Israel and You Spaces and Places in Israel 
Eilat’s Coral Beach Nature Reserve (שמורת טבע חוף האלמוגים) is a nature reserve and national park on the Israeli Red Sea coast, near the city Eilat in Israel. It covers 1.2 kilometers of shore, and is the northernmost shallow water coral reef in the world. It is popular for diving and research, and was founded by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. At the southernmost point of the nature reserve there is the Coral World Underwater Observatory, the largest public aquarium in the Middle East. It was listed as one of the New York Times Places to Go in 2019.
Coral Beach Nature Reserve Eilat is one of the most beautiful and famous in the world due to the amazing coral reef with more than 100 types of coral and 650 species of fish – some of which are endemic to the Red Sea. Diving in the coral reef you can see the delicate natural habitat where fish live in a variety of beautiful colors shapes and shades, as well as amazing water plants. Coral Beach Nature Reserve Eilat is the only place in Israel where there is a coral reef.
The most beautiful marine reserve in the world – colorful gardens beneath the sea
The reefs of the Gulf of Eilat are the only coral reefs in our country, and among them a wonderful and colorful world of corals, fish and a huge variety of unique creatures can be seen. The Coral Beach Nature Reserve in Eilat allows visitors easy access to the reef, as well as essential beach services, including a shop, showers, toilets, sunshades, deck chairs and sun loungers.
Main points of interest
- Wading pools – shallow pools near the shore, in which little children can paddle.
- Bridges over the reef – bridges built over the reef, from which the coral reef and the colorful fish swimming around it can be seen. The bridges also offer safe access for diverse and snorkelers to the eastern side of the reef that faces out to sea, without damaging the reef and its inhabitants.
- Lookouts over the reef and the wildlife that populates it – visitors to the nature reserve can enjoy the beauty of the colorful creatures living in the reef even without being professional divers. With a diving mask and snorkel (which can be hired at the beach) it is possible to peek into the rich and amazing world and the protrusions of coral around the fringing reef.
Scuba divers can dive along the façade and slope of the reef to see the wonders of the reef at the greater depths.
Coral Beach Nature Reserve Info
| Opening Hours | Sunday: 09:00 – 17:00, Monday: 09:00 – 17:00, Tuesday: 09:00 – 17:00, Wednesday: 09:00 – 17:00, Thursday: 09:00 – 17:00, Friday: 09:00 – 16:00, Saturday: 09:00 – 17:00, Holiday eve: 09:00 – 16:00 |
| Parking | Yes |
| Suitable for Children | Yes |
| Accessibility | Yes |
Coral World Underwater Observatory
Eilat’s Coral World Underwater Observatory is a public aquarium, park and conservation center located in Eilat, Israel. It is the biggest public aquarium in Israel, and it hosts over 800 species. It was founded in 1974 and was the first of its kind. The park and aquarium is located to the south of Eilat’s Coral Beach Nature Reserve.
