Israel’s has a long coast on the Mediterranean Sea which is one long beach. Israel is a real beach nation and the nations beaches, from the urban beaches in Tel Aviv to the rural beaches of the Western Galilee, come to life throughout the year with every conceivable watersport, beach sport and beach activity taking place. As well as the Mediterranean, there are beaches at the Sea of Galilee, Dead Sea and in Eilat on the Red Sea. Whilst everyone has their own favorite beach, here is our selection of Israel’s most amazing beaches.

Aqueduct Beach (Mediterranean)

Caesarea Aqueduct Beach by luzer, on Flickr

The Aqueduct Beach at Caesarea is one of the most breathtaking beaches imaginable. The ruins of an ancient Roman Aqueduct mark the inland edge of the beach and the clean sands don’t attract hoards of tourists. This beach gets busy at the weekend with locals and the breathtaking aqueduct is a stop off for many tour buses, however with no restaurants, promenade, and often no lifeguard (which means that bathing isn’t always allowed) it is a great place to get away from it all. The beach is a couple of kilometers north of the ancient harbor and city which makes Caesarea famous, in the modern residential development, and a combined trip to the two makes a lot of sense. The beach is located about about half way between Tel Aviv and Haifa, and because of the aqueduct, is especially beautiful at sunset.

Beit Yannai Beach (Mediterranean)

Just South of Caesarea is Beit Yannai Beach, similarly a rural setting, this time in a nature reserve. This means that there is an entrance fee payable, however, ensures that the beach is well maintained. Especially popular with watersport enthusiasts (kitesurfing in particular), the Beit Yannai beach is also the estuary of the Alexander River which runs across Israel from its spring in the West Bank.

Herzliya Beach by RonAlmog, on Flickr

Herzliya Beach (Mediterranean)

Herzliya is an upscale neighborhood just north of Tel Aviv. Herzliya Beach is considered one of Israel’s best, notably quieter than those in Tel Aviv but still getting very busy at summer weekends, yet still developed in the surrounding infrastructure with lots of life-guards, restaurants, beach bars, and even a mall at the Herzliya Marina end. The beach is lined with four or five large hotels and is popular with tourists, the locals of Herzliya and the many surrounding cities, and surfers.

Tel Aviv Beach (Mediterranean)

Tel Aviv’s western border is the Mediterranean meaning that the city is one long beach. Sub-divided into a number of areas each with its own character and dominant group ranging from the Hilton Beach which is known as the gay beach, to the Dolphinarium Beach which has a drumming festival every Friday. We’ve put together a dedicated article about Tel Aviv Beach.

Coral Reef Eilat by Madmartigand, on Flickr

Coral Reef Beach (Red Sea, Eilat)

Coral Beach in Eilat is the best place to snorkel in Israel, yet is also a popular family beach for tourists visiting the sun-soaked city, and locals alike. The beautiful coral off the shore here can be easily taken advantage of with places to rent equipment for snorkeling, and, for those less adventurous, places to eat, sit, and relax and enjoy the sun.

Dolphin Beach (Red Sea, Eilat)

Eilat’s Dolphin Beach is located within the Dolphin Reef in Eilat, famed for offering the opportunity to swim alongside dolphins. Pay an entry fee to enter the reef and you get access to a beach which is much quieter than most in the city. The beach has, of course food and drink facilities and relaxation can be taken to the next level with the attractions music-infused relaxation pools.

Mineral Beach (Dead Sea)

The Mineral Beach at the Dead Sea has a pool of ‘Dead Sea Mud’ you can soak yourself in, a natural Jacuzzi made from natural sulfur pools, and a freshwater pool. A well organized beach, the Mineral Beach also has health treatments, a cafe, showers, and is located in the northern part of the Dead Sea, much closer to Jerusalem than the resort beaches at Ein Bokek further south.