Eilat sits at the very southern tip of Israel, where the Negev desert runs straight into a warm, clear arm of the Red Sea. It packs a lot into one small resort town: the only coral reef in the country, desert canyons a short drive away, and the easiest border crossing in Israel for a day trip to Petra. This guide runs through the best things to do in Eilat, from the water to the desert to Jordan, so you can build a trip around what actually interests you. For trip planning, tours, and logistics, start with our main Eilat travel guide.
Things to do in the water
The water is where most things to do in Eilat begin, since the city sits on the only coral coast in Israel.
Snorkel the Coral Beach Nature Reserve
This is the best reason to get in the water in Eilat. The Coral Beach Nature Reserve protects roughly 1.2 kilometers of living reef just a few meters offshore, so you can swim out from the beach and float over coral and reef fish without a boat. Marked underwater trails keep you on track and off the coral. Go early, the reserve caps how many swimmers are in the water at once, and morning light makes the reef colors pop before the wind picks up the surface.
Visit the Underwater Observatory Marine Park
If you would rather see the reef through glass, this is the best family attraction in town. The observatory tower sits out over the water with viewing windows around six meters down, so you watch reef fish, sharks, and rays without getting wet. There are turtle and shark pools above the surface too. Plan a half day, and aim for a weekday morning to beat the school-holiday crowds.
Dive, sail, and relax on the beaches
Eilat is where many Israelis learn to dive, with warm water year round and famous shore sites like the Caves and the wreck of the Satil. From the marina you can take a glass-bottom boat, a sunset cruise, or a snorkel trip out toward the coral. And when you just want to do nothing, the North Beach promenade is one long, easy strip of sunbeds, bars, and calm shallow water, ideal for families and lazy days.
Things to do in the desert
Once you have had your fill of the reef, the best things to do in Eilat move inland, where the Negev delivers canyons and copper-red rock within a short drive of town.
Spend a day in Timna Park
About 25 kilometers north of the city, Timna Park is the desert at its most cinematic: wind-carved sandstone arches, the famous Solomon's Pillars, ancient Egyptian copper mines, and rock so red it looks lit from inside. You can drive the loop and stop at the highlights, or hike between formations if you start before the heat. Carry more water than you think you need, there is almost no shade out here.
Hike the Red Canyon and Eilat Mountains
The Red Canyon, about 20 minutes north of the city off Highway 12, is a short, dramatic slot canyon where the walls glow orange and close in around you, with ladders and handholds through the narrow sections. It is one of the most rewarding short hikes in southern Israel and works for reasonably fit families. This is a cooler-season and early-morning activity only. Do not attempt desert hikes in the midday summer heat.
Day trips to Jordan: Petra and Wadi Rum
The single best thing about basing yourself in Eilat is how close Jordan is. The Wadi Araba crossing is just north of the city, and Petra is about a two hour drive on the other side. You can walk through the Siq, stand in front of the Treasury, and be back in Eilat for dinner the same day. Wadi Rum, the Mars-red desert of towering rock bridges and vast sand valleys, pairs naturally with Petra over one or two days.
Doing it solo means handling the border, a Jordanian visa, and transport on the far side. An organized tour folds all of that into one price and one guide, which is why most people book it that way. Our Petra day tour from Eilat handles the border crossing, transport, and a licensed guide inside Petra. To plan the logistics first, read our complete guide to visiting Petra from Eilat and the Israel to Jordan border crossing guide.
How long to spend and when to go
The best things to do in Eilat split neatly into water, desert, and Jordan, so plan by appetite. Two to three days covers the water and one or two attractions in and around Eilat. Add a day for a Petra trip into Jordan, and another for Wadi Rum or Timna Park, and you have a full and varied week. Visit between October and April for warm, comfortable weather without the brutal summer heat, which regularly tops 40 degrees Celsius. Summer is hot but peak season for the beaches and water, and winter is mild and sunny, which is why so many Israelis head south for sun.
One practical note: you do not need a passport to reach Eilat from elsewhere in Israel, but you do need one to cross into Jordan for Petra or Wadi Rum. Border crossings into Jordan are limited on Saturdays, so plan your Petra day for a Sunday through Friday.
Explore Eilat and Jordan with us
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Eilat
What are the best things to do in Eilat?
The top experiences are snorkeling or diving the coral reef at the Coral Beach Nature Reserve, visiting the Underwater Observatory Marine Park, relaxing on the North Beach promenade, exploring Timna Park and the Red Canyon in the desert, and taking a day trip across the border to Petra in Jordan.
Can you visit Petra from Eilat in one day?
Yes. The Wadi Araba border crossing is just north of Eilat, and Petra is about a two hour drive on the Jordanian side. A one-day organized tour handles the border, visa, and transport so you can see the Treasury and main sites and return to Eilat the same evening. Note that crossings are limited on Saturdays.
Is Eilat good for snorkeling and diving?
Yes, it has Israel's only coral reefs. The Coral Beach Nature Reserve protects living reef you can swim out to from shore, and the southern beach is lined with dive centers running trips for beginners and certified divers. The water is warm and clear year round.
What can you do in Eilat with kids?
Eilat is very family-friendly. The Underwater Observatory Marine Park, the calm shallow town beaches, glass-bottom boat trips, and the gentler stretches of the coral reserve all work well for children. Timna Park has a child-friendly loop, and water parks offer relief on hot summer afternoons.
How many days do you need in Eilat?
Two to three days covers the beaches, snorkeling, and a couple of attractions. Add a day for a Petra trip into Jordan, and another for Wadi Rum or Timna Park. A full week is comfortable for a relaxed beach-and-day-trips holiday.
When is the best time to visit Eilat?
October to April offers the most comfortable weather, with warm days and sunshine without the extreme summer heat. Summer is very hot, often above 40 degrees Celsius, but it is peak season for the water. Winter is mild and is why many Israelis travel south for sun.
Do you need a passport for things to do in Eilat?
No, Eilat is part of Israel, so no passport is needed to travel there or to do anything within the city. You only need your passport if you cross into Jordan for Petra or Wadi Rum, or into Egypt at the nearby Taba crossing.
Plan your trip
From coral reefs to desert canyons to the Lost City across the border, the things to do in Eilat give you more variety than any other resort town in Israel. For official visitor information, see the Israel Ministry of Tourism. For full trip planning, tours, and border logistics, head back to our main Eilat travel guide, browse all our Israel tours, or see the Petra day tour from Eilat. Questions before you book? Message us on WhatsApp at 08-6338361 or email sales@booking-tours.com and a real person from our Eilat office will answer.