Beaches

Lying on a sun-drenched beach, listening to the waves lap at the shore while lazily munching on tropical fruit is an idyllic way to relax the mind and energize the body. Good news is that you don’t need to travel to Hawaii, Jamaica or the Maldives to enjoy sun, sand and surf. While holidaying in Israel you can choose from four different types of seas & beaches for your pleasure:

• Classic Mediterranean – Enjoy miles and miles of rugged coastline with golden beaches, calm seas and azure waters stretching from Ashkelon in the South to Rosh HaNikra in the North. The fine sand on the beaches originates primarily from the Nile Delta and is swept by powerful currents to the Eastern Mediterranean coastline. High temperatures and the humidity experienced during the hot Israeli summer make the beaches a favorite getaway for locals and visitors alike, but sand & surf can be enjoyed during the relatively mild spring and fall as well. Swimming is permitted on designated beaches only.

  The most popular beaches are found near Ashkelon, Rishon LeZion, Tel Aviv, Herzaliya Pituach, Netanya & Haifa and a variety of water-sports are available such as surfing, para-sailing, scuba- diving and wind-surfing. Remains of ancient cultures can be found at select beaches such as Ceasarea, Dor & Achziv.

• Fresh-Water Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) – For an idyllic swim with a gorgeous view, the sparkling blue waters of the Kinneret simply cannot be beat. Situated in the north of Israel along the Syrian-African Rift Valley, the Kinneret is one of Israel’s main sources of drinking water. It is fed by the Jordan River and its tributaries (Hazbani, Dan & Banias) as well as the many streams that cascade down from the Golan Heights. You can choose to stay overnight at one of the luxury hotels in Tiberias on the western shore, at one of the holiday resorts on the eastern shore or even camp under the stars at one of the many designated beaches around the Kinneret. Swimming, boating, water-sports and fishing are among the preferred activities and if you are in luck – you may catch a tasty Amnun (St. Peters fish) to prepare on the grill.

  The area around the Kineret is also famous for its hot springs, most notably in Tiberias and Hamat Gader and those with an interest in history can visit Deganya, the first Kibbutz, the famous Kinneret cemetery or the sites visited by Christian Pilgrims.

• Therapeutic Dead Sea - The lowest spot on earth is famous for its mineral-rich waters that you can literally float on top of due to their incredibly high salt content. For the uninitiated it seems almost unbelievable, but once you put your head back and your feet up, you can stay afloat with absolutely no effort whatsoever, reading a newspaper or just enjoying the sun. Temperatures are scorching during the height of summer so that the waters provide a cool relief, yet it is warm enough to sunbathe, swim and plaster yourself with mud all year round, including in the winter.

  The Dead Sea is situated along the border with Jordan, just south of Jericho and is a mere 40 minute drive from Jerusalem. There are a number of designated swimming areas along the coastline with the main luxury resort area in Ein Bokek, not far from Ein Gedi & Masada. In addition to sunbathing you can enjoy a variety of massages, beauty and health treatments that utilize the rich minerals of the Dead Sea to cleanse, revitalize and rejuvenate skin, body and mind.

• Crystal-Clear Gulf of Eilat - Israel’s premier holiday destination, Eilat, is situated on the southernmost tip of the country, on the shores of the Red Sea. Its clear blue waters are set against a magnificent backdrop of deeply colored desert mountain ranges and are warm all year round, drawing a constant stream of visitors. Just beneath the lapping waves are spectacular coral reefs with a rainbow of brightly colored fish and plants, and you are invited to explore this dazzling underwater world aided by snorkel or scuba equipment. The Dolphin Reef is also a popular destination where you can observe these friendly mammals at play and even join them in the water.

  There are numerous hotels and resorts in Eilat to suit every taste and budget and you can visit Petra, in neighboring Jordan, or the Sinai, in next-door Egypt and still return to your lodgings the same evening.

Contact us today for more information or to create your exclusive Israel trip.

For more details on the experiences ISRAELMAVEN offers you please see the section on Explore Israel, check out our Sample Itineiraries or Create Your Own Itinerary.