Most Israelis like to be in touch with their surroundings. Ask any Israeli how to get to a certain place in Jerusalem and most will be more than happy to help out a tourist with directions—whether they are local or not. However, due to the distance and seclusion from the rest of the country, in addition to the fact that Eilat is a resort town, the majority of Israelis you will meet here are also tourists and won’t be able to give you such good directions. This isn’t such a problem, since most of the fun attractions are right near the hotels and popular beaches. Below are a few attractions in Eilat that are extremely close to the hotels on the north beach.

The Dolphin Reef

The Dolphin Reef is one of the most talked about and popular attractions in Eilat. There are not many places in the world where a person can snorkel and interact one-on-one and so personally with dolphins. The dolphins live in the reef and are visited daily by tourists, who can dive and go snorkeling in the reef or merely observe the dolphins from floating piers. The dolphin reef also offers a pool for those with physical disabilities and the staff at the reef is happy to do their utmost to accommodate people with special needs.

The IMAX Theater

The Eilat landscape wouldn’t be complete without the giant blue glass building in the shape of a pyramid. The Eilat IMAX Theater, located in the city center, a short walk from the north beach, offers six choices for moviegoers of all ages, all in 3-D. With a 12,000 watt surround sound, you’re bound to get a mind blowing experience. The IMAX Theater seats are set up in a way so that whatever seat you find yourself in, it’s the best one in the house. The theater is also handicap accessible.

The International Birding and Research Centre in Eilat

For those of you who are eco-conscious, love nature or just want to try something different, The Birding and Research Centre is a great choice. If you wish to take a guided bird-watching tour, The Birding tours will collect you from your hotel and take you to birding hot spots. The centre offers options for two hours, four hours or whole day tours, as long as you have a minimum reservation for two people. The Centre also offers nighttime tours, so that bird-watchers may also see and observe nocturnal birds. In addition, there is a Bird Sanctuary, where visitors can come and experience the birds indigenous to the area in their natural habitat.