Israel Red Sea Places of Interest

Hula Valley & Nature Reserve - The gorgeous Hula Valley is situated between the Lebanese border and the Golan mountains. It is a unique wetlands wildlife sanctuary home to wild papyrus, pelicans, sea eagles, otters, jungle cats and boar. The Hula Valley also provides a migratory station for birds. There is a very good visitors' center explaining the flora and fauna. They also rents binoculars.

The Dead Sea - Floating in the Dead Sea is unlike anything you will ever experience. It's the saltiest body of water on earth, with the Red Sea being the second. The water is full of invigorating minerals and there's 10% more oxygen in the air than at sea level. Located at the edge of the Dead Sea, Ein Gedi is one of the country's most attractive oases, a lush area of freshwater springs, waterfalls, pools and tropical vegetation.

Nablus - Relax in the oldest working Turkish bath in the country. Built around 1480, the carefully restored bath contains a hot room, massage room and central hall where you can sip your coffee or tea while reclining on cushions.

Israel Red Sea Visas & Embassies

Most tourists are allowed a three-month stay. Those travelers entering overland from Egypt or Jordan may only be granted one month. The main hassle is avoiding having your passport stamped - most Arab countries will not allow you to enter if you have visited Israel. Get officials to stamp your entry permit (Don't lose your entry permit!!) rather than your passport.

Israel Red Sea Transportation

"Are we there yet?" For travelers with limited time there are national flights and charters. Modes of transportation range from cheroots to local buses. Renting a car or motorbike is perfect for those who like to stop and explore & get off the beaten track. And of course, there is the ever present taxi. Hitch hiking is not very popular and the driver will often expect a tip.

Israeli Red Sea Bus

Jewish buses usually don't run on Shabbat. Shared taxis, or sheruts, are one of the most popular forms of transport, particularly because they run on Shabbat.


Israeli Red Sea Plane

Eilat – Eilat Airport (ETH)
Haifa – Haifa Airport (HFA)
Jerusalem – Atarot Airport (JRS)
Tel Aviv – Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV)


Israeli Red Sea Train

Israel State Railways runs a limited but convenient, efficient and inexpensive network of passenger rail services between Nahariya to Be'ersheva and is recommended for travel between Tel Aviv and Haifa or Akko.

Israel Red Sea Health & Hospitals

No specific vaccinations are required to travel to the Red Sea, but it is recommended to consult with your physician 2 months before leaving. Your Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Typhoid and Hepatitis A and B should all be up to date before leaving. An international health insurance policy is highly recommended. Most insurance policies do not cover divers, so check if you need additional insurance for this. When traveling to the Red Sea with its desert environment, the three major hazards are dehydration, sunburn and an upset stomach. Drink plenty of mineral water and isotonic drinks (like coke and sprite), use high-factor sunscreens, and wear a hat and sunglasses. A change in diet often results in upset stomachs. Never drink tap water, and check the seal on bottled water. Prefer cooked food or peeled fresh fruit/vegetables, and use mineral water to brush your teeth, and to wash fruit/vegetables. Eat in restaurants that are busy, and where both the establishment and the staff look clean.

Public toilets are better avoided. Use the toilet facilities of mid to top-range hotels, and of western-style or tourist restaurants. Toilet paper, if available, should be disposed off in the bins provided, as local toilet systems can only take so much of it. If you travel to the desert, dont throw toilet paper away or bury it, take a plastic bag with you and dispose of it later.

Even though most pharmacies are very well supplied and any medication can be obtained without prescription, a basic first aid kid is also a good idea. It should contain painkiller/antipyretic/anti-inflammatory tabs, antihistamine tabs & cream, decongestant, multi-vitamins/iron, wide spectrum antibiotic, seasickness tabs, intestinal antiseptic, diarrhea tabs, rehydration salts, antiseptic solution, antibiotic spray & cream, anti fungal cream/powder, insect repellent, sting relief cream/spray, bandages, plasters, adhesive & sterile dressings, non-sticking antibiotic dressings, gauze, steri-strips, cotton wool, syringes & needles. Check the expiry dates on all medicines and prescriptions. When traveling, it is highly recommended that you keep the written prescription with your medication. Many of the larger Hotels in the Red Sea have a doctor on call, and the bigger cities have private hospitals, of which some offer very reliable medical care, are clean and equipped with latest technology.

Israeli Red Sea Local Time & Weather

Time: GMT/UTC plus 2 hours

Israel Red Sea FAQs

Still have questions? Maybe these frequently asked questions will answer your question.

What do I need to bring? Most things that you might need are readily available, although some things maybe more expensive than at home, like film material, sunglasses, sunscreen, certain toiletries.

What should I wear? For shore holidays beachwear, shorts and T-shirts are acceptable, but inland, especially women, should wear more conservative clothing

Do I need to bring a jacket? A sweater or jacket is advisable as nights can be quite chilly and cold winds blow along the Red Sea in the winter months of November to March.

When is the best time to go diving? Diving in the Red Sea is great year round. However, water temperatures decrease considerably between November and March. Water temperatures reach a high of 24 and a low of 20.

Israel Red Sea Currencies & Banks

ATMs are becoming a common sight and most accept the Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus, and Plus system. This is a good way to avoid carrying a lot of cash and ensures that you get the latest exchange rate. However, check with your bank before leaving home as some PIN numbers are not compatible due to foreign keypads and some banks charge a small fortune to withdraw money overseas. Cash advances can be taken out on Visa and MasterCard at most major banks, be sure to have your passport ready for this. Most banks will also cash travelers cheques, although you can often get a better rate at money changing booths. Again, don't forget your passport for cashing travelers cheques.

Israel uses the Israeli Shekel

Israel Red Sea Culture & Traditions

Israel's culture is very religious be it Jewish, Christian or Muslim. Judaism is the state religion, but Israel is quickly turning into a sophisticated consumerist society. Most Jewish Israelis juggle 2 lives - one largely secular and one that still takes part in special religious ceremonies. Many Orthodox Jews are recognizable by their dark clothes, beards and curly sideburns.

In Palestinian parts of the country, Muslim culture is more evident. Sunni is the predominant Muslim sect in Palestine. Palestinians value their families above all else. Most Palestinians are extremely friendly and helpful to strangers. Hospitality is very important in Palestinian life and most will even welcome strangers into their homes.

Music and literature are very much a part of Israeli culture. Violin-based Yiddish folk music is hugely popular in Israel and in Jewish communities around the world. Much of the literature and poetry is born out of adversity and struggle making it very popular.

When in Israel, food taboo is the name of the game. What Israelis eat are governed by their religious laws. Jews cannot eat dairy and meat products together. They cannot eat pork or unclean birds or fish. Also, Jews are not permitted to cook on the Sabbath. Muslims are also forbidden from drinking alcohol and eating pork. However, the influx of immigrants have brought their own cuisine with them. So you can now finds all sorts of international cuisine available.

Israel Red Sea Climate & Environment

Israel is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Lebanon and Syria to the north, Jordan to the east and Egypt to the south. The area of Israel and the Palestinian Territories comprises 20,770 sq km in Israel and 6220 sq km in Gaza and the West Bank. The population totals 6.1 million in Israel and 3.5 million in Gaza and the West Bank.

Israel's main geographic feature is the Rift Valley, which starts in Turkey and runs through Israel, continuing all the way down into Africa. Israel is a fairly dry country with the river Jordan as the only main river. The Dead Sea, which lies between Israel and Jordan, is the saltiest body of water in the world and also the lowest place in the world.

Due to the joining of 3 different geographical zones, Israel enjoys a wealth of wildlife. It's in the wet and mountainous North where the agriculture is maintained. Here you will find forest and streams filled with otters. The south of the country is desert with wild tulips, irises and date palms. Israel is the second biggest flyway for migratory birds, with species from all over the world converging here.

Israel has over 300 national parks taking up a fifth of the country. The Israelis are notorious for turning the desert into a garden, as well as having reintroduced a number of species which have become locally extinct since Biblical times. For information on national parks and environmental issues, contact the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) - Hashsela 4, Tel-Aviv 66103. Phone: ++972 3 537 4425




Every country has its own delicate eco-system. So be responsible while you are appreciating the beauty. If you are in the desert, the rule is v Pack it in, Pack it out. If you are in a protected park, stick to the trail. Wandering away can cause unforeseen damage to the delicate plant and animal life. Be conscious of things like water consumption, proper waste disposal, and turning off air-conditioning units when away from your room. Water is a precious commodity in the desert regions.

In the Red Sea, do not feed the fish, do not collect or remove any material either living or dead, and do not touch the coral reef with any part of your body including your fins! Thanks to a growing number of dedicated environmental agencies, there is a greater knowledge of Reef Protection awareness. For example, boats can no longer anchor to the coral.

Red Sea - Israel

Red Sea Israel

Religion, politics, passion, and history are a few of the words that come to mind when envisioning Israel. Israel draws thousands of visitors every year. This Holy Land is dotted with kibbutzes (self sustained farms), cosmopolitan cities, and national parks. Lined by the Mediterranean Sea on the west, the Red Sea on the South and the Dead Sea on the West, there are opportunities for diving, swimming or just floating for hours.


Israel Eilat


The resort town of Eilat on the shores of the Red Sea at the southern tip of Israel is great for windsurfing, sailing, waterskiing and diving. The real attraction of Eilat is Dolphin Reef, a unique marine habitat where both divers and snorkelers can interact with dolphins.