Eilat is Israel's sunniest corner: a small resort city where the Negev desert runs straight into the warm, clear Red Sea, with Jordan and Egypt visible across the water. That mix is what makes the list of things to do in Eilat so long. In one trip you can snorkel over a living coral reef in the morning, hike a red sandstone canyon in the afternoon and stand in front of the Treasury in Petra the next day. We are a local tour operator with our office in Eilat, so this guide is written from the ground: 25 activities and attractions that are actually worth your time, how long each one takes, when to go and how to fit in the day trips to Jordan and Egypt.
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For hotels, transport and the bigger picture, start with our main Eilat travel guide.
The top 5 things to do in Eilat if you only have 2 days
- Snorkel the Coral Beach Nature Reserve, Israel's only coral reef, a few meters from the shore.
- Visit the Underwater Observatory Marine Park to see sharks, rays and reef fish without getting wet.
- Explore Timna Park for Solomon's Pillars, desert arches and ancient copper mines.
- Take a day trip to Petra in Jordan, about two hours from the border just north of Eilat.
- Watch the sunset over the Eilat Mountains from the North Beach promenade, then eat seafood at the marina.
Eilat activities and attractions at a glance
| Activity | Best for | Time needed | Best season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coral Beach snorkeling | Everyone who can swim | 2 to 3 hours | All year |
| Underwater Observatory | Families, non-swimmers | Half a day | All year |
| Dolphin Reef | Families, couples | 2 to 4 hours | All year |
| Intro scuba dive | First-time divers | Half a day | All year |
| Timna Park | Hikers, photographers | Half a day | October to April |
| Red Canyon hike | Active travelers | 2 to 3 hours | October to April |
| Jeep tour in the Eilat Mountains | Groups, families | 3 to 4 hours | October to April |
| Petra day tour | First-time visitors to Jordan | About 12 hours | All year |
| Petra and Wadi Rum | Travelers with 2 days | 2 days | All year |
| Cairo and the Pyramids | Bucket-list travelers | 1 to 2 days | October to April |
Water activities in Eilat
The Gulf of Aqaba stays warm all year, often above 21 degrees Celsius even in winter, and the reef starts right at the shoreline. That is why most activities in Eilat begin in the water. For a deeper look at the reef, the best snorkel spots and safety tips, read our Red Sea Eilat guide.
1. Snorkel the Coral Beach Nature Reserve
This is the number one thing to do in Eilat. The reserve protects about 1.2 kilometers of coral reef, and you reach it by walking down a jetty and floating out over coral heads, parrotfish, angelfish and the odd turtle. Marked underwater trails keep you off the coral. Come early in the morning, when the water is calmest and the reserve is quiet. Masks and fins are for rent at the entrance, and the reserve is run by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.
2. Visit the Underwater Observatory Marine Park
The best family attraction in Eilat. Walk down into the observatory tower and you are standing about six meters below the surface, looking straight out at the reef through glass. The park also has a shark pool, said to be the largest of its kind in the Middle East, plus turtles, rays and a large aquarium. Plan half a day, and aim for a weekday morning to avoid holiday crowds.
3. Meet the dolphins at Dolphin Reef
Dolphin Reef is a stretch of open sea where a group of bottlenose dolphins lives in a large netted area and comes and goes as it pleases. You can watch from the floating piers, join a guided snorkel or dive with the dolphins, or spend a slow afternoon in the Relaxation Pools next door. Swims with the dolphins sell out in high season, so book ahead.
4. Try scuba diving for the first time
Eilat is where many Israelis learn to dive. Warm water, calm conditions and reef right off the beach make it ideal for an introductory dive with an instructor, no certificate needed. Certified divers can explore famous shore sites like the Japanese Gardens and the Satil shipwreck. Most dive centers sit along the south beach road toward Taba.
5. Take a glass-bottom boat or sunset cruise
From the marina, glass-bottom boats head out over the reef for an easy look at the coral, and evening cruises sail along the coast as the Edom mountains of Jordan turn pink. It is a good option for small children and anyone who does not want to swim.
6. Spend a lazy day on North Beach
North Beach and the promenade are the heart of Eilat: a long strip of sunbeds, beach bars, shallow calm water and hotels. It is where the city comes to swim, eat and walk in the evening. Bring water shoes for the pebbly sections.
7. Paddle, kayak or jet ski
The calm bay in front of North Beach is perfect for stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking, especially in the morning before the wind. Jet skis, banana boats and parasailing operate from the same beaches for anyone who wants more speed.
Desert activities around Eilat
Ten minutes out of town the Eilat Mountains rise in layers of red granite and black volcanic rock. These are the activities in Eilat that most visitors never get to, and they are some of the best. Do them from October to April, or very early in the morning in summer, and always carry more water than you think you need.
8. Explore Timna Park
About 25 kilometers north of the city, Timna Park is the desert at its most dramatic: Solomon's Pillars, the Mushroom rock, natural arches, an ancient Egyptian shrine and copper mines worked more than 3,000 years ago. You can drive between the main sites or hike the marked trails, and finish at Timna Lake. Our Timna Park guide covers the routes and tips.
9. Hike the Red Canyon
About 20 minutes north of Eilat off Route 12, the Red Canyon is a short slot canyon where the walls glow red and orange and close in around you, with metal ladders and handholds in the narrow sections. The loop takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and suits reasonably fit families. Do not hike it in the midday summer heat.
10. Climb Mount Tzfachot for a four-country view
A short, steep trail from near the Coral Beach area climbs Mount Tzfachot, where you can see Israel, Jordan, Egypt and on clear days Saudi Arabia from one spot. Go at sunrise or late afternoon for the best light and cooler air.
11. Ride a 4x4 jeep into the Eilat Mountains
A jeep tour reaches canyons, viewpoints and dry riverbeds that are hard to reach on foot, with a driver who knows the desert. It is a fun half day for families and groups who want desert scenery without a long hike.
12. Go on a camel ride
The Camel Ranch in the hills just outside town runs camel rides through the desert, from short rides for kids to longer sunset outings. It is a simple, memorable desert experience close to the city.
13. See desert wildlife at Yotvata Hai-Bar
About 35 kilometers north of Eilat, the Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve breeds desert animals mentioned in the Bible, such as the Arabian oryx, wild ass and ostrich, and has a predator center with desert foxes and other night animals. Stop at the Yotvata dairy nearby for famous chocolate milk on the way back.
14. Watch bird migration at the Eilat Birding Park
Eilat sits on one of the world's great bird migration routes between Africa and Europe. In spring and autumn the birding park and the salt ponds north of town fill with storks, raptors, flamingos and songbirds. Even non-birders enjoy a sunrise visit in migration season.
Family and indoor things to do in Eilat
15. Ice skate in the desert at Ice Park Mall
Eilat's ice mall has a full-size ice skating rink in the middle of the desert, plus family attractions and shops. It is the perfect break from the heat on a summer afternoon.
16. Walk the Botanical Gardens of Eilat
A green oasis on the edge of town with shaded paths, waterfalls and tropical plants from around the world. Quiet, cool and good for an easy morning with kids or grandparents.
17. Get your adrenaline fix at an adventure park
Eilat has rope parks and extreme sports centers with zip lines, climbing walls and simulators. Good for teenagers and for groups who want something active that is not in the water.
18. Catch the evening music fountain and street life
After dark, Eilat comes alive. Walk the promenade and marina, stop for the free music and light fountain show, and finish with ice cream by the water.
19. Shop tax free
Eilat is a VAT-free zone, so prices in the city do not include Israel's value added tax. That makes it a popular place to buy electronics, cosmetics, Dead Sea products and clothing.
20. Eat fresh fish at the marina
End the day with a seafood dinner by the water. Eilat's restaurants serve fish caught in the Red Sea and Mediterranean, and many have terraces facing the lagoon and the lights of Aqaba.
Day trips from Eilat to Jordan and Egypt
The single biggest advantage of staying in Eilat is that two of the world's most famous sights, Petra and the Pyramids, are within reach. The Yitzhak Rabin crossing into Jordan is just north of the city, and the Taba crossing into Egypt is a few minutes south. See all our tours from Eilat.
21. Petra in one day
Petra is about two hours' drive from the border. On our Petra tour from Eilat we meet you at the crossing, help you through the formalities and take you to Petra with a licensed local guide. You walk the Siq to the Treasury, continue to the Royal Tombs and the Theater, have lunch and are back in Eilat the same night. For the full picture, read our complete guide to Petra from Eilat.
22. Petra over two days
If you have the time, a Petra 2 day tour from Eilat lets you see the city without rushing, with a hotel night near Petra and time to climb to the Monastery.
23. Petra and Wadi Rum
Combine Petra with a night under the stars. The Petra and Wadi Rum 2 day tour includes a jeep safari through the red desert of Wadi Rum and a night in a Bedouin camp. Read more in our Wadi Rum guide.
24. Cairo and the Pyramids in one day
Leave Eilat in the evening, cross at Taba and drive overnight across the Sinai, and you stand in front of the Pyramids of Giza the next morning. Our private Cairo tour from Eilat includes the Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar with an Egyptologist guide.
25. Cairo over two days
The 2 day Cairo tour from Eilat adds a hotel night, Saqqara and Coptic Cairo for a less rushed visit. More ideas in our Cairo and Egypt travel guide.
Crossing the border on your own means sorting visas, transport and timing on the other side. On a tour, all of that is arranged for you before you go. Read the Israel to Jordan border crossing guide for the details.
A 3-day Eilat itinerary
- Day 1, the Red Sea: snorkel the Coral Beach Nature Reserve in the morning, visit the Underwater Observatory after lunch, sunset and dinner on the promenade.
- Day 2, the desert: early start at Timna Park or the Red Canyon, lunch and Yotvata chocolate milk on the way back, Dolphin Reef or the Relaxation Pools in the afternoon.
- Day 3, Jordan: a full day in Petra with border help and a guide, back in Eilat for a late dinner.
With 5 days or more, add Wadi Rum or a Cairo trip.
Practical tips for visiting Eilat
When to go
October to April is the most comfortable time for desert activities, with warm sunny days and cool evenings. Summer is very hot, often above 40 degrees Celsius, but the sea is at its best and it is peak beach season. Spring and autumn are also bird migration season.
How many days you need
Two to three days covers the sea and one desert outing. Add a day for Petra, and another for Wadi Rum or Cairo. A week makes a relaxed beach and day trip holiday.
Getting around
The city is compact. Taxis and buses link the hotels, North Beach and the south beach road. For Timna, the Red Canyon and the Hai-Bar you need a car or a tour, and for Jordan and Egypt a tour is the easiest way to handle the borders.
Borders and passports
You do not need a passport to fly or drive to Eilat from elsewhere in Israel. You do need one to cross into Jordan or Egypt, valid for at least six months. The Yitzhak Rabin crossing to Jordan is open every day except Yom Kippur and the Islamic New Year, with shorter hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Border rules can change at short notice, so check the latest status before you travel, and tell us your nationality when you book so we can confirm what applies to you.
Tours that include Eilat
Live prices and dates, hotel pickup on most tours, and a local team in Eilat that answers on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Eilat
What are the best things to do in Eilat?
The top activities in Eilat are snorkeling at the Coral Beach Nature Reserve, the Underwater Observatory Marine Park, Dolphin Reef, Timna Park, the Red Canyon and a day trip to Petra in Jordan. Families also love the ice rink, the camel rides and the glass-bottom boats.
What can you do in Eilat in one day?
Snorkel the coral reef in the morning, visit the Underwater Observatory in the afternoon and walk the promenade at sunset. If you have one free day and want something unforgettable, take a day trip to Petra instead.
Can you visit Petra from Eilat in one day?
Yes. The Yitzhak Rabin border crossing is just north of Eilat and Petra is about two hours' drive beyond it. A one-day tour handles the border, transport and a local guide, and gets you back to Eilat the same evening.
Can you visit the Pyramids from Eilat?
Yes. Tours leave Eilat in the evening, cross at Taba and drive overnight to Cairo, reaching the Pyramids of Giza in the morning and returning late the next night. A 2 day version adds a hotel night in Cairo.
What is there to do in Eilat with kids?
The Underwater Observatory, Dolphin Reef, glass-bottom boats, the calm water at North Beach, the ice skating rink, camel rides and the Botanical Gardens are all great for children.
Is Eilat good for snorkeling and diving?
Yes. Eilat has Israel's only coral reefs, warm water all year and reef right off the beach, which makes it one of the easiest places in the world to snorkel or try a first dive.
What is the best time of year to visit Eilat?
October to April for desert activities and comfortable weather, summer for the warmest sea and the beach scene. Eilat is sunny almost every day of the year.
Do I need a passport for activities in Eilat?
Not for activities inside Eilat. You only need a passport for day trips into Jordan or Egypt.
Keep planning
More travel guides for this trip
Plan your Eilat trip with a local team
Coral reefs, desert canyons, Petra and the Pyramids: no other place in Israel gives you this much variety within a short drive. Our team works from Eilat every day, so we can help you choose the right activities and day trips for your dates. Browse all tours from Eilat, read the Eilat travel guide, or message us on WhatsApp at +972 8-633-8361 and a real person from our Eilat office will answer. For official visitor information, see the Israel Ministry of Tourism.