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The Dolphin Reef Eilat
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The Dolphin Reef Eilat

The Dolphin Reef Eilat

Eilat travel guide

The Beach

The dolphin reef beach is a private beach, offering a diversity of services, such as bathrooms and showers, restaurant, diving courses, swimming and diving with dolphins and a lot more.

The beach itself is not very big, but the golden sand compensate you for the little round stones covering the other Eilatian beaches.

As soon as you enter the beach, you see the defined area, in which the dolphins are swimming.

For the time being, there are ten dolphins, some of them were brought from the Caspian Sea in Russia, and some of them were born in Eilat, and are Israeli citizens….

The uniqueness of the place is the fact that there was not and there isn’t an attempt to domesticate the dolphins. That defined area in which they are living is not closed, and allows the dolphins free entrance and exit. As a matter of fact, the dolphins are staying there out of their own free will.

The dolphins frequently swim to the open sea, for the simple fact that they have to supply themselves with food. The “Dolphin-reef “ crew does not supply them with food, and does not interfere with their private life. Aside from that, those dolphin has a good taste of their own…they too – same as we – loves the Red Sea, with all of its beautiful coral reefs and spectacular undersea creatures.

Preparing to swim

After struggling with myself, I chose to swim with the dolphins, rather than diving with them.

Sarit, the instructor, gave me a short brief, focusing on the interaction between those diverse mammals and us.
There are some rules such as not chasing the dolphins, not touching sensitive areas like the eyes, the blowhole on their head and their genitalia (as if we wanted to do that…).

We also got an explanation regarding the personal equipment, which includes snorkel, diving-mask, flippers and diving suit.

If you are anxious to commemorate the occasion, you can rent an under-water camera, or pay to professional photographer to come along with you, for video shooting or stills.

No one promised us that we could get real close. After all, that depends on the dolphins themselves. We were a little disappointed, but our hopes increased while remembering that half an hour of swimming is a lot of time.

After a short demo practice, outside the defined area, we moved into it (“we” means me, five other visitors and, of course, Sarit).

In the water with the dolphins

What can I tell you…from the first moment you can sense the presence of that amazing creature, by hearing the unique sounds that it can produce. It is unbelievable! You can Swimming and Diving with dolphins in Eilatnot see them yet, but you sure can hear them. We all tried to make the first eye contact, but came out with nothing. I raised my head out of the water, and caught a glimpse of back-flippers about 50 meters from me. After a few minutes I nearly had a cocktail of salty sea water, when my mouth almost opened wide because of a huge dolphin, swimming in superb, passing along my swimming buddy, a tourist from the Netherlands, who actually was able to touch it.

I saw the dolphin moving on into the deep water, and I was so envious of my friend at that time, because I was afraid that this time I wouldn’t share his experience.

The first encounter

But, after a few minutes of swimming here and forth, came, just out of the blue, an amazing dolphin, named Bunchy, according to Sarit. Bunchy was a young dolphin, which explains the fact that he still doesn’t get bored of meeting groups of enthusiastic people such as we were. The wild dive

Bunchy stayed with us for about 15 seconds more, and during this time he surely felt like the most beloved dolphin in the world.

We touched him, caressed him and played with him. It took us a while to realize that we are swimming with a dolphin (!), but soon it seemed like the most natural thing to do. Bunchy surrounded us and examined us above and under the water… it was really hard to say who enjoyed this meeting more…Bunchy or us…

Conclusions

I can hardly explain the feeling touching his smooth skin, and the feeling I got out of a 10cm distance between my head and Bunchy’s. You just have to be there in order to understand.

Swimming with dolphins was something I dreamt about since I was a little boy. I guess it was under the influence and impression of books that had been read to me, or because the mythological and unforgettable TV show – “Flipper”.

Out of that short experience I’ve had in the Dolphin Reef, I can say that dolphins are the most amazing mammals. You can sense, in every moment, their high intelligence (no doubt, much more then a few people I happened to have met in my life).

All farewells are sad, especially if that farewell is from the first dolphin you have ever met, but you can find some comfort knowing you can always do that again, if you are in Eilat, and have about two hours and some bucks (about 200NIS) to spend.

Capot Tmarim - A Unique Kosher Restaurant and Catering Service in Kibbutz Eilot

Capot Tmarim - A Unique Kosher Restaurant and Catering Service in Kibbutz Eilot

Capot Tmarim, located in Kibbutz Eilot, is a restaurant and catering service that offers visitors a unique dining experience. The restaurant serves a variety of traditional and contemporary cuisine, blending together to create mouth-watering dishes that visitors won't soon forget. The restaurant is kosher, and under the close supervision of the Eilat Rabbinate. Visitors can enjoy breakfasts, lunches, and Friday dinners at the restaurant, all served buffet-style with a range of options to choose from. In addition to regular dining services, Capot Tmarim also offers catering for private and business events. One of the highlights of Capot Tmarim is their Friday dinner, which is served buffet-style and is the only kosher Friday dinner in the Eilat and Arava area. Visitors can enjoy a festive Shabbat atmosphere, complete with white tablecloths and a kiddush set if desired. While reservations are not accepted in advance for Friday dinners, holiday dinners can be reserved ahead of time. The menu at Capot Tmarim features soups, homemade salads, a self-assembled salad bar, sushi, fish dishes, chicken dishes, meat dishes, vegan dishes, hot toppings, a carving station with meat cut in front of guests, a children's buffet, and a dessert stand. Prices for dining at Capot Tmarim are reasonable, with discounts available for residents of Eilat and the Arava. Overall, Capot Tmarim is a must-visit destination for anyone visiting Eilat or the Arava area. The combination of traditional and contemporary cuisine, coupled with the unique kibbutz experience, make it a dining experience that visitors won't soon forget. Kibbutz Eilot is a unique community located in the southernmost part of Israel, just north of the city of Eilat. Established in 1951, the kibbutz was founded by pioneers who wanted to create a self-sufficient community in the desert. Today, Kibbutz Eilot is a thriving community with over 300 members, and the home of Capot Tmarim, a renowned kosher restaurant and catering service. The kibbutz is situated in a picturesque location, surrounded by stunning desert landscapes, and is just a short distance from the Red Sea. The area is known for its warm and sunny weather throughout the year, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Kibbutz Eilot is also known for its commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation. The kibbutz is home to a variety of eco-projects, including a solar power plant and a recycling center. Visitors can take part in tours and workshops to learn more about the kibbutz's innovative environmental initiatives. Overall, Kibbutz Eilot is a unique and fascinating community that offers visitors a glimpse into the past, present, and future of Israel. Whether you're interested in history, nature, or sustainability, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Kibbutz Eilot. And of course, no visit to the area would be complete without a visit to Capot Tmarim, the renowned kosher restaurant and catering service located in the heart of the kibbutz.

Queen of Sheba Eilat hotel - What do the reviews say?

Queen of Sheba Eilat hotel - What do the reviews say?

Welcome to the Queen of Sheba Eilat hotel, located in the heart of Eilat's promenade where the Red Sea and the desert mountains meet. Inspired by the biblical palace of the Queen of Sheba, the hotel offers luxurious and spacious rooms and suites, designed with hand-painted ancient motifs and impressive mosaics. As part of the Astral Luxury hotel group, the Queen of Sheba Hotel is known for its central location and proximity to the promenade, beach, restaurants, and shopping centers. Indulge in a variety of catering options, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes, offered in all hotel restaurants, including the "Makda" and "Ebony" restaurants and the "Exum Lobby Bar" restaurant, offering a magical atmosphere and a variety of light dairy dishes, coffee, refreshing cocktails, and homemade cakes. The hotel also features a pool designed as a palace courtyard, with cat statues symbolizing the protection of the queen's palace and the lotus flower that decorates the mosaic. The pool area includes pools suitable for children, a toddler pool, and a covered and shaded area. The children's club, designed as a large sea ship, is open every day and offers games, toys, and a library corner. The gym, located in front of the spa, offers a variety of Technogym fitness equipment, and the spa itself offers a variety of pampering treatments. Book your stay at the Queen of Sheba Eilat hotel and experience luxury and comfort in the heart of Eilat's promenade. What do the reviews say? The Queen of Sheba Eilat hotel has generally positive reviews. Guests praise the hotel's central location, luxurious and spacious rooms, and beautiful pool area. The food at the hotel's restaurants is also highly regarded, with a wide variety of options and an emphasis on freshness and quality. Many reviewers appreciate the attention to detail in the hotel's design, which is inspired by the Queen of Sheba and features hand-painted ancient motifs and impressive mosaics. The hotel's children's club and gym are also popular with guests. However, some reviewers have noted that the hotel is showing some signs of age and wear, and that the service could be improved in certain areas. Overall, the Queen of Sheba Eilat hotel is seen as a high-end, luxurious option for visitors to the area.

Eilat City Guide

Eilat City Guide

Eilat is Located at the southernmost tip of the country, Eilat is blessed with everything that makes a perfect vacation - beautiful mirror-like sea, lively beaches, seafront bars and restaurants, first-rate hotels, all kinds of watersports, spectacular underwater world and coral reefs, diving clubs, desert treks, camel tours and even swimming with dolphins. Breathtaking scenery of the magnificent Red Mountains and the crystal-clear Red Sea gloriously lap this exciting fun. Eilat provides its visitors with the ultimate relaxation, given greatly by the magical beauty of the desert-like nature. All this, along with the endless sun and the pleasant, warm winter, makes Eilat the leading tourist city in Israel, preferred both by foreign visitors (European charters mostly) and Israeli vacationers. http://www.inisrael.com/tour/eilat/index.html

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