Meeting the Dolphins in the Red Sea
Southern Beach, PO Box 104 88100, Israel
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Description
Venue: Dolphin Reef When: Daily
Six dolphins were originally brought from the Black Sea to the holiday resort of Eilat in an attempt to create a nature reserve with a difference. Dolphin Reef is marked out by a series of nets, but the animals themselves are not enclosed.
Built into the nets are gates which allow the animals the freedom to come and go as they please and, it would seem, it pleases them a great deal to come and marvel at our clumsy attempts at swimming and our need for plastic snorkles. These days there is a group (or pod) of 11 bottlenose dolphins who come towards the shore regularly.
At 2pm every day you can witness some dazzling synchronised swimming displays, again based on the principle of free will. There is a private beach here for those who come for the dolphins, as well as courses in diving, experts on dolphin habits, a research lab and an underwater photography centre. But the real attraction is the chance to swim and play with these exceptional animals.
The only place of its kind in the world, Dolphin Reef also allows children with special needs from all over the world to play with the dolphins. The benefits are enormous and the interaction occurs under the watchful eye of well-trained staff.
Dolphin Reef also has a dive centre (which caters for the disabled), and a submarine for private dives.