One of Eilat’s star attractions can be recognized by its tall space needle–like structure punctuating the waves just offshore. Located 8 km (5 miles) south of the city center, this is the largest aquarium complex in the Middle East.
A 300-foot wooden bridge leads to the Underwater Observatory. Visitors head down the spiral staircase and into the sea—15 feet underwater, where two round, glass-windowed halls, connected by a tunnel, offer stunning views of the surrounding coral reef, home to exotic tropical fish.
The Aquarium’s 12 windows provide views of rare fish so magnificent and so colorful that it’s hard to believe they’re real; there’s an unlighted room where phosphorescent fish and other sea creatures glow in the dark. There are turtle and stingray pools as well. Feeding time (11 am daily) is not to be missed in the 650,000-liter Shark Pool. The anaconda snakes, poisonous frogs, and piranha are fed in the Amazonas exhibit daily at 3 pm. Captain Jaws takes you on a sea journey during an audiovisual show presented in a simulated-motion theater with moving seats at the Oceanarium.
