Eilat: Family Vacation at the Red Sea Oceanarium

Eilat is a vibrant resort city at the southern tip of Israel, famous for its coral reefs, Red Sea beaches, aquaparks, and buzzing nightlife.

The city offers endless options for active recreation and water sports, making it a favorite destination for adventure lovers. Compared to the calmer Mediterranean resort of Netanya, Eilat feels much busier: the promenade is shorter and narrower, the beaches are often pebbly, and the streets are packed with tourists. The Red Sea is also noticeably cooler than the shallow Mediterranean waters.

Still, Eilat is worth a 2-day trip to experience its world-class aquarium, swim and snorkel above coral reefs, and enjoy duty-free shopping.

Getting There

From Netanya’s Central Bus Station, you can take bus #399 directly to Eilat.

Ticket price: 72 NIS.

Duration: about 5.5 hours, with two rest stops for food and refreshments.

The bus is modern and comfortable, making it a convenient option even for families with children.

A visit to the Eilat Aquarium is an exciting adventure for the whole family.

Address: Coral Beach, Eilat

Entrance Fee: 99 NIS for adults, 79 NIS for children

Opening Hours (October–March): 8:00 – 16:00

Plan to spend the entire day here, as the aquarium offers numerous fascinating and educational activities — especially engaging for children aged 6–14 years.

1. Main Attractions

   • Underwater Observatory. Located 6 meters below the surface of the Red Sea, this observatory has two circular rooms with large windows overlooking a coral reef. Visitors can see corals, sea urchins, starfish, and countless fish species. Guided tours are offered several times a day, creating the magical feeling of being inside the world of Finding Nemo and Dory.

   • Shark Aquarium. The largest aquarium in the Red Sea, home to various species of sharks, rays, and large fish. Guests can relax on cushions in front of a floor-to-ceiling viewing window or walk through the underwater tunnel where marine creatures swim overhead. Twice a day, visitors can enjoy the thrilling shark-feeding show.

   • Themed Aquariums. Different halls showcase the diverse ecosystems of the Red Sea, featuring rare, endangered, and even dangerous marine species.

   • 3D Whale Movie. A 20-minute family-friendly show in motion seats with 3D glasses. Giant whales seem to swim above your head with immersive sound effects. Screenings take place every hour.

   • Sea Turtle Pool. A large outdoor pool houses several giant sea turtles, with feeding sessions twice daily.

   • Observation Tower. Climb a narrow spiral staircase up to 23 meters for a panoramic view of the coral reef and the Red Sea coastline.

   • Pearl Oysters Exhibit. An educational program explains how pearls are formed inside oyster shells.

     
     

     A trip to the Eilat Aquarium combines fun, learning, and wonder, offering families an unforgettable journey into the beauty of the underwater world.