Day Trips from Eilat: Timna, Petra, Red Canyon & More (2026)

Eilat sits at the southern tip of Israel where four countries converge around the Gulf of Aqaba — which makes it one of the best-positioned cities in the region for day excursions. To the north lie Israel’s own dramatic Arava desert landscapes; across the border, Petra and Aqaba in Jordan are accessible in a single day. Here is what you can actually fit into a day trip and how to choose.

The top day trips from Eilat

• Petra, Jordan — Full day; 2h drive from the border. The Nabataean Rose-Red City is the pinnacle of regional excursions from Eilat. Cross the Wadi Araba border early, spend 5–6 hours walking the Siq, exploring the Treasury, the Royal Tombs and the Monastery (if your legs allow). An organised tour is strongly recommended for the border logistics. See the Petra from Eilat vs Amman guide for a full comparison. Book well ahead in high season (March–May, October–November).
• Timna Park — Half to full day; 25 km north. Israel’s most dramatic desert landscape: 60 sq km of Arava valley floor with natural sandstone mushroom formations, Solomon’s Pillars, 6,000-year-old copper mines, an ancient Egyptian Hathor Temple and a reconstructed Tabernacle. Self-drive covers the highlights in 3–4 hours; a guided jeep safari goes deeper. Israel National Parks Pass covers entry.
• Red Canyon — Half day; 30 km north-west. A slot canyon of red, purple and white sandstone near the Egyptian border — one of the best free hikes in the Negev. The canyon circuit takes 1–1.5 hours (2 km, some scrambling). Combine it with Timna Park for a full desert day. Requires a rental car; no public transport to the trailhead.
• Coral Beach Nature Reserve — Half day; 3–5 km south. If snorkeling is your priority, the Coral Beach reserve is technically a “day trip” destination from North Beach hotels. Walk-in access to intact reef from the shore; INPA entry fee (roughly ₪30 adult); reef-safe sunscreen mandatory. No offshore boat needed.
• Glass-bottom boat tour — 2–3 hours; from Eilat marina. The most accessible Red Sea experience for non-swimmers and families — a covered boat with viewing windows beneath the waterline sails above the reef. Add a snorkel session on the return leg for a fuller experience. Bookable at the marina and via GYG.
• Dolphin Reef — 2–3 hours; 2 km south of centre. Semi-wild resident bottlenose dolphins in an open-sea lagoon. Entry from the piers (roughly ₪80–120 adult); supervised snorkel session with dolphins additional (roughly ₪150–250). Dolphins choose whether to approach — interactions are not guaranteed, which is also what makes this ethical.
• Aqaba, Jordan — Half day; 10 min to the border. Jordan’s Red Sea resort town, 30–60 minutes across the Wadi Araba border. Good snorkeling (Aqaba’s dive sites are less crowded than Eilat’s), lower restaurant prices, Mamluk fortress ruins and a lively waterfront. No organised tour needed; taxis run from the Israeli border terminal. See the Aqaba from Eilat guide for full border logistics, snorkeling sites, the castle and the duty-free souk.

What fits in one day?

Combining trips: Timna Park + Red Canyon is a natural full-day combination (leave early, do the canyon in the morning, Timna from midday). Coral Beach + glass-bottom boat covers a full water-sports morning. Petra fills a complete day on its own. Aqaba fits as a half-day afternoon excursion.

Summer heat planning

June to August in Eilat: daytime temperatures routinely exceed 38–42°C. This affects excursion planning:

• Timna Park: opens for sunrise access from 07:00; aim to be finished by 11:00. Alternatively, book a sunset jeep tour (most guided tours operate an evening option that avoids peak heat).
• Red Canyon: deep shade inside the slot, but the approach and return are exposed. Go before 08:30 or after 16:00 in summer.
• Petra: the Jordan valley is slightly cooler but still hot. The Siq provides shade; the climb to the Monastery (Al-Dayr) is fully exposed — skip it in peak summer heat unless you start before 08:00.
• Water activities (boat tours, Coral Beach, Dolphin Reef): comfortable year-round; sea temperature in summer is 27–29°C.

Getting around for Eilat day trips

Rental car is the most practical option for Timna and Red Canyon — both are on Route 90 north of Eilat and have no useful bus service. Compare car rental options and book in advance; Eilat rental desks at Ramon Airport and the city centre fill up fast in high season and on Jewish holidays.

Guided tours are the right choice for Petra (border logistics are complex independently), for Timna jeep safaris (guides add context and reach areas cars can’t), and for glass-bottom boat / snorkel combinations. Most organised tours include pick-up from North Beach hotels.

Walking and taxi: Coral Beach, Dolphin Reef and the glass-bottom boat marina are all reachable on foot from North Beach in 15–30 minutes or by taxi for ₪20–35.

Plan your trip

Read the full Eilat travel guide for city orientation, beaches, dining and getting to Eilat from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. For Eilat beach comparisons — North Beach vs Coral Beach vs Almog Beach — see the Eilat beach guide. For the Petra border-crossing decision see the Petra from Eilat vs Amman guide. For Eilat hotels close to the day-trip departure points, see where to stay in Eilat. Explore the broader Eilat tours compared page for rated tour products across all categories.