The southernmost city of Israel has an extremely interesting place with the Dolphin Reef, which invites you to swim as well as to watch the marine mammals. It is expressly not a "dolphin show" because the animals live in the bay and the animals do not have to perform controversial shows and tricks.

The approach of the Dolphin Reef is that you can experience dolphins in their natural environment. Specifically, this means that the animals can be observed, but they are not forced to do anything. If a dolphin shows a feat or comes to the jetty curiously swimming, then he does it voluntarily and if he no longer wants to, he just keeps swimming. Touching the marine mammals is not allowed and there is a good reason for that.

Dolphins are not cuddly toys, but highly intelligent predators. It can happen that a dolphin looks for closeness, but only if he wants to. But when people seek closeness and disregard the clear rejection of marine mammals, dolphins can react aggressively and underpin their point of view with an attack. This is especially true for female animals raising an infant.

But what makes the Dolphin Reef in Eilat such a unique place? The dolphins are of course the big eye-catchers and invite you to watch for hours. At some point you will also notice that the dolphins also have their eyes on people and with a bit of luck at least one animal “bursts” with curiosity and comes swimming to take a closer look at the people on the jetty. With a little more luck, the animal interacts with the observer and builds up "communication" in its own way or simply stays close to humans - at a distance - and shows itself in all its size.

Protection of animals has priority - neither “exploitation” nor coercion

Guided diving and snorkeling tours in Dolphin Reef can be booked for a fee. Without a qualified guide who has been trained in handling dolphins, you are not allowed to get close to the dolphins in the water on your own. This restrictive attitude serves to protect both marine mammals and guests. As a reminder, dolphins are highly intelligent predators and not cuddly toys.

In general, the Dolphin Reef invites you to linger on the beach or on the jetty. In addition to dolphins, there are also some interesting bird species living in the area. The latter have long "come to terms" with the people and are not afraid of anything. On the contrary: if you treat yourself to a snack, you have to expect that at some point a pheasant will beg for "its share". The operators expressly advise against feeding the birds.

If the beach is not enough for you, you can book private areas. Some of these also have seawater pools. The view from the Dolphin Reef of the cities of Eilat and Akaba is quite fascinating, but subjectively, the dolphins simply fade everything. In any case, the Dolphin Reef is an extremely beautiful and recommendable place to stay in Eilat.

Entry is low by Israeli standards

At last 69 shekels, entry is comparatively cheap. This is valid for two visits, ie if you come for the second time, it is sufficient to show the card from the first time and you do not have to pay again. If you decide to book private areas or guided tours, the entrance fee is completely waived. The income is used to maintain the facility, to finance the dolphin research and of course to look after the animals. Everything is run on a non-profit basis, which also explains the low prices for Israel.

There is also a lot on offer in terms of gastronomy, because there are drinks and various dishes at reasonable prices - for example from the grill. But you are also allowed to bring your own snack and drinks. In any case, garbage should be deposited in the garbage cans or garbage bags given out on the beach - then thrown in the bin - because the operators of Dolphin Reef rightly react very sensitively to deliberate littering. They pride themselves on being able to offer their guests and animals a clean, well-kept and cozy natural facility.

The Dolphin Reef can be reached very easily and cheaply from the city of Eilat by public bus. All buses to the Taba border crossing stop at the Dolphin Reef station. The bus stop is right in front of the entrance. In the other direction, virtually any bus can be used regardless of the destination, because all of them stop in the city of Eilat.

Traveling via Akaba can cause high additional costs

Finally, an important note: Due to the complicated entry and quarantine regulations that Israel has been practicing due to the corona pandemic, there have been no non-stop flights between Europe and Eilat-Ramon for some time. With a change in Tel Aviv Ben Gurion, the southernmost city can still be reached.

Aqaba is located in Jordan in the immediate vicinity of Eilat-Ramon Airport Airport. This will be reinforced in the winter flight schedule 2021/22 ab Fly to Europe. With Fly Aqaba it was even founded his own airline. There is a fee to cross the border between Jordan and Israel vv. Entry and exit fees as well as visa fees, if applicable, are to be paid. These are exorbitantly high and due to the corona pandemic, the quarantine regulations practiced by both sides must also be observed. It is therefore very important that you are fully informed if you want to visit Eilat or the Dolphin Reef from Aqaba. If you travel non-stop to Eilat-Ramon or with a change in Tel Aviv (or continue by land), then only the entry and quarantine regulations of the State of Israel have to be observed. Aviation Direct provides whatever else Eilat has to offer in this article.