Underwater Observatory Marine Park in Eilat
The Underwater Observation Marine Park is one of Israel's leading visitor sites and Eilat's flagship attraction. A public aquarium, park and conservation center, it is located to the south of Eilat’s Coral Beach Nature Reserve, and is the largest public aquarium in Israel, hosting over 800 species.
The mission of this park is to inspire awareness of the rich marine ecosystem of the Red Sea. It displays up to 16 exhibit areas, from sharks to turtles, although many people will be fascinated by the rich displays of coral and the marine life around them.
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​Directions: Enter into Waze “Marine Park” and click on "מצפה תת ימי.”
Admission: Advanced reservation is required. Admission that includes the Aquadome 3D is adult 129₪ and child 119 ₪ and this is valid for 3 days. Children under 3 years enjoy free admission. A discounted Combo Ticket that includes entry to the Observatory Park, the 3D Aqua Dome and Timna Park is for adults 139₪ and child 129 ₪. The Observatory ticket is valid for 3 consecutive days, and the Timna Park ticket is valid for 7 consecutive days. The Park is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week. Their phone number is 08 636-4200. This is their website
Public transport: Enter into Moovit “Underwater Observatory Park.”
When the park was founded in 1974, Its observatory was built completely on land and then flooded with water from the Red Sea. Corals were planted on and around it to repair the damage during its construction. This coral reef has flourished and become a major feeding spot for fish and other marine wildlife. The undersea observatory permits the viewing of coral reefs and marine life without getting wet. Over the years, other attractions and displays have been added. There are also breeding programs for marine life, such as coral propagation, and the park also provide assistance for the reproduction of other marine animals, such as turtles, seahorses, butterfly fish and anemones.
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There are up to 14 sites that can be viewed. Especially if you have time limitations, you may wish to be selective and the following are a must: The Underwater Observatory, and possibly its Peace Terrance although there are a lot of stairs, the Rare Fish Aquarium, and Aliens from the Deep.
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There is also an information center, restaurant, kiosk, jewelry stores, gift store and photo shop. Activities are held throughout the day, such as guided tours and feeding, and visitors should consult the program for times.​
What are corals?
Each coral is made up of thousands (or millions) of tiny animals called polyps. They have tentacles and a mouth and catch tiny drifting food from the water. Most reef-building corals (called hard corals) make a hard skeleton from calcium carbonate, which is the same material as limestone, and over time these skeletons pile up. This is how reefs grow, millimeter by millimeter.
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Inside coral tissue lives microscopic algae, called zooxanthellae, in a symbiotic relationship. The algae use sunlight to photosynthesize and make food and give most of this energy to the coral. The coral gives the algae shelter and nutrients. This is why reef corals need clear, shallow, sunny water and why they are so sensitive to environmental stress. Their colors come from the algae living inside them and protective pigments produced by the coral itself.
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When corals are stressed, such as from heat or pollution, they lose their algae. This is coral bleaching. The coral turns white and may die if conditions do not improve. Coral reefs support about 25% of all marine species and protect coastlines from waves and erosion. They are also among the most threatened ecosystems on Earth.
The Red Sea view Lookout
Other places in Eilat worthwhile visiting include the following:
The Underwater Observatory and Marine Park, Eilat Bird Sanctuary, Um Rash Rash and one of the two Red Sea overlooks.
Consider also a Red Sea cruise, a walk along the promenade for its cafes, restaurants and shopping, jeep tours from Eilat, and a trip to Petra in Jordan.
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The Coral Beach Nature Reserve is a 1.2-kilometer-long protected nature reserve in the Red Sea that advetises itself as the most beautiful marine reserve in the world. It has essential beach services, including a shop, showers, toilets, sunshades, deck chairs and sun loungers. With a diving mask and snorkel (which can be hired at the beach) it is possible to peek into this rich and amazing world and the protrusions of coral around the fringing reef. There are bridges built over the reef, from which the coral reef and the colorful fish swimming around it can be seen. There are shallow pools near the shore in which children can paddle. See their website for more details.
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Dolphin Reef is home to a colorful array of tropical fish, beautiful coral and, most significantly, a school of bottle-nosed dolphins including babies born on the site. Guioded snorkeling is available to any confident swimmer aged between 10 - 88 years old. A session lasts for one hour. Also on site at the Dolphin Reef are the relaxation water pools, a restaurant and beach bar, an art & crafts Creativity Corner, and an auditorium showing films about the dolphins. See their website for further details.