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Eilat - Culture |
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Eilat, the southernmost city of Israel, is a unique oasis - a blend of sea and desert, entertainment and relaxation. Both the East and West, Eilat is Israel's one and only link to the Red-Sea, and is considered one of the finest living sites in the entire world, and perhaps the most beautiful of all. The calm, transparent waters of the Red Sea reveal a delightful surprise -- breathtakingly beautiful coral reefs and an enchanted underwater world, featuring many hundreds of varieties of fish and marine animals, most of them unique to this region. From almost anywhere in Eilat, you can observe the Jordanian port of Akaba, which shares a border with Saudi Arabia. South of Eilat is the Sinai Peninsula, linked to the city at Taba, a peaceful border point between Israel and Egypt. Although the port of Eilat is Israel's southern gateway to the African continent and the Far East, its residents and leading citizens have wisely utilized its location, scenery and climate to make it into a vibrant, lively tourist center, more or less unparalleled in this part of the world. Despite all this, Eilat does not rest on its laurels. Even now, the city is at height of a massive process of construction and development, in which new hotels and residential neighborhoods are being built to the highest standards. Eilat, without a doubt, is the realization of a dream nurtured by Israel's first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion - to Make the desert bloom and develop the Negev. A dream, by all accounts, has come true. ATTRACTIONSEilat, abounds with unique attractions, nearly all of which exploit the blessing given to the city by nature.Among the many places worth visiting , you will find no small number which are unique in Israel and even throughout the world - each with a character and nature of its own.Visiting these places is an experience for children and adults alike; an enjoyable, interesting and enriching source of entertainment for the whole family. If you want your stay in Eilat to have some variety, and especially if you don't want to settle for sunbathing and swimming, you won't have to go very far from the center of town. In the very heart of Eilat, quite near the hotel district, are many places where one can experience a different type of atmosphere - either alone or with company, while at the same time making the acquaintance of a slightly different Eilat from the one most of us know. The Undersea Observatory The "flagship" of Eilat, without a doubt, is the Underwater Observatory. one of three of its kind in the entire world, all belonging to the same company. The other two are located in St. Thomas in virgin Islands and Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. If you've visited Eilat and haven't been to the observatory, you might as well not have been here. Displayed at the Observatory are a large number of exhibits, together comprising the richest exhibit of Red-Sea fish and Marine animals in the world. The aquaria enable visitors to observe fish, corals, and especially colourful and interesting fauna, some of them extremely rare and not visible even to divers. The large pool built on the observatory grounds houses various sharks, which may be observed through broad windows in the side of the pool, or from the bridge which spans it. Swimming around in other pools are huge sea tortoises, belonging to reptile family, and sea-cats -- marine animals who live in sandy areas and feed on crabs and other small animals. A 100-meter bridge leads from the beach to the Undersea Observatory, which is a three storey building. From the lower floor, some three meters below the surface of the sea, you can stand in an air-conditioned hall with panoramic windows and observe the natural Red-Sea reef, with its fauna and flora continuing to lead their lives in their natural environment. The large, spacious Observatory also includes an air-conditioned bar above sea level. On the upper floor, 42 meters above sea level, is an observation point which looks out over the breathtaking scenery of this special area, the geographical meeting point of four countries. The Yellow Submarine
This submarine, one of the most sophisticated in the world, is dedicated to "undersea safaris". Each dive lasts some 45 minutes, at the depth of some 60 meters, and includes detailed explanations by expert guides. The dive itself takes place very close to the most beautiful coral reefs in the area, and gives each one of the 47 passengers the opportunity to observe the outside world of the depths of the sea in comfort. During the journey you will experience the changes in light, colours and fauna that accur at the various depths, from the moonscape like texture of the bed through the warm colours that appear as the submarine makes its way gradually into shallower waters. The wealth of colours and variety of animals that are revealed to the voyagers are the direct result of the amount of sunlight penetrating to the various depths. The submarine has a crew of three: a captain, co-captain and stewardess who explain the sights and phenomena during the course of the dive. The Oceanarium The Oceanarium is also on the grounds of the Underwater Observatory. This three dimensional movie allows the viewer to enjoy the authentic feelings of being underwater himself. This move is an incredible and unique experience, recommended for the entire family. The Oceanarium - Simulator, motion theatre, futuristic viewing hall, one of the largest of its kind (150 seats) where spectators move in hydraulically operated seats in an audiovisual show giving viewers the true sensation of an amazing and adventurous journey to discover the wonder of the sea. Glass-Bottomed Boats An additional possibility of enjoying the secrets of the Red-Sea is sailing in one of the glass-bottomed boats. These boats sail from one undersea site to another, along a course which abounds in fish, coral, and other undersea creatures. This boats set sail from the city marina every day. Coral Beach Nature Reserve Almost nobody who dips his head into the waters of the nature reserve at the coral beach (with a swim mask of course) remains indifferent to the magnificent view revealed to him. Here you find an indescribable variety of corals, fan corals, brain corals, stone corals, tube corals and fire corals along with a range of tropical fish with colours and defy words. This is one of the world's most famous nature reserves. As its heart lies a coral reef which stretches along the shore of the Gulf of Eilat for 1200 meters of magical underwater scenery. Dolphin Reef
Accompanied by diving instructors and snorkelling guides from Dolphin Reef Dive Center, you can meet the dolphins even if you've never dived before. It's recommended to book the activity in advance. The site also houses an air-cooled auditorium where dolphin films are screened, a cafeteria-style restaurant located at an excellent point for you to observe the entire site, a bar on the beach, a children's activity center, a photo center, and a souvenir shop with unique dolphin-related items. There are beach parties on Thursday nights, outside during the summer and in the bar during the winter months. International Bird watching Center Those Birdwatchers among you will be happy to hear that Eilat is located right on the migration route of many birds, and that an International bird watching center has been established here for that reason. Between 15 February and 15 May, millions of birds make their way back from Africa to their homes in Europe and Asia, passing through the skies of Eilat on their way. In September and October, they return to Africa by the same route. More then 400 species of migratory birds have been observed thus far in Eilat, including 40 different species of reports - peregrine falcons, vultures, and many others. Located on the north beach are an observation shed, enabling observation of bird activity in the vicinity, and banding stations open to visitors. At the bird watching center at the city center on the Tmarim Boulevard they will gladly assist you with additional information and rental of binoculars. |
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An additional attraction, also in the site of the Undersea Observatory, is the Yellow-Submarine.
An innovative project, unique in Israel and throughout the world, where visitors are given the special opportunity to meet and observe dolphins in their natural habitat. This site - located south of the port of eilat - is home to a group of bottlenose dolphins who maintain their normal routine of hunting, playing, courting and socializing. The have the freedom of choice to stay in the site or go out to the open sea whenever they feel like it. Special observation jetties ensure comfortable observation of the these amazing creatures.