-wild bottlenose dolphins. Originally from the Black Sea, the dolphins can be observed from floating piers – great for lounging – and may sidle up to check you out during a guided snorkelling session (adult/child 290/260NIS; minimum age 10) or guided introductory scuba dive (adult/child 339/309NIS; minimum age eight). Physical contact with the dolphins is forbidden. Reserve ahead for both.

Has two restaurants, one of them with a beach bar. Situated just south of the port.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Antelope under a tree in Yotvata Hai-Bar. 736624195 animal, antelope, arabian, asian, background, bar, biology, blue, coat, conservation, curved, desert, domestic, eilat, endangered, environment, extinction, food, grey, hai-bar, haibar, horn, israel, landscape, mountain, nature, oryx, reserve, safari, sky, species, tourism, travel, tree, white, wild, wildlife, yellow, yotvat, yotvata, yotvata hai-bar nature reserve

    Hai-Bar Yotvata Nature Reserve

    22.71 MILES

    Established in 1968 to reintroduce animals that had died out in Israel, this 32-sq-km reserve on the Yotvata salt flats is home to a wide variety of…

  • View from Underwater Observatory Park to Eilat Coral Beach Nature Reserve in Israel.; Shutterstock ID 1296502384; purchase_order: 65050; job: ; client: ; other: 1296502384

    Coral Beach Nature Reserve

    1.38 MILES

    The crystal-clear waters of this 1km-long reserve are the best place on the Israeli Red Sea coast for snorkelling. Access to the reef wall is by two…

  • Khazali siq at Wadi Rum desert in Jordan.

    Khazali Siq

    29.39 MILES

    An easy siq to explore is the narrow fissure that cuts into Jebel Khazali. You can explore on foot for about 150m, far enough to appreciate the cool shade…

  • Landscape with an old acacia tree in Timna Park.

    Timna Park

    18.35 MILES

    The site of some of the world's earliest copper mines (c 5000 BCE), the Timna Valley offers an awe-inspiring desert landscape of cliffs and rock…

  • The Underwater Observatory Aquarium in Eilat, Israel.

    Underwater Observatory Marine Park

    1.94 MILES

    The stand-out feature of this aquarium complex, hugely popular with families, is the observatory, which takes you 12m below the surface of the Red Sea…

  • Main entrance gate of Aqaba Fortress.

    Aqaba Fort

    4.01 MILES

    The fort (currently closed for renovation with no set reopening date) was built between 1510 and 1517, as attested by the Arabic inscriptions inside the…

  • View from Jebel Rum in wadi rum desert.

    Jebel Rum

    28.02 MILES

    The western flank of Wadi Rum is formed by Jebel Rum (1754m), which towers over Rum village. It is a popular destination for scramblers and climbers who…

View more attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Village Beach

1.04 MILES

Situated just north of Coral Beach, this section of South Beach has free umbrellas, clean water for snorkelling and a bar hosting loud parties during…

2. Dekel Beach

1.13 MILES

Wedged between the port and the naval base about 1.5km south of the city centre, Dekel is less crowded than North Beach and is a popular snorkelling spot.

3. Coral Beach Nature Reserve

1.38 MILES

The crystal-clear waters of this 1km-long reserve are the best place on the Israeli Red Sea coast for snorkelling. Access to the reef wall is by two…

4. Underwater Observatory Marine Park

1.94 MILES

The stand-out feature of this aquarium complex, hugely popular with families, is the observatory, which takes you 12m below the surface of the Red Sea…

5. Eilat Museum

2.03 MILES

Tells the fascinating history of Israel's Red Sea outpost. Exhibits cover the capture of Eilat in 1949 and include some great photos of the city's…

6. North Beach

2.04 MILES

Pebbly North Beach and its promenade are often very crowded – for some people, that's one of the main draws. This is by far the most popular place in…

7. Botanical Garden of Eilat

3.67 MILES

Planted with more than 1000 different types of tropical trees, plants and bushes from around the world, this lovely, privately run botanical garden (it…