Israel Cruise Excursion Tours
Masada and Dead Sea Shore Excursion from Haifa
- Full day
- Pickup: Haifa, Haifa Port
- 4.4/5 company rating on TourRadar
- DurationFull day
- Starts07:30 AM, hotel pickup
- GuideEnglish (Spanish on request)
- Group sizeUp to 15 travelers
- CancellationFree cancellation up to 48 hours before the start time.
Overview
Masada is one of the most dramatic places in Israel, and it is also a long drive from Haifa, so timing is everything. This Masada shore excursion solves that with a private guide and car waiting at the cruise terminal and a day planned backward from your all-aboard time, so you can enjoy the desert without watching the clock.
You drive through the Judean Desert past the Inn of the Good Samaritan and the oasis town of Jericho, stopping at the sea level marker for a photo. At Masada a cable car lifts you to King Herod's fortress, where you explore palaces, an ancient synagogue, bathhouses and a Byzantine church above the desert.
The afternoon is for the Dead Sea: float in the salty water and try the mineral mud before heading north past the Ein Gedi oasis and the Qumran caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. As a private Masada shore excursion, the pace is set by your group from start to finish.
Your Masada shore excursion starts and ends at the Haifa Port terminal in your own private vehicle. Want holy sites with your beach time? See the Jerusalem and Dead Sea shore excursion. Staying on in Israel? Our Masada Dead Sea tour runs from Tel Aviv, or browse all Israel shore excursions.
Highlights
- Private guide and vehicle from the Haifa cruise terminal
- Cable car ride up to King Herod's Masada fortress
- Palaces, synagogue and bathhouses at a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Photo stop at the sea level marker in the Judean Desert
- Views of Jericho, the oldest continually inhabited city
- Float in the Dead Sea and try the mineral mud
- Drive past the Ein Gedi oasis and the Qumran caves
- Day planned around your all-aboard time with a safe buffer
Itinerary & route
Numbers match the itinerary below. Solid lines are walking legs, dashed lines are drives. Map is for orientation only.
- 1
07:30 AMMeet your guide at Haifa Port
Your private guide meets you outside the passenger terminal at Haifa Port with a name sign. The start time follows your ship's disembarkation time, and an early start helps on this longer route.
- 2
09:30 AMJudean Desert, Good Samaritan Inn and Jericho
Drive through the Judean Desert past the Inn of the Good Samaritan and on toward Jericho, the desert oasis often called the oldest continually inhabited city in the world.
- 3
09:50 AMSea level marker photo stop
Stop for a photo at the sign that marks sea level, then keep descending toward the lowest place on earth.
- 4
10:45 AMMasada fortress by cable car
Ride the cable car up to Masada National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore Herod's palaces, the ancient synagogue, the bathhouses and the Byzantine church, and hear the story of the Roman siege.
- 5
12:45 PMLunch break
A lunch stop near Masada before heading to the beach. Your guide suggests the best quick options.
- 6
01:30 PMDead Sea beach near Masada
Float in the Dead Sea and cover yourself in the dark mineral mud. For a full beach day on another trip, see our Dead Sea relaxation tour.
- 7
03:00 PMEin Gedi and Qumran on the drive north
Head north along the shore past the Ein Gedi nature reserve and the Qumran caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in the late 1940s.
- 8
05:00 PMReturn to Haifa Port
Arrive back at the cruise terminal with a safe buffer before all-aboard. Another port day in Israel? The Galilee shore excursion is a lovely contrast.
What's included
Included
- Meet and greet at the Haifa Port cruise terminal and return to the port
- Private air-conditioned car or minibus for your group only
- Private licensed tour guide for the whole day
- Flexible timing built around your ship's schedule
- Time to float in the Dead Sea
Not included
- Lunch, snacks and drinks
- Tips for your guide and driver
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Travel insurance
- Masada entrance and cable car tickets unless confirmed as included
Pickup & meeting point
- HaifaNo pickup fee
- Haifa PortNo pickup fee
You choose your pickup city when you book. We confirm the exact pickup time and place by email or WhatsApp the day before the tour.
Tour ends with: Return to Haifa Port
Know before you go
Meeting Point and Timing
Your private guide meets you just outside the passenger terminal at Haifa Port, holding a sign with your name. The start time follows your ship: we set it from the disembarkation time you give us when you book, and the day runs about 10 hours.
Return to the Ship
We plan the day backward from your all-aboard time and aim to have you back at the terminal at least one hour before it. Your guide watches traffic all day and will shorten a stop if needed to keep that buffer.
What to Bring
- Your passport (not a copy)
- Your ship card and the ship agent's phone number
- Comfortable closed walking shoes
- Hat, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle
- Swimsuit, towel and flip-flops for the Dead Sea
- Some cash or a card for lunch and souvenirs
Dress Code
Holy sites ask for covered shoulders and knees for men and women. A light scarf or shawl is an easy way to cover up when needed.
Physical Requirements
The cable car takes you up to Masada. On top you walk about 90 minutes on uneven, mostly flat paths with little shade. Summer heat in the desert is strong, so drink plenty of water.
Age and Children
Guests aged 4 and over are welcome. Child car seats can be arranged on request when you book.
Language
The tour is guided in English. A Spanish-speaking guide is available on request, subject to availability.
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the start time. Cancelling between 48 and 24 hours before carries a 25% fee. Cancelling within 24 hours, or not showing up, carries a 100% fee. If your cruise line cancels the Haifa call, contact us right away and we will work with you on a fair solution.
Cancellation policy
| When you cancel | Cancellation fee |
|---|---|
| 48+ hours before the start time | Free cancellation |
| 24 to 47 hours before | 25% fee |
| Less than 24 hours before, or no-show | 100% fee (no refund) |
Need to change your date instead? Message us before the tour and we will do our best to move your booking. If we cancel or materially change a tour, you can choose an alternative date, a credit or a refund. Read the booking terms.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if my ship arrives late or the schedule changes?
Your guide follows your ship's arrival and waits for you at the terminal. If the ship docks late or the port changes the call times, we adjust the route on the spot and drop or shorten a stop so you still return with time to spare. You can check port updates on the official Haifa Port website, and we keep in touch with you by WhatsApp on the day.
Will I be back at the ship before all-aboard time?
Yes, this is the guide's top priority. We plan the day backward from your all-aboard time and aim to have you at the terminal at least one hour before it. Unlike a large ship tour, a private car leaves the moment your group is ready, which saves a lot of time over a long day. If you prefer an easier pace, our Caesarea, Haifa and Acre tour stays closer to the port.
Where do we meet at Haifa Port?
Your guide waits just outside the passenger terminal exit with a sign showing your name. The terminal sits right next to the city center, so there is no long walk. When you book, add your ship name and your disembarkation and boarding times so we can set the exact meeting time. General visitor information is on the Israel Ministry of Tourism site.
Do I need my passport?
Yes. Bring your passport, not a copy, together with your ship card. The route passes security checkpoints near Jericho and the Dead Sea, so keep your passport with you all day. Entry rules for cruise passengers are set by Israel's Population and Immigration Authority, and your cruise line will tell you about any shore pass needed on the day.
How does private pricing work?
The price is for your whole private group, not per seat on a bus. Rates step down as your group grows, because one vehicle and one guide are shared by everyone. The booking form shows the exact total for your group size before you pay, for up to 15 guests. Sharing the day with friends from the ship is the simplest way to lower the cost per person.
Is this shore excursion suitable for children?
Yes. Guests aged 4 and over are welcome, and a private tour is a good fit for families because you set the pace and the breaks. Child car seats can be arranged on request. Families who want more time at the water may also like our Jerusalem and Dead Sea shore excursion.
What should I wear?
Churches and other holy sites ask for covered shoulders and knees for both men and women, so pack a light scarf or long trousers. Wear comfortable closed shoes for stone streets and steps, plus a hat and sunscreen. Weather tips for each season are on the Israel Ministry of Tourism website.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the start time. Cancelling between 48 and 24 hours before carries a 25% fee, and cancelling within 24 hours or a no-show carries a 100% fee. If your cruise line cancels the Haifa call, contact us as soon as you hear and we will work with you on a fair solution.
What languages are available?
The tour is guided in English. A Spanish-speaking guide is available on request, subject to availability. Let us know your language when you book and we will confirm it in writing before the day.
How do I book the Masada shore excursion?
Pick your date in the calendar on this page and choose your group size. If your date is not open yet, send us an enquiry with your ship name and Haifa call date and we will confirm it for you. You can browse more Israel shore excursions for other ports and routes.
Is the Masada visit hard on the legs?
Not with the cable car, which takes you to the top in a few minutes. On the plateau you walk on mostly flat, uneven paths for about 90 minutes with little shade, so bring a hat and water. Read more about the site on the UNESCO Masada page.
Why book with Booking-Tours
- Local operator in Eilat since 2008Our own office and team on the ground, not a call center abroad.
- Licensed local guidesSmall details, good pacing and real stories at every stop.
- Real people on WhatsAppHelp in English, Russian and Hebrew before and during your trip.
- Secure online paymentPay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay through Stripe.
“We had a great experience during our tour in Petra. Our tour guide, Ahmed, was very friendly and kind…”
N. M., Mexico · Trustpilot
