4 Best Sights in Eilat, Eilat and the Negev

Less than 1 km (½ mile) south of Eilat is one of the finest, most densely populated coral reefs on the planet; it's also the world's northernmost reef. Close to the shoreline and zealously guarded by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, it stretches 1¼ km (¾ mile) and contains more than 100 types of coral and 650 species of fish. In the lagoon, divers and snorkelers take two bridges or a trail marked by buoys to reach the reef wall. Stunning multicolored fish and soft and hard corals are your rich reward. There are hot showers, a snack bar, and snorkel rentals. Kids should be at least five to snorkel.

Running northeast from the intersection of Durban and Arava streets, North Beach is what comes to mind when most people think about Eilat. This part of the beach is convenient if food and drink are on your agenda. Here you’ll find kiosks selling drinks, ice cream, and other snacks, and along the Promenade are many more options for fuller meals. Adventurous types can go paragliding or rent a paddleboat. Across the bridge—opposite the Queen of Sheba, Royal Beach, Dan, and Herods hotels—lies a beautifully landscaped series of beaches.

Walking south, you'll pass several mellow beaches, including Kochav Hayam and HaZahav, before you come to Royal Beach, where white-shirted attendants rent space on private platforms. Very expensive drinks can be ordered from the nearby Royal Beach Hotel and vendors sell popsicles and sodas. Head past the marina, where you can enjoy a ride in a glass-bottom boat, and you’ll encounter family-friendly beaches with names like Tarshish, Leonardo, Rimonim, and HaPnina, where hard-core sunbathers oil themselves for maximum exposure. North Beach comes to a natural end by Le Meridien Hotel, whose beach is the only private one. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; water sports. Best for: partiers; sunset; swimming; walking.

A planked walkway leads to a hideaway consisting of a warren of open spaces designed for pure relaxation. Blink and you might miss it—and trust us, you won't want to. This place offers a true one-of-a-kind experience. Three pools—a deep seawater pool, a soft rainwater pool, and a saltwater pool that'll have you floating Dead Sea–style—offer hours of rest and relaxation. Before you change and shower, help yourself to a glass of wine or the delicious selection of cookies and dried fruits, or slice and squeeze your own fresh orange juice from a juicer set up on a rustic tree stump. Admission to the pools is strictly capped, ensuring a lack of overcrowding; you must reserve in advance by booking online or by phone. During the day, the pools offer stunning views of the water through tented-plastic windows; at night, candles and heaters enhance the atmosphere. For an additional fee, an instructor will float you around the pool in a 30-minute "relaxation technique," a series of undulating exercises that further enhance the experience. Once you're done floating, you can spend the rest of the day walking along the boardwalk to look at the dolphins or ordering drinks from the small bar in the front room. For the price of admission, you get to stay as long as you want.

One of Eilat's star attractions can be recognized by its tall, space-needle-like structure punctuating the waves just offshore. A short drive from Eilat, this is the largest aquarium complex in the Middle East. Plan to spend several hours here (there's a cafeteria for lunch on the premises). Twelve windows provide views of rare fish so magnificent and so Day-Glo colorful that it's hard to believe they're real; there's an unlighted room where phosphorescent fish and other sea creatures glow in the dark. And there are turtle and stingray pools, too. Don't miss feeding time (11 am daily) in the 650,000-liter Shark Pool. The anaconda snakes, poisonous frogs, and piranha are fed in the Amazonas exhibit at 3 pm. Captain Jaws takes you on a sea journey during an audiovisual show presented in a simulated-motion theater with moving seats at the Oceanarium.

A 300-foot wooden bridge leads to the Underwater Observatory. Head down the spiral staircase and into the sea—you are now 15 feet underwater, where two round, glass-windowed halls, connected by a tunnel, offer stunning views of the surrounding coral reef, home to exotic tropical fish. The Observatory Tower—reached by stairs—gives coastal views of Israel's neighboring countries. There's a café up here. You can also take a ride on the Coral 200 glass-bottom boat. Bus 16 runs to, and Bus 15 runs from, downtown Eilat every half hour.