At the crossroads of four countries, Eilat delivers a collision of stark desert peaks and a jewel-clear Red Sea teeming with neon-hued tropical fish — all in a duty-free zone that never sleeps.
Cruise ships berth at the Port of Eilat, a commercial cargo pier on the western shore of the Gulf of Aqaba. Security checks are thorough — allow extra time on re-embarkation.
💡 Pro move: Shabbat (Friday sunset – Saturday sunset): public buses stop, many shops close. Tourist-facing businesses, restaurants, and taxis generally continue operating in Eilat.
All cruise ships dock directly at the Port of Eilat pier — no tendering.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines | Port of Eilat commercial pier, western bay📍 | Docked |
| Expedition/small ships | Port of Eilat, same berth area📍 | Docked |
From underwater coral gardens to a Jordanian ancient city, Eilat punches far above its size for shore-day options.
About 9 km south of the cruise port (taxi or Egged bus line 15). Walk out on floating bridges above the reef wall, then drop in — no boat needed. Rental snorkel gear on site. Some of the most accessible coral in the world for a cruise passenger.
Find snorkel tours →A resident pod of bottlenose dolphins roams a protected lagoon. Watch from floating piers or book a guided swim or dive. Relaxed beach area with sunbeds and a good restaurant.
Find Dolphin Reef tours →Descend 12 metres below the sea in a glass observatory tower to watch natural reef life without getting wet. Shark pool, turtle pool, and aquarium above water too. Located on Coral Beach, ~9 km south of the port.
Find underwater observatory tours →25 km north of Eilat, some of the world's oldest copper mines sit beneath towering red sandstone formations. King Solomon's Pillars and the Mushroom rock are otherworldly. Best visited on a tour or in a private car.
Find Timna Park excursions →The rose-red Nabataean city is a once-in-a-lifetime sight. The border crossing and drive take 1.5-2 hrs each way — ONLY attempt this on an official ship excursion that guarantees the ship will wait if there are delays.
Find Petra day tours →The main tourist strip: calm Red Sea swimming, cafes, water sports rentals, and duty-free shopping in one walkable stretch. Eilat is a VAT-free zone — prices 17% lower than the rest of Israel.
Explore North Beach →Distances from the cruise pier are modest but summer heat makes shade-seeking essential — plan walks for morning or evening.
A short, mostly flat walk north along the shore from the cruise pier to Dekel Beach, the closest swimming spot to the port. (For the famous coral, Coral Beach Nature Reserve is ~9 km south and needs a taxi or bus — not a walk.)
The main pedestrian esplanade runs along the Gulf of Aqaba waterfront past hotels, restaurants, and shops. Walk back along the beachfront or catch a taxi for the return.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Eilat, Southern District, Israel (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 68°F / 20°C | 50°F / 10°C | 1 | 6:36 AM | 5:03 PM |
| Feb | 72°F / 22°C | 52°F / 11°C | 2 | 6:19 AM | 5:29 PM |
| Mar | 78°F / 26°C | 57°F / 14°C | 2 | 5:50 AM | 5:48 PM |
| Apr | 87°F / 31°C | 64°F / 18°C | 0 | 6:14 AM | 7:06 PM |
| May | 95°F / 35°C | 71°F / 22°C | 0 | 5:47 AM | 7:25 PM |
| Jun | 99°F / 37°C | 75°F / 24°C | 0 | 5:40 AM | 7:41 PM |
| Jul | 103°F / 39°C | 78°F / 26°C | 0 | 5:50 AM | 7:41 PM |
| Aug | 102°F / 39°C | 79°F / 26°C | 0 | 6:08 AM | 7:20 PM |
| Sep | 98°F / 37°C | 75°F / 24°C | 0 | 6:25 AM | 6:45 PM |
| Oct | 90°F / 32°C | 69°F / 21°C | 0 | 6:41 AM | 6:09 PM |
| Nov | 80°F / 27°C | 61°F / 16°C | 1 | 6:04 AM | 4:44 PM |
| Dec | 72°F / 22°C | 54°F / 12°C | 1 | 6:27 AM | 4:43 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Many cruise lines run shuttles from the commercial port into the city center. Check with your ship; often the easiest option since walking out of the port is not permitted.
Taxis wait at the port gate. The meter is required by law — confirm it is running. City center and North Beach promenade are about 2.5 km away.
Gett is the main taxi-booking app in Israel. It hails licensed metered taxis and lets you set the pickup point digitally — handy for avoiding haggling.
Egged runs local routes through Eilat at very low fares, but buses do not run on Shabbat (Saturday). You'll need a short taxi or shuttle to reach the nearest stop outside the port gate.
Once you're in the city, Eilat's North Beach, promenade, shops, and restaurants are all very walkable. The port itself requires a vehicle exit to the city gate.
Upcoming cruises that call at Eilat, Southern District, Israel. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.