The International Writers Magazine: Travel

Nineteen centuries ago, Plutarch, a Greek moralist and biographer made
this statement: “to the dolphin alone, beyond all other, nature has granted what the best philosophers seek: friendship for no advantage”.  Apparently there is something quite impressive about Dolphins. Not only now, when we are learning so much more about them, but even in the year 62 AD.

Dolphin Reef in Eilat, Israel • Norman A. Rubin Dolphins have been interacting with humans for as long as we have known of their existence - The Dolphin Reef is excellent for a full day activity, there is also small swimming beach, restaurant and bar with full and friendly service for your sun bathing spot.

The beach is clean and you´ll see peacocks and roosters roaming about freely.  The main attraction in the reef is the dolphins. Bring your family - spend an hour or stay all day learning about these incredible marine mammals.

Maybe it’s their intelligence, their inquisitiveness or just their irresistible cheesy grins but for some reason dolphins have found a special place in our hearts. If swimming with them tops your  list of things to do in your lifetime then Eilat, Israel is the place to make that dream a reality.

Play is an important part of dolphin culture. Dolphins play with seaweed and play-fight with other dolphins. At times they harass other local creatures, like seabirds and turtles. Dolphins enjoy riding waves and frequently surf coastal swells and the bow waves of boats, at times “leaping” between the dual bow waves of a moving catamaran.  Occasionally, they playfully interact with swimmers.

Dolphins have been observed in aquariums engaging in complex play behavior which involves the creation and manipulation of bubble rings.  (Source: Wikipedia.org)

Hang out on the floating piers and, if they’re in the mood, some of the eight resident bottle nose dolphins will appear to show you a few tricks or nudge your dangling feet. For the ultimate up-close encounter you can don a snorkel or dive tanks and view the dolphins .underwater - an experience accessible to disabled visitors and children.

They are highly sociable animals, living in groups, called pods, which are fairly fluid, with dolphins from other pods interacting with each other from time to time. Dolphins are mammals, not fish. They are warm blooded like man, and give birth to one baby, called a calf, at a time.

You can spend all day at Dolphin Reef, watching the dolphins’ antics from a lounger on the private beach, lunching in one of the restaurants or unwinding in the relaxation pool area, which can even
by hired for chilled-out parties. http://www.explore-eilat.com

Their moans, groans, squeaks, whistles, and grunts can sound as if they’re a heavy metal band. But bottlenose dolphins make their own kind of music. Many of the sounds they make could be imitated by holding a balloon tightly by the neck, then letting the air out faster and slower.

Dolphin Reff Eiliat, on the shores of the Red Sea, is an ecological site unique in Israel and throughout the world where visitors can enjoy a natural atmosphere, magical views, secluded beach, together with the unusual opportunity of meeting and observing dolphins in their natural habitat.

They usually work as a team in their pod to get the school of fish surrounded and balled up. From there, they can plow through the middle and eat plenty as they do so. They take turns doing this so that all that participated get to dine on the fish. This is just one of the many different types of feeding strategies that they may take part in.

They do what is necessary to get the food for the pod members. It can include jumps, zig zag patterns, circles, and a combination of efforts to get the job done. When human measures for intelligence are applied to other species, dolphins come in just behind humans in brainpower, according to new research. Dolphins demonstrate skills and awareness previously thought to be present only in humans.
http://www.dolphins-world.com/

Visitors can enjoy getting close to the dolphins from the floating piers and observation points or during one of the guided swims or dives, suitable to anyone who is not afraid of getting wet.
Contact with people is based on the free will and choice of the dolphins.
Dolphins have very good vision, and they are able to see what is around them both in the water and when they are above the surface of it. They have excellent hearing too, with the ability to hear about 10
times better than humans. The sense of smell isn’t well developed for within their pods. They rely on a combination of their senses to avoid danger, to find food, and to socialize them though. The sense of touch is very sensitive for dolphins and they use it for  within their pods.

Entrance fee:
Adult   (from age 15)   NIS 64
Child    (age 3-15)        NIS 44
Special rates for students, handicapped and groups.  Advance booking for snorkeling and diving with dolphins, and relaxation pools grants entrance free of charge.
Please note: Children under the age of 15 have to be accompanied by an adult
Hours:
Sunday - Thursday 09:00-17:00
Friday-Saturday & Holidays 09:00-16:30

Entrance fee includes:
A day of enjoyment in an ambiance of nature, with magical views, secluded spots on the beach, observation of dolphins in nature and nature films. (No lifeguard on the beach.)
Snorkeling sessions are conducted in guided groups of maximum three persons with one guide for the whole group. Everybody wears a mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuits. It is important that participants have used a snorkel and mask before...

Guided dives with dolphins are available to all qualified divers with a logged dive within the last six months and valid insurance.

'Our objective and aim here at Dolphin Reef, since the beginning in 1990, has been to reach the optimal situation where the dolphins would have the "freedom to choose" between spending their time with us and our visitors, or going out to the open sea'.

Dives take place in groups of maximum four persons + a guide. Maximum dive depth is 14 meters, and dive time is 30 to 35 minutes...  At the Dolphin Reef Dive Center, they are happy to accommodate customers with disabilities for snorkeling or diving with dolphins.
Their dive center offers accessible changing rooms, showers and access to the water. They also have equipment adapted to your needs and for your comfort.
Dolphins are very intelligent and they seem to be well loved by humans. This aquatic mammal has been able to fascinate us in a variety of ways. They are curious, form strong bonds within their pod, and they have been known to help humans in a variety of circumstances including rescues and with fishing.

Surrounded by a lush, green botanical garden are three heated pools - the first is deep, with sea water, the second, shallow with soft fresh water (rain water), and the third with salt water with absolute flotation. The special atmosphere and surroundings, underwater music and the “relaxation techniques” demonstrated by the staff, all add to the unique and special experience.
Sessions and Prices::
Each sessions is for 2 hours and open to maximum 20 participants.  Morning (session with breakfast).....NIS 160 P/P Midday .........................................NIS 160 P/P Evening (after 17:00).......................NIS 190 P/P Weekend (all sessions)...................NIS 190 P/P All sessions includes:  towel for each participant, cold/hot drinks And light refreshments.
Price includes entrance to Dolphin Reef for the day.


Contact details
Dolphin Reef
Southern Beach, Eilat, Israel
Tel:+972-8-6300100
www.dolphinreef.co.il

© Norman A.Rubin POB 21577, Afula 18550,
Israel - normrub2000@gmail.com

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