6 Days • 5 Nights
Eilat & the Red Sea: Coral Reefs & Desert Sun
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Snorkelling and diving the vibrant coral reefs of the Red Sea is the beautiful heart of this journey. Eilat sits on some of the most northerly coral reefs in the world, vibrant, beautiful and easily accessible from the shore. You snorkel or dive over the coral gardens of the Coral Beach nature reserve, teeming with clouds of colourful tropical fish, vibrant hard and soft coral, and marine life such as rays, moray eels and turtles, in warm, clear, turquoise water with excellent visibility. The beauty and accessibility of the reefs make Eilat one of the great, easy diving and snorkelling spots.
- The warm, clear turquoise waters and sunny beaches of the Gulf of Aqaba offer blissful, relaxed sun and sea. Eilat enjoys warm, clear turquoise water and sunshine almost year-round, set in a spectacular gulf ringed by the desert mountains of Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. You relax on the beaches, swim in the warm, calm, buoyant sea, and enjoy the beautiful setting and reliable sunshine, whether sunbathing, swimming, or enjoying water sports. The warmth, beauty and reliable sun make Eilat a blissful sun-and-sea escape, especially in the cooler months when much of the world is cold.
- Swimming with dolphins at the famous Dolphin Reef is a magical highlight of this journey. At Eilat's famous Dolphin Reef, a pod of bottlenose dolphins lives in a natural, protected part of the gulf, free to come and go, and you can observe them from floating piers or, magically, snorkel or dive with these gentle, intelligent creatures in their natural setting, an unforgettable and moving encounter. The beautiful, tranquil reserve, with its relaxing beaches and the chance to be close to wild dolphins, is a magical experience for all ages. Swimming or snorkelling with the wild dolphins at Eilat's famous Dolphin Reef.
- The dramatic desert landscapes and ancient copper mines of Timna Park add striking adventure to this journey. Near Eilat, Timna Park is a spectacular desert valley of dramatic, multicoloured sandstone formations, ancient copper mines among the oldest in the world, and remarkable natural and archaeological sites, including the famous Solomon's Pillars and natural rock arches. You explore this striking landscape of red rock, canyons and desert vistas, learning its ancient history, and taking in the extraordinary geological beauty, a dramatic contrast to the sea. The striking scenery and ancient history are captivating.
- Eilat's easy pleasures, from glass-bottom boats to the Underwater Observatory, make it a relaxed, enjoyable escape for all. Beyond diving and the desert, Eilat offers a wealth of easy, enjoyable pleasures. You can see the reef's wonders without getting wet at the Underwater Observatory Marine Park, with its underwater viewing and shark and turtle pools, take a glass-bottom boat or catamaran cruise over the reefs and along the gulf, enjoy the lively promenade, restaurants and marina, and simply relax in the sun. These easy, varied pleasures make Eilat enjoyable for all ages and interests.
- Above all, this journey offers a relaxed, sun-filled Red Sea escape of vibrant reefs, warm water and desert adventure. Eilat is a sun-drenched Red Sea resort blessed with warm, clear water, vibrant reefs, year-round sunshine and dramatic desert surroundings. Over six days you savour the best of it, snorkelling and diving the vibrant coral reefs, relaxing on sunny beaches in the warm turquoise sea, swimming with dolphins, and exploring the dramatic desert of Timna Park, all at a relaxed, sunny pace. The combination of vibrant reefs, warm clear water, reliable sunshine and dramatic desert adventure makes Eilat an ideal, relaxed sun-and-sea escape.
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 6-day journey.
Your Red Sea escape begins as you arrive in Eilat, at Israel's southern tip on the Gulf of Aqaba (via Ramon Airport near Eilat, or a domestic flight from Tel Aviv), where you are met and transferred to your hotel by the warm, turquoise sea. Eilat is a sun-drenched Red Sea resort blessed with warm, clear water, vibrant reefs and year-round sunshine, and the beautiful setting, ringed by desert mountains, is immediately striking. Spend the rest of the day settling in and relaxing after your journey, taking a first swim in the warm, clear sea, relaxing on the beach, or strolling the lively promenade and marina. This evening, a welcome dinner introduces you to the relaxed sun-and-sea days ahead. As you settle in beside the Red Sea, with its warm water and dramatic desert mountains, the sunny, relaxed atmosphere of Eilat works its magic. Rest well, ready to explore the vibrant coral reefs.
Today you explore the vibrant coral reefs of the Red Sea. You snorkel or dive over the beautiful coral gardens of the Coral Beach nature reserve, among the most northerly coral reefs in the world, teeming with clouds of colourful tropical fish, vibrant coral and marine life, in warm, clear, turquoise water, a beautiful underwater world easily accessible from the shore. The reefs are wonderfully rich and easy to enjoy, whether you are an experienced diver or a first-time snorkeller. Between swims, you relax on the beach in the sunshine. The beauty and accessibility of the Red Sea reefs are wonderful. As the day ends, you relax by the warm sea, perhaps watching the sunset over the gulf and its mountains. Relax this evening in Eilat, savouring the beauty of the Red Sea. Rest well, ready for a magical dolphin encounter tomorrow.
Today you enjoy magical marine encounters at Eilat. You visit the famous Dolphin Reef, where a pod of bottlenose dolphins lives free in a natural, protected part of the gulf, observing them from floating piers or, if you wish, snorkelling or diving with these gentle, intelligent creatures in their natural setting, an unforgettable and moving encounter, and relaxing on the tranquil reserve's beaches. You also visit the Underwater Observatory Marine Park, descending beneath the sea to view the vibrant reef and its life through windows, and seeing sharks, rays and turtles in its pools, wonderful for all ages. The magical marine encounters delight everyone. As the day ends, you relax by the warm sea. Relax this evening in Eilat, savouring the magical encounters of the day. Rest well, ready to explore the dramatic desert tomorrow.
Today you explore the dramatic desert landscapes of Timna Park, near Eilat. You journey into this spectacular desert valley of dramatic, multicoloured sandstone formations, ancient copper mines among the oldest in the world, and remarkable natural and archaeological sites, including the famous Solomon's Pillars, towering red rock formations, and natural rock arches. You explore the striking landscape of red rock, canyons and desert vistas, learning its ancient history of copper mining stretching back thousands of years, and taking in the extraordinary geological beauty, a dramatic contrast to the sea. The striking scenery and ancient history are captivating. As the day ends, you return to Eilat, having explored the dramatic desert of Timna. This evening, savour a relaxed dinner by the Red Sea, reflecting on the desert beauty of the day. Rest well, ready for more Red Sea pleasures tomorrow.
Today you enjoy the easy pleasures of the Red Sea at a relaxed pace. You might take a glass-bottom boat or catamaran cruise over the reefs and along the beautiful gulf, taking in the coral and marine life and the dramatic desert mountains, with time to swim and snorkel from the boat in the warm, clear water. Alternatively, you relax on the beach in the sunshine, swim in the warm sea, enjoy water sports, or explore Eilat's lively promenade, marina and restaurants. The easy, sunny pleasures of the Red Sea are blissful. As the sun sets over the gulf and its mountains for the last time, you savour the beautiful setting. This evening, enjoy a final dinner by the Red Sea, reflecting on your relaxed, sun-filled escape at Eilat. Rest well ahead of your departure, savouring your final evening by the warm sea.
After a final morning by the Red Sea, perhaps a last snorkel over the coral or a relaxed breakfast overlooking the warm turquoise gulf, you are transferred to the airport (Ramon Airport near Eilat, or via a domestic flight to Tel Aviv) for your onward departure. You leave sun-soaked and relaxed, having savoured the best of Eilat and the Red Sea, the vibrant coral reefs teeming with colourful fish, the warm, clear turquoise water and sunny beaches, the magical dolphins, and the dramatic desert of Timna Park. The images stay vivid long after you land, the vibrant coral reefs, the warm turquoise gulf ringed by desert mountains, the gentle dolphins, and the red rock of Timna. Eilat offers vibrant reefs, warm water, reliable sunshine and dramatic desert adventure in abundance, and you depart deeply refreshed, already dreaming of a return to the beautiful, sunny shores of the Red Sea, perhaps combined next time with Petra just across the border.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 5 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner
- Airport and land transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
- Touring and sightseeing as per itinerary with expert licensed guides
- Entrance fees to sites, national parks and museums as per itinerary
- a Red Sea snorkelling excursion, a Dolphin Reef visit, an Underwater Observatory visit, a Timna Park desert tour, and all entrance fees
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Scuba diving and equipment hire (arranged locally)
- Most lunches and dinners, and tips for guides and drivers
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Many nationalities can enter Israel visa-free for up to 90 days with a passport valid for at least six months; entry and exit records are usually issued on a separate card rather than stamped in the passport. Requirements can change, so we confirm the exact process for your nationality before travel
- Currency: The currency is the Israeli New Shekel (ILS); cards are widely accepted in cities, hotels and restaurants, but carry some cash for markets, small shops, tips and rural areas. ATMs are plentiful in towns and cities, and US dollars are accepted in some tourist settings
- Best time to visit: Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most pleasant, with warm, dry days ideal for touring; summer (June to August) is hot, especially in the desert and by the Dead Sea, while winter is mild and can be wet, with cooler days in Jerusalem
- Shabbat: The Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat) runs from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, when many shops, restaurants and public transport (including in Jerusalem) close, though this varies by area (Tel Aviv is livelier). We plan itineraries mindful of Shabbat and holidays, and it is a peaceful, atmospheric time to experience
- Religious sites & dress: Israel's holy sites are sacred to Judaism, Christianity and Islam; dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees, and heads where required), behave respectfully, and follow site rules. Some sites have separate areas or specific customs, and your guide advises fully so your visits are respectful and rewarding
- The Dead Sea: Floating in the Dead Sea is a remarkable experience, but the water is intensely salty, so avoid shaving beforehand, keep the water away from your eyes and mouth, do not submerge your head, wear water shoes, and rinse off in fresh water afterwards. Your guide and hotel advise on safe, enjoyable bathing
- Security & travel: Israel is generally safe and well-organised for visitors, with security checks at sites, airports and public places that are routine and quick; we monitor conditions, use trusted local guides and drivers, and follow official advice at all times to ensure a safe, smooth and rewarding journey
- Getting around & power: Touring is by private air-conditioned vehicle with your guide, with distances generally short. Power is 230V with type C, H and M plugs, so bring an adapter. Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages, and English is very widely spoken, making travel easy and rewarding
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eilat good for non-divers?
Wonderfully so. Eilat's reefs are easily enjoyed by snorkellers straight from the shore, and non-swimmers can see the underwater wonders at the Underwater Observatory or on a glass-bottom boat. There is also the Dolphin Reef, beaches, desert excursions, a lively promenade and reliable sunshine, so there is plenty to enjoy whether or not you dive. For those who wish to learn, we can arrange diving courses and introductory dives with local centres.
Can Eilat be combined with Petra in Jordan?
Absolutely, and it makes a superb combination. Petra and Wadi Rum in Jordan are just across the border from Eilat, easily reached via the nearby land crossing, and we can arrange a Petra excursion or extension, handling the border formalities and guiding. Eilat also pairs beautifully with the rest of Israel, Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, the Negev and Tel Aviv, and we can build your ideal combination of Red Sea, desert and holy sites.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary. Israel has one of the world's great food cultures, from vibrant market stalls and hummus, falafel and fresh salads to fine dining and superb local wines, so we usually leave lunches and dinners free for you to explore the wonderful restaurants and markets, and we are delighted to recommend the best options at every stage.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Your journey is private by default, with your own expert licensed guide and air-conditioned vehicle, giving you flexibility, depth and a pace tailored to you; small-group and shared touring options can be arranged if you prefer. Israel's excellent licensed guides bring the extraordinary history, religion and culture of the Holy Land vividly to life, greatly enriching every visit.
Do I need a visa for Israel?
Many nationalities enter visa-free for up to 90 days with a passport valid for at least six months, with entry usually recorded on a separate card rather than stamped. Requirements can change, so we confirm the exact, current process for your nationality before travel, so there are no surprises. We also advise on any considerations for onward travel in the region.
Is it safe to travel in Israel?
Israel is generally safe and very well-organised for visitors, with routine, efficient security at sites and airports. We continuously monitor conditions, use trusted local guides and drivers, and follow official guidance at all times, adjusting itineraries if ever needed. The vast majority of visits are smooth and rewarding, and millions of travellers and pilgrims visit the Holy Land safely each year.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are ideal, with warm, dry, comfortable weather for touring Jerusalem, the Galilee, the desert and the coast. Summer is hot, especially in the desert and by the Dead Sea, and winter is mild and greener, cooler in Jerusalem. We advise on the best timing for your interests and any festivals or holy days you wish to experience.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of religious, historical, cultural, culinary and outdoor experiences, add the Dead Sea, the Negev, Eilat, Petra in neighbouring Jordan, or more time in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, and tailor the pace, comfort and focus to you, whether your interest is pilgrimage, history, food, or relaxation. Every itinerary is a flexible starting point for your ideal journey.
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