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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 68°F / 20°C | 50°F / 10°C | 1 |
| Feb | 72°F / 22°C | 52°F / 11°C | 2 |
| Mar | 78°F / 26°C | 57°F / 14°C | 2 |
| Apr | 87°F / 31°C | 64°F / 18°C | 0 |
| May | 95°F / 35°C | 71°F / 22°C | 0 |
| Jun | 99°F / 37°C | 75°F / 24°C | 0 |
| Jul | 103°F / 39°C | 78°F / 26°C | 0 |
| Aug | 102°F / 39°C | 79°F / 26°C | 0 |
| Sep | 98°F / 37°C | 75°F / 24°C | 0 |
| Oct | 90°F / 32°C | 69°F / 21°C | 0 |
| Nov | 80°F / 27°C | 61°F / 16°C | 1 |
| Dec | 72°F / 22°C | 54°F / 12°C | 1 |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
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.